As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 2012
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British Virgin Islands | 6770 | N/A | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
Giovanni Caruso, Esq. Loeb & Loeb LLP 345 Park Avenue New York, New York 10154 (212) 407-4000 Fax: (212) 407-4990 |
Jose Santos, Esq.
Forbes Hare Palm Grove House Road Town, Tortola VG1110 British Virgin Islands (284) 494-1890 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. x
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. o
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. o
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. o
Title of each Class of Security being Registered |
Amount being
Registered |
Proposed
Maximum Offering Price Per Security (1) |
Proposed
Maximum Offering Price (1) |
Amount of
Registration Fee |
||||||||||||
Units, each consisting of one callable Series A Share and one redeemable warrant (2) | 11,500,000 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 115,000,000.00 | $ | 13,179.00 | |||||||||
Callable Series A Shares included in the Units (2) | 11,500,000 | | | | (3) | |||||||||||
Redeemable warrants included in the Units (3) | 11,500,000 | | | | (3) | |||||||||||
Ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants included in the Units (2) | 11,500,000 | 10.00 | 115,000,000.00 | 13,179.00 | ||||||||||||
Callable Series B Shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the callable Series A Shares (2) (4) | 11,500,000 | | | | (5) | |||||||||||
Ordinary shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the callable Series B Shares | 11,500,000 | | | | (5) | |||||||||||
Underwriters unit purchase option | 1 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 0.01 | ||||||||||||
Units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option (5) | 700,000 | 12.00 | 8,400,000.00 | 962.64 | ||||||||||||
Ordinary shares included as part of the Units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option (5) | 700,000 | | | | (3) | |||||||||||
Warrants included as part of the Units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option (5) | 700,000 | | | | (3) | |||||||||||
Ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants included in the Units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option (4) (5) | 700,000 | 10.00 | 7,000,000.00 | 802.20 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 245,400,100.00 | $ | 28,122.85 | (7) |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) of Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
(2) | Includes 1,500,000 units, consisting of 1,500,000 callable Series A Shares and 1,500,000 redeemable warrants, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. |
(3) | No fee required pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
(4) | Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, there are also being registered such additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions. |
(5) | No fee required pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
(6) | Represents an option granted to the representative of the underwriters to purchase up to 700,000 units, consisting of 700,000 shares and 700,000 redeemable warrants. |
(7) | Previously paid. |
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.
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 is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 25, 2012 |
CIS Acquisition Ltd. is a newly formed company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. We were formed to acquire, through a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or similar acquisition transaction, one or more operating businesses. Although we are not limited to a particular geographic region or industry, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe. We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.
This is the initial public offering of our units. Each unit has a public offering price of $10.00 per unit and consists of one callable Series A Share, par value $0.0001, and one redeemable warrant. Each redeemable warrant included in the units entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.00. Each redeemable warrant will become exercisable on the later of the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares and [___________], 2013 [one year from the date of this prospectus] , and expire on the earlier of [___________], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] or the date of our dissolution and the liquidation of the trust account, unless redeemed by us as described below.
We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional units at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions (in addition to the 10,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any. We have also agreed to sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters of this offering, for $100, as additional compensation, an option to purchase up to a total of 700,000 units at $12.00 per unit. The underwriters option is exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us.
Our founding shareholders and their designees have committed to purchase 5,066,666 warrants at a price of $0.75 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000, in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering. We refer to these warrants as the placement warrants. All of the proceeds we receive from the purchases will be placed in the trust account described below. The placement warrants will be identical to the redeemable warrants being offered by this prospectus, except for certain differences in redemption rights, transfer restriction and exercise rights as described in this prospectus.
There is presently no public market for our units, callable Series A Shares, or redeemable warrants. We have applied to list our units, callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols [____], [____] and [____], with the units to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The callable Series A Shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the earlier of the 90 th day after the date of this prospectus or the announcement by the underwriters of the decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject, however, to our filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balanced sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We anticipate that once separate trading commences, the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants will be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. However, we cannot assure you that our application to list our units, callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants on the NASDAQ Capital Market will be approved or that, if approved, our units, callable Series A Shares or redeemable warrants will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 22 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with investing in our securities. 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.
Per Unit | Total Proceeds | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions | $ | 0.50 | $ | 5,000,000 | (1) | |||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | 9.50 | $ | 95,000,000 |
(1) | Includes $2,000,000, or $0.20 per unit, equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of this offering (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) payable to the underwriters as deferred underwriting discounts and commissions from the funds to be placed in the trust account described below. Such funds will be released to the underwriters only upon the consolidation of each series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, as described in this prospectus. If the acquisition transaction is not consummated, such deferred discount and commission will be forfeited by the underwriters. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. |
We will deposit into a trust account at J.P. Morgan, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as trustee, $100,000,000 (or approximately $10.00 per unit sold to the public in the offering assuming the over allotment option is not exercised). Such amount includes (i) $2,000,000, or $0.20 per unit, of underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters only upon the consolidation of each series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, and (ii) a portion of the proceeds that we will receive from the purchase of placement warrants described above. Prior to an acquisition transaction, the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, our liquidation if we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction or the liquidation of our trust account if we fail to commence or complete an issuer tender offer within the allotted time, amounts in trust may not be released, except for (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction.
We are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about , 2012.
The date of this prospectus is , 2012
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If such information is provided to you, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus, as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties as they are not based on historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about markets in the United States or abroad, our beliefs, and our assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus.
i
Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to the Company, we, us, our company and our refer to CIS Acquisition Ltd.
Unless otherwise indicated, our financial information presented in this prospectus has been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP. All references to U.S. dollars and $ are to the legal currency of the United States. Any discrepancies in the tables included in this prospectus between the total and sum of constituent items are due to rounding. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option.
Our shareholders prior to this offering are: Kyle Shostak, our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a director, Levan Vasadze, a director, David Ansell, a director, and CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd., an entity controlled by Zelda Finance Ltd. and SPAC Investments Ltd., which in turn are controlled by Anatoly Danilitskiy, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Taras Vazhnov, a director, respectively. We refer to these shareholders collectively as our initial shareholders. We refer to our initial shareholders, together with Messrs. Danilitskiy and Vazhnov, as our founders, and the ordinary shares and warrants our founders collectively own prior to this offering as the founders shares and placement warrants, respectively. We collectively refer to the founders shares and placement warrants as the founders securities.
We refer to holders of units and underlying securities sold in this offering (whether purchased in this offering or in the aftermarket) as public shareholders or public warrant holders, as the case may be. We refer to the units and underlying securities being sold in this public offering as the public units, public shares (including the callable Series A Shares and the callable Series B and Series C Shares into which the callable Series A Shares may convert) and public warrants, as the case may be. Our founders may acquire public units or the underlying securities (whether purchased in this offering or in the aftermarket) and would, with respect to such securities only, be public shareholders or public warrant holders, as the case may be. The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering.
Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to the trust account refer to the trust account at J.P. Morgan with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as trustee, into which we will deposit $100,000,000 (or approximately $10.00 per unit sold to the public in the offering if the over allotment option is not exercised). If the over allotment option is exercised in full, an aggregate of $114,550,000 (or approximately $9.96 per unit sold to the public in the offering) will be deposited into the trust account. Such amounts include (i) $0.20 per unit, of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and, (ii) the aggregate proceeds of $3,800,000 that we will receive from the purchase of the placement warrants described above.
All references to a pro rata portion of the trust account refer to a pro rata share of the trust account determined by dividing the total amount in the trust account as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the trust, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, by the number of callable Series A or Series B Shares outstanding as of such date. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us.
References to an FPI or FPI status are references to a foreign private issuer as defined by and determined pursuant to Rule 3b-4 of the Exchange Act.
1
This summary highlights certain information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the information under Risk Factors and our financial statements and the related notes and schedules thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
We are a newly formed company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues to date. Until we complete an acquisition transaction, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. We are an innovated public acquisition company, or IPAC SM , formed to acquire, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or similar acquisition transaction, one or more operating businesses. An IPAC is a blank check company that permits the company to return funds from the trust account to redeeming shareholders after the acquisition transaction is completed, as described further below, which is different from most other blank check companies that are required to return funds from the trust account prior to, or at the time, the acquisition transaction is completed. IPAC is a service mark of Loeb & Loeb LLP.
Although our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association do not limit us to a particular geographic region or industry, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe. We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration or contemplation, and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We have not, in any capacity (nor has any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by, any candidates (or representative of any candidates), with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with our company. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.
The foregoing notwithstanding, in the course of their other business activities, our management team has had contact with or gained familiarity with many businesses that may meet our investment criteria and, therefore, could be a target business. However, any such discussions were in the ordinary course of the business activities of the members of our management team, and no discussions of any kind have taken place with any such business, whether directly or indirectly, regarding the potential for a transaction between us and such business.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, and will continue to be an emerging growth company until: (i) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of this prospectus, (ii) the date on which we become a large accelerated filer, or (iii) the date on which we have issued an aggregate of $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding 3 years. As an emerging growth company, we are entitled to rely on certain scaled disclosure requirements and other exemptions, including an exemption from the requirement to provide an auditor attestation to managements assessment of its internal controls as required by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We may at any time voluntarily elect to cease to avail ourselves of the scaled disclosure and other exemptions available to us as an emerging growth company, and have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. See the risk factor entitled We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act which allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
Our management team has a track record of finding, valuing, operating, consolidating, acquiring, restructuring, building, and disposing of various operating businesses in multiple industries in Russia and Eastern Europe.
2
We believe our management is uniquely positioned to source, execute, operate and exit large and middle-market business opportunities and possesses the experience needed to meet the unique reporting and relational demands of the investors in an IPAC. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Our management team expects to bring value to a target company by selecting and supporting effective leadership, providing strategic guidance, and assisting with enterprise improvement, sales and marketing.
The team is led by Mr. Anatoly Danilitskiy, who has a track record of establishing and building successful businesses. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy established and led National Reserve Corporation, or NRC, consolidating its strategic non-banking investment assets and building it into what became one of Russias largest private holding companies with assets totaling over $5 billion. While at NRC, Mr. Danilitskiy oversaw all major investments and the asset management business. He was also responsible for the groups investments in energy companies such as Gazprom and transportation companies (including a 30% stake in Aeroflot International Airlines) and various debt restructurings and distressed workouts. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy served as a member of the board of directors of Aeroflot, where he was instrumental in launching and implementing its fleet modernization program.
Mr. Danilitskiy has served as a foreign diplomat, initially to the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having been posted at the embassies in India, Australia and Great Britain. He retired in 1993 with a rank of Senior Counselor.
Since 2007, Mr. Danilitskiy has served as Chairman and Member of the Board of Energobank and is a majority shareholder of the bank. Mr. Danilitskiy has also served as Chairman of the Board of RetnNet, an international telecommunications network, since 2010. In addition, other members of the management team, Mr. Kyle Shostak, Mr. Taras Vazhnov, Mr. Levan Vasadze and David Ansell, are experienced investment banking and management professionals, with track records of deal origination, structuring and execution as well as business management.
Each member of the our management team has experience identifying and acquiring or financing businesses of similar scale as the middle-market companies that we will target; however, our management does not have prior blank check company experience, and the prior experience of our management is not a guarantee that we will be able to successfully complete an initial business combination. Furthermore, our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs. If our executive officers and directors other business affairs require them to devote time in excess of their current commitment levels to such affairs, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs, which may have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Based on the collective business and acquisition experiences of our management team, our management will seek to identify and target businesses in Russia or Eastern Europe in which our management can assist in the growth and development. Our management intends to acquire a target cash-positive operating business or businesses that it believes can achieve long-term appreciation. Given our management teams collective track record of transactions and industry contacts, we believe we can identify potential targets and successfully negotiate and consummate our initial acquisition transaction, although we cannot provide any assurance that an acquisition transaction will be consummated.
While we intend to focus on potential acquisition targets with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe, we are not committed to do so. We may attempt to acquire an acquisition target in another region if an attractive acquisition opportunity is identified in such other region prior to the time we identify an acquisition opportunity in Russia or Eastern Europe and if we believe that such opportunity is in the best interest of our shareholders.
3
We currently intend to target our search in the following manner:
| We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of new product development, increased production capacity, increased operating leverage, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions; |
| We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable, and increasing free cash flow. We will focus on one or more businesses that have predictable revenue streams and definable working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to leverage cash flow from a target business by obtaining external sources of financing, such as a credit line secured against this cash flow, in order to enhance shareholder value in the post-acquisition company; |
| We intend to only acquire a company that will benefit from being publicly traded and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company; |
| Although we are not limited to acquiring a target business from such regions, markets or industries, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe and on markets and industries in which our management team and our board of directors have first-hand experience. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will review any attractive opportunity presented to us; and |
| We currently expect that some members of our management team will become a part of the management of the combined entity, or that we will work with existing management to augment the management team in areas where additional capabilities are required. |
We will look for businesses that have one or more of the following characteristics:
| Motivated owners that are seeking liquidity as a result of having their stock in a public company; |
| Businesses that are ready to be public; |
| Businesses that can effectively use the additional capital that a transaction with us will provide; |
| Companies that are being divested by conglomerates or multinational companies; and |
| Under-valued public companies that can benefit from our managements experience and expertise. |
Although our management has a number of competitive advantages in acquiring businesses through blank check companies, we 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 target business if, for example, no member of our management remains with the combined company after an acquisition transaction.
Since 2008 and through August 15, 2011, a total of 39 blank check companies have completed their initial public offering, but only 13 (or approximately 33%) have completed an initial acquisition transaction. Of the remaining 26, 20 (or approximately 51%) are still seeking acquisition targets and 6 (or approximately 15%) have dissolved and liquidated their trust to public shareholders.
While we believe that acquiring a target business in Russia and Eastern Europe presents significant opportunities, there are significant potential disadvantages and risks to acquiring a target in this region, including the greater vulnerability of emerging markets to economic crises, political and governmental instability in the region, lack of necessary infrastructure, uncertainty resulting from a developing legal system, concerns associated with bribery and corruption, restrictions on foreign ownership, and difficulty in enforcing judgments, among others. While we will seek to minimize the potential impact of these factors in identifying a target business, many of these risk factors are inherent in our proposed business or beyond our control.
4
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that these factors will not significantly negatively impact our business and results of operations. For a full discussion of these potential disadvantages and risks, please see Risk Factors Risks associated with acquiring and operating a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe.
We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration, and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective acquisition target or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with us. 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 and directors and any of their potential contacts or relationships regarding a potential acquisition transaction with us. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.
The foregoing notwithstanding, in the course of their other business activities, our management team has had contact with or gained familiarity with many businesses that may meet our investment criteria and, therefore, could be a target business. However, any such discussions were in the ordinary course of the business activities of the members of our management team, and no discussions of any kind have taken place with any such business, whether directly or indirectly, regarding the potential for a transaction between us and such business. We will not, therefore, automatically disregard any such potential target solely on the basis that a member of our management team was previously aware of the target or had some level of contact with it prior to the effective date of our prospectus. To do so would only be to the disadvantage of our shareholders by depriving them of the opportunity to consummate what might be an attractive acquisition transaction. Should we propose a transaction with such a business to our shareholders, we will disclose any such prior knowledge or contacts, and we will reaffirm that no discussion of an acquisition transaction with us occurred prior to the effective date of this prospectus.
If we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction within the allotted time (18 months, or 21 months pursuant to the automatic extension period described herein, from the consummation of this offering), we will liquidate and distribute our trust account, as well as any remaining net assets, to the holders of shares sold in this offering, or the public shareholders. Following the liquidation of our trust account, our corporate existence will cease.
We are a newly formed company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete an acquisition transaction, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our officers and directors, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company, including:
| Reliance on our managements ability to choose an appropriate target business, either conduct due diligence or monitor due diligence conducted by others and negotiate a favorable price; |
| Existing and possible conflicts of interest of our directors and officers described under Management Conflicts of Interest below; |
| If we do not consummate an acquisition, you will only be entitled to receive the amount in trust on our liquidation, which may be 18 months, 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension, or longer after the termination event; |
| If third parties bring claims against us, the amount in trust may be reduced; |
| We have a redemption threshold of 92.5%, which means that a significant portion of the trust account could be returned to shareholders even if we consummate an acquisition transaction and the liquidity of our shares could be significantly reduced; |
| We may engage in an acquisition transaction with a target business in any industry; |
5
| We currently have limited resources outside of the trust account and may expend significant amounts of money pursuing transactions that do not close, which may leave us with limited resources to continue seeking a target business; |
| The offering price of our units was set in an arbitrary fashion; and |
| You will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our securities. |
In addition, this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, in order to give us greater flexibility in structuring an acquisition transaction and to avoid the restrictions associated with Rule 419. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 22 of this prospectus.
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to redeem or will have their shares automatically redeemed for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, regardless of how it is structured.
The manner in which public shareholders may redeem their shares or will have their shares automatically redeemed will depend on the structure of the transaction. We intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction and shareholder redemption rights in one of the following ways:
| Pre-acquisition tender offer : If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, then prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we would initiate a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series A Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares in a pre-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. |
| Post-acquisition tender offer : If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, we will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC disclosing that we have entered into a definitive acquisition transaction agreement, that we intend to consummate the transaction without a shareholder vote or a pre-acquisition tender offer. After such Form 6-K is on file with the SEC, we would close the acquisition transaction upon satisfaction of all closing conditions and within 30 days of the closing, commence a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series B Shares by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. The tender offer documents would include the same information about the target business as was contained in the Form 6-K discussed above. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series B Shares in a post-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. In addition, in order to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% redemption threshold, we may seek that certain shareholders (holders of 5% or more of the public shares who are also accredited investors) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares on a one-for-one basis, with any remaining callable Series A Shares automatically converting to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction. We will contact the accredited investors to seek conversion of our Series A Shares through contacts that investment bankers or other service providers that we engage have. It is not anticipated that such accredited investors will receive any information greater than that released to the public unless such accredited investors sign a non-trading and non-disclosure agreement with us. We will determine who we can solicit by examining a non-objecting beneficial owner list and public filings relating to beneficial ownership in order to determine the stockholders who own greater than 5% of our |
6
ordinary shares. Unlike the Series A Shares, the Series C Shares would not be eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer and would not be redeemable for a pro rata portion of the trust account. If we fail to commence the issuer tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the acquisition transaction, or if we fail to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction, then within 5 business days thereafter, we will automatically liquidate the trust account and release to our public shareholders, except for holders of Series C Shares, a pro rata portion of the trust account. The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering. |
The way we structure our transaction will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business, so we cannot provide any definitive guidance on which structure we will use, other than that we will use the structure that we believe will allow us to complete a successful acquisition. However, for example, we expect that:
| If the target business wanted to complete the transaction quickly, we would try to structure the transaction to make use of a post-acquisition tender offer; or |
| If the target business wanted to know exactly how much money would remain in trust prior to closing, we would try to structure the transaction as a pre-acquisition tender offer. |
If we are no longer an FPI and shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, we will:
| conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| file proxy materials with the SEC. |
The redemption rights described above are only available to holders of callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be. If we are required to offer redemption rights to all holders of our ordinary shares, our founders have agreed to not tender their securities for redemption. For more information about how we may structure our initial acquisition transaction please see Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction.
We may be required to obtain shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition transaction if, for example, we are the entity directly participating in a merger or required to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to alter the rights of our shareholders.
We will proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning not more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have a minimum of $5,000,000 in net tangible assets post initial public offering, which permits us to not comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. If we have exercised our right to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the materials distributed to our shareholders in connection with any pre-acquisition tender offer or post-acquisition tender offer. In addition, a potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing.
If an acquisition transaction is not consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund
7
our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, will be distributed to our public shareholders. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us.
We will have 18 months following the consummation of this offering to consummate our initial acquisition transaction. In addition, if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within 18 months following the consummation of this offering, the time period within which we must complete our initial acquisition transaction will be automatically extended to 21 months following the consummation of this offering (which we refer to as the automatic period extension in this prospectus) if an initial filing with the SEC of a tender offer, proxy, or registration statement is made, but the acquisition transaction is not completed, within 18 months of the consummation of this offering. If we do not consummate our initial acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) after the completion of this offering, we will promptly dissolve and liquidate and release only to our public shareholders a pro rata share of the trust account, plus any remaining net assets.
Certain of our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, that are engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Furthermore, each of our principals may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to us. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe fiduciary duties. For a list of the entities to which our officers and directors owe fiduciary duties, see Management Conflicts of Interest. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity time should be allocated or a particular business opportunity should be presented. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor. As a result, a potential target business may be presented to another entity with which our officers and directors have a pre-existing fiduciary obligation and we may miss out on a potential transaction.
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 an acquisition transaction on the one hand and their other businesses on the other hand. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. While each of our executive officers has indicated that they intend to devote approximately 20% of their time to affairs, each of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which such officer is entitled to substantial compensation and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. See Management Directors and Executive Officers. If our executive officers and directors other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, you may face difficulty protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited. Please refer to the section entitled Risk Factors Because we are incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, you may face difficulty protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited for more information.
Our executive offices are located at 89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84, Moscow, Russia 119607, and our dedicated U.S. telephone number is (917) 514-1310.
8
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 the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and other risks set forth under Risk Factors beginning on page 22 of this prospectus.
Securities offered: |
10,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of: |
one callable Series A Share, par value $0.0001 per share; and |
one redeemable warrant to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of $10.00. |
Trading commencement and separation of ordinary shares and warrants: |
The units offered by this prospectus will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants comprising the units shall begin separate trading on the earlier of the 90 th day after the date of this prospectus or the announcement by the underwriters of the decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject, however, to our filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. See Description of Securities Units Public Shareholders Units. |
We will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC, including an audited balance sheet, within 4 business days after the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds of this offering, including our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 6-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 6-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 6-K or a new Form 6-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise and consummation of the over-allotment option. |
Once the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants. |
The callable Series A Shares will continue to trade until we consummate an acquisition transaction, at which time they will either: (i) automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares, if we have granted shareholders redemption rights prior to, or concurrently with, the consummation of the acquisition transaction; or (ii) automatically separate from the units and convert to callable Series B Shares, if we complete the acquisition transaction prior to a post-acquisition tender offer. Callable Series B Shares will automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares following consummation of a post-acquisition tender offer or converted into the right to receive a pro rata share of the trust account in the event that we (i) fail to commence the post-acquisition tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the acquisition transaction, or (ii) fail |
9
to complete the post-acquisition tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction. |
Warrants: |
Exercisability: |
Each redeemable warrant is exercisable to purchase one ordinary share. |
Exercise price: |
$10.00 per share. |
Exercise period: |
The redeemable warrants offered hereby will become exercisable on the later of: |
the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares; and |
one year from the date of this prospectus. |
Although the redeemable warrants and the ordinary shares underlying them will be registered pursuant to this prospectus, redeemable warrants will only be exercisable by paying the exercise price in cash if an effective registration statement relating to the exercise of the redeemable warrants covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants is effective and a prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants is available for use by the holders of the redeemable warrants. |
In the event that there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants, holders of the redeemable warrants may elect to exercise them on a cashless basis. We would not receive additional proceeds to the extent the redeemable warrants are exercised on a cashless basis. |
The redeemable warrants will expire five years from the date of this prospectus at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on , 2017 or earlier upon redemption by us or our dissolution and liquidation of the trust account in the event we are unable to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. |
Redemption: |
Once the redeemable warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding both the placement warrants and the warrants included in the units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option), with the prior consent of Chardan Capital Markets, LLC: |
in whole but not in part; |
at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
upon a minimum of 30 days prior written notice of redemption; and |
if, and only if, the last sale price of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, or other exchange on which our securities may be traded, equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third day prior to the day on which notice is given. |
10
Number of securities to be outstanding: |
Prior to this
Offering (1) |
After this
Offering (1) |
|||||||
Units | 0 | 10,000,000 | ||||||
Callable Series A Shares | 0 | 10,000,000 | ||||||
Callable Series B Shares | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Series C Shares | 2,500,000 | (2) | 2,500,000 | (2) | ||||
Warrants | 5,066,666 | (3) | 15,066,666 | (4) |
(1) | Does not include 700,000 units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option and assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised. |
(2) | Does not include up to 375,000 Series C Shares sold to our founders that are subject to redemption by us for no consideration to the extent the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
(3) | Consists of 5,066,666 placement warrants. |
(4) | Consists of (i) 10,000,000 redeemable warrants included in the units offered by this prospectus, and (ii) 5,066,666 placement warrants. |
Founders shares: |
Our founders own an aggregate of 2,875,000 of our Series C Shares, of which up to 375,000 shares will be redeemed by us for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full. See Description of Securities Units Founders Shares. |
Warrants purchased through private placement: |
Our founders and certain of their designees have committed to purchase 5,066,666 warrants at a price of $0.75 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000 in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The placement warrants will be purchased separately and not in combination with ordinary shares in the form of units. The proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account pending our consummation of an acquisition transaction on the terms described in this prospectus. The placement warrants to be purchased will be identical to the redeemable warrants, except for certain differences in redemption rights, transfer restrictions and that they may be exercised during the applicable exercise period, on a for cash or cashless basis, at any time after the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, even if there is not an effective registration statement relating to the shares underlying the warrants, so long as such warrants are held by the founders or their affiliates. See Description of Securities Warrants Placement Warrants. |
Underwriters unit purchase option: |
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, or its designees, for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units comprised of 700,000 ordinary shares and warrants to purchase 700,000 ordinary shares (an amount that is equal to 7% of the total number of units sold in this offering). The underwriters unit purchase option will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this |
11
prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved at a price per unit of $12.00 (120% of the public offering price). The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us. |
Proposed NASDAQ symbols for our Units, Callable Series A Shares and Warrants: |
[___], [___], [___] |
Offering proceeds and proceeds from placement warrants to be held in the trust account and amounts payable prior to trust account distribution or liquidation: |
$100,000,000, or approximately $10.00 per unit (or $114,550,000, or approximately $9.96 per unit, if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of placement warrants will be placed in a trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. The trust assets will be held in an account located outside of the United States. |
Other than as described below, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (i) the consummation of an acquisition transaction if holders of our callable Series A or callable Series B shares have been given the opportunity to redeem their shares in connection with the acquisition transaction, (ii) the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, (iii) our dissolution and liquidation if we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction within the allotted time, or (iv) liquidation of the trust account if we are unable to commence or complete our post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time. Prior to an acquisition transaction, the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, our liquidation if we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction or the liquidation of our trust account if we fail to commence or complete an issuer tender offer within the allotted time, amounts in trust may not be released, except for (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us. |
See Use of Proceeds. |
12
Limited payments to insiders: |
There will be no compensation, fees, reimbursements or other payments made to our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates, other than: |
the principal and interest pursuant to the unsecured promissory note for $180,155 to Intercarbo Holding AG, an affiliated company controlled by Taras Vazhnov, our director, to fund a portion of the organizational and offering expenses owed by us to third parties; |
the principal and interest pursuant to the unsecured promissory note for $52,000 to Intercarbo Holding AG, an affiliated company controlled by Taras Vazhnov, our director, to fund a portion of the organizational and offering expenses owed by us to third parties; |
payment of an aggregate of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG, an affiliate of our officers and directors, for office space, administrative services and secretarial support until the earlier of consummation of an acquisition transaction and our liquidation; and |
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating an acquisition transaction. There are no limitations on the amount of expenses for which they can seek reimbursement, provided such expenses were incurred for our benefit. |
All amounts held in the trust account that are not distributed to redeem shares, released to us to purchase units or shares, pay taxes, fund our working capital or upon conversion of callable Series A Shares to Series C Shares, or payable to the underwriters as deferred discounts and commissions will be released to us on closing of our initial acquisition transaction: |
All amounts held in the trust account that are not released as described above will be released to us on the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. |
At the time that we consolidate each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, there will be released to the underwriters from the trust account deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that are equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of this offering, or $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full). The underwriters are entitled to receive the full underwriting discounts and commissions regardless of the number of ordinary shares that are redeemed. |
13
Foreign Private Issuer status |
As a new registrant with the SEC, we are required to determine our status as an FPI under Rule 3b-4(d) of the Exchange Act, 30 days prior to the filing of our initial registration statement with the Commission. If we make a determination that we qualify as an FPI, we will be required to comply with the tender offer rules in connection with our initial acquisition transaction. We are required to determine our status as an FPI on an ongoing basis and for the 2012 fiscal year, we will determine our FPI status as of the last day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or April 30, 2012. On such date, if we no longer qualify as an FPI (as set forth in Rule 3b-4 of the Exchange Act), we will then become subject to the U.S. domestic issuer rules as of the first day of our 2013 fiscal year following the determination date, or November 1, 2013. As a result, should we determine on April 30, 2012, that we are no longer an FPI, commencing on November 1, 2013 we will be subject to the U.S. domestic issuer rules and we will have the option of conducting redemptions like other blank check companies in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. In addition, once we fail to qualify as an FPI, we will remain so unless we meet the requirement for an FPI as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter following the end of the fiscal year that we lost our FPI status. We may voluntarily lose our status as an FPI so that we can avail ourselves of the flexibility provided to U.S. domestic issuers. In determining whether to voluntarily obtain U.S. domestic issuer status, we will consider among other factors, the time required to complete an acquisition transaction pursuant to the proxy rules and tender offer rules and whether we believe we are more likely to consummate an acquisition transaction if we have the flexibility afforded to U.S. domestic issuers. |
Permitted purchases of units and callable Series A Shares |
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, the investment management trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day |
14
generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. Such open market purchases, if any, would be conducted by us to minimize any disparity between the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the pro rata portion of the trust account. A market price below the pro rata portion of the trust account could provide an incentive for purchasers to buy our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares after the filing of our preliminary proxy statement at a discount to the pro rata portion of the trust account for the sole purpose of voting against our initial acquisition transaction and exercising redemption rights for the full pro rata portion of the trust account. Such trading activity could enable such investors to block our initial acquisition transaction by making it difficult for us to obtain the approval of such acquisition transaction by the vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares that are voted. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses. For additional information, please see the section entitled Risk Factors Our purchase of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares in the open market may support the market price of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares during the buyback period and, accordingly, the termination of the support provided by such purchases may materially adversely affect the market price of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares. |
Redemption rights for our public shareholders in connection with our initial acquisition transaction: |
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of |
15
Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to redeem or will have their shares automatically redeemed for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) all or a portion of their shares in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, regardless of how it is structured. |
The manner in which public shareholders may redeem their shares or will have their shares automatically redeemed will depend on the structure of the transaction. We intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction and shareholder redemption rights in one of the following ways: |
Pre-acquisition tender offer : If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, then prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we would initiate a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series A Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares in a pre-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. |
Post-acquisition tender offer : If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, we will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC disclosing that we have entered into a definitive acquisition transaction agreement, that we intend to consummate the transaction without a shareholder vote or a pre-acquisition tender offer. After such Form 6-K is on file with the SEC, we would close the acquisition transaction upon satisfaction of all closing conditions and within 30 days of the closing, commence a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series B Shares by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. The tender offer documents would include the same information about the target business as was contained in the Form 6-K discussed above. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series B Shares in a post-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. In addition, in order to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% redemption threshold, we may seek that certain shareholders (holders of 5% or more of the public shares who are also accredited investors) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares on a one-for-one basis, with any remaining callable Series A Shares automatically converting to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction. We will contact the accredited investors to seek conversion of our Series A Shares through contacts that investment bankers or other service providers that we engage have. It is not anticipated that such accredited investors will receive any information greater than that released to the public unless such accredited investors sign a non-trading and non-disclosure agreement with us. We will determine who we can solicit by examining a non-objecting beneficial owner list and public filings relating to beneficial ownership in order to determine the stockholders who own greater than 5% of our ordinary shares. Unlike the Series A Shares, the Series C Shares |
16
would not be eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer and would not be redeemable for a pro rata portion of the trust account. If we fail to commence the issuer tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the acquisition transaction, or if we fail to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction, then within 5 business days thereafter, we will automatically liquidate the trust account and release to our public shareholders, except for holders of Series C Shares, a pro rata portion of the trust account. The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering. |
The way we structure our transaction will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business, so we cannot provide any definitive guidance on which structure we will use, other than that we will use the structure that we believe will allow us to complete a successful acquisition. However, for example, we expect that: |
If the target business wanted to complete the transaction quickly, we would try to structure the transaction to make use of a post-acquisition tender offer; or |
If the target business wanted to know exactly how much money would remain in trust prior to closing, we would try to structure the transaction as a pre-acquisition tender offer. |
If we are no longer an FPI and shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, we will: |
conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
file proxy materials with the SEC. |
The redemption rights described above are only available to holders of callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be. If we are required to offer redemption rights to all holders of our ordinary shares, our founders have agreed to not tender their securities for redemption. For more information about how we may structure our initial acquisition transaction please see Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction. |
We may be required to obtain shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition transaction if, for example, we are the entity directly participating in a merger or required to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to alter the rights of our shareholders. |
We will proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning not more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have a minimum of $5,000,000 in net tangible assets post initial public offering, which permits us to not comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. |
17
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. |
Time to complete an initial acquisition transaction: |
We will have 18 months following the consummation of this offering to consummate our initial acquisition transaction. In addition, if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within 18 months following the consummation of this offering, the time period within which we must complete our initial acquisition transaction will be automatically extended to 21 months following the consummation of this offering (which we refer to as the automatic period extension in this prospectus) if an initial filing with the SEC of a tender offer, proxy, or registration statement is made, but the acquisition transaction is not completed, within 18 months of the date of this prospectus. |
Dissolution and liquidation if no acquisition transaction occurs: |
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction), if we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction within the allotted time, we will automatically dissolve and as promptly as practicable liquidate the trust account and release only to our public shareholders a pro rata share of the trust account, plus any remaining net assets. If we elect to effect a post-acquisition tender offer and complete an acquisition transaction prior to such time period, but have not completed a post-acquisition tender offer within the applicable period, we will not be required to liquidate and wind up our affairs; however, the release of the funds to us in the case of a post-acquisition tender offer will be conditioned upon completion of such tender offer. Our founders have agreed with respect to the founders shares to waive their rights to participate in any distribution from the trust account, but not with respect to any units or callable Series A Shares they acquire in this offering or in the aftermarket. |
Prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we will seek to have all prospective target businesses we enter into agreements with and all vendors and service providers that we contract to provide services to us, which we collectively refer to as the contracted parties, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders. If we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. |
Determination of offering amount: |
In determining the size of this offering, our management concluded, based on their collective experience, that an offering of this size, together with the proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants, would provide us with sufficient equity capital to execute our business plan. Although we made this determination assuming a minimal number of redemptions, we believe that this amount of equity capital, plus our ability to finance an acquisition using stock or debt in addition to the cash held in the trust |
18
account, will give us substantial flexibility in selecting an acquisition target and structuring our initial acquisition transaction, even if significant redemptions should occur. This belief is not based on any research, analysis, evaluations, discussions, or compilations of information with respect to any particular investment or any such action undertaken in connection with our organization. |
Escrow of the founders shares and transfer limitations of the placement warrants: |
On the date of this prospectus, all of our officers, directors, shareholders and advisors will place the founders shares into an escrow account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as escrow agent pursuant to an escrow agreement. Subject to certain limited exceptions for transfers, these securities will not be transferable during the escrow period. The founders shares will not be released from escrow until 2 years after the date of this prospectus. The placement warrants will not be transferable until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. |
19
The following selected consolidated financial data, other than selected operating data, have been derived from our audited financial statements as of February 17, 2012 and for the period from November 28, 2011 (Inception) to February 17, 2012, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our results of operations in any period may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. See Risk Factors included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial information should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the accompanying notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of February 17, 2012 | ||||||||
Balance sheet data: | Actual | As Adjusted | ||||||
Working capital (deficiency) | $ | (179,155 | ) | $ | 98,245,945 | |||
Total assets | 226,000 | 98,245,945 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 205,155 | | ||||||
Value of shares which may be redeemed for cash | | 92,500,000 | ||||||
Shareholders equity | $ | 20,845 | $ | 5,745,945 |
For the period
November 28, 2011 (Inception) to February 17, 2012 |
||||
Selected statement of operation data: | Actual | |||
Formation costs | $ | 4,155 | ||
Total operating expenses | $ | (4,155 | ) | |
Net loss | $ | (4,155 | ) | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | 2,500,000 | |||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.00 | ) |
The as adjusted information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering, including the application of the related gross proceeds, the receipt of $3,800,000 from the sale of the placement warrants, and the payment of the estimated remaining expenses of this offering. The as adjusted working capital and as adjusted total assets excludes $2,000,000 (assuming no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option) being held in the trust account representing deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
The as adjusted working capital and total assets amounts include net proceeds of approximately $225,000 not held in the trust account and $98,000,000 (which is net of deferred underwriting discounts of $2,000,000) of cash to be held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders (not including the exercise of the over-allotment option), which will be distributed (i) to public shareholders pro rata who exercise their redemption rights in connection with our initial acquisition transaction (assuming that our initial acquisition transaction is consummated), (ii) to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC upon the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, in the amount of $2,000,000 in payment of their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, and (iii) to us upon the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, in the amount remaining in the trust account following the payment to any public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights and payment of deferred discounts and commissions to the underwriters and all other accrued expenses. All such proceeds will be distributed from the trust account only as described in this prospectus. If an acquisition transaction is not consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, will be distributed to our public shareholders. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us.
20
We may effect an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the 10,000,000 ordinary shares sold in this offering (9,250,000 shares, or 10,637,500 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) exercise their redemption rights, except that we may complete an acquisition transaction prior to completing a post-acquisition tender offer if after giving effect to such tender offer (assuming all eligible shares are redeemed) we would have had net tangible assets in excess of $5 million as of the consummation of this offering. If we have exercised our right to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the materials distributed to our shareholders in connection with any pre-acquisition tender offer or post-acquisition tender offer.
Depending on the number of shareholders who choose to exercise their redemption rights in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, we could be required to redeem for cash up to 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering, or 9,250,000 shares (10,637,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). The per share redemption price paid to redeeming public shareholders will be approximately $10.00 per share (approximately $9.96 per share initially held in the trust account in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) for an aggregate of approximately $92,500,000 (or approximately $105,958,750 in the aggregate if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). The actual per share redemption price will be equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the trust, divided by the number of shares included in the units sold in this offering. The underwriters are entitled to receive the full underwriting discounts and commissions regardless of the number of ordinary shares that are redeemed.
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If so, we will effectively be required to adjust the redemption threshold to reduce the number of shares that can be redeemed (thereby reducing the 92.5% threshold) in connection with such acquisition transaction or obtain an alternative source of funding. If the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an acquisition transaction below such minimum amount and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such acquisition transaction and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Similarly, if we have purchased up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the registration statement or proxy materials or tender offer materials we will prepare in connection with the acquisition transaction. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Permitted purchases of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares. As a result, public shareholders may have to wait for longer than 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) in order to be able to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with our dissolution and liquidation. See Risk Factors Even though we have a redemption threshold of 92.5%, we may be unable to consummate an acquisition transaction if a target business requires that we have cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have at closing, and public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our liquidation to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.
21
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the material risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We are a newly formed blank check company in the development stage established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to begin operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public offering of our securities. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph stating that our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the consummation of this offering. As of February 17, 2012, we had $26,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of $(179,155). Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Managements plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled Managements 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 do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our ability to continue as a going concern.
Pursuant to our trust agreement with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, we must enter into a letter of intent or definitive agreement to complete an acquisition transaction with a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance of the trust account at the time of the acquisition transaction (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000 or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) within 18 months after the consummation of this offering (or within 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension). If we fail to consummate an acquisition transaction within the required time frame, we will, in accordance with our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, automatically dissolve, liquidate and wind up. The foregoing requirements are set forth in Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and may not be eliminated without the vote of our board of directors and the vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the total number of ordinary shares that are issued in this offering. We may not be able to find suitable target businesses within the required time frame. In addition, our negotiating position and our ability to conduct adequate due diligence on any potential target may be reduced as we approach the deadline for the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration, and neither we, nor any representative acting on our behalf, has had any contacts with any target businesses regarding an acquisition transaction, nor taken any direct or indirect actions to locate or search for a target business. Although $10.00 per share is initially placed in trust, we may incur liabilities which are satisfied from the funds held in trust. If so, you will not be able to recover your full investment in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve our company and liquidate our trust account.
22
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of our liquidation, or (ii) if they seek to redeem their respective shares for cash in connection with an acquisition transaction that is consummated by us. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Therefore, you may not be able to obtain access to such funds for up to 21 months following the initial public offering. Pursuant to the terms of the trust agreement between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the time period that funds would remain in the trust account and not be released could only be extended with the approval of the holders of 80% of the shares sold in our initial public offering. If we elect to effect a post-acquisition tender offer and complete an acquisition transaction prior to such time period, but have not completed a post-acquisition tender offer within the applicable period, we will not be required to liquidate and wind up our affairs; however, the release of the funds to us in the case of a post-acquisition tender offer will be conditioned upon completion of such tender offer. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that we are required to commence a post-acquisition tender offer within 30 days of consummation of an acquisition transaction, and we are required to use reasonable efforts to complete such tender offer; however, there can be no assurance of how long it will take to complete the post-acquisition tender offer. If we commence a post-acquisition tender offer, but are unable to complete it within 6 months of consummation of an acquisition transaction, then we will be required to complete a post-acquisition trust liquidation, which process may not be commenced until up to 21 months from this offering.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association set forth certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that apply to us until the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares. Specifically, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that:
| if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within 18 months of the completion of this offering, the period of time to consummate an acquisition transaction will be automatically extended by an additional three months; |
| we may consummate our initial acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering exercise, or may exercise, their redemption rights; |
| if we have not completed an initial acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension), we will dissolve and liquidate the trust account and distribute to public shareholders a pro rata share of the trust account determined by dividing the total amount in the trust account by the number of shares sold in this offering (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full), plus any remaining net assets; |
| our management will take all actions necessary to liquidate our trust account to our public shareholders as part of our plan of dissolution if an acquisition transaction is not consummated within the time periods specified in this prospectus; |
| our public shareholders rights to receive a portion of the trust account is limited to the extent that they may receive only a portion of the trust account and only upon liquidation of our trust account in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) following the consummation of this offering or upon the exercise of their redemption rights in connection with the consummation of an acquisition transaction; |
23
| following this offering and prior to the time that we liquidate the trust account, we will not issue any securities that participate in the proceeds of our initial public offering that are held in the trust account or that have a vote in connection with any matter related to our initial acquisition transaction; |
| the board of directors shall review and approve all payments made to our founders, officers, directors, and their respective affiliates with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval, other than the payment of an aggregate of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG for office space, administrative services and secretarial support, to begin to accrue immediately after this offering and to be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any, |
| we may not to enter into any transaction with any of our officers, directors or any of our or their respective affiliates without the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors, who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel, and unless our disinterested directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties; and |
| we may not (i) consummate an acquisition transaction with a target business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, our founders or their affiliates, or that is affiliated with our founders or our directors, or officers, or (ii) consummate an acquisition transaction with any underwriter, or underwriting selling group member, or any of their affiliates, unless we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, that an acquisition transaction with such target business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. |
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the foregoing provisions may be amended by at least 80% of the voting power of the total number of ordinary shares that are issued in this offering. In addition, the relevant portions of the agreement governing the trust account can only be amended with the consent of 80% of the voting power of the callable Series A Shares or the callable Series B Shares. The agreement governing the trust account does not require consent of 100% of the voting power of the callable Series A Shares or the callable Series B Shares because we believe that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to allow a substantial majority of our public shareholders to amend the terms of the agreement if they so desire. Except for the shares issued immediately prior to this offering and the callable Series A Shares underlying the units issued in connection with this offering, we will not issue securities with voting rights to vote on any proposals to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association prior to the time that we liquidate the trust account. These provisions could also be eliminated by our completing a very small acquisition with minimal assets and operations. If any of these provisions are amended or eliminated, our shareholders:
| may not have all of the rights they previously had; |
| might not receive the amount anticipated in connection with a redemption or liquidation; and |
| might not receive amounts from the trust account in the time frames specified in this prospectus. |
In addition, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide shareholders with redemption rights only in connection with an acquisition transaction. In the event that a vote is called not in connection with an acquisition transaction to consider other amendments to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association no redemption rights will be granted.
In the recent past, other blank check companies have amended various provisions of their governing charter documents in order to allow or facilitate the consummation of an acquisition transaction. If we amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, it could have the effect of reducing or eliminating the protections afforded to our shareholders contained therein.
24
Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete an acquisition transaction with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a blank check company under the U.S. securities laws. However, since we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K, including an audited balance sheet, demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors of blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules such as completely restricting the transferability of our securities, requiring us to complete an acquisition transaction within 18 months from the consummation of this offering (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) and restricting the use of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable, we will be entitled to withdraw a certain amount of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account prior to the completion of an acquisition transaction, and we have a longer period of time to complete an acquisition transaction than we would if we were subject to such rule. For a more detailed comparison of this offering to offerings under Rule 419, see the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from certain of the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. Therefore you may receive less information about us than you would receive if we were a U.S. company.
If we acquire a business in the United States and we determine thereafter that we are no longer an FPI, we will become subject to the following requirements, among others:
| The filing of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; |
| Preparing our financial statements in accordance with GAAP rather than the ability to use any of GAAP, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB IFRS) or local GAAP; |
| Being subject to the U.S. proxy rules; |
| Being subject to Regulation FD which requires issuers to make public disclosures of any material non-public information that has been selectively disclosed to securities industry professionals (for example, analysts) or shareholders; |
| Being subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (although the Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally does not distinguish between domestic U.S. issuers and FPIs, the SEC has adopted a number of significant exemptions for the benefit of FPIs in the application of its rules adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, such as: (1) audit committee independence; and (2) black-out trading restrictions (Regulation BTR)); and |
| Being subject to a more detailed executive compensation disclosure. |
We may be forced to expend significant management and financial resources to meet our disclosure obligations to the extent we are required to comply with the foregoing requirements.
25
In accordance with our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, two shareholders representing at least one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (whether or not held by public shareholders) will constitute a quorum at a shareholders meeting. Following this offering, our founders will hold approximately 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly, if only a small proportion of public shareholders participate in a shareholders meeting and all of our founders participate, the quorum requirement may be satisfied and our founders could cast a majority of the votes at such meeting.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all prospective target businesses we enter into agreements with and all vendors and service providers that we contract to provide services to us, which we collectively refer to as the contracted parties, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders. There is no guarantee that we will be able to get waivers from the contracted parties and there is no guarantee that even if the contracted parties executed such agreements with us that such waivers will be enforceable or that the contracted parties would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account. In the event that a potential contracted party were to refuse to execute such a waiver, we will execute an agreement with that person only if our management first determines that we would be unable to obtain, on a reasonable basis, substantially similar services or opportunities from another person willing to execute such a waiver. Although we believe the risk is small because we will have any target business we acquire waive any rights to the trust account, it is possible that creditors from the target business would try to make claims against the trust account. Accordingly, the proceeds held in the trust account may be subject to claims which would take priority over the claims of our public shareholders and, as a result, the per share liquidation price could be less than $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.96 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) due to claims of such creditors. If we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. Under these circumstances, our board of directors would have a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations. We have questioned our founders on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Our founders are under no obligation to us to preserve their assets or provide us with information regarding changes in their ability to satisfy these obligations. Notwithstanding, if we become aware of a material change in the ability of any of our founders to satisfy such obligations, we will make such information public by filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K.
Additionally, if we are forced to file liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings are filed against us which are not dismissed, the funds held in our trust account will be subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our public shareholders. To the extent bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts due them.
When we seek to consummate our initial acquisition transaction, we will offer each shareholder the right to have his, her or its shares converted to cash if the initial acquisition transaction is consummated. Our founders have agreed not to redeem any founders shares held by them. We will consummate the initial acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering exercise
26
their redemption rights. However, regardless of the requirements of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have at the time of closing. In the past, many blank check companies have had redemption thresholds of between 20% and 40%, which makes it more difficult for such companies to consummate their initial acquisition transaction. Thus, because we permit a larger number of shareholders to exercise their redemption rights and, in the case where redemption rights are given other than through a tender offer, it will be easier for us to consummate an initial acquisition transaction with a target business in the face of strong shareholder dissent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we have exercised our right to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold discussed above will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or callable Series A Shares purchased by us. Depending on the number of shares that are redeemed in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, we may have very little money in our trust account with which to consummate our initial acquisition transaction, which may result in our having to obtain additional financing to consummate our initial acquisition transaction, result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction.
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our business transaction that we exceed a certain minimum net asset valuation at the time of closing. If the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an acquisition transaction below such minimum net asset valuation, we will not be able to consummate our acquisition transaction and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. As a result, public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait the full 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) in order to be able to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with our dissolution and liquidation, or attempt to sell their shares in the open market prior to such time, in which case they may receive less than a pro rata share of the trust account for their shares.
The underwriters are entitled to receive the full deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of 2% of the gross proceeds of this offering, or $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, regardless of the number of shares that are redeemed. In this offering, the underwriters did not agree to prorate the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions because a majority of the total underwriting discounts and commissions is deferred and the overall discount is relatively low for a public offering by a blank check company. If we do not have the funds to pay the deferred underwriting discount and commission due to the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights, we will not be able to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
At the time that we consolidate each series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, there will be released to the underwriters from the trust account deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that are equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of this offering, or $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full). The underwriters are entitled to receive the full deferred
27
underwriting discounts and commissions regardless of the number of shares that are redeemed. In connection with our initial acquisition transaction, our shares may be redeemed for a pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, which includes $0.20 per share attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions), including accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction. Therefore, the value of the shares that are not redeemed will be lower than the value of the shares that are redeemed since the redemption amount per share is not discounted for the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
Since we have a redemption threshold of 92.5%, a high number of public shares may be redeemed in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, which would result in significantly fewer shares issued and outstanding, and which would in turn significantly reduce the liquidity of our securities, including our shares that are not redeemed.
Depending on the number of shareholders who choose to exercise their redemption rights in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, we could be required to redeem for cash up to 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering, or 9,250,000 shares (10,637,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) at an initial per share redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share (approximately $9.96 per share initially held in trust in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) for approximately $92,500,000 in the aggregate (or approximately $105,958,750 in the aggregate if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).
In the registration statement/proxy materials and/or tender offer materials we will prepare in connection with the acquisition transaction, we will only provide pro forma financial information assuming no redemption and full redemptions by public shareholders in order to provide our shareholders with the range of possible capital structures for the combined company. Given the relatively high redemption threshold the difference in capital structure assuming no redemptions and full redemptions will be significant. Furthermore, we will not be able to provide shareholders with any assurance of where, within the possible range disclosed, the combined company will fall following consummation of an acquisition transaction. As a result, our public shareholders will have limited information regarding the combined companys capital structure at the time of the acquisition transaction.
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If so, we will effectively be required to adjust the redemption threshold to reduce the number of shares that can be redeemed (thereby reducing the 92.5% threshold) in connection with such acquisition transaction or obtain an alternative source of funding. If the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an acquisition transaction below such minimum amount and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such acquisition transaction and we may not
28
be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Similarly, if we have purchased up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the registration statement or proxy materials or tender offer materials we will prepare in connection with the acquisition transaction. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Permitted purchases of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares. As a result, public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait for longer than 21 months in order to be able to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with our dissolution and liquidation, or attempt to sell their shares in the open market prior to such time, in which case they may receive less than a pro rata share of the trust account for their shares. Furthermore, in the event that public shareholders must wait until our liquidation, they may not receive a full pro rata portion of the trust account to the extent that third party creditors have a claim to such funds. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Dissolution and liquidation if no acquisition transaction.
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at any time commencing 61 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and ending on the date on which we announce an initial acquisition transaction. Additionally, we may redeem up to 92.5% of the shares issued in our initial public offering, provided, however, that if we have exercised our right to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the materials distributed to our shareholders in connection with any tender offer to effect an acquisition transaction. Purchases or redemptions of our units or callable Series A Shares would result in significantly fewer public shares issued and outstanding, which would in turn significantly reduce the liquidity of our securities, including our public shares that are not redeemed.
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, the investment management trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of material non-public information and will not be made during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Consequently, if the market does not view our initial acquisition transaction positively, these purchases may have the effect of counteracting the markets view of our initial acquisition transaction, which would otherwise be reflected in a decline in the market price of our securities. The termination of the support provided by these purchases may materially adversely affect the market price of our securities.
29
We will offer each public shareholder the right to have all or a portion of his, her or its shares redeemed for cash in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, as long as our initial acquisition transaction is consummated. So long as we maintain our status as an FPI, and are required to comply with the FPI rules, we will conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and a public shareholder will not be required to vote in connection with our initial acquisition transaction to redeem his, her or its shares for cash. Accordingly, if our initial acquisition transaction requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many shareholders may exercise such redemption rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such redemption, or we may need to arrange third-party financing to help fund the acquisition of our initial acquisition transaction in case a larger percentage of shareholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. Because we have no specific acquisition transaction under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third-party financing. Therefore, we may not be able to consummate an initial acquisition transaction that requires us to use all of the funds held in the trust account as part of the purchase price unless we obtain third-party financing, and if such financing involves debt, our leverage ratio may not be optimal for our initial acquisition transaction. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive acquisition transaction available to us.
If we (i) fail to commence a tender offer within 30 days after the consummation of the acquisition transaction, or (ii) fail to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction, we will automatically liquidate the trust account and release to our public shareholders, except for holders of Series C Shares, a pro rata portion of the trust account in exchange for all of their callable Series B Shares. Accordingly, an investment in our callable Series A Shares may result solely in a return equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account without interest for up to 21 months (plus the time it takes to liquidate the trust, which we anticipate will be less than 40 days or 6 months if we cannot complete a post-acquisition tender offer within 6 months of the consummation of an acquisition transaction) without the ability to choose to keep your shares in the combined company. While the holders of callable Series B Shares will automatically have their callable Series B Shares converted into the right to receive a pro-rata portion of a trust account, the holders of Series C Shares and public warrant holders will continue to hold those securities. Upon such automatic conversion, holders of callable Series B Shares will cease to have any rights as shareholders of our company, other than the right to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account, without interest accruing thereon.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and administered from outside the United States, and a majority of our assets will be located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States in a way that will permit a U.S. court to have jurisdiction over us.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 of the British Virgin Islands, as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time, or the BVI Business Companies Act, and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands, as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are considered persuasive authority but are not binding on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary
30
responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely:
| to recognize or enforce against us judgments of U.S. courts based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and |
| to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. |
We have been advised by Forbes Hare that there is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the U.S. judgment: (i) the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; (ii) is final and for a liquidated sum; (iii) the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; (iv) in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; (v) recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and (vi) the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. In appropriate circumstances, a British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.
Some of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States and, after the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, substantially all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. We believe that certain countries do not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States. As a result, it may be necessary to comply with local law in order to obtain an enforceable judgment against certain directors and officers and certain assets. It may therefore be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers outside of the United States or to enforce judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under U.S. federal securities laws. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and certain countries would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties of the U.S. federal securities laws.
We intend to consummate an acquisition transaction with a company in Russia or Eastern Europe in any industry we choose that we believe will provide significant opportunities for growth. We are not limited to any particular industry or type of business. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect to an acquisition transaction, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular geographic area or industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business or businesses with which we may ultimately enter an acquisition transaction. Although we will
31
endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risks present in that target business. Even if we properly assess those risks, some of them may be outside of our control or ability to affect. 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 target business.
You will be relying on the ability of our officers and directors, with the assistance of employees, advisors and consultants, to choose a suitable acquisition transaction. 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 potential target businesses, and we do not intend on holding a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law or NASDAQ rules. Accordingly, your only opportunity to evaluate and affect the investment decision regarding a potential acquisition transaction may be limited to exercising your redemption rights in connection with our initial acquisition transaction.
Identifying, executing and realizing attractive returns on acquisition transactions is highly competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. We expect to encounter competition for potential target businesses from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Some of these competitors may be well established and have extensive experience in identifying and consummating acquisition transactions directly or through affiliates. Some of these competitors may possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do, and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of our competitors. Furthermore, over the past several years, other blank check companies have been formed, and a number of such companies have grown in size. Additional blank check companies with business objectives similar to ours may be formed in the future by other unrelated parties and these companies may have substantially more capital and may have access to and be able to utilize additional financing on more attractive terms. While we believe that there are numerous potential target businesses with which we could combine using the net proceeds from this offering and the placement warrants, together with additional financing, if available, our ability to compete in combining with certain sizeable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing an acquisition transaction with certain target businesses. In addition, the redemption of ordinary shares held by our shareholders into cash may reduce the resources available to us to fund our initial acquisition transaction and may require us to raise additional funds through additional sales of our securities or incur indebtedness in order to enable us to effect such an acquisition transaction. Additionally, the requirement to acquire an operating business or businesses, or a portion of such business or businesses, that have a fair market value, individually or collectively, of at least equal to 80% of the balance in the trust account (less the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) at the time of the initial acquisition transaction could require us to acquire several or closely related operating businesses at the same time, all of which acquisitions would be contingent on the closings of the other acquisitions, which could make it more difficult to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in consummating our initial acquisition transaction on favorable terms or at all.
Our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000 or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of the
32
target will be determined by our board of directors based upon an analysis conducted by them (which may include an analysis of actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value), and we will not be required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA, except, (i) if our initial acquisition transaction is with a target business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, our founders or their affiliates, or that is affiliated with any of our founders or our directors or officers, or (ii) if our initial acquisition transaction is with any underwriter, or underwriting selling group member or any of their affiliates. In all other instances, we will have no obligation to obtain or provide you with a fairness opinion. Investment banking firms providing fairness opinions typically place limitations on the purposes for which the opinion may be used, and there can be no assurances that, as a result of such limitations or applicable law, shareholders will be entitled to rely on the opinion. We expect to require that any firm selected by us to provide a fairness opinion will adhere to general industry practice in stating the purposes for which its opinion may be used. If no opinion is obtained or if shareholders are not permitted to rely on the opinion, our shareholders will be relying solely on the judgment of our board of directors with respect to the determination of the fair market value of our initial acquisition transaction.
Since 2008 and through August 15, 2011, a total of 39 blank check companies have completed their initial public offering, but only 13 (or approximately 33%) have completed an initial acquisition transaction. Of the remaining 26, 20 (or approximately 51%) are still seeking acquisition targets and 6 (or approximately 15%) have dissolved and liquidated their trust to public shareholders. Although we believe that we have a strong acquisition strategy and a capable management team to execute our objectives, we may encounter difficulties in identifying viable acquisition targets, negotiating an acquisition transaction on favorable terms, and consummating an acquisition transaction within the time period required by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing an acquisition transaction within the allotted time and may be forced to dissolve our company and liquidate our trust account.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association authorizes the issuance of up to 150,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share and 5,000,000 shares of preferred shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 121,033,334 authorized but unissued ordinary shares available for issuance (after appropriate reservation for the issuance of shares upon (i) full exercise of the underwriters unit purchase option and (ii) our outstanding warrants, including the redeemable warrants to be issued in this offering, the placement warrants, and the warrants included in the units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option) and 5,000,000 authorized but unissued preferred shares. We have no other commitments as of the date of this offering to issue any additional securities. We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares, including redeemable debt securities, as consideration for or to finance an acquisition transaction, particularly as we intend to focus primarily on acquisitions of middle market companies. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Our issuance of additional ordinary shares, including upon redemption of any debt securities, may:
| significantly reduce your percentage equity interest in us; |
| subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares; |
| cause a change in control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect our ability to use any net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and result in the resignation or removal of our current officers and directors; |
33
| in certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and |
| adversely affect the then-prevailing market price for our ordinary shares. |
The value of your investment in us may decline if any of these events occur.
The underwriting agreement and our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association prohibit us, prior to our initial acquisition transaction, from issuing additional units, additional ordinary shares, preferred shares, additional warrants, or any options or other securities convertible or exchangeable into ordinary shares, or preferred shares, that participate in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on an acquisition transaction.
We may elect to enter into an acquisition transaction that requires us to incur debt to finance an acquisition transaction, particularly as we intend to focus primarily on acquisitions of middle market companies. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Such incurrence of debt may:
| lead to default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating cash flow after an acquisition transaction were insufficient to pay our debt obligations; |
| cause an acceleration of our obligation to repay debt, even if we are then current in our debt service obligations, if we breach the covenants contained in the terms of any debt documents, such as covenants that require us to meet certain financial ratios or maintain designated reserves, without a waiver or renegotiation of such covenants; |
| create an obligation to repay immediately all principal and accrued interest, if any, upon demand to the extent any debt is payable on demand; |
| limit our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt securities contain covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing; |
| require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares, working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
| limit our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
| make us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry, and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and |
| place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies that are engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Furthermore, each of our principals may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe fiduciary duties. For a list of the entities to which our officers and directors owe fiduciary duties, see Management Conflicts of Interest. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity time should be allocated or a particular business opportunity should be presented. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved
34
in our favor. As a result, a potential target business may be presented to another entity with which our officers and directors have a pre-existing fiduciary obligation and we may miss out on a potential transaction.
It is possible that, concurrently with our initial acquisition transaction, some of the entities with which our officers and directors are affiliated could purchase a minority interest in the target company, subject to the requirement that we must acquire a portion of the business with a value that is equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) and that we acquire a majority of the voting rights of the target company and control of the majority of any governing body of the target company. An investment by one of these entities would result in a conflict of interest for our officers and directors since they would be determining what portion of the target company we would be purchasing and the amount that these other companies would purchase. In connection with any co-investment in a target business, the entity or entities affiliated with our officers and/or directors will be required to pay the same price per share or unit for their interest in the target company as we pay, the other terms of the investment of such affiliated entity or entities will be required to be no more favorable than the terms of our investment and such investment will require the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. In addition, the registration statement, proxy materials and/or tender offer materials disclosing the acquisition transaction would disclose the terms of the co-investment by the affiliated entity or entities.
We intend that at least some of our executive officers and directors will continue to be involved in our management following our initial acquisition transaction. Therefore, the personal and financial interests of our executive officers and directors may influence them to condition an acquisition transaction on their retention by us and to view more favorably target businesses that offer them a continuing role, either as an officer, director, consultant, or other third-party service provider, after the acquisition transaction. Our executive officers and directors could be negotiating the terms and conditions of the acquisition transaction on our behalf at the same time that they, as individuals, were negotiating the terms and conditions related to an employment, consulting or other agreement with representatives of the potential acquisition transaction candidate. As a result, there may be a conflict of interest in the negotiation of the terms and conditions related to such continuing relationships as our executive officers and directors may be influenced by their personal and financial interests rather than the best interests of our public shareholders.
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 an acquisition transaction on the one hand and their other businesses on the other hand. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. While our each of our executive officers has indicated that they intend to devote approximately 20% of their time to affairs, each of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which such officer is entitled to substantial compensation and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. See Management Directors and Executive Officers. If our executive officers and directors other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs, which may have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
We have agreed to pay to Intercarbo Holding AG a total of $7,500 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the date of this prospectus and ending on the earlier of our consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation. Payment of such fees shall begin
35
to accrue immediately after this offering and shall be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any. Intercarbo Holding AG is an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director. This arrangement was agreed to by the Board of Directors for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Vazhnov compensation in lieu of a management fee or other remuneration because it is anticipated that the expenses to be paid by Intercarbo Holding AG will approximate the amount of accrued reimbursement. Upon consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation, we will cease to accrue these monthly fees.
Immediately following this offering, our founders will beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. In connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, our founders have agreed to vote the founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders who vote at the special or annual meeting called for such purpose. In addition, each of our founders, directors, and officers has agreed that if he, she or it acquires units or ordinary shares in or following this offering, he, she or it will vote all such acquired units or shares in favor of any acquisition transaction presented to our shareholders by our board of directors, and not to exercise redemption rights in connection with any shares held by such person.
Because our founders and their designees, will hold, in the aggregate, warrants to purchase 5,066,666 ordinary shares included in the placement warrants after an acquisition transaction, the exercise of those warrants may increase the ownership of our founders. This increase could allow our founders to influence the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and executive officers, approval of benefits plans, mergers and significant corporate transactions after consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. Likewise, the ability of our founders, officers, and directors to acquire our units or callable Series A Shares in the open market could allow our founders to influence the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval that otherwise would not have been approved, but for the purchases by our founders, officers, and directors in the open market. Moreover, except to the extent shareholder proposals are properly and timely submitted, our directors will determine which matters, including prospective acquisition transactions, to submit to a shareholder vote. As a result, they will exert substantial control over actions requiring a shareholder vote both before and following our initial acquisition transaction.
In connection with this offering, the founders have agreed to certain obligations, including:
| to accept transfer restrictions on the founders shares and placement warrants and underlying securities and the placement in escrow of the founders shares; |
| in connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, to vote the founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders; |
| if he, she or it acquires units or ordinary shares in or following this offering, he, she or it will not exercise redemption rights in connection with such units or shares; |
| to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the founders shares if we fail to consummate an initial acquisition transaction; |
| that he, she or it will not exercise redemption rights with respect to the founders shares and have agreed not to tender their shares in an issuer tender offer in connection with our initial acquisition transaction; |
36
| to advance us the funds necessary to complete a liquidation in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction and not to seek repayment for such expenses; |
| to maintain priority with respect to the fiduciary obligations they owe us as compared to other blank check companies, until such time as we have entered into a definitive agreement with our target business; |
| if we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties and such claims reduce the amount to be distributed to public shareholders upon our dissolution and the liquidation of our trust account; and |
| not to participate in a co-investment in a target business unless the terms of such co-investment are no more favorable than the terms of our investment and such investment will require the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. |
These obligations are included in one or more of the following agreements, each of which is filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part: the letter agreements with the representative of the underwriters and each founder, the underwriting agreement with the underwriters, and the escrow agreement with our transfer agent and the founders. Each of these agreements, by their terms, are governed by New York law. In addition, each agreement may be amended or terminated with the consent of each of the parties thereto. Accordingly, if each of the parties to an agreement determine that these obligations are no longer in their best interest, then the agreements may be amended or terminated and these obligations may be changed or eliminated entirely.
It is anticipated 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 a decision is made not to complete a specific acquisition transaction, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, even if an agreement is reached relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial acquisition transaction for any number of reasons, including those beyond our control such as if greater than 92.5% of public shareholders elect to exercise their redemption rights. 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.
Our founders own an aggregate of 2,875,000 of our Series C Shares. We will redeem up to 375,000 of the founders shares for no consideration to the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full. Upon our dissolution and liquidation, none of our founders will have the right to receive distributions from the trust account with respect to the founders shares. In addition, our founders and their designees will purchase 5,066,666 placement warrants immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The $3,800,000 purchase price of the placement warrants will be included in the trust account that is distributed to our public shareholders in the event of our dissolution and liquidation. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, our founders will not receive distributions from the trust account with respect to the placement warrants and the placement warrants will expire worthless. Therefore, our directors and officers personal and financial interests may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting target businesses and consummating our initial acquisition transaction in a timely manner. This may also result in a conflict of interest when they determine whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular acquisition transaction are appropriate and in our shareholders best interest.
37
Neither our officers, directors, nor any of their respective affiliates, will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by them to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the trust account unless the acquisition transaction is consummated. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses. If the target business owners do not agree to such repayment, this could cause our management to view such potential acquisition transaction unfavorably, thereby resulting in a conflict of interest. The financial interest of our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates, could influence their motivation in selecting a target business and thus, there may be a conflict of interest when determining whether a particular acquisition transaction is in the shareholders best interest.
The net proceeds from this offering and the offering of the placement warrants, after reserving $225,000 of the proceeds for our operating expenses, $3,575,000 for offering expenses and $2,000,000 for the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, will provide us with approximately $98,000,000 (approximately $112,250,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full), which we may use to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition. We may not be able to acquire more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. Additionally, we may encounter numerous logistical issues if we pursue multiple target businesses, including the difficulty of coordinating the timing of negotiations, registration statement/proxy materials or tender offer disclosure and closings. We may also be exposed to the risk that our inability to satisfy conditions to closing with respect to the initial acquisition transaction with one or more target businesses would not be satisfied, bringing the fair market value of the initial acquisition transaction below the required threshold of 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable). Due to these added risks, we are more likely to choose a single target business with which to pursue an acquisition transaction than multiple target businesses. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may depend solely on the performance of a single business. If this occurs, our operations will be highly concentrated and we will not be able to diversify our operations of benefit from spreading of risks of offsetting of losses, unlike other entities that have the resources to consummate several acquisition transactions in different industries or areas of a single industry so as to diversify risks and offset losses.
Assuming our securities are approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market upon consummation of this offering, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market after the consummation of this offering. Additionally, it is likely that the NASDAQ Capital Market would require us to meet NASDAQs initial listing requirements, as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements, at the time of our initial acquisition transaction. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
38
If the NASDAQ Capital Market delists our securities from trading, we could face significant consequences, including:
| a limited availability for market quotations for our securities; |
| reduced liquidity with respect to our securities; |
| a determination that our ordinary shares is a penny stock, which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our ordinary shares; |
| limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and |
| a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
In addition, we would no longer be subject to NASDAQ Capital Market rules, including rules requiring us to have a certain number of independent directors and to meet other corporate governance standards.
We intend to meet the NASDAQ Capital Markets listing standards without making use of the exemptions for foreign private issuers which make the listing standards less stringent than those for U.S. filers, other than the exemption under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5615 to the requirement under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635 to obtain shareholder approval of a business combination, which exemption the Company plans to utilize. However, in the future we may rely on other exemptions.
If we are unable to comply with the rules applicable to for foreign private issuers, we may be delisted. If we are delisted, then we will no longer be required to meet the NASDAQ Capital Markets listing standards.
We intend to conduct a due diligence investigation for any business we consider. Intensive due diligence is time consuming and expensive due to the operations, accounting, finance and legal professionals who must be involved in the due diligence process. Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will identify all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. If our diligence fails to discover or identify material issues relating to a target business, industry or the environment in which the target business operates, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even 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 debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.
We believe that amounts not held in the trust account, together with the interest income on the balance of the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to be released to us from time to time for working capital requirements, will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated for up to 21 months. Our estimates are also based on the belief that in-depth due diligence will be undertaken only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of an acquisition transaction. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an acquisition transaction is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or if the amounts not held in the trust account is insufficient to pay our costs and expenses, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable, through loans or additional investments from our founders, officers, directors or third parties. None of our founders, officers
39
or directors is under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us. Accordingly, we may not be able to obtain additional financing. If we do not have sufficient proceeds to fund our initial acquisition transaction and are unable to obtain additional financing, we may be required to dissolve and liquidate prior to consummating our initial acquisition transaction.
We may enter into agreements with consultants or financial advisers that provide for the payment of fees upon the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. If we pay consultants or financial advisers fees that are tied to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, they may have conflicts of interest when providing services to us, and their interests in such fees may influence their advice with respect to a potential acquisition transaction. For example, if a consultants or financial advisors fee is based on the size of the transaction, then they may be influenced to present us larger transactions that may have lower growth opportunities or long-term value versus smaller transactions that may have greater growth opportunities or provide greater value to our shareholders. Similarly, consultants whose fees are based on consummation of an acquisition transaction may be influenced to present potential acquisition transactions to us regardless of whether they provide longer-term value for our shareholders. While we will endeavor to structure agreements with consultants and financial advisors to minimize the possibility and extent of these conflicts of interest, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and that we will not be impacted by the adverse influences they create.
We may consider an acquisition transaction that will require additional financing, particularly as we intend to focus primarily on acquisitions of middle market companies. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to consummate an acquisition transaction or that we will have sufficient capital with which to consummate a combination with a particular target business. If the net proceeds of this offering and from the private placement of the placement warrants are not sufficient to facilitate a particular acquisition transaction because:
| of the price paid for the target business; |
| of the depletion of offering proceeds not in the trust account or available to us from interest earned on the trust account balance that is expended in search of a target business; or |
| we must redeem for cash a significant number of shares owned by shareholders who elect to exercise their redemption rights, |
we will be required to seek additional financing. We cannot assure you that such financing would be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If additional financing is unavailable to consummate a particular acquisition transaction, we would be compelled to restructure or abandon that particular acquisition transaction and seek an alternative target business or businesses. In addition, if we consummate an acquisition transaction, we may require additional financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business or businesses. If we fail to secure such financing, this failure could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of our combined business or businesses. Neither our founders, directors nor any other party is required to provide any financing to us in connection with, or following, an acquisition transaction.
Our founders acquired an aggregate of 2,875,000 Series C Shares (up to 375,000 of which shares will be redeemed by us for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full). The difference between the public offering price per share of our ordinary shares (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the ordinary shares and none to the warrant included in the unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our ordinary shares after this offering constitutes the dilution to
40
you and other investors in this offering. The fact that our founders acquired their founders shares at a nominal price prior to this offering significantly contributed to this dilution. Assuming this offering is completed and no value is ascribed to the placement warrants, you and the other new investors will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 82.3% or $8.23 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering of $1.77, and the initial offering price of $10.00 per unit).
Holders of the redeemable warrants included in the units sold in this offering are not entitled to net cash settlement. Accordingly, the redeemable warrants may only be settled by delivery of ordinary shares and not cash.
If we are unable to complete a business combination within the allotted time (18 months, or 21 months pursuant to the automatic extension period described herein, from the consummation of this offering), and are forced to liquidate, the warrants will expire and there will be no distribution with respect to our outstanding warrants. In addition, even if we are able to complete an acquisition transaction, there can be no assurance that the price of the ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants will exceed the exercise price of $10.00 or the redemption price of $15.00. Accordingly, the redeemable warrants included in the units may expire unexercised and unredeemed and, as a result, an investor may pay the entire purchase price of the unit for the shares.
The units being sold in this offering include redeemable warrants to purchase an aggregate of 10,000,000 ordinary shares (or 11,500,000 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). In addition, we will be issuing in a private placement warrants to purchase 5,066,666 ordinary shares to our founders and their designees. The placement warrants are identical to those redeemable warrants sold as part of the units in this offering except (1) for certain restrictions on transfer; (2) they are non-redeemable and (3) that they may be exercised during the applicable exercise period, on a for cash or cashless basis, at any time after the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, even if there is not an effective registration statement relating to the shares underlying the warrants, so long as such warrants are held by the founders or their affiliates. We will also issue to the representative of the underwriters, concurrently with this offering, for a purchase price of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units, each unit consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant. To the extent we issue ordinary shares to consummate an acquisition transaction, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to some target businesses. This is because exercise of the redeemable warrants will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the shares that may be issued to consummate the initial acquisition transaction. Accordingly, the existence of our warrants may make it more difficult to consummate our initial acquisition transaction or may increase the cost of a target business if we are unable to consummate our initial acquisition transaction solely with cash. Additionally, the sale or possibility of sale of the shares underlying the redeemable warrants could have an adverse effect on the market price for our ordinary shares or our units or our ability to obtain future financing. If and to the extent these warrants are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.
Amending the public warrants only requires the approval of a majority of the public warrant holders. Therefore, amendments may be made to your warrants without your approval. Such changes could be to your disadvantage.
41
There is currently no market for our securities. Investors therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to our reports of operating losses, one or more potential acquisition transactions, the filing of periodic reports with the SEC, and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained. The absence of a market for our securities will likely have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
We do not plan to operate as an investment fund or investment company, or to be engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Our plan is to acquire, hold, operate and grow for the long-term one or more operating businesses or a portion of such business or businesses. We do not plan to operate as a passive investor or as a merchant bank seeking dividends or gains from purchases and sales of securities. Our founders are experienced as officers and directors of operating companies. However, we may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act if, following this offering and prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we are viewed as engaging in the business of investing in securities or we own investment securities having a value in exceeding 40% of our total assets, and may be required to register as an investment company or a registered investment adviser under the U.S. securities laws.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it difficult for us to complete an acquisition transaction, including:
| corporate governance requirements and requirements regarding mergers and share exchanges; |
| restrictions on the nature of our investments; |
| restrictions on our capital structure and use of multiple classes of securities; and |
| restrictions on our use of leverage and collateral; |
each of which may make it difficult for us to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
| registration as an investment company; |
| adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and |
| reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, and disclosure requirements, and other rules and regulations; |
compliance with which would reduce the funds we have available outside the trust account to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
We do not believe that our anticipated activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act as the net proceeds of this offering and sale of warrants in our private placement offering that are to be held in the trust account may only be invested by the trustee in government securities with specific maturity dates or money market funds that comply with certain regulations promulgated by the SEC. By restricting the investment of the trust account to these instruments, we intend to meet the requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under 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 expense for which we have not allotted.
42
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals. We expect that each of these persons will play a key role in our search for a target business, and we believe that our success in identifying and completing an acquisition transaction with an attractive target business depends on the continued service of these persons, at least until we have consummated our initial acquisition transaction.
Each of Messrs. Danilitskiy, Shostak, Vazhnov, Vasadze, and David R. Ansell will assist us in identifying perspective target businesses by sourcing and performing due diligence on target businesses in Russia and Eastern Europe. In addition, each of these individuals will assist us in closing an acquisition transaction and possibly integrating the target business following such closing. We expect that Messrs. Danilitskiy, Shostak, Vazhnov, Vasadze, and David R. Ansell will negotiate deal terms with target businesses and manage and oversee our advisors and consultants, including legal counsel, accounting professionals and investment banking advisors.
We cannot assure you that such individuals will remain with us for the immediate or foreseeable future. In addition, none of Messrs. Danilitskiy, Shostak, Vazhnov, Vasadze or Ansell are required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, they will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential acquisition transactions and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have employment or consulting agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, one or more of these individuals. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a detrimental effect on us and impair our ability to identify and complete an acquisition transaction with an attractive target business.
Prior to this offering, we had no operating history and there was no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units, the terms of the placement warrants, the aggregate proceeds we are raising and the amount to be placed in trust were negotiated between us and the underwriters.
In determining the size of this offering, our management concluded, based on their collective experience, that an offering of this size, together with the proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants, would provide us with sufficient equity capital to execute our business plan. Although we made this determination assuming a minimal number of redemptions, we believe that this amount of equity capital, plus our ability to finance an acquisition using stock or debt in addition to the cash held in the trust account, will give us substantial flexibility in selecting an acquisition target and structuring our initial acquisition transaction, even with significant redemptions. This belief is not based on any research, analysis, evaluations, discussions, or compilations of information with respect to any particular investment or any such action undertaken in connection with our organization. We may not be able to identify acquisition candidates successfully, obtain any necessary financing or consummate a transaction with one or more target businesses at the time of the initial acquisition transaction. Accordingly, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since there are no historical operations.
We may require shareholders exercising redemption rights in connection with a proposed acquisition transaction to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System at any time up until the business day immediately preceding the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. We will not require shareholders that hold shares electronically to convert their shares into physical certificates prior to tendering them. We may require these certification and delivery requirements because shareholders of blank check companies who elect to redeem sometimes fail to deliver their share certificates, or change their minds about their intention to redeem, and thereby effectively revoke their
43
redemption election after the acquisition transaction, resulting in an administrative burden for the company and uncertainty relating to its capital structure. In order to obtain a physical share certificate, a shareholders broker and/or clearing broker, the Depository Trust Company and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over the process, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical share certificate and you may not be able to redeem your shares in time. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, we cannot assure you of this fact. If it takes longer than we anticipate for shareholders to deliver their shares, shareholders who wish to exercise their redemption rights may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares.
The federal securities laws require that an acquisition transaction meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports, registration statements and other materials submitted to shareholders. Because our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least to 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition, we will be required to provide historical and pro forma financial information to our shareholders in connection with their redemption rights pursuant to an acquisition transaction with one or more target businesses. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the applicable oversight board. If a proposed target business, including one located outside of the United States, does not have or is unable to prepare financial statements that have been prepared and audited in accordance with applicable accounting standards, we will not be able to acquire that proposed target business. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses with which we may combine.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and will continue to be an emerging growth company until: (i) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of this prospectus, (ii) the date on which we become a large accelerated filer, or (iii) the date on which we have issued an aggregate of $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding 3 years. As an emerging growth company, we have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. This election allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
In general, we will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of our gross income (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the average value of our assets (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes, without limitation, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section of this prospectus captioned Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation General) of our securities, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our
44
actual PFIC status for our current taxable year may depend on whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception (see the section of this prospectus captioned Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation U.S. Holders Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules). Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (or after the end of the start-up period, if later). Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. We urge U.S. Holders to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of this prospectus captioned Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation U.S. Holders Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.
Although we intend to take a contrary position, if our callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, are not viewed as participating in our corporate growth (i.e., our future earnings or increases in our net asset value) to any significant extent (other than by reason of any conversion feature), due to our limited potential for corporate growth prior to an acquisition transaction, there is a risk that an investors entitlement to receive payments upon redemption or upon our liquidation in excess of the investors tax basis in our callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, will result in constructive income to the investor (see Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit and its Components). This could affect the timing and character of income recognition and result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the investor without the investors receipt of cash from us. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to these tax risks, as well as the specific tax consequences to them of acquiring, holding or disposing of our securities.
No salary or other compensation will be paid to our directors for services rendered by them on our behalf prior to or in connection with an acquisition transaction. However, under the policies of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., or the NASAA, an international organization devoted to investor protection, because the majority of our directors own shares of our securities and each of our directors may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf (such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable acquisition transactions), state securities administrators could argue that all of such individuals are not independent, as that term is commonly used. If this were the case, they would take the position that we would not have the benefit of any independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf and subject to reimbursement and could disallow the offering. Although we do not believe that the offerings of previous blank check companies with structures similar to ours have been disallowed, if the offering of our securities were disallowed, resales of our securities could not occur in the applicable jurisdiction (even if such resales would otherwise be permitted and in addition to the risk of disallowance pursuant to the immediately subsequent risk factor). Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which would include persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. There are no limitations on the amount of expenses for which they can seek reimbursement, provided such expenses were incurred for our benefit. Although we believe that all actions taken by our directors on our behalf will be in our best interests, whether or not they are deemed to be independent, we cannot assure you that this will actually be the case. If actions are taken, or expenses are incurred that are actually not in our best interests, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, and a material adverse effect on the price of the ordinary shares held by the public shareholders. As such, and because none of our directors may be deemed independent, we may not have the benefit of an independent body examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf that are subject to reimbursement (as discussed above).
45
Pursuant to the Statement of Policy Regarding Promoters Equity Investment promulgated by the NASAA, any state administrator may disallow an offering of a development stage company if the initial equity investment by a companys promoters does not equal a certain percentage of the aggregate public offering price. The NASAA promulgated the policy because it believes that the policy is consistent with investor protection and in the public interest. The policy permits a securities administrator to disallow offerings if the initial equity investment of the promoters is less than the amount resulting from the following formula: 10% of the first $1,000,000 of the offering, plus 7% of the next $500,000 of the offering, plus 5% of the next $500,000 of the offering, plus 2.5% of the balance of the offering over $2,000,000. Our promoters initial investment of $25,000 is less than the required $ $5,028,002 minimum amount pursuant to this policy. Accordingly, a state administrator would have the discretion to disallow our offering if it wanted to. Although we do not believe that the offerings of previous blank check companies with structures similar to ours have been disallowed, we cannot assure you that our offering would not be disallowed pursuant to this policy (in addition to the disallowance pursuant to the immediately preceding risk factor). If the offering were disallowed, you would not be able to engage in resale transactions with respect to our securities in the applicable jurisdiction (even if such resales would otherwise be permitted). Additionally, if we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction, our promoters loss will be limited to their initial investment. Conversely, if we are able to complete an acquisition transaction, the ordinary shares acquired prior to this offering will be worth significantly more than $25,000.
In the period from 2000 through the first half of 2008, Russia experienced rapid economic growth, a stable and strengthening currency, higher tax collections, a reduction in inflation and positive capital and current account balances. The Russian economy was adversely affected, however, by the global financial and economic crisis, which began in the second half of 2008. In Russia, the crisis led to extreme volatility in the debt and equity markets, reductions in foreign investment, sharp decreases in gross domestic product, reductions in disposable income, a bank liquidity crisis, significant ruble depreciation against the U.S. dollar and the Euro, and the rise of unemployment.
Although economic conditions have improved, we cannot assure you that the recovery of the economy in Russia or the other countries in which we may acquire a target business will be sustained. In addition, the Russian economy is heavily dependent on exports of natural resources, and therefore particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the world prices of crude oil, natural gas and other commodities, which reached record high levels in mid-2008 and have since experienced significant decreases. A sustained decline in the price of crude oil, natural gas and other commodities may further disrupt the Russian economy. Any future deterioration of the international economic situation would likely negatively impact the economies in the countries in which we seek to acquire a business and, as a result, adversely affect the profitability of our business, financial condition and results of operation following an acquisition transaction.
Additionally, global financial or economic crises or financial turmoil in any large emerging market country tend to adversely affect prices in equity markets of most or all emerging markets as investors move their money to more stable, developed markets. The Russian equity markets were highly volatile beginning in the second half of 2008, principally due to the impact of the global financial and economic crises on the Russian economy. Future financial problems or an increase in the perceived risks associated with investing in emerging economies could dampen foreign investment and adversely affect the economies of the countries in which we operate. In addition, during such times, businesses that operate in emerging markets can face severe liquidity constraints as foreign funding sources are withdrawn. For these reasons, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by any future global or emerging market financial crises.
46
Since 1991, Russia has sought to transform itself from a one-party state with a centrally-planned economy to a democracy with a market economy. As a result of the sweeping nature of the reforms, and the failure of some of them, the Russian political system remains vulnerable to popular dissatisfaction, including dissatisfaction with the results of privatizations in the 1990s, as well as to demands for autonomy from particular regional and ethnic groups.
Current and future changes in the government, conflicts between federal government and regional or local authorities, major policy shifts or lack of consensus between various branches of the government and powerful economic groups could disrupt or reverse economic and regulatory reforms, which could lead to political or governmental instability or the occurrence of conflicts among powerful economic groups.
In addition, political, ethnic, religious, historical and other differences have, on occasion, given rise to tensions and, in certain cases, military conflict between Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS, and in regions of the Russian Federation, such as Chechnya. Moscow experienced terrorist attacks in 2010 and early 2011, for example, that were perceived as being politically motivated. In addition, the relationship between Russia and Ukraine has experienced extended periods of strain. Political tensions, military conflicts or other material disruptions in Russia or between Russia and other CIS countries can adversely affect prices of shares of companies operating in Russia and, as a result, may cause the market price of our securities to decline. Such instability could have an adverse impact on Russias economy and investment climate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our securities following an acquisition transaction with a target business in Russia.
The infrastructure in Russia and Eastern Europe largely dates back to the Soviet era and has not been adequately funded and maintained since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Particularly affected are the rail and road networks, power generation and transmission systems, communication systems and building stock. The deterioration of the infrastructure in Russia and Eastern Europe harms the national economy, disrupts the transportation of goods and supplies, adds costs to doing business and can interrupt business operations. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects following an acquisition transaction with a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe.
The legal framework supporting a market economy remains new and in flux in Russia and the other Eastern European countries in which we operate and, as a result, the relevant legal systems can be characterized by:
| inconsistencies between and among laws and regulations; |
| gaps in the regulatory structure resulting from the delay in adoption or absence of implementing regulations; |
| selective enforcement of laws or regulations, sometimes in ways that have been perceived as being motivated by political or financial considerations; |
| limited judicial and administrative guidance on interpreting legislation; |
| relatively limited experience of judges and courts in interpreting recent commercial legislation; |
| a perceived lack of judicial and prosecutorial independence from political, social and commercial forces; |
| inadequate court system resources; |
47
| a high degree of discretion on the part of the judiciary and governmental authorities; and |
| poorly developed bankruptcy procedures that are subject to abuse. |
In addition, as is true of civil law systems generally, judicial precedents generally have no binding effect on subsequent decisions. Not all legislation and court decisions are readily available to the public or organized in a manner that facilitates understanding. Enforcement of court orders can in practice be very difficult. All of these factors make judicial decisions difficult to predict and effective redress uncertain. Additionally, court claims and governmental prosecutions may be used in furtherance of what some perceive to be political aims.
The untested nature of much of recent legislation in Russia and other Eastern European and the rapid evolution of their legal systems may result in ambiguities, inconsistencies and anomalies in the application and interpretation of laws and regulations. Any of these factors may affect our ability to enforce our rights under our contracts or to defend ourselves against claims by others, or result in our being subject to unpredictable requirements, and could have a material adverse effect on the value of our securities and our business, financial condition and results of operations following the acquisition of a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe.
Although we are a British Virgin Islands corporation, subject to suit in the British Virgin Islands and other courts, following an initial acquisition transaction to acquire a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe, our assets will be primarily located in Russia or Eastern Europe, and most of our directors and their assets will likely be located outside the United States. Although arbitration awards are generally enforceable in Russia, judgments obtained in the U.S. or in other foreign courts, including those with respect to U.S. federal securities law claims, may not be enforceable in Russia or Eastern Europe. There is no mutual recognition treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation, and no Russian federal law provides for the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments. Similarly, we are not aware of any such treaty or law between the U.S. and other countries in Eastern Europe. Therefore, following the acquisition of a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe, it may be difficult to enforce any U.S. or other foreign court judgment obtained against us or any of our directors in Russia or Eastern Europe.
Russian companies that list their securities on an exchange outside of Russia are required by law to first list their securities concurrently on a licensed Russian stock exchange and to offer their securities in Russia. Since we are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, we would not be covered by such requirement if we were to acquire a target business in Russia. However, the Russian securities regulator, the Federal Service for Financial Markets, has at various times officially emphasized that foreign issuers with substantial assets in Russia should undertake concurrent listings in Russia, and has proposed to change the securities regulations with the view to making such requirement mandatory. As a result, we can provide no assurance that following the acquisition of a Russian target business, we will not experience pressure to list our shares in Russia, which may impose additional administrative burdens on us and may result in a reduction of the liquidity of trading in our securities if and when they are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Many commercial laws and regulations in Russia and Eastern Europe are relatively new and have been subject to limited interpretation. As a result, their application can be unpredictable. In addition, government authorities have a high degree of discretion in Russia and Eastern Europe and have at times exercised their discretion in ways that may be perceived as selective or arbitrary, and sometimes in a manner that is seen as being influenced by political or commercial considerations. Such actions have included the termination or invalidation of contracts, withdrawal of licenses, sudden and unexpected tax audits, criminal prosecutions and civil actions. Federal and local government entities have also used common defects in documentation as
48
pretexts for court claims and other demands to invalidate and/or to void transactions, possibly for political purposes. We cannot assure you that regulators, judicial authorities or third parties will not challenge our compliance with applicable laws, decrees and regulations. The Russian government has taken various actions in recent years against business people and companies operating in Russia that have been perceived as having been politically motivated, including actions for technical violations of law or violations of laws that have been applied retroactively, such as violations of tax laws. In 2008, for example, government officials publicly criticized transfer pricing arrangements used by a Russian-based company that is publicly traded in the United States, claiming that such arrangements constituted tax evasion. These claims resulted in a steep decline in that companys stock price. Government officials may apply contradictory or ambiguous laws or regulations in ways that have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such actions have on occasion resulted in significant fluctuations in the market prices of the securities of businesses operating in Russia and Eastern Europe, a weakening of investor confidence in Russia and Eastern Europe and doubts about the progress of market and political reforms in Russia and Eastern Europe.
High-profile businesses in Russia can be particularly vulnerable to politically motivated actions. Some Russian television broadcasters, for example, have experienced what some would characterize as politically motivated actions, including efforts to effect changes of control. We cannot guarantee that, following the acquisition of a target business in Russia, we will not be affected by politically motivated actions that could materially adversely affect our operations.
The local press and international press have reported high levels of corruption in Russia, including unlawful demands by government officials and the bribery of government officials for the purpose of initiating investigations by government agencies. Press reports have also described instances in which government officials engaged in selective investigations and prosecutions to further the commercial interests of certain government officials or certain companies or individuals. Additionally, there are reports of the Russian media publishing disparaging articles in return for payment. If we are accused of involvement in government corruption, the resulting negative publicity could disrupt our ability to successfully acquire a business or conduct our business following our initial acquisition transaction and impair our relationships with customers, suppliers and other parties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of our securities following the acquisition of a target business in Russia.
In May 2008, the Federal Law On the Procedure for Foreign Investments in Companies which are Strategically Important for the State Defense and National Security (the Strategic Companies Law) came into force in Russia, which restricts foreign ownership of companies involved in certain strategically important activities in Russia.
In accordance with the Strategic Companies Law, astrategically important company is a Russian registered commercial entity which engages in at least one activity of strategic importance. The list of the activities of strategic importance set forth in the Strategic Companies Law includes, among other things, military, nuclear and space operations, aviation, TV and radio broadcasting, telephone operations, conducting geological surveys, exploration and development of subsoil resources on subsoil plots of federal importance.
Russian law sets forth certain other limitations on foreign investments in Russian legal entities:
| The Federal Law On Banks and Banking Activity authorizes the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to prohibit transfers of shares or participation interests in Russian banks to non-residents; and |
| The Federal Law On Organization of Insurance Activity in the Russian Federation prohibits insurance companies engaged in certain types of insurance activity to have more than 49% of the charter capital belonging to foreign investors. |
49
Under the provisions of the Strategic Companies Law, the direct or indirect acquisition of more than 25% of the voting power of a strategically important company by a foreign state, foreign governmental organization, international organization or entity controlled by a foreign government, or international organization, or the acquisition of more than 50% of the voting power of such a company by any other foreign investor or any of its affiliated companies, requires the prior approval of a Russian government committee chaired by the Prime Minister. In addition, it is our understanding that foreign investors or their group companies that are controlled by a foreign state or a foreign government or international organization are prohibited from owning more than 50% of the voting power of a strategically important company. Moreover, it is our understanding that the acquisition of 5% or more of the shares of a strategically important company triggers a notification requirement to the Federal Antimonopoly Service. Failure to obtain the required governmental approval prior to an acquisition would render the acquisition null and void.
Because we must acquire a controlling interest in a target business, if we seek to acquire a target business in Russia that is deemed to be a strategically important company, we may be subject to the Strategic Companies Law. Such approval process is likely to be time-consuming and may, in any event, ultimately result in a rejection of a proposed transaction. As a result, we may lose out on acquisition opportunities to competitors, and our ability to grow our business through acquisitions in Russia may be limited. Even if the authorities approve such a transaction, they may do so subject to conditions regarding the operation of the company including, for example, the composition of its management that may limit our effective control and operational flexibility.
Additionally, following a successful acquisition of a target business in Russia, we may be subject to the Strategic Companies Law if the target business was either a strategically important company at the time of acquisition or that becomes strategically important in the future. We believe that if we become subject to the Strategic Companies Law, then any foreign state, foreign governmental organization, international organization or entity controlled by a foreign government, or international organization, that seeks to acquire more than 25% of our outstanding securities, or any other foreign investor or its affiliated entities that seeks to acquire more than 50% of our voting securities would be subject to prior approval by the Russian government. Moreover, a non-Russian government entity would be prohibited from acquiring more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding securities.
The Russian anti-monopoly authorities impose various requirements on companies that occupy a dominant position in their markets. If we acquire a target business in Russia that is a dominant player in one or more of the markets in which it operates, the Russian authorities could impose limitations on our future acquisitions and a requirement that we pre-clear with the authorities any changes to our material agreements with our business partners. In addition, if we were to decline to conclude a contract with a third party this could, in certain circumstances, be regarded as abuse of a dominant market position. Any abuse of a dominant market position could lead to administrative penalties and fines. These limitations may reduce our operational and commercial flexibility and responsiveness, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations following the acquisition of a target business in Russia.
Well-funded, well-connected financial groups and so-called oligarchs have, from time to time, sought to obtain operational control and/or controlling or minority interests in attractive businesses in Russia and Eastern Europe by means that have been perceived as relying on economic or political influence or government connections. Should we acquire a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe, we may be subject to such efforts in the future and, depending on the political influence of the parties involved, our ability to thwart such efforts may be limited.
50
Generally, Russian companies are subject to numerous taxes. These taxes include, among others:
| profits tax; |
| value-added tax, or VAT; |
| unified social tax; |
| mineral extraction tax; and |
| property and land taxes. |
Laws related to these taxes have been in force for a short period relative to tax laws in more developed market economies and few precedents with regard to the interpretation of these laws have been established. Global tax reforms commenced in 1999 with the introduction of Part One of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, as amended, or the Russian Tax Code, which sets general taxation guidelines. Since then, Russia has been in the process of replacing legislation regulating the application of major taxes such as corporate profits tax, VAT and property tax with new chapters of the Russian Tax Code.
In practice, the Russian tax authorities generally interpret the tax laws in ways that rarely favor taxpayers, who often have to resort to court proceedings to defend their position against the tax authorities. Events within the Russian Federation suggest that the tax authorities may be taking a more assertive position in their interpretations of the legislation and assessments. Differing interpretations of tax regulations exist both among and within government ministries and organizations at the federal, regional and local levels, creating uncertainties and inconsistent enforcement. Tax declarations, together with related documentation such as customs declarations, are subject to review and investigation by a number of authorities, each of which may impose severe fines, penalties and interest charges. Generally, in an audit, taxpayers are subject to inspection with respect to the three calendar years which immediately preceded the year in which the audit is carried out. Previous audits do not completely exclude subsequent claims relating to the audited period because Russian tax law authorizes upper-level tax inspectorates to re-audit taxpayers which were audited by subordinate tax inspectorates. In addition, on July 14, 2005, the Russian Constitutional Court issued a decision that allows the statute of limitations for tax liabilities to be extended beyond the three-year term set forth in the tax laws if a court determines that a taxpayer has obstructed or hindered a tax audit. We believe that, as a result of the fact that none of the relevant terms are defined, tax authorities may have broad discretion to argue that a taxpayer has obstructed or hindered an audit and ultimately seek back taxes and penalties beyond the three year term. In some instances, new tax regulations have been given retroactive effect.
Moreover, it is our understanding that financial results of Russian companies cannot be consolidated for tax purposes. Therefore, following our acquisition of a Russian target business, we believe that each of the Russian subsidiaries of the target business will pay its own Russian taxes and may not offset its profit or loss against the loss or profit of any of our other subsidiaries. In addition, it is our understanding that intercompany dividends paid by Russian companies are subject to a withholding tax of: (1) 0%, if distributed to company which has continuously held not less than a 50% share in the charter capital of the company paying dividends and the cost of acquisition of this share exceeded 500 million rubles (the latter condition expired on January 1, 2011, and does not apply to dividends accrued for 2010 and subsequent periods); (2) 9%, if distributed to other Russian companies and/or individuals who are Russian tax residents; and (3) 15%, if distributed to foreign companies and individuals who are not Russian tax residents. Dividends from foreign companies to Russian companies are subject to a tax of 9%. Taxes paid in foreign countries by Russian companies may be offset against payment of these taxes in the Russian Federation up to the maximum amount of the Russian tax liability. We believe that in order to apply the offset, a company is required to confirm the payment of taxes in the foreign country. The confirmations must be authorized by the tax authority of the foreign country if taxes were paid by the company itself, and the confirmation must be authorized by the tax agent if taxes were withheld by the tax agent under foreign tax law or an international tax agreement.
51
In addition, application of current Russian thin capitalization rules could affect our ability to deduct interest on certain borrowings that we would otherwise be able to deduct. In particular, following acquisition of a target business in Russia, we may not be able to deduct interest on loans we extend to our Russian subsidiaries or on borrowings which our subsidiaries receive from independent banks and which are guaranteed by us.
The foregoing conditions create tax risks in Russia that are more significant than typically found in countries with more developed tax systems, imposing additional burdens and costs on our operations, including management resources. Should we acquire a Russian target business, these risks and uncertainties would complicate our tax planning and related business decisions, potentially exposing us to significant fines and penalties and enforcement measures despite our best efforts at compliance.
Following an acquisition of a target business in Russia, the ruble (or the local currency if we acquire a target elsewhere) would likely become the functional currency of our principal operating subsidiaries. As a result, our reported revenues and results of operations are impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Russian ruble (or the local currency if we acquire a target elsewhere). Additionally, if substantially all of our revenues are generated in rubles (or the local currency if we acquire a target elsewhere), we will face exchange rate risk relating to payments that we must make in currencies other than the ruble (or the local currency if we acquire a target elsewhere). If the ruble (or the local currency if we acquire a target elsewhere) depreciates against the U.S. dollar, our revenues and operating results for 2012 or future periods, as reported in U.S. dollars, will be adversely affected.
Following an acquisition of a target business in Russia, much of our indebtedness and major capital expenditures would likely be denominated and payable in various foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar and euro. Russian legislation currently permits the conversion of ruble revenues into foreign currency without limitation. However, if the Russian authorities impose limitations on the convertibility of the ruble or other restrictions on operations with rubles and foreign currencies in the event of an economic crisis, there may be delays or other difficulties in converting rubles into foreign currency to make a payment or delays in or restrictions on the transfer of foreign currency. This, in turn, could limit our ability to meet our payment and debt obligations, which could result in the loss of suppliers, acceleration of debt obligations and cross-defaults and, consequently, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The Russian statute of limitations for challenging privatization transactions is three years. However, because Russian privatization legislation is vague, internally inconsistent and in conflict with other legislation, including conflicts between federal and local privatization legislation, and the statute of limitations for challenging certain actions related to privatization may be argued to begin to run only upon the discovery of a violation, many privatizations are vulnerable to challenge. In the event that we acquire a privatized company in Russia and we are unable to defeat a claim that challenges our title to, or our ownership stake in, such privatized company, we risk losing our ownership interest in the company or its assets, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
In addition, it is our understanding that under Russian law, transactions in shares may be invalidated on many grounds, including a sale of shares by a person without the right to dispose of such shares, breach of interested party and/or major transaction rules and/or the terms of transaction approvals issued by government authorities, or failure to register the share transfer in the securities register. As a result, defects in earlier transactions with shares of a target business (where such shares were acquired from third parties) may cause our title to such shares to be subject to challenge.
52
Although the Russian government has enacted legislation to protect property against expropriation and nationalization and to provide fair compensation to be paid if such events were to occur, there can be no certainty that such protections will be enforced. This uncertainty is due to several factors, including the lack of state budgetary resources, the lack of an independent judicial system and the lack of sufficient mechanisms to enforce judgments.
The concept of property rights is not as well established in the Russian Federation as in western economies and there is not a great deal of experience in enforcing legislation enacted to protect private property against nationalization and expropriation. As a result, following acquisition of a target business in Russia, we may not be able to obtain proper redress in the courts, and may not receive adequate compensation if in the future the Russian Government decides to nationalize or expropriate some or all of our assets. Should such expropriation or nationalization occur without fair compensation in the future, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Certain provisions of Russian law may allow a court to order liquidation of a Russian legal entity on the basis of its formal non-compliance with certain requirements during formation, reorganization or during its operation. There have been cases in the past in which formal deficiencies in the establishment process of a Russian legal entity or non-compliance with provisions of Russian law have been used by Russian courts as a basis for liquidation of a legal entity. For example, it is our understanding that under Russian corporate law, if a Russian companys net assets calculated on the basis of Russian accounting standards at the end of its third or any subsequent financial year, fall below its share capital, the company must decrease its share capital to the level of its net assets value or initiate a voluntary liquidation. In addition, if a Russian companys net assets calculated on the basis of Russian accounting standards at the end of its second or any subsequent financial year, fall below the minimum share capital required by law, the company must initiate voluntarily liquidation not later than six months after the end of such financial year. If the company fails to comply with either of the requirements stated above within the prescribed time limits, the companys creditors may accelerate their claims and demand reimbursement of applicable damages, and governmental authorities may seek involuntary liquidation of the company. We believe that many Russian companies have negative net assets due to very low historical asset values reflected on their balance sheets prepared in accordance with Russian accounting standards; however, their solvency, i.e., their ability to pay debts as they become due, is not otherwise adversely affected by such negative net assets.
Following acquisition of a target business in Russia, if involuntary liquidation of the target or its subsidiaries were to occur, then we may be forced to reorganize the operations we may conduct through the affected subsidiaries. Any such liquidation could lead to additional costs, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Following an acquisition of a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe, our operations and properties will be subject to regulation by various government entities and agencies in connection with obtaining and renewing various licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations, as well as with ongoing compliance with existing laws, regulations and standards. Government authorities in countries where we seek to acquire a target business exercise considerable discretion in matters of enforcement and interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and standards, the issuance and renewal of licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations, and in monitoring licensees compliance with the terms thereof which may result in unexpected audits, criminal prosecutions, civil actions and expropriation of property. Authorities have the right to, and frequently do, conduct periodic inspections of our operations and properties throughout the year.
53
Our failure to comply with existing laws and regulations or to obtain and comply with all approvals, authorizations and permits required for our operations or findings of governmental inspections may result in the imposition of fines or penalties or more severe sanctions including the suspension, amendment or termination of our licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations or in requirements that we cease certain of our business activities, or in criminal and administrative penalties applicable to our officers. Arbitrary government actions directed against other Russian or Eastern European companies (or the consequences of such actions) may generally impact on the Russian or Eastern European economy, including the securities market. Any such actions, decisions, requirements or sanctions could increase our costs and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects following acquisition of a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe.
Following an acquisition of a target business located in Russia, we may have global competitors that have their principal operations outside of Russia, putting them generally outside of the jurisdiction of Russian courts and government agencies, even though some of them have offices in Russia. Russian laws and regulations that may be applicable to us, but not to our foreign competitors, may impede our ability to develop and offer products or services that compete effectively with those offered by our foreign-based competitors and generally available worldwide over the internet. Any inability on our part to offer products or services that are competitive with those offered by our foreign competitors may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Civil Code of the Russian Federation, as amended, or the Civil Code, and the Joint-Stock Companies Law generally provide that shareholders in a Russian joint-stock company are not liable for the obligations of the joint-stock company and bear only the risk of loss of their investment. This may not be the case, however, when one entity is capable of determining decisions made by another entity. The entity capable of determining such decisions is deemed an effective parent. The entity whose decisions are capable of being so determined is deemed an effective subsidiary. We believe that under the Joint-Stock Companies Law, an effective parent bears joint and several responsibility for transactions concluded by the effective subsidiary in carrying out these decisions if:
| this decision-making capability is provided for in the charter of the effective subsidiary or in a contract between such entities; and |
| the effective parent gives obligatory directions to the effective subsidiary based on the above-mentioned decision-making capability. |
In addition, an effective parent is secondarily liable for an effective subsidiarys debts if an effective subsidiary becomes insolvent or bankrupt due to the fault of an effective parent resulting from its action or inaction. We believe that this would be the case no matter how the effective parents ability to determine decisions of the effective subsidiary arises. For example, this liability could arise through ownership of voting securities or by contract. Other shareholders of the effective subsidiary may claim compensation for the effective subsidiarys losses from the effective parent which caused the effective subsidiary to take action or fail to take action knowing that such action or failure to take action would result in losses. Accordingly, while the liability of our individual shareholders who do not have a controlling interest in our company would be limited to their investment, we could be liable in some cases for the debts of the subsidiaries of a target business. This liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects following acquisition of a Russian target business.
54
It is our understanding that Russian law provides that shareholders that vote against or do not participate in voting on certain matters have the right to request that the company redeem their shares at value determined in accordance with Russian law. The decisions of a general shareholders meeting that trigger this right include:
| decisions with respect to a reorganization; |
| the approval by shareholders of a major transaction, which, in general terms, is a transaction involving property worth more than 50% of the gross book value of the companys assets calculated according to Russian accounting standards, regardless of whether the transaction is actually consummated, except for transactions undertaken in the ordinary course of business; and |
| the amendment of the companys charter in a manner that limits shareholder rights. |
Should we acquire a target business in Russia, our obligation (or obligation of the targets subsidiaries) to purchase shares in these circumstances, which is limited to 10% of our net assets, calculated in accordance with Russian accounting standards at the time the matter at issue is voted upon, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects due to the need to expend cash on such obligatory share purchases.
55
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and administered from outside the United States, and a majority of our assets will be located outside the United States. Our U.S. agent for service of process is National Corp. However, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or our officers or directors within the United States in a way that will permit a U.S. court to have jurisdiction over us.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the BVI Business Companies Act, and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands, as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are considered persuasive authority but are not binding on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely:
| to recognize or enforce against us judgments of U.S. courts based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and |
| to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. |
We have been advised by Forbes Hare that there is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the U.S. judgment: (i) the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; (ii) is final and for a liquidated sum; (iii) the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; (iv) in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; (v) recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and (vi) the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. In appropriate circumstances, a British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.
Following an acquisition transaction we anticipate that a substantial portion of our assets will be located in the Russian Federation. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of the Russian Federation and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located in the Russian Federation.
Judgments rendered by a court in any jurisdiction outside the Russian Federation will generally be recognized by courts in the Russian Federation only if an international treaty providing for recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil cases exists between the Russian Federation and the country where the judgement is rendered or if a federal law is adopted in Russia providing for the recognition and enforcement of court judgements of the country where the judgement is rendered. There is no treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments in civil and commercial matters, and no relevant federal law on enforcement of foreign court judgements has
56
been adopted in the Russian Federation. In two recent instances, however, Russian courts have recognized and enforced foreign court judgments (an English court judgment in one instance and a Dutch court judgment in the other instance) on the basis of a combination of the principle of reciprocity and the existence of a number of bilateral and multilateral treaties to which both the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation, and both the Netherlands and the Russian Federation, respectively, are parties. The courts determined that such treaties constituted grounds for the recognition and enforcement of the relevant foreign court judgment in Russia. In the absence of an established court practice, however, no assurances can be given that a Russian court would be inclined in any particular instance to recognize and enforce a foreign court judgment on these or similar grounds. In addition, Russian courts have limited experience in the enforcement of foreign court judgments. Moreover, there is doubt regarding whether a Russian court would enforce liabilities predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States, or the laws of other jurisdictions in which investors may be located, in an original action.
The Russian Federation is a party to the United Nations (New York) Convention of the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1958. But it may be difficult to enforce arbitral awards in the Russian Federation due to a number of factors, including limited experience of Russian courts in international commercial transactions, official or unofficial political resistance to enforcement of awards against Russian companies in favor of foreign investors, Russian courts' inability to enforce such orders, and corruption. The possible need to re-litigate in the Russian Federation a judgment obtained in a foreign court on the merits may also significantly delay the enforcement of such judgment.
Accordingly, it may be difficult or impossible for investors to:
| effect service of process within the United States, or other jurisdictions in which investors may be located, upon us or our directors and officers; |
| enforce judgments obtained in courts in the United States, or other jurisdictions in which investors may be located, against us or our directors and officers; or |
| enforce, in original actions brought in courts in the Russian Federation, liabilities predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States, or the laws of other jurisdictions in which investors may be located. |
57
The statements contained in this prospectus that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our managements expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words anticipates, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about our:
| ability to complete a combination with one or more target businesses; |
| success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers or directors following our initial acquisition transaction; |
| officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and conflicts of interest that might arise with our officers and directors with respect to the allocation of business opportunities and the consummation of any acquisition transaction; |
| expectations regarding the involvement of our management following our initial acquisition transaction; |
| delisting of our securities from the NASDAQ Capital Market or the ability to have our securities listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market following our initial acquisition transaction; |
| estimates regarding the operating expenses of our business before the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction and the beliefs that upon completion of the private placement of the placement warrants and this offering, we will have sufficient funds to operate for the next 18 months, or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension, assuming that our initial acquisition transaction is not consummated during that time; |
| potential inability to obtain additional financing to consummate our initial acquisition transaction; |
| limited pool of prospective target businesses; |
| ability and the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; |
| potential change in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for equity securities; |
| public shares limited liquidity and trading; |
| use of proceeds not in the trust account; or |
| financial performance following this offering. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading Risk Factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws and/or if and when management knows or has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that previously disclosed projections are no longer reasonably attainable.
58
We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement warrants will be as set forth in the following table:
Without
Over-Allotment Option Exercised |
With
Over-Allotment Option Exercised |
|||||||
Gross proceeds
|
||||||||
Gross proceeds from the offering | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 115,000,000 | ||||
Gross proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants | 3,800,000 | 3,800,000 | ||||||
Total gross proceeds | $ | 103,800,000 | $ | 118,800,000 | ||||
Underwriting expenses:
|
||||||||
Underwriting discount (3% of gross public offering proceeds) | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,450,000 | ||||
Contingent underwriting discount (2% of gross public offering proceeds) | 2,000,000 | 2,300,000 | ||||||
Total underwriting expenses | $ | 5,000,000 | $ | 5,750,000 | ||||
Offering expenses:
(1)
,
(2)
,
(3)
|
||||||||
Legal fees and expenses | $ | 350,000 | $ | 350,000 | ||||
Printing and engraving expenses | 35,000 | 35,000 | ||||||
Accounting fees and expenses | 35,000 | 35,000 | ||||||
SEC and FINRA registration fees | 53,163 | 53,163 | ||||||
NASDAQ initial listing application fees | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
Miscellaneous expenses (including Blue Sky fees) | 26,837 | 26,837 | ||||||
Total offering expenses | $ | 575,000 | $ | 575,000 | ||||
Total underwriting and offering expenses: | $ | 5,575,000 | $ | 6,325,000 | ||||
Net proceeds:
|
||||||||
Net proceeds from the offering and the sale of the placement warrants:
|
||||||||
Held in trust | $ | 98,000,000 | $ | 112,250,000 | ||||
Not held in trust | 225,000 | 225,000 | ||||||
Total net proceeds | $ | 98,225,000 | $ | 112,475,000 | ||||
Proceeds held in trust for the benefit of our public shareholders | $ | 98,000,000 | $ | 112,250,000 | ||||
Deferred underwriting discount held in trust | 2,000,000 | 2,300,000 | ||||||
Total amount held in trust | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 114,550,000 | ||||
Percentage of gross public offering proceeds held in trust account | 100.0 | % | 99.6 | % |
Working capital funded from net proceeds not held in the trust account and
interest earned on monies held in the trust account (4) |
Amount (5) |
Percentage of
Total |
||||||
Legal, accounting and other non-due diligence expenses,
including structuring and negotiating an acquisition transaction |
$ | 100,000 | 44.45 | % | ||||
Due diligence of prospective target businesses by officers, directors,
and initial shareholders |
25,000 | 11.11 | % | |||||
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations | 75,000 | 33.33 | % | |||||
Reserve for liquidation expense | 10,000 | 4.44 | % | |||||
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance,
general corporate purposes, liquidation obligations and reserves |
15,000 | 6.67 | % | |||||
Total | $ | 225,000 | 100.0 | % |
(1) | Excludes the payment of $100 from the underwriters for their unit purchase option and the proceeds from the exercise of any warrants or the exercise of the underwriters unit purchase option. |
59
(2) | No discounts or commissions will be paid with respect to the sale of the placement warrants. For purposes of presentation, the current portion of underwriting discounts and commissions are reflected as the amount payable to the underwriters upon the consummation of this offering. An additional $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, all of which will be deposited in the trust account following the consummation of the offering, is payable to the underwriters only upon the later of a consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. In addition, in the event of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, the amount of deferred underwriting discount payable to the underwriters will be paid out first over other amounts in the trust account. If an acquisition transaction is not consummated and our company is dissolved and the trust account is liquidated, such amounts will be distributed among our public shareholders. |
(3) | These expenses are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. |
(4) | The amount of proceeds not held in the trust account will remain constant at $225,000 even if the over-allotment is exercised. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us. For purposes of presentation, the full amount available to us is shown as the total amount of net proceeds available to us. |
(5) | The amount available to us for expenses and working capital will be the same regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised. In the event that our operating expenses exceed the working capital available to us from net proceeds not held in trust account and interest earned on monies held in the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full), our founders may fund any working capital requirements through loans to be paid back upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction. |
In addition to the offering of units by this prospectus, our founders and their designees have committed to purchase the placement warrants from us for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000. These purchases will take place on a private placement basis immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. We will not pay any discounts or commissions with respect to the purchase of the placement warrants. All of the proceeds we receive from this purchase will be placed in the trust account described below.
A total of approximately $100,000,000 (or approximately $114,550,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement warrants described in this prospectus, including $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, will be placed in a trust account at J.P. Morgan with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as trustee. We expect that the trust assets will be held in an account located outside of the United States. Net proceeds of this offering in the amount of $225,000 will not be held in the trust account. We believe the $225,000 of proceeds of this offering initially available to us outside of the trust account, together with the interest income on the balance of the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to be released to us from time to time for working capital requirements, will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 21 months, assuming an acquisition transaction is not completed during that time. The per unit amount in trust will be greater than approximately $9.96 in the event the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full because the underwriters discount is based on a percentage of the aggregate offering price, while other offering costs and the proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants are fixed regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised.
Except for any amounts paid to redeeming shareholders in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account until the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or a post-acquisition tender offer or our dissolution and the liquidation of the trust account in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction prior to 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) following the consummation of this offering. All amounts held in the trust account that are not:
| distributed to shareholders who exercise redemption rights; |
| released to us to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below |
60
| released to us for working capital purposes and general corporate requirements (any amount in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.96 per public share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full); |
| released to us to pay taxes; |
| a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction; or |
| payable to the underwriters as deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, |
will be released to us upon the consolidation of each series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an initial acquisition transaction or, post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses.
The proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete an acquisition transaction. Any amounts not paid as consideration to the sellers of the target business may be used to finance operations of the target business.
Our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance held in our trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon an analysis conducted by them (which may include an analysis of actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). We anticipate structuring an acquisition transaction to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target
61
business. We may, however, structure an acquisition transaction to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but we will not acquire less than a controlling interest and will in all instances be the controlling shareholder of the target company. The key factors that we will rely on in determining controlling shareholder status would be our acquisition of more than 50% of the voting rights of the target company and control of the majority of any governing body of the target company. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association require that we acquire a controlling interest in a target business in connection with an acquisition transaction. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria.
Upon release of funds from the trust account, and after payment of the redemption price to any shareholders who exercise their redemption rights and the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions to the underwriters, the remaining funds will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial acquisition transaction occurs. If the initial acquisition transaction is paid for using equity or debt securities or additional funds from a private offering of debt or equity securities or borrowings, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the acquired business or businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial acquisition transaction, to fund the purchase of other companies, or for working capital.
Intercarbo Holding AG, an entity controlled by one of our founders, Taras Vazhnov, has loaned us a total of $232,155, which amount was used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering referenced in the line items above related to the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees and expenses. Of this amount, $180,155 is due promptly after the consummation of this offering, and $52,000 is due on the earlier of April 30, 2013 or the date of consummation of this offering. Both loans do not bear any interest. The loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account.
We have agreed to pay to Intercarbo Holding AG a total of $7,500 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the date of this prospectus and ending on the earlier of our consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation. Payment of such fees shall begin to accrue immediately after this offering and shall be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any. Intercarbo Holding AG is an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director. This arrangement was agreed to by our Board of Directors for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Vazhnov compensation in lieu of a management fee or other remuneration because it is anticipated that the expenses to be paid by Intercarbo Holding AG will approximate the amount of accrued reimbursement. Upon consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation, we will cease to accrue these monthly fees.
We believe that amounts not held in the trust account and the interest income that may be released to us (all amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.96 per public share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) and will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated for up to 21 months. Our estimates are based on the fact that in-depth due diligence will be undertaken only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of an acquisition transaction. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an acquisition transaction is lower than the actual amount necessary to do so, or in the event the amounts not held in the trust account is insufficient to pay our costs and expenses, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable, through loans or additional investments from our founders or our officers and directors. None of our founders, officers or directors is under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.
The net proceeds from this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants that are not immediately required for the purposes set forth above will be invested only in U.S. government securities (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) and/or one or more money market funds, selected by us, which invest principally in either short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the United States having a rating in the highest investment category granted thereby by a recognized credit rating agency at the time of
62
acquisition or short-term municipal bonds issued by governmental entities located within the United States, so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
Other than the fee for office space and administrative and secretarial services described above, we will not pay fees of any kind (including finders and consulting fees) to any of our officers, and directors, or any of their affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of the acquisition transaction. However, our officers, and directors and their respective affiliates will receive reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating a potential acquisition transaction with one or more target businesses. There are no limitations on the amount of expenses for which they can seek reimbursement, provided such expenses were incurred for our benefit. We expect that due diligence of prospective target businesses will be monitored or performed by Anatoly Danilitskiy, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Kyle Shostak, our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a director. Additionally, we may engage market research firms and/or third-party consultants. Our board of directors will have the responsibility of reviewing and approving all expense reimbursements made to our founders, officers or directors, and their respective affiliates, with any interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval. To the extent that such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an acquisition transaction. These expenses would be a liability of the post-combination business and would be treated in a manner similar to any other account payable of the combined business. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such acquisition transaction, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses. If the target business owners do not agree to such repayment, this could cause our directors to view such potential acquisition transaction unfavorably and result in a conflict of interest. Although we currently expect that the members of our management team will become a part of the management team of the combined entity, since the actual role of each present member of management after an acquisition transaction is uncertain, we have no current ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after an acquisition transaction.
A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) upon our dissolution and trust account liquidation if we fail to consummate our initial acquisition transaction within the allotted time, (ii) upon our liquidation of our trust account if we fail to commence or complete our post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time, or (iii) if the public shareholder seeks to have us redeem their shares for cash in connection with an acquisition transaction that was actually consummated. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the funds in the trust account.
Upon the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, the underwriters will receive the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions held in the trust account. If we do not complete an initial acquisition transaction and we dissolve and the trust account is liquidated and distributed to our public shareholders as described herein, the underwriters have agreed (i) to forfeit any rights or claims to the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, together with any accrued interest thereon, in the trust account and (ii) that the trustee is authorized to distribute the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, together with any accrued interest thereon, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, and (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements.
63
We have not paid any dividend on our ordinary shares to date and we do not intend to pay cash dividends or make any distributions prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. The payment of dividends in the future will be contingent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of an acquisition transaction. The payment of any dividends subsequent to an acquisition transaction will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. After an acquisition transaction, we expect to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
On November 28, 2011, and February 13, 2012, our founders acquired an aggregate of 2,875,000 Series C Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 (up to 375,000 of which shares will be redeemed by us for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full), an amount that is equal to 20% of the total of the number of shares that will be outstanding after this offering. In addition, if the underwriters determine that the size of the offering should be increased or decreased, a share dividend, share combination or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our founders ownership at 20% of the number of shares to be sold in this offering. We will not make or receive any cash payment in respect of any such adjustment.
64
The difference between the public offering price per callable Series A Share, assuming no value is attributed to the redeemable warrants included in the units, and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. 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 the ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding ordinary shares (including callable Series A Shares). The information below assumes the payment in full of the underwriting discounts and commissions, including amounts held in the trust account, and no exercise of the over-allotment option.
At February 17, 2012, our net tangible book value (excluding offering costs incurred in advance before this offering) was a deficit of $(179.155), or approximately $(0.06) per ordinary share. After giving effect to the sale of 10,000,000 callable Series A Shares included in the units (but excluding shares underlying the redeemable warrants included in the units) in this offering and the sale of 5,066,666 placement warrants, and the deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value (as decreased by the value of 9,250,000 public shares which may be redeemed for cash) at February 17, 2012, would have been $5,745,945 or $1.77 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.83 per share to our founders and an immediate dilution of $8.23 per share or 82.3% to new investors not exercising their redemption rights. Our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants has been reduced by $2,000,000, representing the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable upon the consolidation of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants is approximately $92,500,000 less than it otherwise would have been because if we effect an acquisition transaction, the redemption rights of the public shareholders, other than our founders, may result in the redemption for cash of up to 9,250,000 shares at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commission and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, calculated as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the trust, divided by the number of ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering. However, if we have exercised our right to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the materials distributed to our shareholders in connection with any tender offer to effect an acquisition transaction. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us.
65
The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the redeemable warrants included in the units:
Initial public offering price | $ | 10.00 | ||||||
Net tangible book value before this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants | $ | (0.06 | ) | |||||
Increase attributable to new investors | $ | 1.83 | ||||||
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants | 1.77 | |||||||
Dilution to new investors that do not subsequently exercise their
redemption rights |
$ | 8.23 |
The following table sets forth information with respect to our founders and the new investors:
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration |
Average
Price Per Share |
||||||||||||||||||
Number (1) | Percentage | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||||||
Founders shares | 2,500,000 | 20.00 | % | $ | 25,000 | 0.0002 | % | $ | 0.01 | |||||||||||
New investors | 10,000,000 | 80.00 | % | 100,000,000 | 99.9998 | % | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||||
Total | 12,500,000 | 100.00 | % | $ | 100,025,000 | 100.0000 | % | $ | 8.00 |
(1) | Does not include (i) 1,500,000 callable Series A Shares included the units issuable upon the exercise in full of the over-allotment option, (ii) 375,000 founders shares that we will redeem in the event the over-allotment option is not exercised in full, (iii) the 10,000,000 ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants comprising the units offered in this offering, or (iv) the 5,066,666 ordinary shares underlying the placement warrants. |
The pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants is calculated as follows:
Numerator:
|
||||
Net tangible book value before this offering and sale of the placement warrants | $ | (179,155 | ) | |
Net proceeds from this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants | 100,225,000 | |||
Proceeds from the sale of the unit purchase option to the underwriters | 100 | |||
Plus: offering costs incurred in advance, excluded from tangible book value before this offering | 200,000 | |||
Less: deferred underwriters discount paid upon consummation of an
acquisition transaction |
(2,000,000 | ) | ||
Less: proceeds held in the trust account subject to redemption for cash
(2)
(9,250,000 × $10.00) |
(92,500,000 | ) | ||
Total net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants | $ | 5,745,945 | ||
Denominator
|
||||
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants (1) | 2,500,000 | |||
Callable Series A Shares included in the units offered in this offering | 10,000,000 | |||
Less: shares subject to redemption (10,000,000 × 92.5%) | (9,250,000 | ) | ||
3,250,000 |
(1) | Does not include 375,000 founders shares underlying the founders shares that we will redeem for no consideration in the event the over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
(2) | If the acquisition transaction is consummated, public shareholders who exercised their redemption rights would be entitled to receive approximately $10.00 per share. |
66
The following table sets forth our capitalization on:
an actual basis at February 17, 2012; and
an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of the founders shares to our founders, the placement warrants to our founders and their designees, the underwriters unit purchase option, the units in this offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities.
As of February 17, 2012 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Note payable to affiliate of shareholder (1) | $ | 180,155 | $ | | ||||
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 0 and 375,000 shares that are subject to possible redemption, shares at redemption value (2) (3) | | 92,500,000 | ||||||
Shareholders equity:
|
||||||||
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding and 12,500,000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 375,000 shares subject to possible redemption), as adjusted | 287 | 325 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 24,713 | 5,749,775 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (4,155 | ) | (4,155 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders equity | 20,845 | 5,745,945 | ||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 201,000 | $ | 98,245,945 |
(1) | Amount loaned pursuant to the promissory note issued to Intercarbo Holding AG, a company controlled by Taras Vazhnov, our director, which is due promptly after the consummation of this offering. These funds were used to pay the NASDAQ initial listing fee and a portion of the expenses of this offering including the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees and expenses. |
(2) | If we consummate an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, the redemption rights afforded to our public shareholders may result in the redemption for cash of up to 92.5% of the aggregate number of public shares sold in this offering at a per share redemption price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (initially approximately $10.00, or approximately $9.96 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, which includes $0.20 per share attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions), including accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, calculated as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the trust, divided by the number of callable Series A Shares included in the units sold in this offering. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us. |
(3) | Our founders have agreed not to redeem any founders shares held by them. |
67
We are a newly formed company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to begin operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public offering of our securities. The report of our independent registered public accountants on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph stating that our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the consummation of this offering. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our ability to continue as a going concern.
We are an innovated public acquisition company, or IPAC SM , formed to acquire, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or similar acquisition transaction, one or more operating businesses. An IPAC is a blank check company that permits the company to return funds from the trust account to redeeming shareholders after the acquisition transaction is completed, as described in more detail below, which is different from most other blank check companies that are required to return funds from the trust account prior to, or at, the time the acquisition transaction is completed. Although our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association do not limit us to a particular geographic region, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia or Eastern Europe. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, and will continue to be an emerging growth company until: (i) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of this prospectus, (ii) the date on which we become a large accelerated filer, or (iii) the date on which we have issued an aggregate of $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding 3 years. As an emerging growth company, we are entitled to rely on certain scaled disclosure requirements and other exemptions, including an exemption from the requirement to provide an auditor attestation to managements assessment of its internal controls as required by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We may at any time voluntarily elect to cease to avail ourselves of the scaled disclosure and other exemptions available to us as an emerging growth company, and have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. See the risk factor entitled We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act which allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration or contemplation, and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We have not, in any capacity (not has any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by, any candidates (or representative of any candidates), with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with our company. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate. We intend to effect an acquisition transaction using the cash from the proceeds of this offering, our capital securities, debt or a combination of cash, capital securities and debt.
Our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance held in our trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon an analysis conducted by them (which may include an analysis of actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). We anticipate structuring an acquisition transaction to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business. We may, however, structure an acquisition transaction to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but will not acquire less than a controlling interest and will in all instances be
68
the controlling shareholder of the target company. The key factors that we will rely on in determining controlling shareholder status would be our acquisition of more than 50% of the voting rights of the target company and control of the majority of any governing body of the target company. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. If we acquire only a controlling interest in a target business or businesses, the portion of such business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable), as described above. If we determine to acquire several businesses simultaneously and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the acquisition transaction. With multiple acquisitions, 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 integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies into a single operating business.
The foregoing notwithstanding, in the course of their other business activities, our management team has had contact with or gained familiarity with many businesses that may meet our investment criteria and, therefore, could be a target business. However, any such discussions were in the ordinary course of the business activities of the members of our management team, and no discussions of any kind have taken place with any such business, whether directly or indirectly, regarding the potential for a transaction between us and such business.
The issuance of additional securities in an acquisition transaction:
| may significantly dilute the equity interest of our shareholders; |
| may cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares or voting preferred shares are issued which may affect our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and may also result in the resignation or removal of one or more of our officers and directors; |
| may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares; |
| may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and |
| may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. |
Similarly, debt securities issued by us in an acquisition transaction may result in:
| default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an acquisition transaction were insufficient to pay our debt obligations; |
| acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contained covenants requiring the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and any such covenant was breached without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
| our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security was payable on demand; and |
| our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, to the extent any debt securities contain covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such debt security was outstanding, or to the extent our existing leverage discourages other potential investors. |
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Shareholder approval would normally only be required under British Virgin Islands law where the acquisition transaction involved a statutory merger of our company
69
with another company or a scheme of arrangement sanctioned by the Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands where our shareholders would give up or transfer their shares in our company in consideration of the issue of shares in another company which would alter the rights attached to our shares or amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. A merger of our wholly-owned subsidiary with another company would not normally require shareholder approval under our memorandum and articles or the BVI Business Companies Act. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to redeem or will have their shares automatically redeemed for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, regardless of how it is structured.
The manner in which public shareholders may redeem their shares or will have their shares automatically redeemed will depend on the structure of the transaction. We intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction and shareholder redemption rights in one of the following ways:
| Pre-acquisition tender offer : At the discretion of our directors and if a shareholder vote is not required by British Virgin Islands law, we may structure the acquisition transaction as an acquisition that does not require shareholder approval. Prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we would initiate a tender offer by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The tender offer would be for all outstanding callable Series A Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account. The tender offer documents would include information substantially similar to that which would be required in connection with a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction, and the closing of the acquisition transaction would be cross-conditioned with the closing of the tender offer. Our initial shareholders have agreed to not tender any shares they own in such tender offer. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares in a pre-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. We would proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the public shares exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have more than $5,000,000 in net tangible assets following our initial public offering, which means we are not required to comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. |
| Post-acquisition tender offer : At the discretion of our directors and if a shareholder vote is not required by British Virgin Islands law, we may structure the acquisition transaction as an acquisition transaction that does not require shareholder approval and that would only require us to engage in a tender offer post-transaction. Prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC disclosing that we have entered into a definitive acquisition transaction agreement, that we intend to consummate the transaction without a shareholder vote or a pre-acquisition tender offer, and that would include disclosure regarding the target (including audited financial statements of the target, risk factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) and the proposed transaction similar to what would be included in a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction. After such Form 6-K is on file with the SEC, we would close the acquisition transaction upon satisfaction of all closing conditions and within 30 days of the closing, commence a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series B Shares by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series B Shares in a post-acquisition tender offer, |
70
and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. The tender offer documents would include the same information about the target business as was contained in the Form 6-K discussed above. The release to us of the proceeds from this offering held in the trust account would be conditioned on the closing of the tender offer. |
In connection with the post-acquisition tender offer, public shareholders would be subject to a redemption threshold of 92.5%, whereby public shareholders holding no more than 92.5% of the public shares exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have more than $5,000,000 in net tangible assets following our initial public offering, which means we are not required to comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. As provided in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, we may not proceed with an acquisition transaction in contemplation of a post-acquisition tender offer if holders of 92.5% or more of the shares sold in this offering may participate in such post-acquisition tender offer. If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, then depending on the amount of money our target business requires us to retain in the trust account after shareholders have been given the right to redeem and to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% redemption threshold, we must, after the Form 6-K is filed with the SEC, seek that certain shareholders (holders of 5% or more of the public shares who are also accredited investors) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares immediately prior to consummation of the acquisition transaction, with any remaining callable Series A Shares automatically converting to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction. We will contact the accredited investors to seek conversion of our Series A Shares through contacts that investment bankers or other service providers that we engage have. It is not anticipated that such accredited investors will receive any information greater than that released to the public unless such accredited investors sign a non-trading and non-disclosure agreement with us. We will determine who we can solicit by examining a non-objecting beneficial owner list and public filings relating to beneficial ownership in order to determine the stockholders who own greater than 5% of our ordinary shares. The automatic conversion of the callable Series A Shares to callable Series B Shares is necessary to avoid the possibility that the shareholders who elect to convert their callable Series A Shares to Series C Shares be deemed to be participating in the post-acquisition tender offer and to have received different (i.e. Series C Shares versus cash equal to a pro rata portion of the trust account) consideration for shares tendered in the offering. We would seek out such shareholders immediately prior to the consummation of the acquisition transaction. The exchange ratio of callable Series A Shares for Series C Shares would be on a one-for-one basis and other than the exchange of shares, no other compensation will be paid to converting shareholders. Upon closing of the acquisition transaction, all remaining callable Series A Shares will be automatically converted into callable Series B Shares on a one-for-one basis, which would be eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer. The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering.
The tender offer would be for all outstanding callable Series B Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account (which pro rata share would be based on the total number of shares issued in our initial public offering). Holders of callable Series A Shares who elect to convert their shares into Series C Shares prior to consummation of the acquisition transaction would not be entitled to participate in the issuer tender offer, while holders of callable Series A Shares that have their shares automatically converted to callable Series B Shares would be entitled to participate in the issuer tender offer. If we fail to commence the issuer tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the acquisition transaction, or if we fail to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction, then within 5 business days thereafter, we will automatically liquidate the trust account and release to our public shareholders, except for holders of Series C Shares, a pro rata portion of the trust account. The holders of Series C Shares and public warrant holders will continue to hold their securities in us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient conversions to Series C Shares to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% threshold, we will not be able to consummate the acquisition transaction. For more information about the various rights of each
71
series of our securities, see Description of Securities, and for more information about voluntary and automatic conversion of our callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares in connection with a post-acquisition tender offer, see Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Post-Acquisition Tender Offer.
If we are no longer an FPI and shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, we will:
| conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| file proxy materials with the SEC. |
The redemption rights described above are only available to holders of callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be. If we are required to offer redemption rights to all holders of our ordinary shares, our founders have agreed to not tender their securities for redemption.
We elected to permit redemption in these different fashions so that we would have more flexibility in structuring a successful acquisition transaction than similarly structured blank check companies. The way we structure our transaction will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business, so we cannot provide any definitive guidance on which structure we will use, other than that we will use the structure that we believe will allow us to complete a successful acquisition, depending on factors such as whether the acquisition transaction requires a shareholder vote and the requirements of the target business. Similarly, if we structure the acquisition transaction to require a post-acquisition tender offer and we elect to seek that certain shareholders convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares, then the methodology of how we will approach such holders will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business. Accordingly, we cannot provide any definitive guidance on which methodology we will use, other than that we will use the methodology that we believe will allow us to complete a successful acquisition. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Shareholder Redemption Rights for a further discussion.
We may be required to obtain shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition transaction if, for example, we are the entity directly participating in a merger or required to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to alter the rights of our shareholders.
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If so, we will effectively be required to adjust the redemption threshold to reduce the number of shares that can be redeemed (thereby reducing the 92.5% threshold) in connection with such acquisition transaction or obtain an alternative source of funding. If the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an acquisition transaction below such minimum amount and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such acquisition transaction and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Similarly, if we have purchased up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the registration statement or proxy materials or tender offer materials we will prepare in connection with the acquisition transaction. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Permitted purchases of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares. As a result, public shareholders may have to wait the full 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) in order to be able to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with our dissolution and liquidation. See Risk Factors Even though we have a redemption threshold of 92.5%, we may be unable to consummate an acquisition transaction if a target business requires that we have cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have at closing, and
72
public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our liquidation to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.
We will proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have a minimum of $5,000,000 in net tangible assets post initial public offering, which permits us to not comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses.
We will have 18 months following the consummation of this offering to consummate our initial acquisition transaction. In addition, unlike other blank check companies, if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within 18 months following the consummation of this offering, the time period within which we must complete our initial acquisition transaction will be automatically extended to 21 months following the consummation of this offering (which we refer to as the automatic period extension in this prospectus) if an initial filing with the SEC of a tender offer, proxy, or registration statement is made, but the acquisition transaction is not completed, within 18 months of the date of this prospectus.
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and applicable provisions of British Virgin Islands law, if we do not consummate our initial acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) after the completion of this offering, we will automatically dissolve and, as promptly as practicable, liquidate and release only to our public shareholders, as part of our plan of distribution, the amount in our trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commission and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up
73
to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction. As required by the trust agreement, such time period could only be extended with the approval of 80% of the shares sold in our initial public offering. Our founders have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidating distribution as part of our plan of distribution with respect to the founders shares, but not with respect to any public shares they acquire in this offering or aftermarket, if we fail to consummate an acquisition transaction. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, and all rights of our warrants will terminate upon our liquidation.
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after consummation of an acquisition transaction.
Immediately after this offering, we will begin accruing monthly fees of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG and expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the completion of this offering.
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through the sale of our ordinary shares to our initial shareholder for $25,000. In our opinion, upon consummation of this offering, our working capital will be sufficient for our present requirements. We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting approximately $3,000,000 (or $3,450,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) to be applied to underwriting discounts and commissions, offering expenses and working capital and $2,000,000 of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) and (ii) the sale of the placement warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000, will be $98,225,000 (or $112,475,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full). Approximately $100,000,000 (or approximately $114,550,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, which includes $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. $225,000 will not be held in the trust account and will be used by us as working capital. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us. The amount of available proceeds (including the interest to be released to us to fund our working capital, net of taxes) is based on our managements estimate of the amount needed to fund our operations and to consummate an acquisition transaction.
In addition, Intercarbo Holding AG, an entity controlled by Taras Vazhnov, our director, has loaned us an aggregate of $232,155 to cover expenses related to this offering. Of this amount, $180,155 is due promptly after the consummation of this offering, and $52,000 is due on the earlier of April 30, 2013 or the date of consummation of this offering. Both loans do not bear any interest. We intend to repay the loans due to Intercarbo Holding AG upon consummation of this offering from the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account.
We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering to acquire one or more target businesses, and will use a portion of the interest earned on the trust account together with the funds not held in trust to identify and evaluate prospective target businesses, to select one or more target businesses, and to structure, negotiate and consummate the initial acquisition transaction, as described in more detail in this prospectus. However, in the event that expenses exceed the funds available to us outside of the trust account and the interest earned on the trust account, such amounts could be accrued and paid out of the funds that were held in trust post-acquisition transaction, assuming an acquisition transaction is consummated. In addition, in the event our operating expenses exceed the working capital available to us, our founders may fund any working
74
capital requirements through loans to be paid back upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction. If the initial acquisition transaction is paid for using equity or debt securities or additional funds from a private offering of debt or equity securities or borrowings, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the acquired business or businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial acquisition transaction, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
Following consummation of this offering, we believe the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with the interest income on the balance of the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to be released to us from time to time for working capital requirements will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated for up to 21 months.
We anticipate that, even at an interest rate of 0.20% per annum, the interest that will accrue on the trust account during the time it will take to identify a target and complete an acquisition will be sufficient, together with the $225,000 held outside the trust, to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements. We expect our primary liquidity requirements during the period prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or our liquidation to include approximately $25,000 for expenses for the due diligence and investigation of a target business or businesses, including the review of documents and financial statements related to the applicable businesses; approximately $100,000 for legal, accounting and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting an initial acquisition transaction, including the drafting of an acquisition document and the preparation of documents relating to the redemption rights of our shareholders in connection with the acquisition transaction; up to an aggregate of $157,500 for office space, administrative services and secretarial support payable to Intercarbo Holding AG (an affiliate of one of our directors), representing $7,500 per month for up to 21 months commencing on the date of this prospectus, to begin accruing immediately after this offering and to be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any; approximately $10,000 as a reserve for liquidation expense; approximately $70,000 for legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations; and approximately $15,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes that will be used for miscellaneous expenses (including directors and officers liability insurance) and reserves. These expenses are only estimates. 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 an acquisition transaction based upon the level of complexity of that acquisition transaction. In the event that our operating expenses exceed the working capital available to us from net proceeds not held in trust account and interest earned on monies held in the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full), our founders may fund any working capital requirements through loans to be paid back upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction. 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 be deducted from our excess working capital. If our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an acquisition transaction 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 our founders. None of our founders are under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us. Any such funds not used for our working capital requirements or to repay advances from our founders or for due diligence or legal, accounting and non-due diligence expenses will be usable by us to pay other expenses that may exceed our current estimates.
It is also possible that we could use a portion of our working capital, including the funds not in the trust account, to make a deposit, down payment or fund a no-shop provision with respect to a particular proposed acquisition transaction. In the event we were ultimately required to forfeit such funds, we may not have a sufficient amount of working capital available to pay expenses related to finding a suitable acquisition transaction without securing additional financing. If we were unable to secure additional financing, we would most likely fail to consummate an acquisition transaction in the allotted time and would be forced to liquidate.
75
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, we may need to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities if such funds were required to consummate an acquisition transaction. Such debt securities may include a working capital revolving debt facility or a longer term debt facility. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of an acquisition transaction.
Through the date of this prospectus, Intercarbo Holding AG has loaned us an aggregate of $232,155 to cover expenses related to this offering. Of this amount, $180,155 is due promptly after the consummation of this offering, and $52,000 is due on the earlier of April 30, 2013 or the date of consummation of this offering. Both loans do not bear any interest. We intend to repay the loans due to Intercarbo Holding AG upon consummation of this offering from the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account.
The net proceeds of this offering, including amounts in the trust account, will be invested in U.S. 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 the conditions of Rule 2a-7 promulgated 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.
76
As of February 17, 2012, 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, since date of inception, November 28, 2011.
77
We are a newly formed company established under the BVI Business Companies Act. We are an innovated public acquisition company, or IPAC SM , formed to acquire, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or similar acquisition transaction, one or more operating businesses. An IPAC is a blank check company that permits the company to return funds from the trust account to redeeming shareholders after the acquisition transaction is completed, as described further below, which is different from most other blank check companies that are required to return funds from the trust account prior to, or at the time, the acquisition transaction is completed. IPAC is a service mark of Loeb & Loeb LLP.
Although our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association do not limit us to a particular geographic region or industry, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia or Eastern Europe. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities. The address of our registered office is FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration or contemplation, and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We have not, in any capacity (nor has any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by, any candidates (or representative of any candidates), with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with our company. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.
The foregoing notwithstanding, in the course of their other business activities, our management team has had contact with or gained familiarity with many businesses that may meet our investment criteria and, therefore, could be a target business. However, any such discussions were in the ordinary course of the business activities of the members of our management team, and no discussions of any kind have taken place with any such business, whether directly or indirectly, regarding the potential for a transaction between us and such business.
Our management team has a proven track record of finding, valuing, operating, consolidating, acquiring, restructuring, building, and disposing of various operating businesses in multiple industries in Russia and Eastern Europe.
We believe our management is uniquely positioned to source, execute, operate and exit large and middle-market business opportunities and possesses the experience needed to meet the unique reporting and relational demands of the investors in an IPAC. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Our management team expects to bring value to a target company by selecting and supporting effective leadership, providing strategic guidance, and assisting with enterprise improvement, sales and marketing.
The team is led by Mr. Anatoly Danilitskiy, who has a track record of establishing and building successful businesses. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy established and led National Reserve Corporation, or NRC, consolidating its strategic non-banking investment assets and building it into what became one of Russias largest private holding companies with assets totaling over $5 billion. While at NRC, Mr. Danilitskiy oversaw all major investments and the asset management business. He was also responsible for the groups investments in energy companies such as Gazprom and transportation companies (including a 30% stake in Aeroflot International Airlines) and various debt restructurings and distressed workouts. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy served as a member of the board of directors of Aeroflot, where he was instrumental in launching and implementing its fleet modernization program.
Mr. Danilitskiy has served as a foreign diplomat, initially to the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having been posted at the embassies in India, Australia and Great Britain. He retired in 1993 with a rank of Senior Counselor.
78
Since 2007, Mr. Danilitskiy has served as Chairman and Member of the Board of Energobank and is a majority shareholder of the bank. Mr. Danilitskiy has also served as Chairman of the Board of RetnNet, an international telecommunications network, since 2010. In addition, other members of the management team, Mr. Kyle Shostak, Mr. Taras Vazhnov, Mr. Levan Vasadze and Mr. David Ansell, are experienced investment banking and management professionals, with track records of deal origination, structuring and execution as well as business management.
Each member of the our management team has experience identifying and acquiring or financing businesses of similar scale as the middle-market companies that we will target; however, our management does not have prior blank check company experience, and the prior experience of our management is not a guarantee that we will be able to successfully complete an initial business combination. Furthermore, our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs. If our executive officers and directors other business affairs require them to devote time in excess of their current commitment levels to such affairs, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs, which may have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Based on the collective business and acquisition experiences of our management team, our management will seek to identify and target businesses in Russia or Eastern Europe in which our management can assist in the growth and development. Our management intends to acquire a target cash-positive operating business or businesses that it believes can achieve long-term appreciation. Given our management teams collective track record of transactions and industry contacts, we believe we can identify potential targets and successfully negotiate and consummate our initial acquisition transaction, although we cannot provide any assurance that an acquisition transaction will be consummated.
While we intend to focus on potential acquisition targets with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe, we are not committed to do so. We may attempt to acquire an acquisition target in another region if an attractive acquisition opportunity is identified in such other region prior to the time we identify an acquisition opportunity in Russia or Eastern Europe and if we believe that such opportunity is in the best interest of our shareholders.
We currently intend to target our search in the following manner:
| We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of new product development, increased production capacity, increased operating leverage, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions; |
| We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable, and increasing free cash flow. We will focus on one or more businesses that have predictable revenue streams and definable working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to leverage cash flow from a target business by obtaining external sources of financing, such as a credit line secured against this cash flow, in order to enhance shareholder value in the post-acquisition company; |
| We intend to only acquire a company that will benefit from being publicly traded and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company; |
| Although we are not limited to acquiring a target business from such regions, markets or industries, we intend to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe and on markets and industries in which our management team and our board of directors have first-hand experience. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will review any attractive opportunity presented to us; and |
| We currently expect that some members of our management team will become a part of the management of the combined entity, or that we will work with existing management to augment the management team in areas where additional capabilities are required. |
79
We will look for businesses that have one or more of the following characteristics:
| Motivated owners that are seeking liquidity as a result of having their stock in a public company; |
| Businesses that are ready to be public; |
| Businesses that can effectively use the additional capital that a transaction with us will provide; |
| Companies that are being divested by conglomerates or multinational companies; and |
| Under-valued public companies that can benefit from our managements experience and expertise. |
With global risk-aversion remaining high and investors looking increasingly hard for prudent ways to deploy capital, we believe Russia is an attractive investment region among emerging markets. According to The World Bank, Russia is the ninth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and according to the CIA World Factbook the seventh largest by purchasing power parity. We believe that, since the beginning of 2012, the Russian market has been slowly attracting a growing amount of foreign investment, including equity and direct investments. An easing of U.S. monetary policy is creating an excess of liquidity and leading to an inflow of capital into emerging markets, with Russia being attractively positioned among not only developed but also many large emerging market economies. We believe such investment results from low valuations, attractive investment returns compared to other established emerging markets such as Brazil, India and China, favorable government policies, absence of punitive taxation on foreign fixed income portfolio investments, stable currency and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.
Largely because of its conservative fiscal policy during the boom years of 2001 2008, we believe that Russia was better positioned than many other emerging market economies to withstand the 2009 crisis by prudently pursuing an aggressive countercyclical economic policy. Additionally, since the severe domestic financial crisis of the fall of 2008 and concerns about global growth, in order to encourage growth in sectors other than the oil, gas and metal sectors on which the country has been dependent, the government has announced a robust program of modernization aimed at developing technological sectors where Russia has been traditionally competitive (energy saving solutions, space, IT, etc.).
Russia has also announced the largest privatization program since the post-communist privatization of the early 1990s. The wide-ranging privatization plan is intended to raise more than $20 billion over the next three years and to reduce about 25 to 49 percent of the governments stake in the national oil company, the national shipping company, two state banks and an electric power management company, with the goal of further reducing the governments portion of the Russian economy to 30 percent in 10 years. A state-wide reduction of government employees by 20 percent is also taking place. The government is also replacing its officials on the board of state-owned corporations with independent directors, bringing more independence to the decision-making process; however actual changes may take years to materialize.
We believe that, fundamentally, Russia remains a country with high growth prospects. According to data from the International Monetary Funds World Economic Outlook, September 2011, Russias GDP grew by 4.3% in 2011 and growth is expected to continue at approximately 4.0% from 2012 to 2016. GDP grew by 4.3% in 2010, preceded by a decline of 7.8% in 2009. Current account surpluses, cheap currency, low levels of public sector debt and growing working-age populations all bode well for growth in consumption, particularly discretionary consumption.
We believe that Russias accession to the World Trade Organization in 2012 is a sign of the countrys readiness to play by international rules. For example, Russia has opened a number of previously closed domestically-oriented industries to foreign investors. The positive impact of the WTO membership, including in terms of the incremental GDP growth, has yet to be fully felt. Russia will also host the Winter Olympic Games in 2014 and World Cup in 2018, with record amount of state and private capital being invested into related infrastructure projects. Furthermore, we believe that Russias political stability has been further secured as a result of the recent election of Mr. Vladimir Putin as President for the next six years.
80
In addition to the value of opportunities in Russia, similar investment opportunities exist in other emerging market countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), such as Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
The combination of fundamental factors as well as managements experience create opportunities to capitalize on the growing consumer segment of the Russian and other Eastern European markets, while avoiding the abrupt fluctuations common in many other market environments. Given the critical role that the consumer market has to the success of the Russian and other Eastern European economies, management believes there are reasonable prospects for attractive and sustainable returns in these markets.
Although our management has a number of competitive advantages in acquiring businesses through blank check companies, we 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 target business if, for example, no member of our management remains with the combined company after an acquisition transaction.
Since 2008 and through August 15, 2011, a total of 39 blank check companies have completed their initial public offering, but only 13 (or approximately 33%) have completed an initial acquisition transaction. Of the remaining 26, 20 (or approximately 51%) are still seeking acquisition targets and 6 (or approximately 15%) have dissolved and liquidated their trust to public shareholders.
While we believe that acquiring a target business in Russia and Eastern Europe presents significant opportunities, there are significant potential disadvantages and risks to acquiring a target in this region, including the greater vulnerability of emerging markets to economic crises, political and governmental instability in the region, lack of necessary infrastructure, uncertainty resulting from a developing legal system, concerns associated with bribery and corruption, restrictions on foreign ownership, and difficulty in enforcing judgments, among others. While we will seek to minimize the potential impact of these factors in identifying a target business, many of these risk factors are inherent in our proposed business or beyond our control. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that these factors will not significantly negatively impact our business and results of operations. For a full discussion of these potential disadvantages and risks, please see Risk Factors Risks associated with acquiring and operating a target business in Russia or Eastern Europe.
We do not have any specific acquisition transaction under consideration, and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective acquisition target or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with us. 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 and directors and any of their potential contacts or relationships regarding a potential acquisition transaction with us. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.
The foregoing notwithstanding, in the course of their other business activities, our management team has had contact with or gained familiarity with many businesses that may meet our investment criteria and, therefore, could be a target business. However, any such discussions were in the ordinary course of the business activities of the members of our management team, and no discussions of any kind have taken place with any such business, whether directly or indirectly, regarding the potential for a transaction between us and such business. We will not, therefore, automatically disregard any such potential target solely on the basis that a member of our management team was previously aware of the target or had some level of contact with it prior to the effective date of our prospectus. To do so would only be to the disadvantage of our shareholders by depriving them of the opportunity to consummate what might be an attractive acquisition transaction. Should we propose a transaction with such a business to our shareholders, we will disclose any such prior knowledge or contacts, and we will reaffirm that no discussion of an acquisition transaction with us occurred prior to the effective date of this prospectus.
If we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction within the allotted time (18 months, or 21 months pursuant to the automatic extension period described herein, from the consummation of this offering), we will
81
liquidate and distribute our trust account, as well as any remaining net assets, to our public shareholders. Following the liquidation of our trust account, our corporate existence will cease.
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Shareholder approval would normally only be required under British Virgin Islands law where the acquisition transaction involved a statutory merger of our company with another company or a scheme of arrangement sanctioned by the Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands where our shareholders would give up or transfer their shares in our company in consideration of the issue of shares in another company which would alter the rights attached to our shares or amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. A merger of our wholly-owned subsidiary with another company would not normally require shareholder approval under our memorandum and articles or the BVI Business Companies Act. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to cause us to redeem all or a portion of their shares for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full).
In order to redeem the callable Series A Shares for cash upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction, we will initiate an issuer tender offer by filing tender offer documents with the SEC prior to such acquisition transaction in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The tender offer documents will comply with the disclosure required by Regulations 14A and 14C of the Exchange Act. The closing of the acquisition transaction will be cross-conditioned with the closing of the tender offer.
In connection with the tender offer, we are required to offer redemption rights to all public holders of our callable Series A Shares. Our founders have agreed to not redeem their securities in such tender offer, which will ensure that the per callable Series A Share amount of approximately $10.00 (or approximately $9.96 in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) reserved for redemption of the callable Series A Shares will not be reduced.
If we are no longer an FPI and a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, we will:
| conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| file proxy materials with the SEC. |
We will have until 18 months (or up to 21 months if extended as described in this prospectus) from the completion of this offering to consummate an acquisition transaction. If we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction by the applicable date, we will dissolve as promptly as practicable and liquidate and release to our public shareholders, as part of our plan of distribution, the amount in our trust account and any remaining net assets.
Our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance held in our trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon an analysis conducted by them (which may include an analysis of actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). We anticipate structuring an acquisition transaction to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business. We may, however, structure an acquisition transaction to acquire less than 100% of such interests or
82
assets of the target business, but will not acquire less than a controlling interest and will in all instances be the controlling shareholder of the target company. The key factors that we will rely on in determining controlling shareholder status would be our acquisition of more than 50% of the voting rights of the target company and control of the majority of any governing body of the target company. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. If we acquire only a controlling interest in a target business or businesses, the portion of such business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable), as described above. If we determine to acquire several businesses simultaneously and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the acquisition transaction. With multiple acquisitions, 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 integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies into a single operating business.
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to utilize the cash proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the placement warrants, our capital securities, debt or a combination of these as consideration to be paid in an acquisition transaction. While substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering are allocated to completing an acquisition transaction, the proceeds are not otherwise designated for more specific purposes. Accordingly, prospective investors will at the time of their investment in us not be provided an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more target businesses. If the initial acquisition transaction is paid for using equity or debt securities or additional funds from a private offering of debt or equity securities or borrowings, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the acquired business or businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial acquisition transaction, funding the purchase of other companies or for working capital. We may engage in an acquisition transaction with a company that does not require significant additional capital but is seeking a public trading market for its shares and that wants to merge with an already public company to add the experience of the public companys management team to its company and to avoid the risk that market conditions will not be favorable for an initial public offering at the time the offering is ready to be sold, despite the fact that merging with us would require similar disclosures and, potentially, a similar timeframe as an initial public offering. We may seek to effect an acquisition transaction with more than one target business, although our limited resources may serve as a practical limitation on our ability to do so.
Prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we will seek to have all prospective target businesses we enter into agreements with and all vendors and service providers that we contract to provide services to us, which we collectively refer to as the contracted parties, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders. There is no guarantee that we will be able to get waivers from the contracted parties and there is no guarantee that even if the contracted parties executed such agreements with us that such waivers will be enforceable or that the contracted parties would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account. In the event that a potential contracted party were to refuse to execute such a waiver, we will execute an agreement with that person only if our management first determines that we would be unable to obtain, on a reasonable basis, substantially similar services or opportunities from another person willing to execute such a waiver. Examples of instances where we may engage a third-party that refused to execute a waiver would be the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or a situation where management does not believe it would be able to find a provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. If we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. Under these circumstances, our board of directors would have a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations. We have questioned our officers and directors on their financial net
83
worth and reviewed their financial information and believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Our founders are under no obligation to us to preserve their assets or provide us with information regarding changes in their ability to satisfy these obligations. Notwithstanding, if we become aware of a material change in the ability of any of our founders to satisfy such obligations, we will make such information public by filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. Our board of directors has a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations.
Subject to the requirement that a target business or businesses have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of our initial acquisition transaction, we have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete an acquisition transaction. 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.
We may consider an acquisition transaction that will require additional financing, particularly as we intend to focus primarily on acquisitions of middle market companies. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe that our available working capital following this offering, together with the issuance of additional equity and/or the issuance of debt, would support the acquisition of such a target business. The mix of additional equity and/or debt would depend on many factors. The proposed funding for any such acquisition transaction would be disclosed in the registration statement/proxy materials or tender offer materials relating to the required shareholder redemption rights.
We anticipate that target businesses may be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated parties such as investment banking firms, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and similar sources. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates. After the completion of this offering, our management team will speak to their various contacts to inform them that we are seeking a target business and request any information that they have for suitable targets. In addition, we expect that once our initial public offering is complete that we will receive unsolicited information about potential targets from those who are aware of the blank check market and have noted (either through publications or a monitoring of the SECs web site) that we have completed our initial public offering. We will not (i) consummate an acquisition transaction with a target business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, our founders or their affiliates, or that is affiliated with our founders or our directors or officers, or (ii) consummate an acquisition transaction with any underwriter, or underwriting selling group member, or any of their affiliates, unless we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of the FINRA that an acquisition transaction with such target business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. A summary of such opinion will be included in the disclosure documents filed in connection with the acquisition transaction, and the full text of the fairness opinion will be filed as an exhibit thereto.
We may pay fees or compensation to third parties for their efforts in introducing us to potential target businesses. We may seek to engage someone to assist in finding a potential target business if our management feels that they need assistance to find a suitable target business. If a finder approaches us on an unsolicited basis, our management would decide whether to work with that finder (and pay a finders fee) depending on the potential target business such finder proposes. Such payments are typically, although not always, calculated as a percentage of the dollar value of the transaction. We have not anticipated use of a particular percentage fee, but instead will seek to negotiate the smallest reasonable percentage fee consistent with the attractiveness of the opportunity and the alternatives, if any, that are then available to us. We may make such payments to entities we engage for this purpose or entities that approach us on an unsolicited basis. Payment of finders fees is customarily tied to consummation of a transaction and certainly would be tied to a completed
84
transaction in the case of an unsolicited proposal. Although it is possible that we may pay finders fees in the case of an uncompleted transaction, we consider this possibility to be extremely remote. In no event will we pay any of our officers or directors or any entity with which they are affiliated any finders fee or other compensation for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of an acquisition transaction. In addition, none of our officers or directors will receive any finders fee, consulting fees or any similar fees from any person or entity in connection with any acquisition transaction involving us. Following such acquisition transaction, however, our officers or directors may receive compensation or fees including compensation approved by the board of directors for customary directors fees for our directors that remain following such acquisition transaction. Our directors have advised us that they will not take an offer regarding their compensation or fees following an acquisition transaction into consideration when determining which target businesses to pursue.
Subject to the requirement that a target business or businesses have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of our initial acquisition transaction, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. We intend to acquire an operating business through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar acquisition transaction; however, there are a number of industries in certain countries (such as Russia) in which direct foreign investment is restricted (including telecommunications services, and online commerce). We will not consider any transaction that does not meet the above described criteria.
In evaluating a prospective target business, our management will primarily consider the criteria and guidelines set forth above under the captions Investment Insight and Competitive Advantage and Investment Strategy. In addition, our management will consider, among other factors, the following:
| financial condition and results of operations; |
| growth potential; |
| brand recognition and potential; |
| experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel; |
| capital requirements; |
| competitive position; |
| barriers to entry by competitors; |
| stage of development of the business and its products or services; |
| existing distribution arrangements and the potential for expansion; |
| degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products or services; |
| proprietary aspects of products and the extent of intellectual property or other protection for products or formulas; |
| impact of regulation on the business; |
| regulatory environment of the industry; |
| seasonal sales fluctuations and the ability to offset these fluctuations through other acquisition transactions, introduction of new products, or product line extensions; and |
| costs associated with effecting the acquisition transaction. |
85
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular acquisition transaction will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management to our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which will be made available to us.
In addition, unlike many other blank check companies, our target business is not required to have a minimum value for us to acquire it, although we intend to seek a target business meeting the requirements described above. Any funds remaining in trust after our shareholders have had the opportunity to redeem their shares will be used by the operating business as it deems appropriate.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the acquisition transaction, 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 an acquisition transaction is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another acquisition transaction.
The initial target business or businesses with which we combine must have a collective fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition transaction. At the time we propose an acquisition transaction to our shareholders, we will provide detailed information about the combined companys capital structure, and will present the information assuming no redemptions and full redemptions by public shareholders.
The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon an analysis conducted by them (which may include an analysis of actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Any such opinion will be included in our proxy materials and/or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with an acquisition transaction, and that such independent investment banking firm will be a consenting expert. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value of the business if our board of directors independently determines that the target business or businesses has sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, unless the acquisition transaction is with a target business affiliated with our founders, or our directors or officers, or with the underwriters, underwriting selling group members or their affiliates as described in more detail herein.
Although there is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans that would allow us to acquire a company with a fair market value greater than 80% of the balance in the trust account, no such financing arrangements have been entered into or contemplated with any third parties to raise such additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.
We may consider an acquisition transaction that will require additional financing, particularly as we intend to focus primarily on acquisitions of middle market companies. We consider middle market companies to be businesses that have reached a scale of at least $150 million of revenue and at least $20 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe that our available working capital following this offering would support the acquisition of such a target business. In addition, we believe that this range is appropriate given that we can issue equity and/or debt securities as part of the consideration to be paid for an acquisition, even in light of the possibility of over 92.5% redemptions by shareholders who own public shares to be issued in the initial public offering. To consummate such an acquisition we may need to issue additional equity securities and/or incur additional debt financing. As the valuation of the proposed target business moves from the lower end to the higher end of that range, a greater amount of such additional equity or debt would
86
be required. The mix of debt or equity would be dependent on the nature of the potential target business, including its historical and projected cash flow and its projected capital needs and the number of our shareholders who exercise their redemption rights. It would also depend on general market conditions at the time including prevailing interest rates and debt to equity coverage ratios. For example, capital intensive businesses usually require more equity and mature businesses with steady historical cash flow may sustain higher debt levels than growth companies.
We believe that it is typical for private equity firms and other financial buyers to use leverage to acquire operating businesses. Such debt is often in the form of both senior secured debt as well as subordinated debt, which may be available from a variety of sources. Banks and other financial institutions may provide senior or senior secured debt based on the target companys cash flow. Mezzanine debt funds or similar investment vehicles may provide additional funding on a basis that is subordinate to the senior or secured lenders. Such instruments typically carry higher interest rates and are often accompanied by equity coverage such as warrants. We cannot assure you that such financing would be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The proposed funding for any such acquisition transaction would be disclosed in the proxy materials and/or tender offer materials relating to the required shareholder redemption rights.
While we may seek to effect acquisition transactions with more than one target business, our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition, as discussed above. Consequently, we expect to complete only a single acquisition transaction, although this may entail a simultaneous combination with several operating businesses at the same time. At the time of our initial acquisition transaction, we may not be able to acquire more than one target business because of various factors, including complex accounting or financial reporting issues. For example, we may need to present pro forma financial statements reflecting the operations of several target businesses as if they had been combined historically.
A simultaneous combination with several target businesses also presents logistical issues such as the need to coordinate the timing of negotiations, proxy materials and/or tender offer materials disclosure and closings. In addition, if conditions to closings with respect to one or more of the target businesses are not satisfied, the fair market value of the business could fall below the required fair market value threshold of 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable).
Accordingly, while it is possible that we may attempt to effect our initial acquisition transaction with more than one target business, we are more likely to choose a single target business if all other factors appear equal. This means that for an indefinite period of time, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete acquisition transactions 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 an acquisition transaction with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
| subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after an acquisition transaction, and |
| cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services. |
If we complete an acquisition transaction structured as a merger in which the consideration is our securities, we would have a significant amount of cash available to make add-on acquisitions following our initial acquisition transaction.
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting an acquisition transaction with that business, we cannot assure you that our assessment
87
of the target business management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While we expect that some of our officers and directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following an acquisition transaction, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to an acquisition transaction. Moreover, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
Following an acquisition transaction, 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.
In accordance with our acquisition strategy, it is quite possible that we will seek an acquisition transaction with one or more privately-held companies. Generally, very little public information exists about these companies, and we will be required to rely on the ability of our officers and directors to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, then we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.
We will encounter intense competition from entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, as well as operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and completing acquisition transactions. A number of these competitors possess greater technical, financial, human and other resources than we do. Our limited financial resources may have a negative effect on our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses. Further, our obligation to redeem for cash the shares held by shareholders who elect redemption may reduce the financial resources available for an acquisition transaction. Our outstanding warrants and the future dilution they potentially represent may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. In addition, if our initial acquisition transaction entails a simultaneous purchase of several operating businesses owned by different sellers, we may be unable to coordinate a simultaneous closing of the purchases. This may result in a target business seeking a different buyer and our being unable to meet the threshold requirement that the target business has, or target businesses collectively have, a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition.
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an acquisition transaction. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully compete for an attractive acquisition transaction. Additionally, because of these factors, we cannot assure you that we will be able to effectuate an acquisition transaction within the required time periods. If we are unable to find a suitable target business within such time periods, we will automatically dissolve and liquidate as promptly as practicable.
We will have until 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension described below) from the completion of this offering to consummate an acquisition transaction. If, at the end of the 18-month period, or if at the end of the 21 month period, as applicable, we have not consummated an acquisition transaction, we will automatically dissolve and as promptly as practicable liquidate the trust account as described herein. Pursuant to the terms of the trust agreement between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the time period that funds would remain in the trust account and not be released could only be extended with the approval of the holders of 80% of the shares sold in our initial public offering. If we elect to effect a post-acquisition tender offer and complete an acquisition transaction prior to such time period, but have not completed a post-acquisition tender offer within the applicable period, we will not be required to liquidate and wind up our affairs; however, the release of the funds to us in the case of a post-acquisition tender offer will be conditioned upon completion of such tender offer.
88
If we elect to have a post-acquisition tender offer and complete an acquisition transaction prior to such time period, but have not completed a post-acquisition tender offer within the applicable period, we will not be required to liquidate the trust account; however, the release of the funds to us will be conditioned upon completion of such tender offer. Our founders have agreed with respect to the founders shares to waive their rights to participate in any distribution from the trust account, but not with respect to any callable Series A Shares they acquire in this offering or in the aftermarket. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, and all rights of our warrants will terminate if we fail to consummate our initial acquisition transaction within 18 months after the completion of this offering.
In connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, our founders have agreed to vote their founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders who vote at the special or annual meeting called for such purpose. In addition, each of our founders, directors, and officers has agreed that if he, she or it acquires ordinary shares in or following this offering, he, she or it will not to exercise redemption rights in connection with such shares.
We have a period of 18 months from the consummation of this offering with which to effect our initial acquisition transaction. However, unlike most other blank check companies, if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within such 18 month period, the date before which we must complete our initial acquisition transaction will automatically be extended for an additional three months, to avoid being required to liquidate, for a total of 21 months from the consummation of this offering.
We believe that extending the date before which we must complete our initial acquisition transaction to 21 months may be necessary due to the circumstances involved in the evaluation and closing of an acquisition transaction in Russia or Eastern Europe, including preparing audited financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the possible need for restructuring and reorganizing corporate entities and assets (particularly with respect to state-owned enterprises) and the requirements of complex local regulatory filings and approvals.
If at the end of the extended period we have not effected such acquisition transaction, we will dissolve as promptly as practicable and liquidate and release only to our public shareholders, as part of our plan of distribution, the proceeds of the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commission and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, and (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements.
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, the investment management trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent
89
transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. Such open market purchases, if any, would be conducted by us to minimize any disparity between the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the pro rata portion of the trust account. A market price below the pro rata portion of the trust account could provide an incentive for purchasers to buy our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares after the filing of our preliminary proxy statement at a discount to the pro rata portion of the trust account for the sole purpose of voting against our initial acquisition transaction and exercising redemption rights for the full pro rata portion of the trust account. Such trading activity could enable such investors to block our initial acquisition transaction by making it difficult for us to obtain the approval of such acquisition transaction by the vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares that are voted. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses. For additional information, please see the section entitled Risk Factors Our purchase of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares in the open market may support the market price of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares during the buyback period and, accordingly, the termination of the support provided by such purchases may materially adversely affect the market price of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares.
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Shareholder approval would normally only be required under British Virgin Islands law where the acquisition transaction involved a statutory merger of our company with another company or a scheme of arrangement sanctioned by the Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands where our shareholders would give up or transfer their shares in our company in consideration of the issue of shares in another company which would alter the rights attached to our shares or amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. A merger of our wholly-owned subsidiary with another company would not normally require shareholder approval under our memorandum and articles or the BVI Business Companies Act. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to redeem or will have their shares automatically redeemed for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, regardless of how it is structured.
The manner in which public shareholders may redeem their shares or will have their shares automatically redeemed will depend on the structure of the transaction. We intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction and shareholder redemption rights in one of the following ways:
| Pre-acquisition tender offer : At the discretion of our directors and if a shareholder vote is not required by British Virgin Islands law, we may structure the acquisition transaction as an acquisition |
90
that does not require shareholder approval. Prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we would initiate a tender offer by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The tender offer would be for all outstanding callable Series A Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account. The tender offer documents would include information substantially similar to that which would be required in connection with a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction, and the closing of the acquisition transaction would be cross-conditioned with the closing of the tender offer. Our initial shareholders have agreed to not tender any shares they own in such tender offer. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares in a pre-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. We would proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the public shares exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have more than $5,000,000 in net tangible assets following our initial public offering, which means we are not required to comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. |
| Post-acquisition tender offer : At the discretion of our directors and if a shareholder vote is not required by British Virgin Islands law, we may structure the acquisition transaction as an acquisition transaction that does not require shareholder approval and that would only require us to engage in a tender offer post-transaction. Prior to the consummation of such an acquisition transaction, we will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC disclosing that we have entered into a definitive acquisition transaction agreement, that we intend to consummate the transaction without a shareholder vote or a pre-acquisition tender offer, and that would include disclosure regarding the target (including audited financial statements of the target, risk factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) and the proposed transaction similar to what would be included in a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction. After such Form 6-K is on file with the SEC, we would close the acquisition transaction upon satisfaction of all closing conditions and within 30 days of the closing, commence a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series B Shares by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series B Shares in a post-acquisition tender offer, and we will not pro-rate any shares tendered. The tender offer documents would include the same information about the target business as was contained in the Form 6-K discussed above. The release to us of the proceeds from this offering held in the trust account would be conditioned on the closing of the tender offer. |
In connection with the post-acquisition tender offer, public shareholders would be subject to a redemption threshold of 92.5%, whereby public shareholders holding no more than 92.5% of the public shares exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have more than $5,000,000 in net tangible assets following our initial public offering, which means we are not required to comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419. As provided in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, we may not proceed with an acquisition transaction in contemplation of a post-acquisition tender offer if holders of more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering may participate in such post-acquisition tender offer. If we structure the acquisition transaction in this manner, then depending on the amount of money our target business requires us to retain in the trust account after shareholders have been given the right to redeem and to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% redemption threshold, we must, after the Form 6-K is filed with the SEC, seek that certain shareholders (holders of 5% or more of the public shares who are also accredited investors) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares immediately prior to consummation of the acquisition transaction, with any remaining callable Series A Shares automatically converting
91
to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction. We will contact the accredited investors to seek conversion of our Series A Shares through contacts that investment bankers or other service providers that we engage have. It is not anticipated that such accredited investors will receive any information greater than that released to the public unless such accredited investors sign a non-trading and non-disclosure agreement with us. We will determine who we can solicit by examining a non-objecting beneficial owner list and public filings relating to beneficial ownership in order to determine the stockholders who own greater than 5% of our ordinary shares. The automatic conversion of the callable Series A Shares to callable Series B Shares is necessary to avoid the possibility that the shareholders who elect to convert their callable Series A Shares to Series C Shares be deemed to be participating in the post-acquisition tender offer and to have received different (i.e. Series C Shares versus cash equal to a pro rata portion of the trust account) consideration for shares tendered in the offering. We would seek out such shareholders immediately prior to the consummation of the acquisition transaction. The exchange ratio of callable Series A Shares for Series C Shares would be on a one-for-one basis and other than the exchange of shares, no other compensation will be paid to converting shareholders. Upon closing of the acquisition transaction, all remaining callable Series A Shares will be automatically converted into callable Series B Shares on a one-for-one basis, which would be eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer. The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering.
The tender offer would be for all outstanding callable Series B Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust account (which pro rata share would be based on the total number of shares issued in our initial public offering). Holders of callable Series A Shares who elect to convert their shares into Series C Shares prior to consummation of the acquisition transaction would not be entitled to participate in the issuer tender offer, while holders of callable Series A Shares that have their shares automatically converted to callable Series B Shares would be entitled to participate in the issuer tender offer. If we fail to commence the issuer tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the acquisition transaction, or if we fail to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months of consummation of the acquisition transaction, then within 5 business days thereafter, we will automatically liquidate the trust account and release to our public shareholders, except for holders of Series C Shares, a pro rata portion of the trust account. The holders of Series C Shares and public warrant holders will continue to hold their securities in us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient conversions to Series C Shares to ensure that we maintain the 92.5% threshold, we will not be able to consummate the acquisition transaction. For more information about the various rights of each series of our securities, see Description of Securities, and for more information about voluntary and automatic conversion of our callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares in connection with a post-acquisition tender offer, see Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Post-Acquisition Tender Offer.
If we are no longer an FPI and a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, we will:
| conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| file proxy materials with the SEC. |
The redemption rights described above are only available to holders of callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be. If we are required to offer redemption rights to all holders of our ordinary shares, our founders have agreed to not tender their securities for redemption.
We may be required to obtain shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition transaction if, for example, we are the entity directly participating in a merger or required to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to alter the rights of our shareholders.
92
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our acquisition transaction that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If so, we will effectively be required to adjust the redemption threshold to reduce the number of shares that can be redeemed (thereby reducing the 92.5% threshold) in connection with such acquisition transaction or obtain an alternative source of funding. If the number of our shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an acquisition transaction below such minimum amount and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such acquisition transaction and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Similarly, if we have purchased up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, the redemption threshold will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us. In this event, we would disclose the number of units or underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us and the revised redemption threshold in the registration statement or proxy materials or tender offer materials we will prepare in connection with the acquisition transaction. See Proposed Business Effecting an Acquisition Transaction Permitted purchases of units or the underlying callable Series A Shares. As a result, public shareholders may have to wait for longer than 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) in order to be able to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with our dissolution and liquidation. See Risk Factors Even though we have a redemption threshold of 92.5%, we may be unable to consummate an acquisition transaction if a target business requires that we have cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have at closing, and public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our liquidation to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.
We will proceed with an acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their redemption rights. The redemption threshold was set at 92.5% so that we would have a minimum of $5,000,000 in net tangible assets post initial public offering, which permits us to not comply with Rule 419 of the Securities Act. See the section entitled Proposed Business Comparison of This Offering to those Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.
If we no longer have FPI status and are therefore no longer subject to the FPI rules, and if we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of our initial acquisition transaction, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial acquisition transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. Purchases under Rule 10b-18 are subject to certain conditions, including with respect to the manner of sale (sales are required to be effected through one broker on a single day, subject to certain exceptions), timing (purchases are subject to certain restrictions at the beginning and end of the trading session), pricing (the purchase price may not exceed the highest independent bid or the last independent transaction price, whichever is higher) and volume of purchases (the total volume of Rule 10b-18 purchases effected by us or any affiliated purchasers on any single day generally must not exceed 25% of the average daily trading volume of our ordinary shares). If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, we will not make these purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). We may purchase any or all of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase, and it will be entirely in our discretion as to how many units or the underlying callable Series A Shares are purchased, if any. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our units or the underlying callable Series A Shares and the terms of the proposed acquisition transaction. All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. If we make such purchases, we (i) would have less cash immediately available to us to complete a
93
proposed acquisition transaction and therefore may be required to obtain third-party financing, (ii) it would result in less money being available for use as working capital post-acquisition transaction, or (iii) it could result in our failure to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Each of the foregoing may have the effect of reducing the number and quality of potential target businesses.
We elected to permit redemptions in these different fashions so that we would have more flexibility in structuring a successful acquisition transaction than similarly structured blank check companies. The way we structure our transaction will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business, so we cannot provide any definitive guidance on which structure we will use, other than that we will use the structure that we believe will allow us to complete a successful acquisition. However, for example we expect that:
| If the target business wanted to complete the transaction quickly, we would try to structure the transaction to make use of a post-acquisition tender offer; or |
| If the target business wanted to know exactly how much money would remain in trust prior to closing, we would try to structure the transaction as a pre-acquisition tender offer. |
Similarly, if we structure the acquisition transaction to require a post-acquisition tender offer and we elect to seek that certain shareholders convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares, then the methodology of how we will approach such holders will be determined by circumstances at the time and the requirements of our target business. However, we expect that:
| If we do not have a specific threshold requirement to complete the acquisition transaction, but are required to retain as much of the funds in the trust account as possible, we would approach all eligible shareholders and attempt to negotiate a conversion with each of them; |
| If we have a specific threshold amount that we need to achieve to complete the acquisition transaction that will require multiple shareholders to convert in order to be achieved, we may approach all eligible shareholders initially and enter into conversion agreements with shareholders until we have negotiated the required number of conversions; or |
| If we have a specific threshold amount that we need to achieve to complete the acquisition transaction that will require only one eligible shareholder to convert in order to be achieved, we may approach the shareholder with the sufficient number of callable Series A Shares closest to such threshold and attempt to negotiate a conversion with such shareholder. |
We may be required to obtain shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition transaction if, for example, we are the entity directly participating in a merger or required to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to alter the rights attaching to our shares.
Pursuant to the terms of the trust agreement by and between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and applicable provisions of British Virgin Islands law, if we do not consummate our initial acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension), our directors will be required to consider a resolution to approve a plan of liquidation and appointment of a liquidator and, as promptly as practicable, liquidate and release only to our public shareholders, as part of our plan of distribution, the amount in our trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, by the number of shares sold in this offering. The per unit amount in trust will be greater than $9.96 in the event the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full because the underwriters discount is based on a percentage of the aggregate offering price, while other offering costs and the proceeds from the sale of the placement warrants are fixed regardless of
94
whether the over-allotment option is exercised. In addition, we will release only to our public shareholders, as part of our plan of distribution, any remaining net assets. No vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up and dissolution.
In the case of a full voluntary liquidation procedure, a liquidator would within 30 days of his appointment notify creditors of his intention to make a distribution by placing a public advertisement in the British Virgin Islands Official Gazette, although in practice this notice requirement need not necessarily delay the distribution of assets as the liquidator may be satisfied that no creditors would be adversely affected as a consequence of a distribution before this time period has expired. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must file a statement that the liquidation has been completed after which the British Virgin Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs will issue a certificate of dissolution of our company.
Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of our company under British Virgin Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them. Furthermore, a liquidator of our company might seek to hold a shareholder liable to contribute to our estate to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to the dissolution of the trust account beyond the date of dissolution of the trust account. Additionally, we cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our shareholders amounts owed to them by us. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims for having paid public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our founders have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidating distribution as part of our plan of distribution with respect to the securities acquired by them before this offering, including the founders shares, but not with respect to any public shares they acquire in this offering or aftermarket, if we fail to consummate an acquisition transaction. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, and all rights of our warrants will terminate upon our liquidation.
We estimate that our total costs and expenses for implementing and completing our shareholder-approved dissolution and plan of distribution will be approximately $20,000. This amount includes all costs and expenses related to filing our dissolution in the British Virgin Islands, the winding up of our company, legal fees and other filing fees. We believe that there should be sufficient funds available either outside of the trust account or made available to us out of the net interest earned on the trust account and released to us as working capital to fund the $20,000 in costs and expenses. If such funds are insufficient, our founders have agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation and have agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.
Prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we will seek to have all prospective target businesses we enter into agreements with and all vendors and service providers that we contract to provide services to us, which we collectively refer to as the contracted parties, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders. There is no guarantee that we will be able to get waivers from the contracted parties and there is no guarantee that even if the contracted parties executed such agreements with us that such waivers will be enforceable or that the contracted parties would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account. In the event that a potential contracted party were to refuse to execute such a waiver, we will execute an agreement with that person only if our management first determines that we would be unable to obtain, on a reasonable basis, substantially similar services or opportunities from another person willing to execute such a waiver. Examples of instances where we may engage a third-party that refused to execute a waiver would be the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or a situation where management does not believe it would be able to find a provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. If we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. Under these circumstances, our board
95
of directors would have a fiduciary obligation to our founders to bring a claim against our officers and directors to enforce their indemnification obligations. We have questioned our officers and directors on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. our founders are under no obligation to us to preserve their assets or provide us with information regarding changes in their ability to satisfy these obligations. Notwithstanding, if we become aware of a material change in the ability of any of our founders to satisfy such obligations, we will make such information public by filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. Our board of directors has a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations.
Additionally, if we are forced to file liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings are filed against us which are not dismissed, the funds held in our trust account will be subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our public shareholders. To the extent bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts due them.
Registered Office. Under our Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association, the address of our registered office is FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Objects and Purposes. Under Clause 4(1) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association, we have the capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity.
Directors. Under Article 84 of our Articles of Association, no contract or transaction between us and one or more of our Directors (an Interested Director) or officers, or between us and any of their affiliates (an Interested Transaction), will be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of our board or committee which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such directors or officers votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) | The material facts as to the directors or officers relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the our board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or |
(b) | The material facts as to the directors or officers relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to our shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of our shareholders; or |
(c) | The contract or transaction is fair as to us as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board, a committee or the Shareholders. |
A majority of independent directors must vote in favor of any Interested Transaction and determine that the terms of the Interested Transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
Our board shall review and approve all payments made to the founders, officers, directors, and their respective affiliates, other than the payment of an aggregate of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG, an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director, for office space, administrative services and secretarial support and any Interested Director shall abstain from such review and approval. Such fees shall begin to accrue immediately after this offering and shall be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any.
Rights, Preferences and Restrictions Attaching to Our Ordinary Shares. We are authorized to issue (i) 150,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, which shares may, but are not required to, be designated as part of one of three series, callable Series A Shares, callable Series B Shares and Series C
96
Shares, and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, 2,875,000 ordinary shares are issued and designated as Series C Shares (including up to 375,000 Series C Shares held by our founders that are subject to redemption by us for no consideration to the extent the underwrites over-allotment option is not exercised in full). Each share, regardless if it is designated as part of a series of ordinary shares, has the right to one vote at a meeting of shareholders or on any resolution of shareholders, the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by us, and the right to an equal share in the distribution of surplus assets. We may by a resolution of the board of directors redeem our shares for such consideration as the board of directors determines.
Alteration of Rights. If, at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, whether or not we are being wound-up, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of the class at which meeting the necessary quorum shall be two persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third of the issued shares of the class.
Meetings. Our annual meeting may be held at such time and place as their chairman or any two directors or any director and the secretary or the board of directors shall appoint. The chairman or any two directors or any director and the secretary or the board of directors may convene an extraordinary general meeting whenever in their judgment such a meeting is necessary. At least 10 days (exclusive of the date that notice is given and the date on which event for which notice is given is to take effect) notice of a general meeting shall be given to each shareholder entitled to attend and vote thereat, stating the date, place, and time at which the meeting is to be held, and if different, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the annual meeting, and, if practicable, the other business to be conducted at the meeting. At least 10 days (exclusive of the date that notice is given and the date on which event for which notice is given is to take effect) notice of an extraordinary general meeting shall be given to each shareholder entitled to attend and vote thereat, stating the date, place, and time at which the meeting is to be held, and the general nature of the business to be considered at the meeting. A meeting shall, notwithstanding the fact that it is called on shorter notice than otherwise required, be deemed to have been properly called if it is attended, or such notice is waived, by 90% of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote thereat. The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
Limitations on the Right to Own Securities. There are no limitations on the rights to own our securities, or limitations on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our securities, contained in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (or under British Virgin Islands law).
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association sets forth certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that apply to us until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. Specifically, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that:
| if we have entered into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction within 18 months of the completion of this offering, the period of time to consummate an acquisition transaction will be automatically extended by an additional three months; |
| we may consummate our initial acquisition transaction only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering exercise, or may exercise, their redemption rights; |
| if we have not completed an initial acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension), we will dissolve and liquidate the trust account and distribute to |
97
public shareholders a pro rata share of the trust account determined by dividing the total amount in the trust account by the number of shares sold in this offering (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full), plus any remaining net assets; |
| our management will take all actions necessary to liquidate our trust account to our public shareholders as part of our plan of dissolution if an acquisition transaction is not consummated within the time periods specified in this prospectus; |
| our public shareholders rights to receive a portion of the trust account is limited to the extent that they may receive only a portion of the trust account and only upon liquidation of our trust account in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) following the consummation of this offering or upon the exercise of their redemption rights in connection with the consummation of an acquisition transaction; |
| our initial acquisition transaction must be with one or more operating businesses whose fair market value, either individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition transaction; |
| following this offering and prior to the time that we liquidate the trust account, we will not issue any securities that participate in the proceeds of our initial public offering that are held in the trust account or that have a vote in connection with any matter related to our initial acquisition transaction; |
| the board of directors shall review and approve all payments made to our founders, officers, directors, and their respective affiliates with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval, other than the payment of an aggregate of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG for office space, administrative services and secretarial support, to begin to accrue immediately after this offering and to be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any, |
| we may not to enter into any transaction with any of our officers, directors or any of our or their respective affiliates without the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors, who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel, and unless our disinterested directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties; and |
| we may not (i) consummate an acquisition transaction with a target business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, our founders or their affiliates, or that is affiliated with our founders or our directors, or officers, or (ii) consummate an acquisition transaction with any underwriter, or underwriting selling group member, or any of their affiliates, unless we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, that an acquisition transaction with such target business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. |
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the foregoing provisions may be amended by at least 80% of the voting power of the total number of ordinary shares that are issued in this offering. In addition, the relevant portions of the agreement governing the trust account can only be amended with the consent of 80% of the voting power of the callable Series A Shares or the callable Series B Shares. The agreement governing the trust account does not require consent of 100% of the voting power of the callable Series A Shares or the callable Series B Shares because we believe that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to allow a substantial majority of our public shareholders to amend the terms of the agreement if they so desire. Except for the shares issued immediately prior to this offering and the callable Series A Shares underlying the units issued in connection with this offering, we will not issue securities with voting rights to vote on any proposals to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association prior to the time that we liquidate the trust account. These provisions could also be eliminated by
98
our completing a very small acquisition with minimal assets and operations. If any of these provisions are amended or eliminated, our shareholders:
| may not have all of the rights they previously had; |
| might not receive the amount anticipated in connection with a redemption or liquidation; and |
| might not receive amounts from the trust account in the time frames specified in this prospectus. |
In addition, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide shareholders with redemption rights only in connection with an acquisition transaction. In the event that a vote is called not in connection with an acquisition transaction to consider other amendments to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association no redemption rights will be granted.
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for an acquisition transaction, 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 acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting acquisition transactions directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. While we believe there are numerous potential target businesses with which we could combine, 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 redeem for cash shares held by our public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights in connection with our initial acquisition transaction may reduce the resources available to us for an acquisition transaction; |
| our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses; and |
| the requirement to acquire an operating business that has a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the trust account at the time of the acquisition (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) could require us to acquire the assets of several operating businesses at the same time, all of which sales would be contingent on the closings of the other sales, which could make it more difficult to consummate the acquisition transaction. |
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an acquisition transaction.
Although none of our officers and directors is currently affiliated with any blank check companies, they may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies that are engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Furthermore, each of our principals may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe fiduciary duties. For a list of the entities to which our officers and directors owe fiduciary duties, see Management Conflicts of Interest.
99
We currently maintain our executive offices in approximately 800 square feet of office space at 89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84, Moscow, Russia 119607. The cost for this space will be included in the $7,500 per month fee described above that Intercarbo Holding AG will charge us for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the date of this prospectus and ending on the earlier of our consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation. Intercarbo Holding AG is an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director.
We currently have three officers and one other employee. While our each of our executive officers has indicated that they intend to devote approximately 20% of their time to affairs, each of these individuals is not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our business. We intend to hire consultants in order to assist us in the search, due diligence for and consummation of an acquisition transaction.
We have registered our units, each series of our ordinary shares, and the warrants underlying the units under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent accountants.
Although we will be registered under the Exchange Act, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from certain of the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we have agreed with the underwriters that for the period commencing with the date of this prospectus and ending on the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we will comply with the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the requirements and filing deadlines for annual reports on Form 20-F and reports of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K complying with those rules and regulations. In addition, we have agreed with the representative of the underwriters that we will furnish to American shareholders an English language version of our annual financial statements and all other materials regularly provided to other shareholders, and publish, at least semi-annually, an English language version of our interim financial statements filed with the SEC.
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual report will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accounting firm and our quarterly reports will contain financial statements reviewed by our independent registered public accounting firm.
We will not acquire a target business if we cannot obtain audited financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards for such target business. We will provide these financial statements in the proxy materials or tender offer materials prepared in connection with our initial acquisition transaction. Our management believes that the need for target businesses to have, or be able to obtain, audited financial statements may limit the pool of potential target businesses available for acquisition.
Documents concerning us which are referred to in this prospectus may be inspected at c/o Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154.
We do not currently, and are not required to, provide an assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal control. We expect that we will assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses preceding the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction and will then implement a schedule for
100
implementation and testing of such additional controls as we may determine are required to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business outside of the United States that has previously kept its accounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards will likely not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of its internal controls and will likely need improvement in areas such as:
| staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties; |
| reconciliation of accounts; |
| proper recordation of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate; |
| proof of internal review and approval of accounting items; |
| documentation of key accounting assumptions, estimates and/or conclusions; and |
| documentation of accounting policies and procedures. |
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant 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 financial reporting.
Once our managements report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent auditors to assess managements report on internal controls and to render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Additional matters concerning a target business internal controls may be identified in the future when the testing and assessment is performed.
There is no litigation currently pending or threatened against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such.
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 discounts and commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Escrow of offering proceeds | Approximately $100 million of the net offering and private placement proceeds, including $2,000,000 in deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, will be deposited into a trust account at J.P. Morgan maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. | Approximately $84,982,500 of the offering proceeds 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. |
101
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Investment of net proceeds | The $100 million of net offering proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government securities (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) and/or one or more money market funds, selected by us, which invest principally in either short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the United States having a rating in the highest investment category granted thereby by a recognized credit rating agency at the time of acquisition or short-term municipal bonds issued by governmental entities located within the United States. | 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. | ||
Limitation on fair value of net assets of target business | The initial target business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000 or $2,300,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, plus taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition transaction. | We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. |
102
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Trading of securities issued | The units will commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on earlier of the 90 th day after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or the announcement by the underwriters of the decision to allow earlier trading (based upon their assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), subject, however, to our having filed the Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K described below. In no event will separate trading of the ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants occur until we have filed with the SEC a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 6-K. | No trading of the units, the shares, or the underlying ordinary shares and warrants would be permitted until the consummation of an acquisition transaction. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. |
103
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
We will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC, including an audited balance sheet, within 4 business days after the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds of this offering, including our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 6-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 6-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 6-K or a new Form 6-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise and consummation of the over-allotment option | ||||
Once the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants. | ||||
The callable Series A Shares will continue to trade until we consummate an acquisition transaction, at which time they will either: (a) automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares, if we grant shareholders redemption rights in connection with the acquisition transaction; (b) or will automatically separate from the units and convert to callable Series B Shares, if we complete the acquisition transaction prior to a post-acquisition tender offer. Callable Series B Shares will automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares following |
104
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
consummation of a post-acquisition tender offer or converted into the right to receive a pro rata share of the trust account in the event that a post-acquisition tender offer is not commenced or completed in the allotted time and we are required to automatically liquidate the trust account. | ||||
Exercise of the
redeemable warrants |
Each redeemable warrant is exercisable to purchase
one ordinary share at $10.00 per share. |
|||
The redeemable warrants cannot be exercised until the later of: | The redeemable warrants could be exercised prior to the consummation of an acquisition transaction, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account. | |||
The consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after the consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be; and |
||||
one year from the date of this prospectus. |
||||
Although the redeemable warrants and the ordinary shares underlying them will be registered pursuant to a prospectus, the redeemable warrants will only be exercisable by paying the exercise price in cash if there is an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares underlying the redeemable warrants in effect and a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares is available for use. | ||||
In the event that there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants, holders of the redeemable warrants may elect to exercise them on a cashless basis by paying the exercise price by surrendering |
105
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
their warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares underlying the redeemable warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the redeemable warrants and the fair market value (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The fair market value means the average reported last sale price of our ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the redeemable warrant exercise notice is sent to the warrant agent. We would not receive additional proceeds to the extent the redeemable warrants are exercised on a cashless basis. | ||||
The redeemable warrants will expire five years from the date of this prospectus at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on , 2017, or earlier upon redemption by us or our dissolution and liquidation of the trust account in the event we fail to consummate an acquisition transaction. | ||||
Election to remain an investor | In connection with a proposed acquisition transaction, we will be required to allow shareholders to redeem all or a portion of their shares. At the time of an acquisition transaction we will prepare a prospectus/proxy solicitation or tender offer documentation, and a shareholder following the procedures described in these documents will be given the right to cause us to redeem his, her or its shares for a pro rata share of the trust account. Public shareholders following the procedures described in this prospectus will have from the time we send out our proxy statement or tender offer materials until the business | A prospectus containing information required by the SEC would be filed as part of a post-effective amendment to the original registration statement filed in connection with the offering and would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of the post-effective amendment, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the |
106
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
day immediately preceding the vote on the proposed acquisition transaction or the date of closing of the tender offer, but in any event no less than a period of 20 business days to cause us to redeem their callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares for a pro rata share of the trust account. However, a public shareholder who does not follow these procedures or who does not take any action would not be entitled to the distribution of any funds from the trust account. This redemption right is only available to holders of callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares. Any amounts remaining in the trust account after granting of the redemption rights will be used to pay our outstanding expenses and to consummate the acquisition transaction, including the payment of any consideration due to the sellers under the acquisition transaction documents. | 45 th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. | |||
Acquisition transaction deadline | Our initial acquisition transaction must occur within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic extension period) from the consummation of this offering; if our initial acquisition transaction does not occur within these time frames and we are dissolved as described herein, funds held in the trust account, including deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, will be returned to investors as promptly as practicable, on a pro rata basis (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full)). | If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the companys initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. |
107
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Release of funds | Except with respect to (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (ii) interest earned | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the consummation of an acquisition transaction or the | ||
by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements, (iii) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering that may be released to us, as described in more detail herein, and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, proceeds and interest income held in the trust account will not be released until the consummation of an acquisition transaction or the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer or if we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction or commence or complete a post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time. | failure to effect an acquisition transaction within the allotted time. | |||
Interest earned on funds in the trust account | There can be released to us, from time to time, interest earned on the funds in the trust account (any amounts in the trust account in excess of $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to fund expenses related to working capital and general corporate requirements. The remaining interest earned on the funds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of an acquisition transaction and our liquidation upon failure to effect an acquisition transaction within the allotted time. | The interest earned on funds held in the escrow account (net of taxes payable) 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 an acquisition transaction. |
108
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Shareholders who redeem their shares for cash in connection with the acquisition transaction will not receive any portion of that amount that has been | ||||
previously released to us; upon our liquidation, shareholders shall be entitled to a portion of the interest earned on funds held in trust, including accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, by the number of shares sold in this offering, plus any remaining assets. |
109
Our current directors and executive officers, their ages and positions are as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Anatoly Danilitskiy | 60 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Kyle Shostak | 40 | Director, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | ||
Taras Vazhnov (1) (2) (3) | 40 | Director | ||
Levan Vasadze (1) (2) (3) | 41 | Director | ||
David R. Ansell (1) (2) (3) | 66 | Director |
(1) | Member of audit committee. |
(2) | Member of compensation committee. |
(3) | Member of governance and nominating committee. |
Below is a summary of the business experience of each of our executive officers and directors:
Anatoly Danilitskiy has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since our inception. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy established and led National Reserve Corporation, or NRC, to consolidate its strategic non-banking investment assets to become one the Russias largest private holding companies. Also from 2004 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy served as Chairman of CIS Interfincom AG, a financial and asset management subsidiary of NRC, where he oversaw all major money market transactions and securities trading. While at NRC, Mr. Danilitskiy was responsible for a number of key deals in energy (including but not limited to purchasing certain Gazprom assets), transportation, debt arbitrage and distressed assets. From 1994 to 2004, Mr. Danilitskiy served as First Deputy Chairman of National Reserve Bank, or NRB, the parent company of NRC and one of Russias leading universal commercial banks, where he was responsible for business development and international affairs. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Danilitskiy served as Member of Board of Directors and member of Renumeration and Assessment Committee of Aeroflot International Airlines, a Russian national carrier, where he played a key role in the successful effort to modernize the fleet of aircraft.
Since 2007, Mr. Danilitskiy has served as Chairman and Member of the Board of Energobank and is a majority shareholder of the bank. Mr. Danilitskiy has also served as Chairman of the Board of RetnNet, an international telecommunications network, since 2010. From 1993 to 1994, Mr. Danilitskiy was a co-founder of Russia Investment and Financial Company. Mr. Danilitskiy previously served as a career diplomat from 1974 to 1993 in the then Soviet and later Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having been posted at the embassies in India, Australia and Great Britain. He retired in 1993 with a rank of Senior Counselor. Mr. Danilitskiy graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations with an MA degree in International Politics in 1974. He is fluent in English, Russian and French.
Kyle Shostak has been our Director and Chief Financial Officer since our inception and our Secretary since January 2012. Since March 2009, Mr. Shostak has served as Principal and Managing Director at Navigator Principal Investors LLC, a New York-based alternative investment advisor, responsible for originating and structuring deals as well as managing clients separate accounts. Since 2009, Mr. Shostak has also served as Chief Investment Officer of Insurance Opportunity Fund, a special situations investment vehicle focused on global insurance assets that is managed by Navigator Principal Investors LLC.
From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Shostak served as Vice President of Fixed Income Investments at J.P. Morgan Securities, focusing on client-related structuring, trading and distribution of hybrid and illiquid assets. Mr. Shostaks deals involved structuring, financing and sourcing certain fixed income assets to several major hedge funds, special situations and private equity funds, including BlueCrest funds (approximately $860 million), and selling down certain Bear Stearns illiquid legacy assets (approximately $1.5 billion) to a consortium of hedge funds and private equity investors. At J.P. Morgan, Mr. Shostak also managed risk for proprietary investments in excess of $250 million.
110
From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Shostak was Director of Alternative Investments at GE Capital-Genworth Financial, where he was responsible for direct investments, co-investments in leveraged assets, hedge funds, distressed credits, private equity and private debt. From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Shostak served as Vice President of Leveraged Finance at Credit Suisse and from 2000 to 2003 served as Associate Director for Leveraged Finance & Financial Sponsors at Banca Intesa New York. His deals involved high yield bonds and leveraged loans offerings, bi-lateral facilities, syndications, special situations equity deals, including, among others, Chiquita, Georgia Pacific, American Towers, Petrobras, MexCel, Michael Foods, Reliant Energy, Luxxotica, Armani, Benetton, Fiat, Finmatica, ENI, Petrobras, Blue Stream Pipeline.
From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Shostak first worked as Vice President and then Director and General Counsel at Bank Austria/Creditanstalt Investment Bank Russia. While there Mr. Shostak was involved in all aspects of origination and execution of equity investments in a number of prominent Russian companies, including AVISMA-VSMPO, Syvtyvkar Pulp, Sylvinit, asset consolidation of Tyumen Oil Company, proprietary investments in government debt obligations, investments in structured notes representing shares of Gazprom and Sberbank. Mr. Shostak performed pre-investment due diligence and negotiated terms of the deals. Mr. Shostak also served as Director of Emerging Russia Growth Fund, a $150 million bank-sponsored opportunistic equity fund.
From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Shostak was an Associate at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. While there he was involved in corporate, insurance and international practices, including project financing facility on behalf of Novorossiysk Shipping Co.
Mr. Shostak obtained a Master of Business Administration in Finance degree from Stern School of Business at New York University in 2000, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from The American University, Washington, D.C. in 1994 and a J.D. degree from Moscow State University Faculty of Law in 1993. He has been certified for the Series 7 license from FINRA and is fluent in English, Russian and Italian.
Taras Vazhnov has been our Director since our inception. From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Vazhnov was a co-founder and Head of Corporate Finance of Moscow-based Link Capital, a boutique investment bank that provides a variety of strategic advisory, capital markets and asset management services to companies operating primarily in Russia and Central Eastern Europe. Since 2006, Mr. Vazhnov has continued to serve as a director of Link Capital Financial Services Ltd., a related financial advisory firm. In March 2012, Mr. Vazhnov became a partner of Link Capital LLP (UK). Mr. Vazhnov is currently serving as an advisor on strategy and business development to the German TV and internet company IMusic as well as a number of prominent Russian companies, including one of the largest private medical clinics in Russia, Lit-Clinic, and a commercial bank, NM Bank.
From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Vazhnov served as a First Deputy CEO and CFO of Russian Coal Co., one of the largest coal companies in Russia, where he led the finance, M&A and legal departments and participated in more than 15 acquisitions in the coal mining and related industries. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Vazhnov was a co-founder and General Manager of Business Center Asset Management Co., a private investment and asset management firm in Moscow that invested in the Chernigovsky Coal Mine, Bank Moskva, and other industrial assets. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Vazhnov served as First Vice-President of Commercial Bank Moskva, where he was in charge of the banks credit policy and risk management. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Vazhnov served as Head of Financial Assets Department at Evihon Oil Co., a subsidiary of Moscow Oil and Gas Company, owned by the Moscow City Government, where he was responsible for the companys financial assets management. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Vazhnov served as co-founder, Senior Manager and deputy CEO of MIR Investment Co., a corporate finance and brokerage services firm. Mr. Vazhnov graduated from Plekhanov Academy of Economy in Moscow in 1993 with a Master degree in Economics and Finance. He is fluent in English and Russian.
Levan Vasadze has been our Director since March 2012. Since 2008, Mr. Vasadze has been Chairman and majority owner of Prometheus Capital Partners, a Moscow-based private equity firm focused on investments in Russian and CIS companies. In 2010, Prometheus acquired majority stakes in the
111
Beethoven and ZooBoom pet product retail chains and merged them under the Beethoven brand into the largest pet product retail chain in Russia.
From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Vasadze was Chairman and later CEO of Sistema Corporation's insurance subsidiary, Rosno, a top Russian insurer. From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Vasadze was First Vice President of the conglomerate Sistema Corporation, one of Russias largest private companies. As First Vice President, Mr. Vasadze was a member of the management board and the senior-most executive other than the CEO, in charge of corporate strategy and development, sourcing, review and execution of new acquisitions. During his tenure, he also served on the boards of numerous subsidiaries of Sistema. Mr. Vasadze joined Sistema in 1998 as Vice President. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Vasadze was Managing Director of Corporate Finance at Aton Investment Bank, a leading Russian investment bank. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Vasadze was Director at Creditanstalt Investment Bank in Moscow, at the time a major Western investment bank in Eastern Europe. Mr. Vasadze graduated from Tbilisi State University majoring in Geophisics in 1992. He obtained an MBA from Emory University Business School in Atlanta, Georgia in 1995. He is fluent in Russian, Georgian and English.
David R. Ansell , has been our director since April 2012. Mr. Ansell spent 32 years at Citibank, with portions of his career in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Ansell was a CEO of Citibank Russia. He was in charge of managing all of Citibanks businesses in Russia including the 100% owned subsidiary with branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Investment Bank activities of Salomon Smith Barney. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Ansell was CEO of Citibank in Czech Republic, and managed all of Citibanks businesses there. In 1993 to 1995, Mr. Ansell was Chief of Staff: Emerging Markets at Citibank London. From 1991 to 1993 Mr. Ansell was based in Taipei, Taiwan for Citibank as a Country Manager Corporate and Investment Banking, overseeing a staff of 300 people and assets in access of $1.5 billion. In 1989 1991, Mr. Ansell was CEO of Ecobank Transnational in Lome, Togo. In 1986 1989, Mr. Ansell served as Regional Director of Citibank in Nairobi, Kenya. From 1968 to 1986, Mr. Ansell held various assignments at Citibank in South Africa, Zaire, Kenya, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia and India. His expertise includes all areas of corporate & investment banking management, risk management and credit, operational processes, treasury, and human resources. As a Senior Credit Office of Citibank from 1982 until 1986, Mr. Ansell provided final approval authority of loans up to US$5 million, and up to US$25 million with one other Senior Credit Officer.
Since 2001, Mr. Ansell has served on the Board of Directors of Housing Finance Corporation in Kenya, where he also serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. Since February 2012, Mr. Ansell has served as a director and member of the Credit and Risk Committees of Equity Bank (Kenya). Since 2006 he has also been an Advisory board member of Private Equity New Markets, a Danish private Equity Fund operated by BankInvest.
Mr. Ansell graduated in 1967 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with a Bachelors degree in mathematics. In 1968 he obtained another Bachelors degree in Finance from the Thunderbird International Graduate School in Glendale, Arizona. In 1988, Mr. Ansell received an Advanced Management degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
The term of each director does not automatically expire.
Our directors and officers will play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and selecting target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and consummating our initial acquisition transaction. Except as described below and under Conflicts of Interest, none of these individuals is currently a principal of or affiliated with a public company or blank check company that executed a business plan similar to our business plan. We believe that the skills and experience of these individuals, their collective access to acquisition opportunities and ideas, their contacts, and their transaction expertise should enable them to successfully identify and effect an acquisition transaction although we cannot assure you that they will, in fact, be able to do so.
Our officers and board of directors are composed of a diverse group of leaders. Many of the current officers or directors have senior leadership experience in both public and private companies. In these positions, they have also gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, public company
112
financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. Most of our officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and board committees of other public companies and private companies, and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies. Further, our officers and directors also have other experience that makes them valuable, such as prior experience with many public and private investment vehicles and managing and investing assets or facilitating the consummation of business combinations.
We, along with our officers and directors, believe that the above-mentioned attributes, along with the leadership skills and other experiences of our officers and board members described below, provide us with a diverse range of perspectives and judgment necessary to facilitate our goals of consummating an acquisition transaction.
Anatoly Danilitskiy . Mr. Danilitskiy is well-qualified to serve as an officer and a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in corporate acquisitions, building successful businesses and providing operational efficiency through strategic guidance and leadership. We believe Mr. Danilitskiys deep knowledge of the Russian market, business experience and background in senior management and corporate leadership will further our purpose of consummating an acquisition transaction.
Kyle Shostak . Mr. Shostak is well-qualified to serve as an officer and a member of the Board due to his hands-on investment banking and finance experience and proven track record of various corporate deals including cross-border acquisitions, restructurings and special situations investing. We believe Mr. Shostaks international and Russian business experience and background in deal origination, structuring, investment and legal due diligence will further our purpose of consummating an acquisition transaction.
Taras Vazhnov . Mr. Vazhnov is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his broad financial and management expertise, established track record of acquiring, integrating and growing successful businesses by providing operational value-added guidance. We believe Mr. Vazhnovs knowledge of various Russian industries, deep knowledge of operational due diligence and background in financial management will further our purpose of consummating an acquisition transaction.
Levan Vasadze . Mr. Vasadze is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in originating, evaluating, structuring and closing corporate finance deals in Russia and CIS, including the successful IPO of Sistema Corporation, one of the leading Russian companies on the London Stock Exchange, the largest Russian IPO at the time. We believe Mr. Vasadzes track record of corporate leadership, strategic development, and history of creating shareholder value, and experience in introducing Western corporate governance standards to Russian and Eastern European companies will further our purpose of consummating an acquisition transaction.
David R. Ansell . Mr. Ansell is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in all areas of corporate & investment banking, management, risk management and credit, operational processes, treasury, and human resources. We believe Mr. Ansells leadership roles and long-time experience in the financial services sector will assist us in identifying profitable acquisition targets and structuring out initial acquisition transaction so as to maximize shareholder value.
Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a governance and nominating committee.
Audit Committee . The audit committee consists of Taras Vazhnov, Levan Vasadze and David R. Ansell. Taras Vazhnov is the chair of the audit committee, and our board of directors believe that each of the members of the audit committee qualify as audit committee financial experts, as such term is defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The board of directors has adopted an audit committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the audit committee:
| appointing and replacing our independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and permitted non-auditing services to be performed by the independent auditors; |
113
| reviewing and discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors; |
| annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter; |
| such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time; |
| meeting separately and periodically with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors; and |
| reporting regularly to the board of directors. |
Compensation Committee . Our compensation committee consists of Taras Vazhnov, Levan Vasadze and David R. Ansell. Taras Vazhnov is the chair of our compensation committee. The members of the compensation commitee do not have any direct or indirect material relationship with us other than as a director.
Our board of directors adopted a compensation committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the compensation committee:
| reviewing and making recommendations to the board regarding our compensation policies and forms of compensation provided to our directors and officers; |
| reviewing and making recommendations to the board regarding bonuses for our officers and other employees; |
| administering our incentive-compensation plans for our directors and officers; |
| reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the charter annually; |
| administering our share option plans, if they are established in the future, in accordance with the terms thereof; and |
| such other matters that are specifically delegated to the compensation committee by our board of directors from time to time. |
Governance and Nominating Committee . Our governance and nominating committee consists of Taras Vazhnov, Levan Vasadze and David R. Ansell. Taras Vazhnov is the chair of our governance and nominating committee. The members of the governance and nominating committee do not have any direct or indirect material relationship with us other than as a director.
Our board of directors adopted a governance and nominating committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the governance and nominating committee:
| overseeing the process by which individuals may be nominated to our board of directors; |
| identifying potential directors and making recommendations as to the size, functions and composition of our board of directors and its committees; |
| reviewing candidates proposed by our stockholders; |
| developing the criteria and qualifications for the selection of potential directors; and |
| making recommendations to the board of directors on new candidates for board membership. |
In making nominations, the governance and nominating committee is required to submit candidates who have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who shall be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the stockholders. In evaluating nominees, the governance and nominating committee is required to take into consideration the following attributes, which are desirable for a member of the board: leadership, independence, interpersonal skills, financial acumen, business experiences, industry knowledge, and diversity of viewpoints.
114
On March 19, 2012, our board of directors adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees.
Our board of directors has determined that Taras Vazhnov, Levan Vasadze, and David R. Ansell qualify as independent directors under the rules of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules because they are not currently employed by us, and do not fall into any of the enumerated categories of people who cannot be considered independent in the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
On January 10, 2012, we entered into an agreement with Kyle Shostak and CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd., our majority shareholder, pursuant to which we and CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. agreed that Mr. Shostak shall serve as our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a director until the closing of an initial acquisition transaction. We also agreed to sell to Mr. Shostak 189,147 placement warrants immediately prior to the consummation of this offering on the same terms as are offered to CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. In the event that the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in this offering is not exercised in full, Mr. Shostak agreed to return for cancellation a pro-rata portion of the Series C Shares he holds immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Mr. Shostak does not receive any other compensation for services rendered to us, other than reimbursements for business-related expenses incurred in the course of his duties as our officer.
Other than as disclosed above, we have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers, and have not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.
None of our directors or officers have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Our founders own an aggregate of 2,875,000 Series C Shares, which they acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 (up to 375,000 of which will be redeemed by us for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full). In addition, we will issue our founders and their assignees, in a private placement occurring immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, 5,066,666 warrants for aggregate consideration of $3,800,000. We believe that because our officers and directors own such shares and warrants, no compensation (other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses) is necessary, and such persons have agreed to serve in their respective role without compensation.
We have agreed to pay to Intercarbo Holding AG a total of $7,500 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the date of this prospectus and ending on the earlier of our consummation of an acquisition transaction or dissolution and liquidation of the trust account in the event we do not consummate an acquisition transaction within the relevant time period. Such fees shall begin to accrue immediately after this offering and shall be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any. Intercarbo Holding AG is an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director. This arrangement was agreed to by our board of directors for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Vazhnov compensation in lieu of a management fee or other remuneration, because it is anticipated that the expenses to be paid by Intercarbo Holding AG will approximate the monthly accrued reimbursement.
Other than this $7,500 per month fee, no compensation of any kind, including finders and consulting fees, will be paid to our officers or directors or any of their respective affiliates for services rendered prior to or in connection with an acquisition transaction. However, our officers and directors and their respective affiliates will receive reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating a potential acquisition transaction with one or more target businesses. There are no limitations on the amount of expenses for which they can seek reimbursement, provided such expenses were incurred for our benefit. There will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. To the extent such out-of-pocket
115
expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Although we currently anticipate that some members of our management team will remain with us post-acquisition transaction, some or all of our current executive officers and directors may or may not remain with us following our initial acquisition transaction, depending on the type of business acquired and the industry in which the target business operates. After the acquisition transaction, our directors and officers 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 shareholders, to the extent then known, in the prospectus/proxy solicitation or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely that the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of an acquisition transaction, as it will be up to the directors of the post-transaction business to determine executive and director compensation. We cannot assure you that our current executive officers and directors will be retained in any significant role, or at all, and have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to them if they are retained following our initial acquisition transaction.
We have not set aside any amount of assets for pension or retirement benefits.
Any compensation to be paid to our chief executive officer and other officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file current reports with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we have agreed with the underwriters that for the period commencing with the date of this prospectus and ending on the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, we will comply with the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the requirements and filing deadlines for annual reports on Form 20-F and reports of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K complying with those rules and regulations. In addition, we have agreed with the representative of the underwriters that we will furnish to American shareholders an English language version of our annual financial statements and all other materials regularly provided to other shareholders, and publish, at least semi-annually, an English language version of our interim financial statements filed with the SEC. There is no requirement under the BVI Business Companies Act to provide our shareholders with our financial statements or any other information. Our articles however provide that we are required to provide to our shareholders financial statements or summary financial statements to our shareholders at least 5 days before our annual general meetings.
Potential investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
| While each member of the our management team does not have prior blank check company experience, our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies that are engaged in business activities similar to those we intend to conduct. Furthermore, any or all of our principals may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation both to us and to any other entities to which they owe fiduciary duties. |
| In the course of their other business activities our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Due to those existing and future affiliations, members of our management team may have fiduciary obligations to present potential business opportunities to those entities prior to presenting them to us. Accordingly, our officers, and directors |
116
may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. For a complete description of our managements other affiliations, see the previous section entitled Directors and Executive Officers. |
| None of our officers or directors are required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, intend to devote only approximately 20% of their time to our business and are free to become involved in other blank check companies (though none which will seek a target business with its primary operations in Russia or Eastern Europe). Accordingly, they will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities. |
| Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for us and our shareholders since each of our directors will be subject to an escrow agreement with respect to founders shares and certain transfer restrictions with respect to the placement warrants, which only terminates following our consummation of an acquisition transaction. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, completing an acquisition transaction in a timely manner and securing the release of the founders shares from escrow. |
| In the event we elect to make a substantial down payment, or otherwise incur significant expenses, in connection with a potential acquisition transaction, our expenses could exceed the remaining proceeds not held in trust. Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular acquisition transaction if we incur such excess expenses. Specifically, our officers and directors may tend to favor potential acquisition transactions with target businesses that offer to reimburse any expenses in excess of our available proceeds not held in the trust account. |
| Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular acquisition transaction if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction. We have been advised by our officers and directors that they will not take retaining their positions into consideration in determining which acquisition to pursue. |
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities, including other blank check companies. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when our board of directors evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
In general, under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty of loyalty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
Each of our officers and directors has, or may come to have, to a certain degree, other fiduciary obligations. All of our officers and directors have fiduciary obligations to other companies on whose board of directors they presently sit, or may have obligations to companies whose board of directors they may join in the future. To the extent that they identify business opportunities that may be suitable for us or other companies on whose board of directors they may sit, our officers and directors will honor those fiduciary obligations. Accordingly, they may not present opportunities to us that come to their attention in the performance of their duties as directors of such other entities unless the other companies have declined to accept such opportunities or clearly lack the resources to take advantage of such opportunities.
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 an acquisition transaction on the one hand and their other businesses on the other hand. For example, Mr. Danilitskiy will need to spend time staying involved in the operations of Energobank, where he remains a
117
director and principal shareholder, Mr. Shostak will stay involved in the affairs of Navigator Principal Investors LLC, Mr. Vazhnov will continue to be involved with IMusic and Lit-Clinic, Mr. Vasadze will stay involved in the affairs of Prometheus Capital Partners, where he is Chairman and a majority owner, and Mr. Ansell will retain his commitments as a member of the board of Housing Finance Corporation, Equity Bank (Kenya) and Private Equity New Markets.
Below is a table summarizing the companies to which our officers and directors owe fiduciary obligations, all of which would have to (i) be presented appropriate potential target businesses by our officers and directors, and (ii) reject the opportunity to acquire such potential target business, prior to their presentation of such target business to us:
Name | Name of Affiliated Entity | Affiliation | ||
Anatoly Danilitskiy | Energobank | Shareholder, Chairman and Member of the Board | ||
RetnNet | Chairman of the Board | |||
Kyle Shostak | Navigator Principal Investors LLC | Principal and Managing Director | ||
Insurance Opportunity Fund | Chief Investment Officer | |||
Taras Vazhnov | Link Capital Financial Services Ltd. | Director | ||
Link Capital LLP | Partner | |||
IMusic | Advisor | |||
Lit-Clinic | Advisor | |||
NM Bank | Advisor | |||
Levan Vasadze | Prometheus Capital Partners | Shareholder and Chairman of the Board | ||
David Ansell | Housing Finance Corporation | Director | ||
Equity Bank (Kenya) | Director | |||
Private Equity New Markets | Member of Advisory Board |
Pursuant to the agreements between us and each of our officers and directors, our officers and directors are free to become involved in other blank check companies as long as our officers and directors maintain priority with respect to the fiduciary obligations they owe us as compared to such other blank check companies, until such time as we have entered into a definitive agreement with our target business.
These individuals have no other fiduciary obligations that would take priority with respect to the fiduciary obligations they owe to us. However, it is possible that, concurrently with our initial acquisition transaction, some of the entities with which our officers and directors are affiliated could purchase a minority interest in the target company, subject to the requirement we must acquire a portion of the business with a value that is equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) and that we control the target business, as described above, as well as the additional requirements described below. While this could benefit us by allowing us to engage in an acquisition transaction with a target business that would cost significantly more than our available cash without requiring us to issue a large amount of equity or take on significant debt, and while our officers and directors have advised us that they would do what is in our best interests in connection with an acquisition transaction, such a situation would result in a conflict of interest for our officers and directors since they would be determining what portion of the target company we would be purchasing and the amount that these other companies would purchase. In connection with any co-investment in a target business, the entity or entities affiliated with our officers, and/or directors will be required to pay the same price per share or unit for their interest in the target company as we pay, the other terms of the investment of such affiliated entity or entities will be required to be no more favorable than the terms of our investment and such investment will require the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. In addition, the proxy materials and/or tender offer materials disclosing the acquisition transaction would disclose the terms of the co-investment by the affiliated entity or entities.
118
Our officers and directors are free to become involved in other blank check companies as long as such other blank check company will not seek to acquire a target business with its primary operations in Russia or Eastern Europe until after we have announced an initial acquisition transaction.
Additionally, our directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are or may be affiliated.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association set forth certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that apply to us until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. Specifically, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that:
| we may not to enter into any transaction with any of our officers or directors or any of our or their respective affiliates without the prior approval by a majority of our disinterested directors, who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel, and unless our disinterested directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties; and |
| we may not (i) consummate an acquisition transaction with a target business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, our founders or their affiliates, or that is affiliated with our founders or our directors or officers, or (ii) consummate an acquisition transaction with any underwriter, or underwriting selling group member, or any of their affiliates, unless we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA that an acquisition transaction with such target business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. A summary of such opinion will be included in the disclosure documents filed in connection with the acquisition transaction, and the full text of the fairness opinion will be filed as an exhibit thereto. |
119
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
| each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; |
| each of our executive officers and directors; and |
| all our executive officers and directors as a group. |
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not include the placement warrants, or the securities underlying the underwriters unit purchase option, as these warrants and the option are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus. All shares have identical voting rights.
Amount of
Beneficial Ownership |
Approximate Percentage of
Outstanding Ordinary Shares |
|||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
Before
Offering (2) (3) |
After
Offering (4) |
||||||||||
Anatoly Danilitskiy (5) | 1,876,757 | 75.07 | % | 15.01 | % | |||||||
Kyle Shostak | 61,250 | 2.45 | % | *% | ||||||||
Taras Vazhnov (5) | 547,994 | 21.92 | % | 4.38 | % | |||||||
Levan Vasadze | 7,000 | *% | *% | |||||||||
David Ansell | 7,000 | *% | *% | |||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (5 individuals) | 2,500,000 | 100.00 | % | 20.00 | % | |||||||
CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. (5) | 2,424,750 | 96.99 | % | 19.40 | % |
* | Less than one percent |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address for each of our beneficial owners is c/o CIS Acquisition Ltd., 89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84, Moscow, Russia 119607. The shares beneficially owned are founders shares consisting of Series C Shares. |
(2) | Consists of the founders shares. Does not include up to 375,000 founders shares that are subject to redemption by us to the extent the over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
(3) | Based on 2,500,000 Series C Shares outstanding immediately prior to this offering, not including up to 375,000 founders shares that are subject to redemption by us for no consideration to the extent the over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
(4) | Based on 12,500,000 ordinary shares outstanding upon consummation of this offering, including 2,500,000 Series C Shares held by our founders and 10,000,000 callable Series A Shares underlying the units sold in this offering. Does not include (i) 1,500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option within 45 days from the consummation of this offering, (ii) up to 375,000 shares belonging to our founders that we will redeem for no consideration in the event the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised in full, (iii) ordinary shares underlying the placement warrants which will not become exercisable within the next 60 days, and (iv) ordinary shares underlying the underwriters unit purchase option which will not become exercisable within the next 60 days. |
(5) | Messrs. Danilitskiy and Vazhnov share voting and dispositive power over the founders shares owned by CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. is owned by Zelda Finance Ltd. and SPAC Investments Ltd. Anatoly Danilitskiy controls Zelda Finance Ltd. and Taras Vazhnov controls SPAC Investments Ltd. The business address of Zelda Finance Ltd. is Withfield Tower, 3 rd floor, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize. The mailing address of SPAC Investments Ltd. is FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
Of the ordinary shares outstanding immediately prior to our initial public offering, 2.45% are held in the United States by one record holder.
120
Our founders have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidating distribution if we fail to consummate an acquisition transaction with respect to the founders shares, but not with respect to any public shares they acquire in this offering or aftermarket. Prior to an acquisition transaction, any transferee of founders shares would be required to likewise waive any right to participate in any liquidating distributions and agree to the transfer restrictions described below.
In connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, our founders have agreed to vote the founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders who vote at the special or annual meeting called for such purpose and have agreed not to seek redemption rights with regard to the founders shares. In addition, each of our founders, directors, and officers has agreed that if he, she or it acquires ordinary shares in or following this offering, he, she or it will not seek redemption rights with regard to such shares and have agreed not to tender their shares in an issuer tender offer in connection with our initial acquisition transaction.
If the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full, we will redeem up to an aggregate of 375,000 founders shares in order to maintain our founders ownership at a percentage of the number of shares to be sold in this offering. An increase in the offering size could also result in a proportionate increase in the amount of interest we may withdraw from the trust account.
None of our officers or directors have indicated to us that he intends to purchase units in this offering. Immediately after this offering, our founders will beneficially own an aggregate of approximately 20% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Because of this ownership block, they may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of an acquisition transaction.
On the date of this prospectus, all of our officers, directors, shareholders and advisors will place the founders shares into an escrow account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as escrow agent pursuant to an escrow agreement. Subject to certain limited exceptions for transfers (as described below), these securities will not be transferable during the escrow period. The founders shares will not be released from escrow until 2 years after the date of this prospectus. The placement warrants will not be transferable until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. Prior to their release from escrow, the securities may only be transferred (i) by gift to an affiliate or a member of the holders immediate family (or a member of the immediate family of its officers or directors) or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the holder (or one of its officers or directors or a member of their respective immediate families), (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any holder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that any such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferees written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement and the insider letter agreement executed by the transferring holder.
The foregoing notwithstanding, if we have completed an acquisition transaction without granting our public shareholder redemption rights in connection with such acquisition transaction, then none of the escrowed securities will be released from escrow until a post-acquisition tender offer is completed. The securities held in the escrow account will only be released prior to the end of the applicable escrow period if following an acquisition we consummate a subsequent transaction resulting in all shareholders having a right to exchange their shares for cash or other consideration.
During the respective escrow period, our founders and any permitted transferees to whom they transfer ordinary shares will retain all other rights of holders of our ordinary shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote their ordinary shares (except that our founders have agreed that they will vote their founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders with respect to any proposal to amend our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association presented to our shareholders by our board of directors) and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared, subject to the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement and the insider letter agreement executed by the founders.
121
If dividends are declared and payable in ordinary shares, such dividends will also be subject to the escrow arrangement. If we are unable to effect our initial acquisition transaction and liquidate, our founders have waived the right to receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to the founders shares, but not with respect to any public shares they acquire in this offering or aftermarket. Any permitted transferees to whom such securities are transferred will also agree to waive that right.
122
On November 28, 2011, we issued 100 ordinary shares to Kyle Shostak, our initial shareholder and founder, for a consideration of $0.01. On February 13, 2012, we issued 2,804,562 ordinary shares to CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. and 70,338 ordinary shares to Mr. Shostak for an aggregate consideration of $24,999.99, or $0.0087 per share. On May 2, 2012, CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. transferred 7,000 ordinary shares to Levan Vasadze and 7,000 ordinary shares to David Ansell for an aggregate consideration of $1.40, or $0.0001 per share. Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the founders will exchange all 2,875,000 ordinary shares for their respective portion of 2,875,000 newly-issued Series C Shares. We will redeem up to 375,000 of the founders shares for no consideration to the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full.
Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the founders and their assignees will purchase an aggregate of 5,066,666 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000, or $0.75 per warrant. except: (i) the placement warrants are non-redeemable while held by the founders or their permitted assignees; (ii) the placement warrants may be exercised during the applicable exercise period, on a for cash or cashless basis, at any time after the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, even if there is not an effective registration statement relating to the shares underlying the warrants, so long as such warrants are held by the founders, their designees or their affiliates; and (iii) the purchasers have agreed that the placement warrants will not be sold or transferred until after the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
Concurrently with this offering, we issued to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters as additional compensation, for a purchase price of $100, a unit purchase option to purchase 700,000 units for $12.00 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except for some differences in redemption rights. The unit purchase option will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved.
The holders of the founders securities (including the founders shares, placement warrants, and the ordinary shares underlying the placement warrants) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the founders shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the placement warrants (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
We have agreed to pay to Intercarbo Holding AG a total of $7,500 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the date of this prospectus and ending on the earlier of our consummation of an acquisition transaction or our liquidation. Such fees shall begin to accrue immediately after this offering and shall be paid at the time of an acquisition transaction, or in the event of our liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any. Intercarbo Holding AG is an affiliate of Taras Vazhnov, our director. This arrangement was agreed to by the board of directors for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Vazhnov compensation.
As of the date of this prospectus, Intercarbo Holding AG, an entity controlled by Taras Vazhnov, our director, has loaned us an aggregate of $232,155 to cover expenses related to this offering. Of this amount, $180,155 is due promptly after the consummation of this offering, and $52,000 is due on the earlier of April 30, 2013 or
123
the date of consummation of this offering. Both loans do not bear any interest. We intend to repay this loan due to Intercarbo Holding AG upon consummation of this offering from the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account.
We will reimburse our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates, for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating a potential acquisition transaction with one or more target businesses. Subject to availability of proceeds not placed in the trust account, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred. This formula was a result of a negotiation between us and the underwriters and was meant to help maximize the amount of money in the trust account that would be returned to the investors if we do not consummate an acquisition transaction within the permitted time. Our board of directors will review and approve all expense reimbursements made to our directors with the interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval. To the extent such out-of-pocket expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and those proceeds are properly withdrawn from the trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate our initial acquisition transaction.
Other than the accrual of $7,500 per month to Intercarbo Holding AG, in connection with office space, administrative services and secretarial support rendered to us, and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates, no compensation of any kind, including finders and consulting fees, will be paid to any of our executive officers and directors or any of their respective affiliates who owned our ordinary shares prior to this offering for services rendered to us prior to or with respect to the acquisition transaction.
We expect that at least some members of our management team will remain with us post-acquisition transaction. After an acquisition transaction, if any member of our management team remains with us, they may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the prospectus/proxy solicitation or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely that the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of an acquisition transaction, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K, as required by General Instruction B to Form 6-K.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our executive officers and directors or their respective affiliates, including loans by our directors, will be on terms believed by us at that time, based upon other similar arrangements known to us, to be no less favorable than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions or loans, including any forgiveness of loans, will require prior approval in each instance by a majority of our disinterested directors, who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. 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.
If we are unable to complete an acquisition transaction and are forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify us for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent we fail to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. We have questioned our founders on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Our founders are under no obligation to us to preserve their assets or provide us with information regarding changes in their ability to satisfy these obligations. Notwithstanding, if we become aware of a material change in the ability of any of our founders to satisfy such obligations, we will make such information public by filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. Our board of directors has a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations.
124
On November 28, 2011, February 13, 2012 and May 2, 2012, our founders acquired an aggregate of 2,875,000 Series C Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 (up to 375,000 of which shares will be redeemed by us for no consideration to the extent that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option in full), an amount that is equal to 20% of the total of the number of shares that will be outstanding after this offering. In addition, if the underwriters determine that the size of the offering should be increased or decreased, a share dividend, share combination or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our founders ownership at 20% of the number of shares to be sold in this offering. We will not make or receive any cash payment in respect of any such adjustment.
125
We are a British Virgin Islands company and our affairs are governed by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the BVI Business Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, we are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after the completion of this offering, we will have 12,500,000 ordinary shares outstanding (consisting of 10,000,000 callable Series A Shares included in the units sold in this offering and 2,500,000 Series C Shares held by our founders), assuming that the underwriters over-allotment option has not been exercised (and which does not include 700,000 ordinary shares included in the underwriters unit purchase option), which does not become exercisable until the later of the consolidation of each series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, or [_____], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved. The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital securities. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The underwriting agreement and our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association prohibit us, prior to our initial acquisition transaction, from issuing additional units or shares, additional ordinary shares, preferred shares, additional warrants, or any options or other securities convertible or exchangeable into ordinary shares or preferred shares which participate in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which vote as a class with the ordinary shares on an acquisition transaction.
Each unit consists of one Series A Share, par value $0.0001, and one redeemable warrant. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.00 per share. Holders of the redeemable warrants must pay the exercise price in full upon exercise of the redeemable warrants. The units offered by this prospectus will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The public shares and public warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the earlier of the 90 th day after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or the announcement by the underwriters of the decision to allow earlier trading (based upon their assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), subject, however, to our filing a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC, containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. In no event will separate trading begin until after the over-allotment option has been exercised in full, cancelled or expired.
We will file a Report of Foreign Private Issuer of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issue a press release or Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K announcing when such separate trading will begin. Although the instructions to Form 6-K do not provide a specific number of days within which such form must be filed, the form does require that material information be filed promptly, and we expect to file such 6-K within four business days of the closing of the initial public offering and the exercise of the over-allotment option, if any. We will file the Form 6-K that includes our audited balance sheet promptly following the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place four business days from the date of this prospectus. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K, and if any portion of such over-allotment option is exercised after such time, we will file an additional Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K including an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds from such exercise of the over-allotment option.
126
Once the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants. We may not cancel the units at any time unless and until (i) we do not consummate our initial acquisition transaction within the allotted time period and are required to dissolve and liquidate the trust account, (ii) we do not commence or complete a post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time period and are required to liquidate the trust account or (ii) we have consummated an acquisition and our trust account has been liquidated.
The callable Series A Shares will continue to trade until we consummate an acquisition transaction, at which time they will either automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares, if we grant shareholders redemption rights in connection with the acquisition transaction, or will automatically separate from the units and convert to callable Series B Shares, if we complete the acquisition transaction prior to a post-acquisition tender offer. callable Series B Shares will automatically be consolidated with all our other series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares following consummation of a post-acquisition tender offer.
We are authorized to issue 150,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, which shares may, but are not required to, be designated as part of one of three series, callable Series A Shares, callable Series B Shares and Series C Shares. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, 2,875,000 ordinary shares are issued and outstanding held by two (2) holders of record, which shares have been designated as Series C Shares. Upon closing of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, the redemption of 375,000 of the founders shares and not including the shares underlying the placement warrants which will not be exercisable immediately following the closing of this offering), there will be 12,500,000 ordinary shares outstanding, including the 10,000,000 callable Series A Shares included in the units offered by this prospectus.
Of the ordinary shares outstanding immediately prior to our initial public offering, 2.45% are held in the United States by one record holder.
The following rights apply to each series of our ordinary shares, regardless if such shares are designated as part of a series of ordinary shares.
Except for such voting rights that may be given to one or more series of preferred shares issued by the board of directors pursuant to the blank check power (the ability to grant ordinary shares with rights and privileges greater than outstanding securities, such as special voting rights and/or dividend preferences, without shareholder approval) granted by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association or required by law, holders of ordinary shares will have exclusive voting rights for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring shareholder action. Holders of ordinary shares will on a poll be entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by shareholders. After an acquisition transaction is concluded, if ever, and upon our subsequent dissolution, our shareholders will be entitled to receive pro rata all assets remaining available for distribution after payment of all liabilities and provision for the liquidation of any shares of preferred shares at the time outstanding. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of 50% plus one share of the shares voted on a poll for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
If any matters are voted on by our shareholders at an annual or extraordinary meeting, our founders may vote all their shares, whenever acquired, as they see fit; provided, however , that in connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, our founders have agreed to vote the founders shares in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders. In connection with a shareholder vote, one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (whether or not held by public shareholders) will constitute a quorum.
127
The callable Series A Shares or the callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, and the Series C Shares will be consolidated into one series of ordinary shares upon the earlier of the consummation of an acquisition transaction or, if we complete the acquisition transaction prior to a post-acquisition tender offer, then upon consummation of the post-acquisition tender offer. Except for the termination of the right of the callable Series A or B Shares to be redeemed in connection with an acquisition transaction or a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, for a pro rata portion of the trust account or to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in the event of our dissolution and liquidation if we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction within the allotted time, the automatic consolidation of all series of ordinary shares into one series of ordinary shares will not affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares. The total number of shares outstanding will not change because the consolidation will be on a one for one basis of the then outstanding shares of each series of ordinary shares. The shares underlying the units sold in this offering will continue to be freely trading immediately following the automatic consolidation. Following the automatic consolidation, only one series of ordinary shares will be authorized by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Our shareholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that holders of callable Series A Shares (and callable Series B Shares in the event the callable Series A Shares are automatically converted to callable Series B Shares) have the right to have such shares redeemed for cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account, plus any interest which has not been released to us as described below, in connection with our initial acquisition transaction or a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
The founders shares are subject to the transfer restrictions described below. Our founders have agreed not to exercise redemption rights with respect to the founders shares and have agreed not to tender their shares in an issuer tender offer in connection with our initial acquisition transaction, and to vote their founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public shareholders in connection with a shareholder vote to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the article that contains all of the special provisions applicable to us prior to and in connection with our initial acquisition transaction) prior to consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. If we are unable to consummate an acquisition transaction within the allotted time, our founders have agreed with respect to the founders shares to waive their rights to participate in any trust account liquidation distribution, but not with respect to any public shares they acquire in this offering or in the aftermarket.
On the date of this prospectus, all of our officers, directors, shareholders and advisors will place the founders shares into an escrow account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as escrow agent pursuant to an escrow agreement. Subject to certain limited exceptions for transfers, these securities will not be transferable during the escrow period. The founders shares will not be released from escrow until 2 years after the date of this prospectus. The placement warrants will not be transferable until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
Prior to their release from escrow, the securities may only be transferred (i) by gift to an affiliate or a member of the holders immediate family (or a member of the immediate family of its officers or directors) or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the holder (or one of its officers or directors or a member of their respective immediate families), (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any holder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that any such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferees written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement and the insider letter agreement executed by the transferring holder.
The foregoing notwithstanding, if we have completed an acquisition transaction without granting our public shareholder redemption rights in connection with such acquisition transaction, then none of the escrowed securities will be released from escrow until a post-acquisition tender offer is completed. The securities held in the escrow account will only be released prior to the end of the applicable escrow period if following an acquisition we consummate a subsequent transaction resulting in all shareholders having a right to exchange their shares for cash or other consideration.
128
The holders of the founders shares will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the founders shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares are to be released from escrow. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Of the founders shares, 2.45% are held in the United States by one record holder.
Our callable Series A Shares have the same rights as our ordinary shares, except that holders of such shares are entitled to cause us to redeem all or a portion of such callable Series A Shares in connection with our initial acquisition transaction and are entitled to share ratably in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and accrued but undistributed interest, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements and (iv) a pro rata share of the trust account that may be released to us for each callable Series A Share converted to a Series C Share upon completion of an acquisition transaction, by the number of shares sold in this offering, plus any remaining net assets, if we dissolve and liquidate the trust account prior to an acquisition transaction.
Unlike many other blank check companies, we are not required to have a shareholder vote to approve our initial acquisition transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition transaction would require shareholder approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Accordingly, we will have a high degree of flexibility in structuring and consummating our initial acquisition transaction, and currently intend to structure our initial acquisition transaction so that a shareholder vote is not required. Notwithstanding, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that public shareholders will be entitled to cause us to redeem all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares for cash equal to the pro rata share of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per share, or approximately $9.96 per share in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in connection with our initial acquisition transaction regardless of how it is structured.
We will proceed with the acquisition transaction by means of a pre-acquisition tender offer only if public shareholders owning no more than 92.5% of the callable Series A Shares underlying the units sold in this offering exercise their redemption rights. If we elect to grant our public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a post-acquisition tender offer, then each outstanding callable Series A Share will automatically be converted into a callable Series B Share immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction.
The callable Series A Shares will be automatically consolidated upon consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, provided we have not elected to grant our public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a post-acquisition tender offer, in which case they will automatically be converted to callable Series B Shares.
Each callable Series B Share is identical to the callable Series A Shares, except that the callable Series B Shares have the right to participate in a post-acquisition tender offer. If we elect to grant our public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a post-acquisition tender offer, then each outstanding callable Series A Share will automatically be converted into a callable Series B Share immediately following consummation of the acquisition transaction. Public shareholders who hold callable Series B Shares will be entitled to participate in the post-acquisition tender offer by tendering their callable Series B Shares in accordance with the instructions included in the Schedule TO and related tender offer documents to be filed with the SEC but will also be subject to the 92.5% redemption threshold.
The callable Series B Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes or our ordinary shares upon consummation of our post-acquisition tender offer or will be automatically converted into the right to
129
receive a pro rata share of the trust account if we automatically liquidate the trust account in the event that we fail to commence or complete the post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time.
Each Series C Share is identical to the callable Series B Shares, except that the Series C Shares do not have the right to redeem all or a portion of such Series C Shares in connection with the acquisition transaction or to participate in a post-acquisition tender offer. If we elect to grant our public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a post-acquisition tender offer, we must seek that certain significant shareholders (holders of 5% or more of the public shares who are also accredited investors) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares immediately prior to consummation of the acquisition transaction. The exchange ratio of callable Series A Shares for Series C Shares would be at a one-for-one basis. Upon closing of the acquisition transaction, all remaining callable Series A Shares will be automatically converted into callable Series B Shares on a one-for-one basis, which would be eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer. No consideration will be paid to shareholders who elect to convert other than the exchange of callable Series A Shares for Series C Shares. Neither we, nor the target business, are required to seek that any public shareholder elect to convert their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares. If we or the target business do seek such conversions, such discussions would be with a limited number of highly sophisticated institutional accredited investors. Any holder who elects to convert will be required to make an irrevocable conversion election and tender their callable Series A Shares for conversion into Series C Shares. The conversion election would be conditioned on, and effective as of, immediately prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. Any remaining callable Series A Shares would be automatically converted to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. Shareholders who elect to convert their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares may have civil remedies to the extent that the disclosure relating to the acquisition transaction or the target business in the Form 6-K filed prior to consummation is materially different from the disclosure provided in the post-acquisition tender offer documents filed with the SEC.
The Series C Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Shares are not being offered and are not being registered in connection with this offering. The Series C Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes of our ordinary shares upon consummation of an acquisition transaction or a post-acquisition tender offer.
We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001, which shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board of Directors, without approval of the shareholders, are authorized to designate series of preferred stock and to fix the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to each such series. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of our ordinary shares.
As of the date of this prospectus, there are no outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series.
Each redeemable warrant underlying the units being offered by this prospectus entitles the registered holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of:
| the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares; and |
| one year from the date of this prospectus. |
Although the redeemable warrants and the ordinary shares underlying them will be registered pursuant to this prospectus, the redeemable warrants with only be exercisable for cash if there is an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants in effect and a prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants is available for use by the holders of the redeemable warrants.
130
In the event that there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants, holders of the redeemable warrants may elect to exercise them on a cashless basis by paying the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares underlying the redeemable warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the redeemable warrants and the fair market value (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The fair market value means the average reported last sale price of our ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the redeemable warrant exercise notice is sent to the warrant agent. We would not receive additional proceeds to the extent the redeemable warrants are exercised on a cashless basis.
The redeemable warrants will expire five years from the date of this prospectus at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on [___], 2017 or earlier upon redemption by us or liquidation of the trust account in the event we are unable to consummate an initial acquisition transaction. Once the redeemable warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the warrants included in the units underlying the underwriters unit purchase option) with the consent of the Chardan Capital Markets, LLC:
| in whole but not in part; |
| at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
| upon a minimum of 30 days prior written notice of redemption; and |
| if, and only if, the last sale price of our ordinary shares on the exchange on which our securities may be traded equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption. |
We have established these redemption criteria to provide warrant holders with adequate notice of exercise only after the then-prevailing ordinary share price is substantially above the warrant exercise price, and a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing ordinary share price and the warrant exercise price so there is a buffer to absorb the market reaction, if any, to our election to redeem the redeemable warrants. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue notice of redemption of the redeemable warrants, each warrant holder shall be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrants prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, there can be no assurance that the price of the ordinary shares will exceed the $15.00 per share redemption trigger price or the warrant exercise price of $10.00 per share after the redemption notice is issued.
The right to exercise the redeemable warrants will be forfeited unless they are exercised before the date specified on the notice of redemption. From and after the redemption date, the record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the redeemable warrants, the redemption price.
The redeemable 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 has been 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 redeemable warrants.
The number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the redeemable warrants and $15.00 redemption threshold must be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or our recapitalization, merger or consolidation. However, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the redeemable warrants and $15.00 redemption threshold will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below the warrant exercise price.
In addition, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the redeemable warrants must be increased pursuant to a formula in the event we make distributions of cash or property (other than our ordinary shares) to our shareholders. The increase would be in proportion to the fair market value of the distribution to shareholders.
The redeemable 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, by certified check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. Redeemable warrant holders do not
131
have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares, including voting rights, until they exercise their warrants and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the redeemable warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No redeemable warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise we have a registration statement under the Securities Act in effect covering the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the redeemable warrants and a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares and the ordinary shares have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the redeemable warrants. Holders of the redeemable warrants are not entitled to net cash settlement and the redeemable warrants may only be settled by delivery of ordinary shares and not cash. Under the warrant agreement, we have agreed to meet these conditions, to file a registration statement with the SEC for the registration of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the redeemable warrants, to use our best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective on or prior to the commencement of the exercise period and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the redeemable warrants until the redeemable warrants expire or are redeemed. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to be able to do so. In addition, we are not required to cash settle the redeemable warrants in the event that our shareholders are unable to exercise them. The redeemable warrants may be deprived of any value and the market for the redeemable warrants may be limited if there is no registration statement in effect covering the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the redeemable warrants and the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable on the exercise of the redeemable warrants is not current or if the ordinary shares are not qualified or exempt from qualification of the jurisdictions in which the holders of the redeemable warrants reside.
We are not required to issue fractional shares on the exercise of redeemable warrants. If more than one redeemable warrant is presented for exercise in full at the same time by the same holder, the number of full shares which are issuable upon the exercise thereof are to be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of ordinary shares purchasable on exercise of the redeemable warrants so presented. If any fractional shares would be issuable on the exercise of any redeemable warrants, we will round down to the nearest whole number.
The founders placement warrants are identical to the redeemable warrants included in the units being sold in this offering, except that such warrants, including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of these warrants:
| are subject to the transfer restrictions described below; |
| are not redeemable by us; and |
| may be exercised during the applicable exercise period, on a for cash or cashless basis, at any time after the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, even if there is not an effective registration statement relating to the shares underlying the warrants, so long as such warrants are held by these individuals or their affiliates. |
Notwithstanding the above, if the placement warrants are held by holders other than the founders or their permitted transferees, the placement warrants will only be exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the redeemable warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. Holders of the placement warrants are not entitled to net cash settlement and the placement warrants may only be settled by delivery of the ordinary shares and not cash.
Our founders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions below, not to sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of their placement warrants until the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction or the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
Prior to the consummation of the initial acquisition transaction or the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, the placement warrants may only be transferred (i) by gift to an affiliate or a member of the holders immediate family (or a member of the immediate family of its officers or directors) or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the holder (or one of its officers or directors or a member
132
of their respective immediate families), (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any holder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that as relates to the placement warrants, any such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferees written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the insider letter agreement executed by the transferring holder.
The holders of the placement warrants (including the ordinary shares underlying the placement warrants) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of a majority of the placement warrants (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate an acquisition transaction or complete a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
As of the immediately prior to our initial public offering, 2.45% of the placement warrants are held in the United States by one record holder.
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters or its designees, for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units comprised of 700,000 ordinary shares and warrants to purchase 700,000 ordinary shares (an amount that is equal to 7% of the total number of units sold in this offering). The underwriters unit purchase option will be exercisable for cash at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved, at a price per unit of $12.00 (120% of the public offering price). The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us. Holders of the unit purchase option are not entitled to net cash settlement and the unit purchase option (and the underlying securities) may only be settled by delivery of the units (and underlying securities) and not cash.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable during the 45-day period commencing on the date that the registration statement (of which this prospectus forms a part) becomes effective, to purchase from us at the offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, up to an aggregate of 1,500,000 additional units for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment option will only be used to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. The underwriters may exercise that option if the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above. The underwriters are not entitled to net cash settlement and the over-allotment option (and the underlying securities) may only be settled by delivery of the units (and underlying securities) and not cash.
A shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of (i) of our liquidation if we fail to complete an acquisition transaction within the allotted time, (ii) fail to commence or complete a post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time, or (iii) if the public shareholder seeks to have us redeem his, her, or its shares for cash in connection with our acquisition transaction that we actually complete. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to funds in the trust account.
133
Upon the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, the underwriters will receive the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions held in the trust account. If we do not complete an initial acquisition transaction and we dissolve and the trust account is liquidated and distributed to our public shareholders as described herein, the underwriters have agreed (i) to forfeit any rights or claims to the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, together with any accrued interest thereon, in the trust account and (ii) that the trustee is authorized to distribute the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, together with any accrued interest thereon, net of (i) amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering, as described in more detail below, (ii) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to pay any taxes we incur, and (iii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital and general corporate requirements. We estimate that the amount of interest we will earn on the trust account will be negligible (between $13,000 for 18 months and $16,000 for 21 months at current interest rates), and will therefore not be a significant source of working capital for us.
The transfer agent for our securities and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Our authorized but unissued ordinary shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved ordinary shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Immediately after the consummation of this offering, we will have 12,500,000 ordinary shares outstanding, assuming that the underwriters over-allotment option has not been exercised (or 14,375,000 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full).
Of these shares, the 10,000,000 shares sold in this offering (or 11,500,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining 2,500,000 ordinary shares (or 2,875,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. In addition, (i) 5,066,666 placement warrants and their underlying ordinary shares are also restricted securities under Rule 144. None of these restricted securities will be eligible for sale under Rule 144 prior to one year following the filing of certain information with the SEC, which we refer to as Form 10 information, after the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction. Any securities not able to be sold prior to an acquisition transaction will bear a restrictive legend to that effect.
In addition, except in limited circumstances, the founders shares will not be transferable until six or 12 months following the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, as the case may be, and the placement warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. These provisions are contained in contracts between us and each of the founders.
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, or its designees, for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units (an amount that is equal to 7% of the total number of units sold in this offering), each unit comprised of one ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one ordinary share. The underwriters unit purchase option will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______], 2017 [five years from the date of
134
this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved, at a price per unit of $12.00 (120% of the public offering price). The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us.
For more information about these exceptions, see the section entitled Principal Shareholders.
In general, Rule 144 provides certain resale safe harbors for holders of restricted securities. However, Rule 144 is unavailable for the resale of restricted securities initially issued by a blank check or shell company, both before and after an initial acquisition transaction, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144. Accordingly, such restricted securities can be resold only through a registered offering or pursuant to another exemption from registration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person who beneficially owns restricted securities of a company which:
| has ceased to qualify as a blank check or shell company; |
| is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
| has filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d), as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the company was required to file such reports and materials) other than Form 6-K reports; and |
| has filed Form 10 information with the SEC reflecting that it is no longer a blank check or shell company, |
may, after one year has elapsed from the filing of the form 10 information, within any three-month period resell a number of such restricted securities that does not, with respect to the ordinary shares, exceed the greater of either of the following:
| 1% of the total number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 125,000 shares immediately after this offering (or 143,750 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or |
| the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 are also limited based on the availability of current public information about us, and, in the case of sales by affiliates, by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements.
The holders of the founders shares, as well as the holders of the placement warrants (and underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the founders shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which the founders shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the placement warrants (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate an acquisition transaction or complete a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
We have applied to have our units (and callable Series A Shares and warrants once they become separable) listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols [ ], [ ] and [ ]. We anticipate that our units will be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the callable Series A Shares and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that
135
the callable Series A Shares and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on the NASDAQ Capital Market. There is no assurance that our units, callable Series A Shares or warrants will be approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market or that, if approved, they will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market in the future.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and by the BVI Business Companies Act. The BVI Business Companies Act contains many English law principles but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments and differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders. A brief discussion of the procedure for mergers and similar arrangements in the British Virgin Islands also follows.
There have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BVI Business Companies Act in the British Virgin Islands, and we cannot predict whether British Virgin Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as U.S. courts. Therefore, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders rights.
British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
Shareholder Meetings | ||
Held at a time and place as designated in the Articles of Association. Our Articles of Association provide that our board may designate such time and place. |
Held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors |
|
May be held within or without the British Virgin Islands |
May be held within or without Delaware |
|
Notice: |
Notice: |
|
Whenever shareholders are required to take action at a meeting, written notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting. |
Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any. |
|
A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail as designated in the Articles of Association. |
Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting. |
|
Notice of not less than 7 days before the meeting |
||
Shareholders Voting Rights | ||
Any action required to be taken by meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote if permitted by the articles of association. Our Articles of Association provide for such consent in writing. |
Any action required to be taken by meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote. |
136
British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy if permitted by the Articles of Association. Our Articles of Association permit such proxies. |
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy. |
|
Quorum is as designated in the Articles of Association. Quorum in our Articles of Association is two of our shareholders representing at least 1/3 of our issued shares. |
For stock corporations, certificate of incorporation or by-laws may specify the number to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. |
|
The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting. |
The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting. |
|
Changes in the rights of shareholders as set forth in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require approval of at least 75% of the shareholders |
||
Directors | ||
Board must consist of at least one member. Our Articles of Association provide that there shall be no less than two directors. |
Board must consist of at least one member. |
|
Maximum number of directors can be changed by an amendment to the Articles of Association. Our Articles of Association do not provide for a maximum number. |
Number of board members shall be fixed by the by-laws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment of the certificate. |
|
If the board is authorized to change the number of directors actually appointed, provided that the number still falls within the maximum and the minimum number of directors as set out in the Articles of Association, it can do so provided that it complies with the procedure set out in the Articles of Association. Our Articles of Association permit our board to appoint additional directors. |
||
Fiduciary Duties | ||
In summary, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties: |
Directors and officers must act in good faith, with the care of a prudent person, and in the best interest of the corporation as a whole. |
|
Duty to act in good faith in what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; |
Directors and officers must refrain from self-dealing, usurping corporate opportunities and receiving improper personal benefits. |
137
British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
Duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; |
Decisions made by directors and officers on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action was taken in the best interest of the corporation will be protected by the business judgment rule. |
|
Directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; |
||
Duty to exercise powers fairly as between different groups of shareholders; |
||
Duty not to put himself in a position of conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and |
||
Duty to exercise independent judgment. |
||
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both: |
||
the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company, and |
||
the general knowledge, skill and experience that that director has. |
||
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of his position. However, in some instances a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the Articles of Association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings. |
||
Shareholders Derivative Actions | ||
Generally speaking, the company is the proper plaintiff in any action. Derivative actions brought by one or more of the registered shareholders may only be brought with the leave of the Supreme Court where the following circumstances apply: |
In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholders stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law. |
|
Those who control the company have refused a request by the shareholders to move the company to bring the action; |
Complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to obtain the action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort. |
138
British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
Those who control the company have refused to do so for improper reasons such that they are perpetrating a fraud on the minority (this is a legal concept and is different to fraud in the sense of dishonesty); |
Such action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Chancery Court. |
|
a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority; |
Shareholders of a Delaware corporation that redeemed their shares, or whose shares were canceled in connection with dissolution, would not be able to bring a derivative action against the corporation after the shares have been redeemed or canceled. |
|
the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could only be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or |
||
the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed. |
||
Once a shareholder has relinquished his, her or its shares (whether by redemption or otherwise), it is generally the case that they could no longer bring a derivative action as they would no longer be a registered shareholder. |
We believe that the material differences between British Virgin Islands and Delaware corporate law are as follows:
| Shareholder Notice . Delaware law requires written notice of shareholders meetings of between 10 and 60 days. British Virgin Islands law permits a companys articles to have 7 days notice. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that we must give shareholders 10 days (exclusive of the date that notice is given and the date on which event for which notice is given is to take effect) notice of shareholders meetings, which is equivalent to what is required by Delaware law. |
| Quorum. Delaware law requires a minimum quorum of one-third of the issued and outstanding shares for a shareholders meeting, whereas British Virgin Islands law enables a companys articles to designate the minimum quorum. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that a quorum consists of two persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third of the issued shares of the class, which is consistent with Delaware law. |
| Shareholder Derivative Suits . Delaware generally allows shareholders to commence derivative actions in their own name. Under British Virgin Islands law, derivative actions are normally instituted by a shareholder in the name of the company and require leave of the Supreme Court. Accordingly, British Virgin Islands law is more restrictive that Delaware law and shareholders may be restricted from initiating shareholder derivative suits in their own name. |
139
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe. The new shares shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares in the original share capital. We may by ordinary resolution, meaning a majority vote of our shareholders attending and voting at the meeting:
| consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares; |
| sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, subject nevertheless to the provisions of Section 13 of the Companies Act; or |
| cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person. |
We may by special resolution, meaning a resolution passed by 66 and 2/3 of those shareholders attending and voting at the meeting, reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund in any manner authorized by law.
The BVI Business Companies Act, which Acts predecessor, the International Business Companies Act (now repealed and which was modeled on Delaware law) does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
British Virgin Islands law provides for mergers as that expression is understood under U.S. corporate law. The procedure for a merger between the company and another company (which need not be a British Virgin Islands company, and which may be the companys parent, but need not be) is set out in the BVI Business Companies Act. The directors of the company must approve a written plan of merger which must also be approved by a resolution of a majority of the shareholders. The company must then execute articles of merger, containing certain prescribed details. The plan and articles of merger are then filed at the Registry. Provided that the company is in good standing, that is to say that it has paid all fees and penalties (if any) due to the BVI Financial Services Commission, and assuming that the board and shareholder approval is forthcoming it should be possible to effect the merger within five to ten business days. The Registrar will take a similar amount of time to issue the Certificate of Merger which should be dated as of the date on which the articles of merger are filed with the Registry.
As soon as a merger becomes effective: (a) the surviving company (so far as is consistent with its memorandum and articles, as amended or established by the articles of merger) has all rights, privileges, immunities, powers, objects and purposes of each of the constituent companies; (b) the memorandum and articles of the surviving company are automatically amended to the extent, if any, that changes to its memorandum and articles are contained in the articles of merger; (c) assets of every description, including chooses in action and the business of each of the constituent companies, immediately vest in the surviving company; (d) the surviving company is liable for all claims, debts, liabilities and obligations of each of the constituent companies; (e) no conviction, judgment, ruling, order, claim, debt, liability or obligation due or to become due, and no cause existing, against a constituent company or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, is released or impaired by the merger; and (f) no proceedings, whether civil or criminal, pending at the time of a merger by or against a constituent company, or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, are abated or discontinued by the merger; but: (i) the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the surviving company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof; as the case may be; or (ii) the surviving company may be substituted in the proceedings for a constituent company.
140
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, which may be tantamount to a merger, but we do not anticipate the use of such statutory provisions because an acquisition transaction can be achieved through other means, such as a merger (as described above), a share exchange, asset acquisition of an operating business. However, in the event that an acquisition transaction was sought pursuant to these statutory provisions, the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the High Court of the British Virgin Islands.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, a shareholder would have rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of U.S. corporations or under a British Virgin Islands merger, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Our British Virgin Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a British Virgin Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder.
The BVI Business Companies Act has introduced a series of remedies available to shareholders. Where a company incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act conducts some activity which breaches the BVI Business Companies Act or the companys memorandum and articles of association, the court can issue a restraining or compliance order. Shareholders can now also bring derivative, personal and representative actions under certain circumstances. The traditional English basis for members remedies have also been incorporated into the BVI Business Companies Act where a member of a company considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or are likely to be conducted in a manner likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminating or unfairly prejudicial to him, such shareholder may now apply to the court for an order on such conduct. Any member of a company may apply to British Virgin Islands court for the appointment of a liquidator for the company and the court may appoint a liquidator for the company if it is of the opinion that it is just and equitable to do so.
The BVI Business Companies Act provides that any shareholder of a company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting from any of the following: (a) a merger; (b) a consolidation; (c) any sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition of more than 50 per cent in value of the assets or business of the company if not made in the usual or regular course of the business carried on by the company but not including: (i) a disposition pursuant to an order of the court having jurisdiction in the matter, (ii) a disposition for money on terms requiring all or substantially all net proceeds to be distributed to the members in accordance with their respective interest within one year after the date of disposition, or (iii) a transfer pursuant to the power of the directors to transfer assets for the protection thereof; (d) a redemption of 10 per cent, or fewer of the issued shares of the company required by the holders of 90 percent, or more of the shares of the company pursuant to the terms of the BVI Business Companies Act; and (e) an arrangement, if permitted by the British Virgin Islands court.
Generally any other claims against a company by its shareholders must be based on the general laws of contract or tort applicable in the British Virgin Islands or their individual rights as shareholders as established by the companys memorandum and articles of association. There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English common law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands for British Virgin Islands business corporations is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the companys affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those who control the company have persistently
141
disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the companys memorandum and articles of association, then the courts may grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following:
| a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority; |
| the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could only be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; |
| the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed; or |
| those who control the company are perpetrating a fraud on the minority. |
Under the law of Delaware, the rights of minority shareholders are similar to that which will be applicable to the shareholders of the company.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association further provide that extraordinary general meetings of our shareholders may be only called by (i) our Chairman, (ii) any two directors, (iii) any director and our Secretary, (iv) our board of directors, or (v) by our board of directors on the requisition of holders of at least 10% of our ordinary shares. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that our shareholders may take action by written resolution signed by all of the shareholders who at the date of the written resolution would be entitled to attend the meeting and vote on the action.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association does not provide for the ability of shareholders to bring business before an annual meeting or a non-requisitioned extraordinary general meeting.
The rights of our shareholders are primarily governed by British Virgin Islands law, the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and U.S. federal securities laws, however, there are no specific proxy laws, rules or regulations under British Virgin Islands law. Set forth below is a summary of material substantive and procedural protections afforded by the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to proxy solicitations which we are not required to comply with. A proxy solicitation conducted in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws generally requires the preparation of a proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials in conformity with the requirements of section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. proxy rules promulgated thereunder. The U.S. proxy rules prescribe the form and content of a companys proxy solicitation materials, requiring disclosure of:
| substantial interests of directors and executive officers in matters to be acted upon; |
| the security ownership of officers, directors and greater than 5% beneficial shareholders; |
| information concerning the backgrounds and compensation of directors and executive officers; |
| corporate governance matters, such as director independence and related party transactions, meeting attendance and the policies and procedures of compensation, nominating and audit committees; |
| financial information and financial statements; and |
| with respect to any merger, consolidation, acquisition or similar transaction: (i) information regarding the transaction, such as its mechanics and effects on the constituent corporations, a chronological description of the facts and circumstances leading up to the proposed transaction and execution of the definitive agreement, the reasons the board of directors deems the transaction in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, the consideration offered, material differences in the rights of shareholders as a result of a transaction and U.S. federal income tax consequences, (ii) a description of the business of the target company, (iii) reports, opinions or appraisals related to the transaction, and (iv) financial information related to the target company. |
142
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from sections 14(a), (b), (c) and (f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. proxy rules promulgated thereunder, and instead must prepare our proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials in accordance with British Virgin Islands law, which contains no specific proxy laws, rules or regulations, and any relevant provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which only require that our proxy statement relating to the extended period and/or our initial acquisition transaction set forth the process by which public shareholders may redeem their shares for cash if the acquisition transaction is approved and completed. Although we anticipate that our proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials will contain many of the same disclosures as proxy materials prepared in conformance with U.S. proxy rules, investors are cautioned that such materials will not have been reviewed by the SEC and may not have all of the material disclosures required under U.S. proxy rules.
Unless the subject of an annual or special meeting relates solely to certain routine matters (e.g., the election of directors or approval or ratification of accountants), a proxy solicitation conducted in conformity with the requirements of U.S. proxy rules requires the preparation of a preliminary proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials and the filing of such materials with the SEC for review at least 10 days in advance of their being delivered to a companys shareholders. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the U.S. proxy rules requiring the filing of a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC for review, and, as required, will only file such materials with the SEC after delivering them to our shareholders. Although we anticipate that our proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials will contain many of the same disclosures as proxy materials prepared in conformance with U.S. proxy rules, investors are cautioned that such materials will not have been reviewed by the SEC.
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Articles of Association provide for indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own fraud or dishonesty.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association also will permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer or director for any liability incurred by him or her in his or her capacity as officer or director or in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to him or her by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust in which the officer or director may be guilty in relation to us, regardless of whether British Virgin Islands law would permit indemnification. We intend to purchase a policy of directors and officers liability insurance that insures our directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our directors.
These provisions may discourage shareholders 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 directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholders investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers 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 directors and officers.
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.
143
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber.
We also reserve the right to refuse to make any redemption payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business, the person will be required to report such belief or suspicion pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Law Act, 1997.
144
The following discussion of the material British Virgin Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our units, callable Series A Shares, callable Series B Shares, redeemable warrants, and ordinary shares, which are sometimes referred to collectively, or individually, as our securities, covered by this prospectus is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. For purposes of this discussion, the callable Series A Shares, the callable Series B Shares or the ordinary shares are sometimes referred to as shares. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
In the opinion of Forbes Hare, under the law of the British Virgin Islands as currently in effect, a holder of our shares who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands is not liable for British Virgin Islands income tax on dividends paid with respect to our shares, and all holders of our securities are not liable to the British Virgin Islands for income tax on gains realized on the sale or disposal of such securities. The British Virgin Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act. In addition, securities of companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands, although a Tax Information Exchange Agreement is in force.
In the opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP, the following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to an investor of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities covered by this prospectus.
Because the components of a unit are separable at the option of the holder within a short period of time after the date of this prospectus, the holder of a unit generally will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying callable Series A Share and redeemable warrant components of the unit. As a result, the discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to actual holders of callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the callable Series A Shares and redeemable warrants underlying the units).
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders will apply to a beneficial owner of our securities that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
| a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trusts administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a beneficial owner of our securities is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a Non-U.S. Holder. The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading Non-U.S. Holders.
145
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holders individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that purchase units pursuant to this offering and own and hold our securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address the alternative minimum tax. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
| financial institutions or financial services entities; |
| broker-dealers; |
| persons that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code; |
| tax-exempt entities; |
| governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
| insurance companies; |
| regulated investment companies; |
| real estate investment trusts; |
| certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
| persons that actually or constructively own 5% or more of our public shares (including persons that elect to convert our callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares); |
| persons that acquired our securities pursuant to the exercise of employee options, in connection with employee incentive plans or otherwise as compensation; |
| persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; or |
| persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or, except as discussed herein, any tax reporting obligations applicable to a holder of our securities. Additionally, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our securities and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description 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.
THIS DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING
146
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.
While not free from doubt, each unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one callable Series A Share and one redeemable warrant to acquire one ordinary share. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit generally must allocate the purchase price of a unit between the callable Series A Share and the redeemable warrant that comprise the unit based on the relative fair market values of each at the time of issuance. The price allocated to each callable Series A Share and the redeemable warrant generally will be the holders tax basis in such share or redeemable warrant, as the case may be. While uncertain, the IRS, by analogy to the rules relating to the allocation of the purchase price to components of a unit consisting of debt and equity, may take the position that any allocation of the purchase price that we may make will be binding on a holder of a unit, unless the holder explicitly discloses in a statement attached to the holders timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the acquisition date of the unit that the holders allocation of the purchase price between the callable Series A Share and the redeemable warrant that comprise the unit is different from our allocation. Any such allocation is not, however, binding on the IRS.
Although we intend to take a contrary position, if our callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, are not viewed as participating in our corporate growth (i.e., our future earnings or increases in our net asset value) to any significant extent (other than by reason of any conversion feature), due to our limited potential for corporate growth prior to an acquisition transaction, there is a risk that a holders entitlement to receive payments upon redemption or upon our liquidation in excess of the holders tax basis in its callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, will result in constructive income to the holder. This could affect the timing and character of income recognition and result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the holder without the holders receipt of cash from us.
Each holder is advised to consult its own tax advisor with respect to the risks associated with an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit or the components thereof) and regarding the risks associated with an allocation of the purchase price between the callable Series A Share and the redeemable warrant that comprise a unit that is inconsistent with any allocation of the purchase price that we may make. The balance of this discussion assumes that our characterization of the units (and the components thereof) and any allocation of the purchase price as described above are respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return of a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property, including cash, to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult with its own tax advisor regarding this reporting obligation.
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any cash dividend paid on our shares. A cash distribution on our shares generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividend generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. The portion of such distribution, if any, in excess of such earnings and profits generally will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in such shares. Any remaining excess generally will be treated as gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of such shares and will be treated as described under Taxation on the Disposition of Securities below.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, dividends on our shares may be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the lower applicable long-term capital gains tax rate
147
(see Taxation on the Disposition of Securities below) provided that (1) such shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) we are not a PFIC, as discussed below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. It is not entirely clear, however, whether a U.S. Holders holding period for such shares would be suspended for purposes of clause (3) above for the period that such holder had a right to have such shares redeemed by us. Under published IRS authority, our shares are considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States only if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NASDAQ Capital Market. Although we have applied to list our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot guarantee that our application will be approved, or, if approved, that our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any cash dividends paid with respect to our shares. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, the regular U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to such dividends currently is scheduled to return to the regular U.S. federal income tax rate generally applicable to ordinary income.
The terms of each redeemable warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of ordinary shares for which the redeemable warrant may be exercised in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus captioned Description of Securities Warrants Public Shareholders Redeemable Warrants. An adjustment that has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. However, the U.S. Holders of the redeemable warrants would be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases the redeemable warrant holders proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of ordinary shares that would be obtained upon exercise) as a result of a distribution of cash to the holders of our shares, which is taxable to the U.S. Holders of such shares as described under Taxation of Cash Distributions, above. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under that section in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the redeemable warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our securities (which, in general, would include a distribution in connection with our liquidation or a redemption of our callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as described in Taxation on the Redemption of Callable Series A Shares or Callable Series B Shares below, or a redemption of redeemable warrants, including those underlying units), and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, 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. Holders adjusted tax basis in the securities. See Exercise or Lapse of Redeemable Warrants below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holders basis in the ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant.
The regular U.S. federal income tax rate on capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally is the same as the regular U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum regular rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (but currently scheduled to increase to 20% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013). Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holders holding period for the securities exceeds one year. As a result, non-corporate U.S. Holders that are on a calendar year and purchase securities pursuant to this offering are not expected to qualify for the 15% maximum regular rate on a disposition of such securities under current law. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income, including, without limitation, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, our securities, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition of our securities.
148
In the event that a U.S. Holder (i) elects to tender its callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares to us in connection with a tender offer, (ii) has its callable Series B Shares automatically converted into a right to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account in the case of an automatic trust liquidation triggered by the failure to commence or complete a post-acquisition tender offer within the allotted time, or (iii) elects to sell its callable Series A Shares (including callable Series A Shares underlying units) to us if we use a portion of the trust account to purchase units or callable Series A Shares in open market transactions, the amount received on any such transfer or deemed transfer of shares generally will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a payment in consideration for the sale of our callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, rather than as a distribution. Such amounts, however, will be treated as a distribution and taxed as described in Taxation of Cash Distributions, above, if (i) the redemption is essentially equivalent to a dividend (meaning that the U.S. Holders percentage ownership in us (including shares the U.S. Holder is deemed to own under certain constructive ownership rules) after the redemption is not meaningfully reduced from what its percentage ownership in us (including constructive ownership) was prior to the redemption), (ii) the redemption is not substantially disproportionate as to that U.S. Holder (substantially disproportionate meaning, among other requirements, that the percentage of our outstanding voting shares owned (including constructive ownership) by such holder immediately following the redemption is less than 80% of that percentage owned (including constructive ownership) by such holder immediately before the redemption), and (iii) the redemption does not result in a complete termination of the U.S. Holders interest in us (taking into account certain constructive ownership rules). If the U.S. Holder had a relatively minimal interest in our shares and its percentage ownership in us (including constructive ownership and taking into account the effect of redemptions by other holders) is reduced as a result of the redemption, such holder generally should be regarded as having a meaningful reduction in interest. For example, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a meaningful reduction. A U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to it of any redemption of its callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares.
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of ordinary shares on the exercise of redeemable warrants for cash. Ordinary shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of redeemable warrants for cash will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holders tax basis in the redeemable warrants, increased by the amount paid to exercise the redeemable warrants. The holding period of such ordinary shares should begin on the day after the date of exercise of the redeemable warrants. If redeemable warrants are allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holders adjusted tax basis in the redeemable warrants.
The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of redeemable warrants are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because it is not a realization event (i.e., not a transaction in which gain or loss is realized) or because the transaction is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holders tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the U.S. Holders basis in the redeemable warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a realization event, the U.S. Holders holding period in the ordinary shares could be treated as commencing on the date following the date of exercise of the redeemable warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the ordinary shares received would include the holding period of the redeemable warrants.
It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss is recognized. In such event, a U.S. Holder could be deemed to have surrendered a number of redeemable warrants with a fair market value equal to the exercise price for the number of redeemable warrants deemed exercised. For this purpose, the number of redeemable warrants deemed exercised would be equal to the number of ordinary shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of the redeemable warrants. In this situation, the U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the redeemable warrants deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price and the
149
U.S. Holders tax basis in such redeemable warrants deemed surrendered. Such gain or loss would be long-term or short-term depending on the U.S. Holders holding period in the redeemable warrants. In this case, a U.S. Holders tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the fair market value of the redeemable warrants deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price and the U.S. Holders tax basis in the redeemable warrants deemed exercised, and a U.S. Holders holding period for the ordinary shares should commence on the date following the date of exercise of the redeemable warrants. There also may be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences, except that a U.S. Holders 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 of redeemable warrants it is unclear 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 of redeemable warrants.
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income, if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us is uncertain. After the acquisition of a company or assets in an acquisition transaction, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. We also do not plan to make annual determinations or otherwise notify U.S. Holders of our PFIC status. Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.
If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our shares or redeemable warrants and, in the case of our shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) such shares, or a mark-to-market election, as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to:
| any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its shares or redeemable warrants; and |
| any excess distribution made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holders holding period for the shares). |
150
Under these rules,
| the U.S. Holders gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period for the shares or redeemable warrants; |
| the amount allocated to the U.S. Holders taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holders holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income; |
| the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and |
| the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
In general, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our shares by making a timely QEF election to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its redeemable warrants. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of a redeemable warrant (other than upon exercise of the redeemable warrant), any gain recognized will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the period the U.S. Holder held the redeemable warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such redeemable warrants properly makes a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired ordinary shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly acquired ordinary shares, but the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired ordinary shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the redeemable warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election. The purging election creates a deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will increase the adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the redeemable warrants by the gain recognized and will also have a new holding period in such ordinary shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive certain information from us. Upon request from a U.S. Holder, we will endeavor to provide to the U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
151
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our shares and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of our shares will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of the QEFs earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income should not be taxable as a dividend to such U.S. Holders. The adjusted tax basis of a U.S. Holders shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held shares or redeemable warrants while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to such shares for any taxable year of us that ends within or with a taxable year of the U.S. Holder and in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of our taxable years in which we are a PFIC and during which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a purging election, as described above, with respect to such shares and pays the tax and interest charge with respect to the gain inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election period.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted tax basis in its shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of its shares over the fair market value of its shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in its shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to redeemable warrants.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the NASDAQ Capital Market, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although we have applied to list our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot guarantee that our application will be approved, or, if approved, that our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder should be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, or the U.S. Holder were otherwise deemed to have disposed of an interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the
152
status of any such lower-tier PFIC, and we do not plan to make annual determinations or otherwise notify U.S. Holders of the PFIC status of any such lower-tier PFIC. There is also no assurance that we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
Under recently enacted legislation, a U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder generally will have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF election or mark-to-market election is or has been made) with such U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return and provide such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our shares and redeemable warrants should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our shares and redeemable warrants under their particular circumstances.
As described in the section of this prospectus captioned Description of Securities Ordinary Shares, above, the callable Series A Shares will be automatically consolidated into ordinary shares upon the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, unless we grant our public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a post-acquisition tender offer. In connection with a post-acquisition tender offer, each callable Series A Share outstanding immediately following the consummation of the initial acquisition transaction will be automatically converted into a callable Series B Share. Such callable Series B Shares will be automatically consolidated into one class of ordinary shares upon consummation of such post-acquisition tender offer.
Subject to the PFIC rules, a U.S. Holder should not recognize gain or loss on such a conversion or consolidation. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the callable Series B Shares or ordinary shares, as the case may be, that such holder received upon such a conversion or consolidation should be equal to the holders adjusted tax basis in the callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, that such holder surrendered. In addition, a U.S. Holders holding period in the callable Series B Shares or ordinary shares, as the case may be, that such holder received upon such a conversion or consolidation should include such holders holding period in the callable Series A Shares or callable Series B Shares, as the case may be, that such holder surrendered.
If a U.S. Holder of our shares is treated as owning shares in a PFIC such that the special tax and interest charge rules as described above under Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules apply to the shares, and the shares received on a conversion or consolidation are determined not to be interests in a PFIC subject to such rules, such holder may recognize gain equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares received and the holders adjusted tax basis in the shares surrendered, and if any such gain is recognized, then such gain may be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules described above. In such a case, a U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in such shares received should be equal to their fair market value, and such holder should have a new holding period in such shares for purposes of the PFIC rules. If the U.S. Holder made a QEF election with respect to the shares surrendered, such election should continue to apply to the shares received upon a conversion or consolidation.
Dividends (including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to its securities generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless such dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other taxable disposition of our securities unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or
153
more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from U.S. sources generally is subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (but not the Medicare contribution tax) at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holders exercise of redeemable warrants, or the lapse of redeemable warrants held by a Non-U.S. Holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of redeemable warrants by a U.S. Holder, as described under U.S. Holders Exercise or Lapse of Redeemable Warrants, above. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the automatic conversion of the callable Series A Shares into callable Series B Shares in connection with a post-acquisition tender offer or the automatic consolidation of the callable Series A Shares into ordinary shares or callable Series B Shares into ordinary shares, as the case may be, to a Non-U.S. Holder generally should correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such a conversion or consolidation to a U.S. Holder, as described under U.S. Holders Conversions and Consolidations, except that Non-U.S. Holders are not subject to the PFIC rules.
In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our securities within the United States to a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances. Also, pursuant to recently enacted legislation effective as of January 1, 2013, we may be required to enter into an agreement with the IRS to disclose to the IRS certain information about our U.S. Holders. In addition, pursuant to recently enacted legislation, certain information concerning a U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in its securities and adjustments to that tax basis and whether any gain or loss with respect to such securities is long-term or short-term also may be required to be reported to the IRS, and certain holders may be required to file an IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) to report their interest in our securities.
Moreover, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 28% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (but currently scheduled to increase to 31% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013), generally will apply to dividends paid on our securities to a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of shares or warrants by a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient), in each case who
| fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
| is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or |
| in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holders or a Non-U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedures for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
154
In accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, and each of the underwriters, for which Chardan Capital Markets, LLC is acting as lead managing underwriter, have severally, and not jointly, agreed to purchase on a firm commitment basis the number of units offered in this offering set forth opposite their respective names below:
Underwriters | Number of Units | |||
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC | [__] | |||
10,000,000 |
A copy of the underwriting agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The underwriters may deliver the prospectus via email, both as a PDF document and by a link to websites hosted by the underwriters, and the prospectus may also be made available on websites maintained by selected dealers and underwriting selling group members participating in this offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and underwriting selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions may be allocated by the representative to the underwriters and underwriting selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
We have been advised by the underwriters that they propose to offer the units to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. They may allow some dealers concessions not in excess of $[___] per unit and the dealers may reallow a concession not in excess of $[ ] per unit to other dealers.
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 redeemable warrants were negotiated between us and the representative. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares and redeemable warrants issuable upon exercise of the units, include:
| the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies; |
| prior offerings of those companies; |
| our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values; |
| our capital structure; |
| an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies; |
| general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering; and |
| other factors as were deemed relevant. |
However, although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry since the underwriters are unable to compare our financial results and prospects with those of public companies operating in the same industry.
We have also granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable during the 45-day period commencing on the date that the registration statement (of which this prospectus forms a part) becomes effective, to purchase from us at the offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, up to an aggregate of 1,500,000
155
additional units for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment option will only be used to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. The underwriters may exercise that option if the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above. The underwriters are not entitled to net cash settlement and the over-allotment option (and the underlying securities) may only be settled by delivery of the units (and underlying securities) and not cash.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us to the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us. This table assumes the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
Per Unit | Total Proceeds | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1) (2) (3) | $ | 0.50 | $ | 5,000,000 | ||||
Total (4) | $ | 9.50 | $ | 95,000,000 |
1) | Includes deferred underwriting discounts and commissions equal to 2% of the gross proceeds, or $2,000,000 ($2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full), which will be deposited in the trust account held at J.P. Morgan maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee, and which the underwriters have agreed to defer until the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. |
2) | No discount or commissions are payable with respect to the placement warrants purchased in the private placement. |
3) | Does not include our reimbursement of approximately $[__] for the costs of background checks of our directors and executive officers. |
4) | The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units of the company at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days after the date of effectiveness of the registration statement (of which this prospectus forms a part) to cover any over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds, before expenses to us, will be $115,000,000, $5,750,000 and $109,250,000, respectively. |
We have agreed to sell to the representative, for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 700,000 units comprised of 700,000 ordinary shares and warrants to purchase 700,000 ordinary shares. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us. This option is exercisable for cash at $12.00 per unit from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus] , and expiring on the earlier of [_______],2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved.
The option and the 700,000 units, the 700,000 ordinary shares and the 700,000 warrants underlying such units, and the 700,000 ordinary shares underlying such warrants, have been deemed to be underwriting compensation by the FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). Chardan Capital Markets, LLC will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate this option or the securities underlying this option, nor will they engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of this option or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. Although the purchase option and its underlying securities have been registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the option grants to holders demand and piggy back rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the
156
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the option. We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities, other than underwriting commissions which will be paid for by the holders themselves. The exercise price and/or number of units issuable upon exercise of the option may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the option will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
We have engaged Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, on a non-exclusive basis, as our agent for the solicitation of the exercise of the warrants. To the extent not inconsistent with the guidelines of the NASD and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we have agreed to pay the representative for bona fide services rendered a commission equal to 5.0% of the exercise price for each warrant exercised more than one year after the date of this prospectus for cash or, if a warrant is exercised by cashless exercise, 0.050 ordinary shares for each share issued, in either case only if the exercise had been solicited by the representative. In addition to soliciting, either orally or in writing, the exercise of the warrants, the representatives services may also include disseminating information, either orally or in writing, to warrant holders about us or the market for our securities, and assisting in the processing of the exercise of the warrants. No compensation will be paid to the representative upon the exercise of the warrants if:
| The market price of the underlying ordinary shares is lower than the exercise price; |
| The holder of the warrants has not confirmed in writing that an underwriter solicited the exercise; |
| The warrants are held in a discretionary account; |
| The warrants are exercised in an unsolicited transaction; or |
| The arrangement to pay the commission is not disclosed in the prospectus provided to warrant holders at the time of exercise. |
We have granted to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC a right of first refusal upon the successful completion of this offering for a period of 36 months from the closing of this offering. If Chardan Capital Markets, LLC is entitled to exercise this right of first refusal, then we shall designate Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as lead underwriter or co-manager of any underwriting group or co-placement agent of any proposed financing completed within such 36 month period, and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC would be entitled to receive as its compensation not less than 50% of the compensation payable to the underwriting or placement agent group when serving as co-manager or co-placement agent and 33% of the compensation payable to the underwriting or placement agent group when serving as co-manager or co-placement agent with respect to a proposed financing in which there are three co-managing or lead underwriters or co-placement agents.
Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the representative of the underwriters to bid for or purchase our securities before the distribution of the securities is completed. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:
Stabilizing Transactions . The underwriters may make bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our securities, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed the maximum price specified in Regulation M, which generally requires, among other things, that no stabilizing bid shall be initiated at or increased to a price higher than the lower of the offering price or the highest independent bid for the security on the principal trading market for the security.
Over-Allotments and Syndicate Coverage Transactions . In connection with the offering, the underwriters may make short sales of the issuers units and may purchase the issuers units on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of units than they are required to purchase in the offering. Covered short sales are sales made in
157
an amount not greater than the underwriters over-allotment option to purchase additional units in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing units in the open market. In determining the source of units to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our units. As a result, the price of the units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.
Penalty Bids . The representatives may reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the units originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.
Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our stock. As a result, the price of our stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.
Stabilization and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the securities to be higher than they would be in the absence of these transactions. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the prices of the securities if it discourages resales of the securities.
Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of our securities. These transactions may occur on the NASDAQ Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or on any trading market. If any of these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.
The distribution of our securities will end upon the underwriters cessation of selling efforts and stabilization activities, provided, however, in the event that the underwriters were to exercise their over-allotment option to purchase securities in excess of its short position, then the distribution will not be deemed to have been completed until all of the securities have been sold.
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that, for a period of no less than 36 months following the date of this prospectus, we shall give notice and right of first refusal to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC with respect to any proposed securities issuances, securities placements, acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, or other similar transactions, to act as lead underwriter or co-manager for any and all future public and private securities offerings during such 36 month period. The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriters fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arms length negotiation.
158
Pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act relating to losses or claims resulting from material misstatements in or omissions from the registration statement and liabilities arising from breach of the underwriting agreement or the breach of our representations, warranties and covenants contained in the underwriting agreement. We are also obligated to pay for the defense of any claims against the underwriters. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect to these liabilities. Our obligations under this section of the underwriting agreement continue after the closing of our initial public offering.
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the ordinary shares or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ordinary shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ordinary shares may be distributed or published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
In addition to the public offering of the shares in the United States, the underwriters may, subject to the applicable foreign laws, also offer the ordinary shares to certain institutions or accredited persons in the following countries:
Australia . If this document is issued or distributed in Australia it is issued or distributed to wholesale clients only, not to retail clients. For the purposes of this paragraph, the terms wholesale client and retail client have the meanings given in section 761 of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This document is not a disclosure document under the Australian Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under the Australian Corporations Act. Accordingly, (i) the offer of securities under this document is only made to persons to whom it is lawful to offer such securities under one or more exemptions set out in the Australian Corporations Act, (ii) this document is only made available in Australia to those persons referred to in clause (i) above, and (iii) the offeree must be sent a notice stating in substance that, by accepting this offer, the offeree represents that the offeree is such a person as referred to in clause (i) above, and, unless permitted under the Australian Corporations Act, agrees not to sell or offer for sale within Australia any of the securities sold to the offeree within 12 months after its transfer to the offeree under this document.
China . THIS PROSPECTUS HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE CIRCULATED OR DISTRIBUTED IN THE PRC, AND THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREIN MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD, AND WILL NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD TO ANY PERSON FOR RE-OFFERING OR RESALE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO ANY RESIDENT OF THE PRC EXCEPT PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PRC.
United Arab Emirates . The offering has not been approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (the UAE), Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE and/or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the territory of the UAE, in particular the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the DFSA), a regulatory authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre (the DIFC). The offering does not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE, DIFC and/or any other free zone in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended), DFSA Offered Securities Rules and NASDAQ Dubai Listing Rules, accordingly, or otherwise. The securities offered hereby may not be offered to the public in the UAE and/or any of the free zones, including, in particular, the DIFC. The securities offered hereby may be offered and issued only to a limited number of investors in the UAE or any of its free zones (including, in particular, the
159
DIFC) who qualify as sophisticated investors under the relevant laws and regulations of the UAE or the free zone concerned, including, in particular, the DIFC. The company represents and warrants that the securities offered hereby will not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered to the public in the UAE or any of its free zones, including, in particular, the DIFC.
Dubai . The issuer is not licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to provide financial services in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The offering has not been approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (the UAE), Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE and/or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the territory of the UAE, in particular the DFSA, a regulatory of the DIFC. The offering does not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE, DIFC and/or any other free zone in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended), DFSA Offered Securities Rules and NASDAQ Dubai Listing Rules, accordingly, or otherwise. The securities offered hereby may not be offered to the public in the UAE and/or any of the free zones, including, in particular, the DIFC. The securities offered hereby may be offered and issued only to a limited number of investors in the UAE or any of its free zones (including, in particular, the DIFC) who qualify as sophisticated investors under the relevant laws and regulations of the UAE or the free zone concerned, including, in particular, the DIFC. The company represents and warrants that the securities offered hereby will not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered to the public in the UAE or any of its free zones, including, in particular, the DIFC.
Israel . The securities offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority (the ISA), or ISA, nor have such securities been registered for sale in Israel. The securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel, absent the publication of a prospectus. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the offering or publishing of the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the securities being offered. Any resale, directly or indirectly, to the public of the securities offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.
Pakistan . The investors/subscribers in Pakistan will be responsible for ensuring their eligibility to invest under the applicable laws of Pakistan and to obtain any regulatory consents if required for such purpose.
Saudi Arabia . NO OFFERING OF SECURITIES IS BEING MADE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, AND NO AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WILL BE CONCLUDED IN SAUDI ARABIA. THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED AT THE REQUEST OF THE RECIPIENT AND IS BEING FORWARDED TO THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED BY THE RECIPIENT. NEITHER THE AGENT NOR THE OFFERING HAVE BEEN LICENSED BY THE SAUDIS SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ARE OTHERWISE REGULATED BY THE LAWS OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. THEREFORE, NO SERVICES RELATING TO THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS AND/OR THE ALLOTMENT OF THE SECURITIES, MAY BE RENDERED WITHIN THE KINGDOM BY THE AGENT OR PERSONS REPRESENTING THE OFFERING.
United Kingdom . The content of this prospectus has not been issued or approved by an authorized person within the meaning of the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). Reliance on this prospectus for the purpose of engaging in any investment activity may expose an Investor to a significant risk of losing all of the property or other assets invested. This prospectus does not constitute a Prospectus within the meaning of the FSMA and is issued in reliance upon one or more of the exemptions from the need to issue such a prospectus contained in section 86 of the FSMA.
European Economic Area . In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of units described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in
160
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 Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of our units may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
| to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities; |
| to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; |
| to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined below) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or |
| in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive. |
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 Directive.
For the purpose of this provision, the expression an offer 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, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
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 underwriters with a view to the final placement of the units as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the units, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the units on behalf of us or the underwriters.
161
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus has been passed upon by Forbes Hare, which has provided an opinion to us related to the tax disclosure under the caption Taxation British Virgin Islands, which opinion is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part. Loeb & Loeb, LLP, New York, New York, acted as U.S. counsel for us in connection with this offering and has provided an opinion to us related to the tax disclosure contained in this prospectus under the caption Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation, which opinion is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part. In connection with this offering, [________] acted as counsel to the underwriters.
The financial statements of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (a development stage company) as of February 17, 2012 and for the period from November 28, 2011 (inception) through February 17, 2012, appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (a development stage company) to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as expert in accounting and auditing.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, which includes exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. Although this prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, contains all material information included in the registration statement, parts of the registration statement have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and our securities, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make references 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 consummation of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from certain of the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SECs 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. 20549.
You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
Documents concerning us which are referred to in this prospectus, and our annual accounts, auditors reports and other information referred to in our SEC filings may be inspected at c/o Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154.
162
F-1
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of CIS Acquisition Ltd.(a development stage company) (the Company) as of February 17, 2012, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for the period from November 28, 2011 (inception) through February 17, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (a development stage company), as of February 17, 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from November 28, 2011 (inception) through February 17, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has no present revenue, its business plan is dependent on the completion of a financing and the Companys cash and working capital as of February 17, 2012 are not sufficient to complete its planned activities for the upcoming year. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Managements plans regarding these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
New York, NY
March 19, 2012 except for Notes 1 and 7 as to which
the date is May 3, 2012
F-2
ASSETS:
|
||||
Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 26,000 | ||
Deferred offering costs | 200,000 | |||
Total assets | $ | 226,000 | ||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY:
|
||||
Current liabilities:
|
||||
Accrued expenses | $ | 25,000 | ||
Note payable to an affiliate | 180,155 | |||
Total current liabilities | 205,155 | |||
Shareholders equity:
|
||||
Ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized;
2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding (1) |
287 | |||
Additional paid in capital | 24,713 | |||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (4,155 | ) | ||
Total shareholders equity | 20,845 | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity | $ | 226,000 |
(1) | Includes an aggregate of 375,000 shares held by the founders that are subject to redemption for no consideration to the extent the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
Formation expenses | $ | 4,155 | ||
Loss from operations | (4,155 | ) | ||
Other interest income (expenses):
|
||||
Interest income (expenses) | ||||
Net loss | $ | (4,155 | ) | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted (1) | 2,500,000 | |||
Net loss per ordinary share, basic and diluted | $ | 0.00 |
(1) | Excludes an aggregate of 375,000 shares held by the founders subject to redemption for no consideration to the extent the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-4
Ordinary Shares (1) |
Additional
Paid in Capital |
Deficit
Accumulated During the Development Stage |
Total
Shareholders Equity |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at November 28, 2011
(date of inception) |
| $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
Sale of ordinary shares on November 28, 2011 at $0.0001 per share | $ | 100 | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Sale of ordinary shares on
February 13, 2012, at approximately $0.0087 per share |
2,874,900 | 287 | 24,713 | | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | | | | (4,155 | ) | (4,155 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at February 17, 2012 | $ | 2,875,000 | $ | 287 | $ | 24,713 | $ | (4,155 | ) | $ | 20,845 |
(1) | Includes an aggregate of 375,000 shares held by the founders that are subject to redemption for no consideration to the extent the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised in full. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-5
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
|
||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
||||
Net loss | $ | (4,155 | ) | |
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||
Accrued expenses | | |||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (4,155 | ) | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
|
||||
Payment of deferred offering costs | (175,000 | ) | ||
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares | 25,000 | |||
Proceeds from note payable to an affiliate | 180,155 | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 30,155 | |||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 26,000 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 26,000 | ||
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Financing Activities:
|
||||
Accrued expenses for offering costs | $ | 25,000 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-6
CIS Acquisition Ltd. (a corporation in the development stage) (the Company) is a newly formed company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as an innovated public acquisition company (IPAC) on November 28, 2011. An IPAC is a blank check company that permits the Company to return funds from the trust account to redeeming shareholders after a Business Transaction (as defined below) is completed. The Company was formed to acquire, through a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, exchangeable share transaction or other similar business transaction, one or more operating businesses or assets that the Company has not yet identified (Business Transaction). The Company has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any income to date. The Company is considered to be in the development stage as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC 915, Development Stage Entities, and is subject to risks associated with activities of development stage companies. Although the Company is not limited to a particular geographic region or industry, it intends to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Russia and Eastern Europe.
At February 17, 2012, the Company had cash in the bank of $26,000, a working capital deficit of $179,155 and has limited financial resources. Until such time as the Company may complete the Business Transaction, it remains dependent on loans from its initial stockholder and officers as well as favorable credit terms from vendors providing services in connection with the Business Transaction. The Company has incurred and expects to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Proposed Offering as discussed in Note 2. There is no assurance that the Companys plan to raise capital or consummate a Business Transaction will be successful or successful within the required time periods. The Financial Statements do not include any adjustment that might result from this uncertainty.
The Company has selected October 31 as its fiscal year end.
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The Company will offer for sale up to 10,000,000 Units at $10.00 per unit (Units) (the Proposed Offering). Each Unit will consist of one callable Series A share, $0.0001 par value, and one redeemable warrant (Warrant) to purchase one ordinary share of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one ordinary share at an exercise price of $10.00 commencing on the later of (a) one year from the date of the registration statement related to the Proposed Offering (the Effective Date) and (b) the consolidation of each series of the Companys ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, and will expire on the earlier of five years from the Effective Date or the date of the Companys dissolution and liquidation of the trust account, unless such Warrants are earlier redeemed.
The Warrants may be redeemed by the Company at a price of $0.01 per Warrant in whole but not in part upon 30 days prior written notice after the Warrants become exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of our common stock is at least $15.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. In the event that there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, holders of Warrants may elect to exercise them on a cashless basis by paying the exercise price by surrendering their Warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares underlying the redeemable 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.
F-7
The fair market value means the average reported last sale price of our ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Warrant notice is sent to the warrant agent. The Company would not receive additional proceeds to the extent the redeemable warrants are exercised on a cashless basis.
The callable Series A Shares and Warrants will begin separate trading on the earlier of the 90 th day after the Effective Date or the announcement by the underwriters of the decision to allow earlier trading, subject to the filing by the Company of a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC containing an audited Balance Sheet reflecting the receipt of the proceeds from the Proposed Offering. The callable Series A Shares will continue to trade until the Business Transaction has completed, at which time they will either: (i) automatically be consolidated with all ordinary shares into one series, if redemption rights were granted prior to, or concurrently with, the completion of the Business Transaction; or (ii) automatically separate from the units and convert to callable Series B Shares, if the Business Transaction is completed prior to a post-acquisition tender offer. After the post-acquisition tender offer, the callable Series B Shares will be consolidated with other outstanding ordinary shares. Upon consummation of the Proposed Offering, the ordinary shares purchased by the founders will be exchanged for Series C Shares (Note 6). Such shares will not be redeemable, will be placed in escrow and will not be released until 2 years after the Effective Date.
The Company has agreed to sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (the Underwriter), for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units comprised of 700,000 ordinary shares and warrants to purchase 700,000 ordinary shares. The Underwriters unit purchase option will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of the Companys ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares, or (ii) six months from the Effective Date, and expiring on the earlier of five years from the Effective Date and the day immediately prior to the day on which the Company has been dissolved. The Company intends to account for the fair value of the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Proposed Offering resulting in a charge directly to shareholders equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this unit purchase option is approximately $2,524,035 (or $3.61 per unit) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option to be granted to the underwriter is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 45%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 0.88% and (3) expected life of five years. The Company will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the unit purchase option or the Warrants underlying the unit purchase option. If the holder is unable to exercise the unit purchase option or underlying Warrants, the unit purchase option or Warrants, as applicable, will expire worthless.
The founders and certain of their designees have committed to purchase 5,066,666 warrants (the Placement Warrants) at a price of $0.75 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000 in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Offering. The proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants will be held in the trust account pending completion of the Business Transaction. The Placement Warrants will be identical to the Warrants, except that the Placement Warrants are (i) subject to certain transfer restrictions described below, (ii) cannot be redeemed by the Company, and (iii) may be exercised during the applicable exercise period, on a for cash or cashless basis, at any time after the consolidation of each series of the Companys ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of a Business Transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, even if there is not an effective registration statement relating to the shares underlying the Placement Warrants, so long as such warrants are held by the founders, their designees, or their affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the founders or their permitted transferees, the Placement Warrants will only be exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Warrants included in the units being sold in the Proposed Offering.
F-8
The founders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions below, not to sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of their placement warrants until the consummation of the Business Transaction or the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. Prior to the consummation of the Business Transaction or the completion of a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, the Placement Warrants may only be transferred (i) by gift to an affiliate or a member of the holders immediate family (or a member of the immediate family of its officers or directors) or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the holder (or one of its officers or directors or a member of their respective immediate families), (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any holder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that as relates to the Placement Warrants, any such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferees written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the insider letter agreement executed by the transferring holder.
The Companys management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Proposed Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Transaction. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Transaction. An amount equal to 100% (or approximately 99.6% if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering, will be held in a trust account (Trust Account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co acting as Trustee.
If the Company no longer has foreign private issuer status and is therefore no longer subject to the foreign private issuer rules, and if the Company does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and instead seek shareholder approval of the Business Transaction, there can be released to the Company from the Trust Account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in the Proposed Offering (1,500,000 units or callable Series A Shares, or 1,725,000 units or callable Series A Shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for the Business Transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve the Business Transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when the Company is not in possession of any material non-public information. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18 are not satisfied, the Company will not make these purchases. Any purchases the Company makes will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the trust account (initially approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $9.96 per unit in the event the over-allotment option is exercised in full). All units or the underlying callable Series A Shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled.
The Company is not required to obtain shareholder approval for the Business Transaction, unless the nature of the acquisition would require such approval under applicable British Virgin Islands law. Public shareholders will be entitled to redeem or will have their shares automatically redeemed for cash equal to the pro rata portion of the trust account in connection with the Business Transaction, regardless of how it is structured. The manner in which public shareholders may redeem their shares or will have their shares automatically redeemed will depend on one of the following structures of the transaction:
The Business Transaction must be with one or more target businesses whose fair market value, individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $2,000,000, or $2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) at the time of such transaction.
Pre-acquisition tender offer : Prior to the consummation of a Business Transaction, a tender offer would be initiated for all outstanding callable Series A Shares at a price equal to a pro rata share of the trust
F-9
account. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series A Shares. However the Companys founders would not be eligible to tender any shares they own in such tender offer.
Post-acquisition tender offer: A Report of Foreign Private Issuer would be filed on Form 6-K with the SEC disclosing that the Company has entered into a definitive acquisition transaction agreement and intends to consummate the Business Transaction without shareholder vote or a pre-acquisition tender offer. After filing, the Business Transaction will be completed upon satisfaction of all closing conditions and, within 30 days of the closing, the Company will commence a tender offer for all outstanding callable Series B Shares. Public shareholders will be entitled to tender all or a portion of their callable Series B Shares. Prior to the consummation of the Business Transaction, the Company shall seek to have certain Series A shareholders (accredited investors who own 5% or more of shares) elect to convert all of their callable Series A Shares into Series C Shares on a one-for-one basis, with any remaining callable Series A Shares automatically converting to callable Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the Business Transaction. The Series C Shares are not eligible to participate in any post-acquisition tender offer. In case of failure to commence the issuer tender offer within 30 days of consummation of the Business Transaction, or failure to complete the issuer tender offer within 6 months, then within 5 business days thereafter, the Company will automatically liquidate the trust account and release a pro rata portion of the trust account to public shareholders of Series B Shares.
If the Company is no longer an FPI and shareholder approval of the transaction is required by British Virgin Islands law or the NASDAQ Capital Market or the Company decides to obtain shareholder approval for business reasons, the Company will:
| conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| file proxy materials with the SEC. |
The Company will consummate a Business Transaction only if holders of no more than 92.5% of the shares sold in the Proposed Offering exercise their redemption rights. However, if the Company purchases up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in the Proposed Offering pursuant to Rule 10b-18, the 92.5% conversion threshold will be reduced to a percentage such that at least $5,000,000 of funds held in the Trust Account are released to the Company upon closing of the Business Transaction.
The Company will have a period of 18 months to complete the Business Transaction. If the Company has an executed letter of intent, agreement in principal or definitive agreement with respect to a Business Transaction within 18 months following the consummation of the Proposed Offering, the time period will be automatically extended to 21 months following the consummation of the Proposed Offering if an initial filing with the SEC of a tender offer, proxy, or registration statement is made, but the Business Transaction is not completed, within 18 months following the consummation of the Proposed Offering.
If the Company is unable to complete a Business Transaction within the allotted time, the Company will automatically dissolve and as promptly as practicable liquidate the trust account and release only to public shareholders a pro rata share of the trust account, plus any remaining net assets. If the Company elects to effect a post-acquisition tender offer and complete a Business Transaction prior to such time period, but have not completed a post-acquisition tender offer within the stated period, the Company will not be required to liquidate and wind up affairs; however, the release of the funds in the case of a post-acquisition tender offer will be conditioned upon completion of such tender offer. The founders have agreed to waive the right to
F-10
participate in any distribution from the trust account, but not with respect to any units or callable Series A Shares they acquire in the Proposed Offering or in the aftermarket.
Placing funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that such persons will execute such agreements. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Transaction and is forced to dissolve and liquidate, our founders, by agreement, will jointly and severally indemnify the Company for all claims of contracted parties, to the extent the Company fails to obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such parties. Under these circumstances, the Companys board of directors would have a fiduciary obligation to the Companys shareholders to bring a claim against our founders to enforce their indemnification obligations. The Company has questioned our founders on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and believes they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Our founders are under no obligation to us to preserve their assets or provide the Company with information regarding changes in their ability to satisfy these obligations.
The Company considers all short-term investments with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Weighted average shares was reduced for the effect of 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture. At February 17, 2012, 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 common share is the same as basic loss per common share for the period.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Deferred offering costs of $200,000 consist principally of legal, accounting, printer and underwriter costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Proposed Offering and that will be charged to stockholders equity upon the completion of the Proposed Offering or charged to operations if the Proposed Offering is not completed.
The Company complies with FASB ASC 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
F-11
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. FASB ASC 740 also establishes recognition requirements for the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The Company has identified the British Virgin Islands as its only major tax jurisdiction. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of February 17, 2012. Since the Company was incorporated on November 28, 2011, the evaluation was performed for the upcoming 2011 tax year, which will be the only period subject to examination. The section prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at February 17, 2012. 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 does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
The Company will enter into an agreement with the underwriters (Underwriting Agreement). The Underwriting Agreement will require the Company to pay an underwriting discount of 3% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering, or $3,000,000 ($3,450,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full), upon the consummation of the Proposed Offering, plus 2% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering, or $2,000,000 ($2,300,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full), as an underwriting discount at the closing of the Business Transaction. The Underwriter did not agree to prorate the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. The Underwriters are entitled to receive the full deferred discounts regardless of the number of shares that are redeemed.
The holders of the founders shares, as well as the holders of the Placement Warrants (and underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the Effective Date. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that the Company register such securities. The holders of the majority of the founders shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which the founders shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the Placement Warrants (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the Company consummates a Business Transaction or completes a post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of a Business Transaction or post-acquisition tender offer. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
F-12
The Company issued a $180,155 unsecured promissory note to Intercarbo AG on February 13, 2012. The note is non-interest bearing and is payable promptly after the consummation of the Proposed Offering. Intercarbo AG is an affiliate of Mr. Taras Vazhnov, a director of the Company.
The Company intends to pay to Intercarbo AG a total of $7,500 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support for a period commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering and ending on the earlier of the consummation of a Business Transaction or liquidation. The payments shall begin to accrue immediately after the Proposed Offering and shall be paid at the time of an Business Transaction, or in the event of liquidation, only out of interest earned on the trust account or assets not held in trust, if any.
The Company is authorized to issue 150,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share
On November 28, 2011, the Company issued 100 ordinary shares to Kyle Shostak, the Companys initial shareholder and founder, for a consideration of $0.01. On February 13, 2012, the Company issued 2,804,562 ordinary shares to CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. and 70,338 ordinary shares to Mr. Shostak for an aggregate consideration of $24,999.99, or approximately $0.0087 per share. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Proposed Offering, the founders will exchange all 2,875,000 ordinary shares for their respective portion of 2,875,000 newly-issued Series C Shares. The Company will redeem up to 375,000 of the founders Series C shares for no consideration to the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full so that the Companys founders will own 20% of the issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Offering.
The Company issued a $52,000 unsecured promissory note to Intercarbo AG on April 30, 2012. The note is non-interest bearing and is payable on the earlier of April 30, 2013 or the date of consummation of the Proposed Offering. Intercarbo AG is an affiliate of Mr. Taras Vazhnov, a director of the Company.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring through May 3, 2012, the date these financial statements were available to be issued, require potential adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements and has concluded that no other subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the financial statements.
F-13
Through and including , 2012 (the 40th day after the date of this offering), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Articles of Association provides for indemnification of our officers and directors for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own fraud or dishonesty.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.
On November 28, 2011, we issued 100 ordinary shares to Kyle Shostak, our initial shareholder and founder, for a consideration of $0.01. On February 13, 2012, we issued 2,804,562 ordinary shares to CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. and 70,338 ordinary shares to Mr. Shostak for an aggregate consideration of $24,999.99, or $0.0087 per share. On May 2, 2012, CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. transferred 7,000 ordinary shares to Levan Vasadze and 7,000 ordinary shares to David Ansell for an aggregate consideration of $1.40, or $0.0001 per share. Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the founders will exchange all 2,875,000 ordinary shares for their respective portion of 2,875,000 newly-issued Series C Shares. We will redeem up to 375,000 of the founders shares for no consideration to the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option in full. Such shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as they were sold to our officers and directors or their affiliates, each of whom was involved in our formation. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such securities.
Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the founders and their designees will purchase an aggregate of 5,066,666 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $3,800,000, or $0.75 per warrant. Each warrant entitles its holder to purchase one ordinary share for a price of $10.00, and is exercisable commencing on the later of (i) one (1) year after the date that this registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, and (ii) the consummation of our initial acquisition transaction, and ending five years after the date that this registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. The securities were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act since they were sold to our officers and directors. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such securities.
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will sell to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters or its designees, for an aggregate of $100, an option to purchase 700,000 units (an amount which is equal to 7% of the total number of units sold in this offering), for $12.00 per unit, with each unit comprised of one ordinary share and one warrant. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus, except that the warrants underlying the unit purchase option will not be redeemable by us. The unit purchase option will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, from the later of (i) the consolidation of each series of our ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, or (ii) [_______], 2012 [six months from the date of this prospectus], and expiring on the earlier of [_______],2017 [five years from the date of this prospectus] and the day immediately prior to the day on which we and all of our successors have been dissolved, at a price per unit of $12.00 (120% of the public offering price). The securities were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act since they were sold to the underwriters in our initial public offering. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such securities.
II-1
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
Exhibit No. | Description | |
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
3.1** | Memorandum and Articles of Association | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association | |
3.3 | Amended and Restated Articles of Association | |
4.1 | Specimen Unit Certificate | |
4.2 | Specimen Series A Share Certificate | |
4.3 | Specimen Series B Share Certificate | |
4.4 | Specimen Series C Share Certificate | |
4.5 | Specimen Public Warrant Certificate | |
4.6 | Specimen Placement Warrant Certificate | |
4.7 | Form of Warrant Agreement | |
4.8* | Form of Unit Purchase Option | |
5.1 | Opinion of Forbes Hare, British Virgin Islands counsel to the Registrant | |
5.2 | Opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP | |
8.1 | Loeb & Loeb LLP Tax Opinion | |
8.2 | Forbes Hare Tax Opinion | |
10.1 | Form of Letter Agreement by and among the Registrant, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC and the founders | |
10.2 | Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant | |
10.3 | Form of Securities Escrow Agreement between the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Founders | |
10.4 | Form of Services Agreement between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC | |
10.5 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and the Founders | |
10.6 | Form of Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and the founders | |
10.7** | Promissory Note, dated February 13, 2012, issued by the Registrant to Intercarbo Holding AG | |
10.8** | Agreement, dated January 10, 2012, among the Registrant, Kyle Shostak and CIS Acquisition Holding Co. Ltd. | |
10.9** | Promissory Note, dated April 30, 2012, issued by the Registrant to Intercarbo Holding AG | |
14.1** | Code of Ethics | |
23.1 | Consent of Marcum LLP | |
23.2 | Consent of Forbes Hare, British Virgin Islands counsel to the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
23.3 | Consent of Loeb & Loeb LLP counsel to the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.2) | |
24.1** | Power of Attorney for Anatoly Danilitskiy, Kyle Shostak, Taras Vazhnov and Levan Vasadze (included on the signature page of this registration statement) | |
24.2** | Power of Attorney for David R. Ansell (included on the signature page of this registration statement) | |
99.1** | Audit Committee Charter | |
99.2** | Compensation Committee Charter | |
99.3** | Governance and Nominating Committee Charter |
* | To be filed by Amendment. |
** | Previously filed. |
II-2
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
i. | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
ii. | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement. |
iii. | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | 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. |
(5) | That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 in a primary offering of securities of the 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: |
i. | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
ii. | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
iii. | 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 |
II-3
iv. | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser |
(b) The undersigned hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) If the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (d) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or Rule 3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, New York on May 25, 2012.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By:
/s/ Anatoly Danilitskiy
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Anatoly Danilitskiy
Anatoly Danilitskiy |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
(principal executive officer) |
May 25, 2012 | ||
/s/ Kyle Shostak
Kyle Shostak |
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (principal financial and accounting officer) | May 25, 2012 | ||
/s/ Taras Vazhnov
Taras Vazhnov |
Director | May 25, 2012 | ||
/s/ Levan Vasadze*
Levan Vasadze |
Director | May 25, 2012 | ||
/s/ David Ansell*
David Ansell |
Director | May 25, 2012 |
*By:
/s/ Anatoly Danilitskiy
|
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of CIS Acquisition Ltd., has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York, New York on May 25, 2012.
Authorized U.S. Representative | ||
By
/s/ Kyle Shostak
|
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
The BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
Incorporated on the 28 th of November, 2011
Approved by written resolutions of the Members
on the [ ] 2012
Filed the [ ] 2012
FH Corporate Services Ltd.
FH Chambers
P.O. Box 4649
Road Town
Tortola
British Virgin Islands
1 |
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
1. | NAME |
The name of the company is CIS Acquisition Ltd.
2. | STATUS |
The Company is a company limited by shares.
3. | REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT |
The first registered office of the Company is FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110.
The first registered agent of the Company is FH Corporate Services Ltd., FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110.
4. | CAPACITY AND POWERS |
(1) | Subject to the Act, any other British Virgin Islands legislation and the provisions of clause 4(2) below, the Company has, irrespective of corporate benefit: |
i. | full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction; and |
ii. | for the purposes of paragraph (a), full rights, powers and privileges. |
2 |
(2) | In the event an Acquisition Transaction is not consummated prior to the Termination Date, then on the Termination Date the capacity and purposes of the Company shall automatically, with no action required by the Board or the shareholders, be limited to effecting and implementing the dissolution and liquidation of the Company and the taking of any other actions expressly required to be taken under this Memorandum and the Articles on or after the Termination Date and the Company’s powers shall thereupon be limited to those set forth in the Act and any other British Virgin Islands legislation and as otherwise may be necessary to implement the limited purposes of the Company as provided in this Memorandum and the Articles. This Clause 4(2) may not be amended without the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the holders of outstanding IPO Shares. |
5. | NUMBER AND CLASSES OF SHARES |
The Company is authorised to issue up to a maximum of 155,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.0001, which:
(1) | at the date of this Memorandum shall be designated as: |
i. | [ ] series A shares with a par value of US$0.0001 (“Series A Shares”) issuable in lieu of Series B Shares or Series C Shares; |
ii. | [ ] series B shares with a par value of US$0.0001 (“Series B Shares”) issuable upon conversion of Series A Shares and in lieu of Series C Shares; |
iii. | [ ] series C shares with a par value of US$0.0001 (“Series C Shares”) issuable in lieu or upon conversion of Series A Shares and in lieu of Series B Shares; and |
iv. | 5,000,000 preferred shares with a par value of US$0.0001 (“Preferred Shares”); and |
(2) | immediately following the re-designation / consolidation pursuant to Clause 6(2)iv below, shall be designated as: |
i. | 150,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 (“Ordinary Shares”); and |
ii. | 5,000,000 Preferred Shares. |
3 |
6. | RIGHTS ATTACHING TO SHARES |
(1) | Subject to the Articles, the provisions of this Clause 6, the terms of the issue of any Series A Shares, Series B Shares or Series C Shares, or any Resolution of Members to the contrary (and, for greater clarity, without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares), a share of the Company confers on the holder: |
a. | the right to one vote at a meeting of the Members or on any Resolution of Members; and |
b. | unless otherwise agreed by the Member, the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on a winding up. |
(2 ) | Preferred Shares. The Board may, by amendment to this Memorandum in accordance with clause 10 below, from time to time create and constitute (or re-designate, as the case may be), such further class or classes of Preferred Shares (and designate series within such Preferred Shares) with such name or names and with such preferred, deferred or other rights or such restrictions, whether in regard to voting, dividends, distributions, liquidations or otherwise as the Board may, by resolution of Directors determine (a “Preferred Share Designation”) and as may be permitted by the Act. |
Shares . Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any Preferred Share Designation, the holders of Shares (including any series of Shares) shall exclusively possess all voting power and each Share shall have one vote. The Shares of the Company shall initially be issued in one of three series as follows: |
i. | Series A Shares . Holders of Series A Shares are entitled to cause the Company to redeem all or a portion of such Series A Shares in connection with the Acquisition Transaction for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, based on the total number of IPO Shares, as described in Clause 6(3). If the Company elects to grant the holders of IPO Shares redemption rights by means of a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, then each Series A Share outstanding as of the closing of the Acquisition Transaction will automatically be converted into a Series B Share immediately following consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. |
4 |
ii. | Series B Shares . Holders of Series B Shares have the same rights as holders of Series A Shares, except that Series B Shares may not be issued until such time as all outstanding Series A Shares are converted into Series B Shares pursuant to Clause 6(3), and holders of Series B Shares have the right to participate in a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. |
iii. | Series C Shares . Holders of Series C Shares have the same rights as holders of Series A Shares, except that holders of Series C Shares are not entitled to (1) cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of such Series C Shares in connection with the Acquisition Transaction, (2) share ratably in the Trust Account or (3) participate in a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. |
iv. | Automatic Consolidation . The Series A Shares, Series B Shares and Series C Shares will be automatically re-designated and / or consolidated into one series of Ordinary Shares (i) five business days after the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction if no Series B Shares are outstanding or, (ii) if any Series B Shares are outstanding, then five business days after the consummation of the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. The re-designation / consolidation shall be on a one-for-one basis of the then outstanding shares of each series of Shares (other than the Preferred Shares). Following the automatic re-designation / consolidation, only one series of Shares will be authorized, which will be referred to as “Ordinary Shares”. |
(3) | (A) | The provisions (A) through (L) of this Clause 6(3) shall apply during the period commencing upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed in connection with the IPO and terminating upon the consolidation of each series of Shares (other than the Preferred Shares) into one class of Ordinary Shares after consummation of an Acquisition Transaction or Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, as the case may be, and may not be amended during the Target Acquisition Period without the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding IPO Shares. |
The Company (i) may not consummate an Acquisition Transaction with a Target Business that is a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from the Founders, their affiliates or that is affiliated with the Founders, the Directors or officers of the Company, or (ii) consummate an Acquisition Transaction with any underwriter that is a party to the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the IPO, or selling group member, or any of their affiliates, unless the Company obtains an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, that the Acquisition Transaction with such Target Business is fair to the shareholders from a financial point of view. |
5 |
In the event of any conflict between this Clause and any other Clause of this Memorandum or the Articles, the provisions of this Clause 6(3) shall prevail. |
(B) | The Company shall not consummate any Acquisition Transaction if at least 92.5% (the “Redemption Threshold Percentage”) interest of the holders of IPO Shares exercise their redemption rights described below, or, if the Company seeks to allow shareholders to redeem their shares pursuant to a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, at least the Redemption Threshold Percentage interest of the holders of IPO Shares may exercise such redemption rights, or, if such Acquisition Transaction is submitted for approval to the Company’s Shareholders, holders of at least a majority of IPO Shares voted at such meeting are not voted in favor of the Acquisition Transaction. Prior to distribution of the funds in the Trust Account, other than as provided for in paragraph (G) of this Clause 6(3) or in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the Company must grant holders of IPO Shares such redemption rights by means of a shareholder vote, a Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer, or a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. |
(C) | Prior to the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction, the Company may initiate an issuer tender offer (“Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer”) to holders of Series A Shares by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. Such tender offer documents shall include information substantially similar to that which would be required in connection with a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction. In the event the Company elects to conduct a Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer, the closing of the Acquisition Transaction will be cross-conditioned on the closing of the Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer, and the offer price shall be in cash equal to a pro-rata portion of the Trust Account equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the amount in the Trust Account, as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the Trust Account, by (ii) the total number of IPO Shares that were originally issued in the IPO. “Trust Account” shall mean the trust account established by the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO are deposited. |
6 |
(D) | Prior to the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction, the Company may elect to grant holders of Series B Shares their redemption rights by means of a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by filing a Current Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC (“Form 6-K”) disclosing that it has entered into a definitive Acquisition Transaction agreement, intends to consummate the Acquisition Transaction without a shareholder vote or a Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer, and that includes disclosure regarding the Target Business and the proposed transaction similar to that which would be included in a proxy statement compliant with U.S. securities regulations regarding the solicitation of shareholder votes to approve an acquisition transaction. Within 30 days of the closing of the Acquisition Transaction without a shareholder vote or Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer or shareholder votes (the “Filing Date”), the Company may commence an issuer tender offer to holders of Series B Shares (“Post-Acquisition Tender Offer”) by filing tender offer documents with the SEC in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act. The tender offer documents would include substantially the same information about the target business as is contained in the Form 6-K. In the event the Company elects to effect a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, the offer price shall be in cash equal to a pro-rata portion of the Trust Account equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the amount in the Trust Account, as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the Trust Account, by (ii) the total number of outstanding IPO Shares excluding any Series C Shares. If such Post-Acquisition Tender Offer is not initiated by the Filing Date or is not completed within six months of the closing of the Acquisition Transaction, then, within five business days of the Filing Date, with respect to each issued and outstanding Series B Shares, distribute a pro-rata portion of the Trust Account equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the amount in the Trust Account, as of two business days prior to the liquidation of the Trust Account, by (ii) the total number of outstanding IPO Shares excluding any Series C Shares, and distribute any remaining funds to the Company. If the Company structures the Acquisition Transaction in this manner, then it may, after the Form 6-K is filed with the SEC, seek that holders of 5% or more of the IPO shares who are also accredited investors elect to convert their Series A Shares into Series C Shares, on a one-for-one basis, immediately prior to consummation of the Acquisition Transaction, with any remaining Series A Shares automatically converting to Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. Such opportunity to convert would only be available to these certain shareholders, and not to other holders of IPO Shares. Holders of Series A Shares who elect to convert their shares into Series C Shares prior to consummation of the Acquisition Transaction shall not be entitled to participate in the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, while holders of Series A Shares that have their shares automatically converted to Series B Shares shall be entitled to participate in the issuer Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. |
7 |
(E) | In the event that the Company submits an Acquisition Transaction for approval by its shareholders and such Acquisition Transaction is approved and is consummated by the Company, any shareholder of the Company holding IPO Shares may, contemporaneous with such vote, demand that the Company redeem such holder’s IPO Shares for cash. If so demanded, the Company shall, promptly after consummation of the Acquisition Transaction, redeem such holder’s IPO Shares for cash at a per share price equal to (i) the amount held in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Acquisition Transaction (net of amounts released to the Company in accordance with Clause 6(3)(F) below), divided by (ii) the total number of outstanding IPO Shares. |
(F) | Immediately after the Company’s IPO, the amount of the net offering proceeds received by the Company in the IPO (including the proceeds of any exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option) specified in the Registration Statement at the time it goes effective shall be deposited and thereafter held in the Trust Account. Neither the Company nor any officer, director or employee of the Company shall disburse any of the proceeds held in the Trust Account until (i) the later of consummation by the Company of a Acquisition Transaction or consummation of a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, as applicable, (ii) the failure to commence a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by the Filing Date or complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer within six months of the closing of the Acquisition Transaction, or (iii) the liquidation of the Company as discussed in Clause 6(3)(H) below, in each case in accordance with the terms of the investment management trust agreement governing the Trust Account; provided, however, that (1) the interest earned on the Trust Account may be released to the Company to fund the Company’s working capital requirements and general corporate requirements, (2) the Company shall be entitled to withdraw such amounts from the Trust Account as would be required to pay taxes on the interest earned on the Trust Account, (3) the Company shall be entitled to withdraw such amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or IPO Shares in accordance with Clause 6(3)(K) below, and (4) the Company shall be entitled to withdraw a pro rata portion of the Trust Account for each Series A Shares converted into a Series C Shares upon consummation of an Acquisition Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may interest earned on the Trust Account be released if such release would reduce the balance in the Trust Account below the per share balance immediately following the consummation of the Company’s IPO. |
8 |
(H) | In the event that the Company does not consummate an Acquisition Transaction within 18 months (or 21 months, if the Company enters into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition Transaction prior to the expiration of such 18 month period) after the consummation of the IPO (“Termination Date”), the directors and officers of the Company shall take all such action necessary to dissolve the Company and liquidate the Trust Account to holders of the IPO Shares as soon as reasonably practicable. In the event the Company is so dissolved, the Company shall promptly adopt and implement a plan of distribution which provides that only the holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to share ratably in the Trust Account plus any other net assets of the Company not used for or reserved to pay obligations and claims or such other corporate expenses relating to or arising during the Company’s remaining existence, including costs of dissolving and liquidating the Company. |
(I) | A holder of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only in the event of a liquidation of the Trust Account to holders of IPO Shares in connection with the dissolution of the Company pursuant to the terms of the investment management trust agreement governing the Trust Account or in the event that such holder's shares are redeemed in accordance with this Clause 6(3). In no other circumstances shall a holder of IPO Shares have any right or interest of any kind in or to the Trust Account. A holder of any other shares of the Company shall not have any right or interest of any kind in or to the Trust Account. |
9 |
(J) | Unless and until the Company has consummated a Acquisition Transaction as permitted under this Clause 6(3), the Company may not consummate any other acquisition transaction, whether by merger, share exchange, stock purchase, asset acquisition or otherwise. |
(K) | In the event that the Company is no longer a “foreign private issuer”, as defined in the SEC’s rules and regulations, and if the Company seeks shareholder approval of the Acquisition Transaction in accordance with Clause 6(3)(E) above, there can be released from the Trust Account necessary to purchase up to 15% of the units or the underlying callable Series A Shares sold in this offering commencing two business days after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC for the Acquisition Transaction transaction and ending on the business day immediately preceding the record date for the vote to approve the Acquisition Transaction. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when the Company is not not in possession of any material non-public information, in accordance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Any purchases made pursuant to this Clause 6(3)(K) shall be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the pro rata portion of the Trust Account. |
(L) | During the Target Acquisition Period, the Company (i) may not issue any units, Shares, warrants, or any options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, or any Preferred Shares, that participate in any manner in the proceeds of the Trust Account, or that vote as a class with the IPO Shares on any vote to approve an Acquisition Transaction or to amend this Clause 6(3) or (ii) cancel any security issued by it that is publicly trading, except for the separation and cancellation of the units pursuant to Clause 6(2) and Clause 6(3). |
10 |
7. | VARIATION OF CLASS RIGHTS |
The rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not the Company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of all the holders of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class or series.
8. | RIGHTS NOT VARIED BY THE ISSUE OF SHARES PARI PASSU |
Rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
9. | REGISTERED SHARES |
The Company shall issue registered shares only, and such shares may be in full or fractional form. The Company is not authorised to issue bearer shares, convert registered shares to bearer shares, or exchange registered shares for bearer shares.
10. | AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
The Company may amend its Memorandum or Articles by a Resolution of Members or a Resolution of Directors, save that no amendment may be made by a Resolution of Directors (other than any such amendments required to create and constitute the Preferred Shares and the rights, restrictions and preferences attached thereto pursuant to the provisions of this Memorandum):
a. | to restrict the rights or powers of the Members to amend the Memorandum or Articles; |
b. | to change the percentage of Members required to pass a Resolution of Members to amend the Memorandum or Articles; |
c. | in circumstances where the Memorandum or Articles cannot be amended by the Members; |
d. | to clauses 6, 7, 8 or this clause 10. |
11. | DEFINITIONS |
The meanings of words in this Memorandum are as defined in this Memorandum or as defined in the Articles annexed hereto. Additionally, certain of the terms contained in this Memorandum that are listed in the first column of the table below, unless the context otherwise requires, shall bear the meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.
11 |
“Acquisition Transaction” | the acquisition by the Company, whether by merger, share exchange, asset or stock acquisition or other similar type of transaction, of one or more Target Businesses, provided, however, that to qualify as an Acquisition Transaction, the Company must acquire a controlling interest in the Target Business representing control of more than 50% of the voting rights of the Target Business and control of the majority of any governing body of the Target Business. |
“Act” | BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, as amended. |
“Company” | CIS Acquisition Ltd. |
“Exchange Act” | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
“Filing Date” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(D) above. |
“Form 6-K” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(D) above. |
“Founders” | the shareholders of the Company prior to the IPO, the directors and officers of the Company, and their affiliates. |
“IPO Shares” | the shares of the Company included in the units issued in the IPO, excluding any Series C Shares issued upon conversion of Series A Shares or Series B Shares. |
“Ordinary Shares” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 5(2)(i) above. |
“Pre-Acquisition Tender Offer” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(C) above. |
“Preferred Shares” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 5(1)(iv) above. |
“Post-Acquisition Tender Offer” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(D) above. |
“Redemption Threshold Percentage” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(B) above. |
“Registration Statement” | the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC with respect to an IPO. |
“SEC” | Securities Exchange Commission. |
“Series A Shares” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 5(1)(i) above. |
12 |
“Series B Shares” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 5(1)(ii) above. |
“Series C Shares” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 5(1)(iii) above. |
“Shares” | collectively, the Series A Shares, Series B Shares, Series C Shares and Preferred Shares. |
“Target Acquisition Period” | the period from the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed in connection with the Company’s initial public offering of securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission up to and including the first to occur of (x) consummation by the Company of a Acquisition Transaction or (y) the Termination Date, provided, however, that if the Company elects to complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer and has consummated an Acquisition Transaction prior to the Termination Date, the Target Acquisition Period shall terminate upon consummation of the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. |
“Target Business” | one or more operating businesses whose fair market value, either individually or collectively, is equal to at least 80% of the amount in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) at the time of such Acquisition Transaction. |
“Termination Date” | 18 months (or 21 months, if the Company enters into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition Transaction prior to the expiration of such 18 month period) after the consummation of the IPO. |
“Trust Account” | shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(3)(C) above. |
We, FH CORPORATE SERVICES LTD., registered agent of the Company, of FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110 for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign this Memorandum of Association on the [__] [______] 2012:
13 |
Incorporator | |
FH COPORATE SERVICES LTD. | |
Sgd [___] | |
For and on behalf of | |
FH Corporate Services Ltd. |
14 |
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
(a company limited by shares)
INTERPRETATION
1. (1) Terms defined in the Memorandum shall have the same meaning when used herein. In addition, certain of the terms contained in these Articles that are listed in the first column of the table below, unless the context otherwise requires, shall bear the meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.
“Act” | the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, as amended . | |
“Auditor” | the independent auditor of the Company which shall be recognized firm of independent accountants. | |
“Articles” | these Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended or substituted from time to time. | |
“Board” or | ||
“Directors” | the board of directors of the Company or the directors present at a meeting of directors of the Company at which a quorum is present. | |
“capital” | the share capital from time to time of the Company. | |
“clear days” | in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect. | |
“clearing house” | a clearing house recognized by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such jurisdiction. | |
“Company” | CIS Acquisition Ltd. |
“competent regulatory authority” | a competent regulatory authority in the territory where the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such territory. | |
“debenture” and “debenture holder” | include debenture stock and debenture stockholder, respectively. | |
“Designated Stock Exchange” | the OTC Bulletin Board, the NASDAQ Stock Market, the NYSE Amex or such other exchange or interdealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted. |
“dollars” and “$” | dollars, the legal currency of the United States of America. |
- 1 - |
“Exchange Act” | the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | |
“head office” | such office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time determine to be the principal office of the Company. | |
“IPO” | the Company’s initial public offering of securities (including the IPO Shares). | |
“IPO Shares” | the shares of the Company included in the units issued in the IPO, excluding any Series C Shares issued prior to converstion of any Series A Shares or Series B Shares. | |
“Member” | a duly registered holder from time to time of the shares in the capital of the Company. | |
“month” | a calendar month. | |
“FINRA” | The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. | |
“Memorandum” | the memorandum of association of the Company in its present form or as supplemented or amended or substituted from time to time. | |
“NASD Rules” | the rules set forth in the NASD Manual as part of the FINRA rulebook. | |
“Notice” | written notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined in these Articles. | |
“Office” | the registered office of the Company for the time being. | |
“ordinary resolution” | a resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed by a simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice has been duly given. | |
“paid up” | paid up or credited as paid up. | |
“Register” | the principal register and where applicable, any branch register of Members of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside the British Virgin Islands as the Board shall determine from time to time. | |
“Registration Office” | in respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board may from time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in respect of that class of share capital and where (except in cases where the Board otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title for such class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and are to be registered. |
- 2 - |
“Registration Statement” | the Company’s registration statement filed with the SEC with respect to an IPO. |
“SEC” | the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
“Seal” | common seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including a securities seal) for use in the British Virgin Islands or in any place outside the British Virgin Islands. | |
“Secretary” | any person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy, temporary or acting secretary. | |
“special resolution” | a resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are corporations, by their respective duly authorized representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice, specifying (without prejudice to the power contained in these Articles to amend the same) the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given. Provided that, except in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote at any such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five (95) percent in nominal value of the shares giving that right and in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by all Members entitled to attend and vote thereat, a resolution may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice has been given; a special resolution shall be effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to be required under any provision of these Articles or the Statutes. | |
“Statutes” | the Act and every other law of the British Virgin Islands for the time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its Memorandum of Association and/or these Articles. | |
“Trust Fund” | the trust account established by the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO are deposited. | |
“year” | a calendar year. | |
- 3 - |
(2) In these Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context inconsistent with such construction:
(a) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(b) words importing a gender include both gender and the neuter;
(c) words importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether corporate or not;
(d) the words:
(i) “may” shall be construed as permissive;
(ii) “shall” or “will” shall be construed as imperative;
(e) expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation takes the form of electronic display, provided that both the mode of service of the relevant document or notice and the Member’s election comply with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations;
(f) references to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted as relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;
(g) save as aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the context;
(h) references to a document being executed include references to it being executed under hand or under seal or by electronic signature or by any other method and references to a notice or document include a notice or document recorded or stored in any digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium and information in visible form whether having physical substance or not.
SHARE CAPITAL
3. (1) The share capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into effect shall be divided into shares of a par value of $ 0.0001 each.
- 4 - |
(2) | (a) | Subject to the Act, the Memorandum and these Articles, the Company shall have all the powers conferred upon it by the Act to purchase or otherwise acquire its own Shares and such power shall be exercisable by the Board in such manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, including but not limited to, the purchase of Shares at a price lesser than fair value. Without prejudice to the foregoing, Sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Act shall not apply to the Company. |
(b) | Subject to sub-paragraph (c) below, a share that the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires may be cancelled or held by the Company as a Treasury Share. |
(c) | The Company may only hold a share that has been purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired as a Treasury Share if the number of shares purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, when aggregated with shares of the same class already held by the Company as Treasury Shares, does not exceed 50% of the shares of that class previously issued by the Company, excluding shares that have been cancelled. |
(d) | Treasury Shares may be transferred by the Company and the provisions of the Act, the Memorandum and these Articles that apply to the issue of shares apply to the transfer of Treasury Shares. All the rights and obligations attaching to a Treasury Share are suspended and shall not be exercised by or against the Company while it holds the share as a Treasury Share. |
(3) A share may be issued for consideration in any form, including money, a promissory note or other written obligation to contribute money or property, real property, personal property (including goodwill and know-how), services rendered or a contract for future services.
(4) Shares may be issued for a consideration other than money at the discretion of the Board.
(5) The consideration for a share with par value shall not be less than the par value of the share.
(6) The Company may issue fractions of a Share and fractional shares shall have the same corresponding fractional liabilities, limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights and other attributes of a Share or series of Shares.
(7) No notice of a trust, whether expressed, implied or constructive, shall be entered in the share register.
- 5 - |
(8) No Share shall be issued to bearer.
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
4. The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution amend the Memorandum to increase or reduce the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorised to issue, or to authorize the Company to issue an unlimited number of shares.
5. Subject to the Memorandum and these Articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution:
(a) divide its shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in general meeting, as the directors may by Resolution of the Directors determine provided always that where the Company issues shares which do not carry voting rights, the words “non-voting” shall appear in the designation of such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most favourable voting rights, must include the words “restricted voting” or “limited voting”; or
(b) combine its shares, including issued shares, into a smaller number of shares; or
(c) sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into a greater number of shares,
provided that, where shares are divided or combined, the aggregate par value (if any) of the new shares must be equal to the aggregate par value (if any) of the original shares.
6. A division or combination of shares, including issued shares, of a class or series shall be for a larger or smaller number, as the case may be, of shares in the same class or series.
7. The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in relation to any consolidation and division under the last preceding Article and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue certificates in respect of fractions of Shares or arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale (after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise some persons to transfer the shares representing fractions to their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the Company’s benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor will his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
- 6 - |
SHARE RIGHTS
8. (1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Memorandum and these Articles and to any special rights conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares:
(a) any share in the Company may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as the Company may by ordinary resolution determine or, if there has not been any such determination or so far as the same shall not make specific provision, as the Board may determine; and
(b) shares may be issued on the terms that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Board may deem fit.
(2) Subject to the Act, any preference shares may be issued or converted into Shares that, at a determinable date or at the option of the Company or the holder, are liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Company before the issue or conversion may by ordinary resolution of the Members determine.
9 Where the Company purchases for redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through the market or by tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to time be determined by the Company in general meeting, either generally or with regard to specific purchases. If purchases are by tender, tenders shall be available to all Members alike.
VARIATION OF RIGHTS
10. Subject to the Act, the Memorandum and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so that:
- 7 - |
(a) the necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned meeting) shall be a person or persons (or in the case of a Member being a corporation, its duly authorized representative) together holding or representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that class;
(b) every holder of shares of the class shall be entitled to one vote for every such share held by him; and
(c) any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorized representative may demand a vote.
11. The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
SHARES
12. (1) Subject to the Act, the Memorandum and these Articles and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a discount. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, t he Board is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting each such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may, to the extent permitted by law, provide that such class or series shall be superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the preferred shares of any other class or series.
- 8 - |
(2) Neither the Company nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no vote of the holders of preferred shares of or ordinary shares shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the preferred shares authorized by and complying with the conditions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
(3) The Board may issue options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time determine.
13. The Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Act. Subject to the Act, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the other.
14. Except as required by law, no person shall be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.
15. Subject to the Act and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment of shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder, recognize a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favor of some other person and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit to impose.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
16. Shares of the Company’s stock may be issued in certificated or uncertificated form. If in certificated form, every share certificate shall be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof and shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise be in such form as the Directors may from time to time determine. No certificate shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may by resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.
17. (1) In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders.
- 9 - |
(2) Where a share stands in the names of two or more persons, the person first named in the Register shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions of these Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except the transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.
18. Every person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in the Register shall be entitled, without payment, to receive one certificate for all such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more of such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the first of such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time determines. Notwithstanding any other provision in these Articles, the Company may issue shares in uncertificated or scripless form, and provide for the recordation and transfer of its shares by electronic or other means not involving any issuance of certificates, including provisions for notice to purchasers in substitution for any required statements on certificates, and as may be required by applicable laws. Any system so adopted shall not become effective as to issued and outstanding certificated securities until the certificates therefor have been surrendered to the Company. Where the Company issues shares in uncertificated or scripless form, the Company shall upon the issue of such shares enter the name of the subscriber or its nominee in the register of members of the Company and may deliver such shares in uncertificated or scripless form by any method of transferring or dealing in securities introduced by the Designated Stock Exchange or any relevant clearing house, or operated in accordance with the rules of any competent regulatory authority and which have been approved by the Board for such purpose.
19. Share certificates, if issued, shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the Act or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine, whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.
20. (1) Upon every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor (if any) shall be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a new certificate may be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article. If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained by the transferor a new certificate for the balance may be issued to him at the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect thereof.
(2) The fee referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.
- 10 - |
21. If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Company may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants have been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has been lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been destroyed.
LIEN
22. The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share issued for a promissory note or for any other binding obligation to contribute money or property or a confirmation thereof to the Company and the Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on every share registered in the name of a Member (whether or not jointly with other Members) for all the debts and liabilities of such Member or his estate to the Company whether the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of any equitable or other interest of any person other than such Member, and whether the period for the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually arrived or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such Member or his estate and any other person, whether a Member of the Company or not. The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys payable thereon or in respect thereof. The Board may at any time, generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share exempt in whole or in part, from the provisions of this Article.
23. In the absence of express provisions regarding sale in the promissory note or other binding obligation to contribute money or property, the Company may sell in such manner as the Board determines any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, or the liability or engagement in respect of which such lien exists is liable to be presently fulfilled or discharged nor until the expiration of fourteen clear days after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently payable, or specifying the liability or engagement and demanding fulfillment or discharge thereof and giving notice of the intention to sell in default, has been served on the registered holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
24. The net proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in or towards payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists, so far as the same is presently payable, and any residue shall (subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed upon the share prior to the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the share at the time of the sale. To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorize some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares so transferred and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
- 11 - |
CALL ON SHARES AND FORFEITURE
25. Where a share is not fully paid for on issue, the directors may, subject to the terms on which the share was issued, at any time serve upon the Member a written notice of call specifying a date for payment to be made.
26. The written notice of call shall name a further date not earlier than the expiration of fourteen days from the date of service of the notice on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made and shall contain a statement that in the event of non-payment at or before the time named in the notice, the share will be liable to be forfeited.
27. Where a notice complying with the foregoing provisions has been issued and the requirements of the notice have not been complied with, the directors by Resolution of Directors may, at any time before tender of payment forfeit and cancel the share to which the notice relates.
28. Upon forfeiture and cancellation pursuant to this Article, the Company shall be under no obligation to refund any moneys to that Member and that Member shall be discharged from any further obligation to the Company as regards the forfeited share.
29. The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same, and either in money or money’s worth, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid or instalments payable upon any shares held by him and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (if any) as the Board may decide. The Board may at any time repay the amount so advanced upon giving to such Member not less than one month’s Notice of its intention in that behalf, unless before the expiration of such notice the amount so advanced shall have been called up on the shares in respect of which it was advanced. Such payment in advance shall not entitle the holder of such share or shares to participate in respect thereof in a dividend subsequently declared.
30. When any Share has been forfeited, Notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share. No forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such Notice.
31. The Board may accept the surrender of any Share liable to be forfeited hereunder and, in such case, references in these Articles to forfeiture will include surrender.
32. Any Share so forfeited shall be deemed the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of to such person, upon such terms and in such manner as the Board determines, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be annulled by the Board on such terms as the Board determines.
- 12 - |
33. A declaration by a Director or the Secretary that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share, and such declaration shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer by the Company if necessary) constitute a good title to the Share, and the person to whom the Share is disposed of shall be registered as the holder of the Share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any), nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share. When any Share shall have been forfeited, notice of the declaration shall be given to the Member in whose name it stood immediately prior to the forfeiture, and an entry of the forfeiture, with the date thereof, shall forthwith be made in the register, but no forfeiture shall be in any manner invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such notice or make any such entry.
34. Notwithstanding any such forfeiture as aforesaid, the Board may at any time, before any Shares so forfeited shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, permit the Shares forfeited to be bought back upon the terms of payment of all calls and interest due upon and expenses incurred in respect of the Share, and upon such further terms (if any) as it thinks fit.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS
35. (1) The Company shall keep one or more share registers containing:
(a) the names and addresses of the persons who hold registered shares in the Company;
(b) the number of each class and series of registered shares held by each person;
(c) the date on which the name of each person was entered in the share register; and
(d) the date on which any person ceased to be a Member.
(2) A copy of the share register, commencing from the date of the registration of the Company, shall be kept at the registered office of the Company.
(3) The Company may keep an overseas or local or other branch share register in any place, and the Board may make and vary such regulations as it determines in respect of the keeping of any such register and maintaining a Registration Office in connection therewith.
36. [RESERVED]
- 13 - |
RECORD DATES
37. (1) For the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any general meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express 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 shares or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of Members, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such action.
(2) If the Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date for determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. If corporate action without a general meeting is to be taken, the record date for determining the Members entitled to express consent to such corporate action in writing, when no prior action by the Board is necessary, 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 head office. The record date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(3) A determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
38. Subject to these Articles, any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time. All transfers of shares which are in uncertificated or scripless form may be effected without any instrument of transfer in writing and by any method of transferring or dealing in securities introduced by the Designated Stock Exchange or any relevant clearing house, or operated in accordance with the rules of any competent regulatory authority and which have been approved by the Board for such purpose.
39. [RESERVED]
- 14 - |
40. (1) No transfer shall be made to an infant or to a person of unsound mind or under other legal disability.
(2) The Board in so far as permitted by any applicable law may, in its absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time transfer any share upon the Register to any branch register or any share on any branch register to the Register or any other branch register. In the event of any such transfer, the shareholder requesting such transfer shall bear the cost of effecting the transfer unless the Board otherwise determines.
(3) Unless the Board otherwise agrees (which agreement may be on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine, and which agreement the Board shall, without giving any reason therefor, be entitled in its absolute discretion to give or withhold), no shares upon the Register shall be transferred to any branch register nor shall shares on any branch register be transferred to the Register or any other branch register and all transfers and other documents of title shall be lodged for registration, and registered, in the case of any shares on a branch register, at the relevant Registration Office, and, in the case of any shares on the Register, at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Act.
41. [RESERVED]
42. [RESERVED]
43. [RESERVED]
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
44. If a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving holder, will be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.
45. Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member may, upon such evidence as to his title being produced as may be required by the Board, elect either to become the holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof. If he elects to become the holder he shall notify the Company in writing either at the Registration Office or Office, as the case may be, to that effect. If he elects to have another person registered he shall execute a transfer of the share in favor of that person. The provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer and registration of transfers of shares shall apply to such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by such Member.
- 15 - |
46. A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share. However, the Board may, if it thinks fit, withhold the payment of any dividend payable or other advantages in respect of such share until such person shall become the registered holder of the share or shall have effectually transferred such share, but, subject to the requirements of Article 75(2) being met, such a person may vote at meetings.
UNTRACEABLE MEMBERS
47. Without prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article, the Company may cease sending checks for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants by post if such checks or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending checks for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which such a check or warrant is returned undelivered.
GENERAL MEETINGS
48. An annual general meeting of the Company may be held (but shall not be required to be held) in each year other than the year of the Company’s incorporation at such time and place as may be determined by the Board.
49. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times and in any location in the world as may be determined by the Board.
50. (1) Subject to Article 50(2), only the Board may call extraordinary general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall determine.
(2) Any one or more Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition at least a majority of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is being convened shall at all times have the right, by written requisition to the Board or the Secretary of the Company, to require an extraordinary general meeting to be called by the Board for the transaction of any business specified in such requisition; and such meeting shall be held within two (2) months after the deposit of such requisition. If within twenty-one (21) days of such deposit the Board fails to proceed to convene such meeting the requisitionist(s) himself (themselves) may do so in the same manner, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionist(s) as a result of the failure of the Board shall be reimbursed to the requisitionist(s) by the Company.
- 16 - |
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
51. (1) An annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice, but a general meeting may be called by shorter notice, subject to the Act, if it is so agreed:
(a) | in the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
(b) | in the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than seventy-five percent (75%) in nominal value of the issued shares giving that right. |
(2) The notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and, in case of special business, the general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general meeting shall be given to all Members other than to such Members as, under the provisions of these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member and to each of the Directors and the Auditors.
(3) Members may seek to bring business (other than the nomination of candidates for election as directors) before an annual general meeting, provided they must provide timely notice of their intent in writing to the Company. To be timely, a Member’s notice will need to be delivered to the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting. For the first annual general meeting after the closing of the IPO, a Member’s notice shall be timely if delivered to the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of the annual general meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement or Notice of the date of the annual general meeting is first made or sent by the Company.
52. The accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of such Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or the proceedings at that meeting.
- 17 - |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
53. (1) All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting, with the exception of:
(a) | the declaration and sanctioning of dividends; |
(b) | consideration and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the Directors and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance sheet; |
(c) | the election of Directors; |
(d) | appointment or ratification of Auditors (where special notice of the intention for such appointment is not required by the Act) and other officers; |
(e) | the fixing of the remuneration of the Auditors, and the voting of remuneration or extra remuneration to the Directors; |
(f) | the granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares in the capital of the Company representing not more than 20 percent (20%) in nominal value of its existing issued share capital; and |
(g) | the granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to repurchase securities of the Company. |
(2) No business other than the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the business. At any general meeting of the Company, any Member(s) entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorized representative representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in the Company throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes.
54. If within thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such time and place as the Board may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved.
55. The chairman of the Company shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. If at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the chair, an executive officer of the Company may act as chairman of the meeting.
- 18 - |
56. The chairman may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment not taken place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen (14) days or more, at least seven (7) clear days’ notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given specifying the time and place of the adjourned meeting but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted at the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of an adjournment.
57. If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in any event be considered or voted upon.
VOTING
58. Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any shares by or in accordance with the Memorandum or these Articles, at any general meeting every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative shall have one vote for every fully paid share of which he is the holder but so that no amount paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or installments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share.
59. The result of the vote shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the vote was demanded. The Company shall only be required to disclose the voting figures on a vote if such disclosure is required by the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange or any other law or rule applicable to the Company.
60. Votes may be given either personally or by proxy.
61. A person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.
62. All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Act. In the case of an equality of votes the chairman of such meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote and the resolution shall fail.
- 19 - |
63. Where there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holder may vote, either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any meeting the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share stands shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders thereof.
64. (1) A Member who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court, and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote, and may otherwise act and be treated as if he were the registered holder of such shares for the purposes of general meetings, provided that such evidence as the Board may require of the authority of the person claiming to vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head office or Registration Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting, as the case may be.
(2) Any person entitled under Article 53 to be registered as the holder of any shares may vote at any general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as if he were the registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48) hours at least before the time of the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the case may be, at which he proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his entitlement to such shares, or the Board shall have previously admitted his right to vote at such meeting in respect thereof.
65. No Member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and vote and to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly registered and all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid.
66. If:
(a) | any objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or |
(b) | any votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have been rejected; or |
(c) | any votes are not counted which ought to have been counted; |
then the objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on such matters shall be final and conclusive.
- 20 - |
PROXIES
67. Any Member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one proxy to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company or at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which is a corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.
68. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney or other person authorized to sign the same. In the case of an instrument of proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly authorized to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation without further evidence of the facts.
69. The instrument appointing a proxy and (if required by the Board) the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a certified copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one of such places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate) not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the date of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting in cases where the meeting was originally held within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing a proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at the meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to be revoked.
70. Instruments of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form) and the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting forms of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a vote and to vote on any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates.
- 21 - |
71. (1) A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith) two hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, at which the instrument of proxy is used.
(2) Anything which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by his duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is appointed.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES; CLEARING HOUSES
72. Any corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members. The person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorized is present thereat.
73. If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorize such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorized. Each person so authorized under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorized without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually.
74. Any reference in these Articles to a duly authorized representative of a Member being a corporation shall mean a representative authorized under the provisions of this Article.
- 22 - |
ACTION BY WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS
75. A resolution in writing signed (in such manner as to indicate, expressly or impliedly, unconditional approval) by or on behalf of all persons for the time being entitled to receive Notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company shall, for the purposes of these Articles, be treated as a resolution duly passed at a general meeting of the Company and, where relevant, as a special resolution so passed. Any such resolution shall be deemed to have been passed at a meeting held on the date on which it was signed by the last Member to sign, and where the resolution states a date as being the date of his signature thereof by any Member the statement shall be prima facie evidence that it was signed by him on that date. Such a resolution may consist of several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more relevant Members.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
76. (1) Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than two (2). There shall be no maximum number of Directors unless otherwise determined from time to time by the Directors. The Directors shall be elected or appointed in the first place by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association or by a majority of them and thereafter in accordance with this Article and shall hold office for such term as the Members may determine or, in the absence of such determination, in accordance with this Article or until their successors are elected or appointed or their office is otherwise vacated.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Commencing at the first annual meeting of Members following the effectiveness of these Articles, and at each annual meeting thereafter, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire thereat shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual general meeting after their election.
(4) The Directors shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board. Any Director so appointed by the Board shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting of the Company at which the other Directors of the same class are to expire and shall then be eligible for re-election.
(5) No Director shall be required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification and a Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and of all classes of shares of the Company.
(6) Subject to any provision to the contrary in these Articles, a Director may be removed by way of (i) a special resolution of the Members at any time before the expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under any such agreement), or (ii) a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors if such removal is for cause at any time before the expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under any such agreement).
- 23 - |
(7) A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the provisions of subparagraph (6) above may be filled by the election or appointment by special resolution of the Members at the meeting at which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting.
(8) The Company may from time to time in general meeting by ordinary resolution increase or reduce the number of Directors but so that the number of Directors shall never be less than two (2).
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
77. The office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:
(1) resigns his office by notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board;
(2) becomes of unsound mind or dies;
(3) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for six consecutive months and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or
(4) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors;
(5) is prohibited by law from being a Director; or
(6) ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from office pursuant to these Articles.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
78. The Board may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to be a managing director, joint managing director or deputy managing director or to hold any other employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject to their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments. Any such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this Article shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other Directors of the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any contract between him and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to hold such office if he shall cease to hold the office of Director for any cause.
- 24 - |
79. Notwithstanding Articles 80, 81, 82 and 83, an executive director appointed to an office under Article 78 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or other benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a Director.
DIRECTORS’ FEES AND EXPENSES
80. The Directors shall receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time determine. Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debenture of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director. The ordinary remuneration of the Directors shall from time to time be determined by the Company in general meeting and shall (unless otherwise directed by the resolution by which it is voted) be divided amongst the Board in such proportions and in such manner as the Board may agree or, failing agreement, equally, except that any Director who shall hold office for part only of the period in respect of which such remuneration is payable shall be entitled only to rank in such division for a proportion of remuneration related to the period during which he has held office. Such remuneration shall be deemed to accrue from day to day.
81. Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director.
82. Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article.
83. The Board shall obtain the approval of the Company in general meeting before making any payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is contractually entitled).
- 25 - |
DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS
84. (1) No contract or transaction between the Company and one or more of its Directors (an “Interested Director”) or officers, or between the Company and any of their affiliates (an “Interested Transaction”), shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such Director's or officer's votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) The material facts as to the Director's or officer's relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or
(b) The material facts as to the Director's or officer's relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the Shareholders; or
(c) The contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee or the Shareholders.
(2) A majority of independent Directors must vote in favor of any Interested Transaction and determine that the terms of the Interested Transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
GENERAL POWERS OF THE DIRECTORS
85. (1) The business of the Company shall be managed and conducted by the Board, which may pay all expenses incurred in forming and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company (whether relating to the management of the business of the Company or otherwise) which are not by the Statutes, the Memorandum or by these Articles required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the Statutes and of the Memorandum and these Articles and to such regulations being not inconsistent with such provisions, as may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting, but no regulations made by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulations had not been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other Article.
(2) Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers:
(a) To give to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as may be agreed.
- 26 - |
(b) To give to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof or in the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution for a salary or other remuneration.
(c) To resolve that the Company be deregistered in the British Virgin Islands and continued in a named jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands subject to the provisions of the Act.
86. The Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorize any such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorized under the Seal of the Company, execute any deed or instrument under their personal seal with the same effect as the affixation of the Company’s Seal.
87. The Board may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.
88. All checks, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by resolution determine. The Company’s banking accounts shall be kept with such banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.
89. (1) The Board may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary companies of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business) in establishing and making contributions out of the Company’s moneys to any schemes or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances, life assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this and the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may hold or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company or any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their dependants or any class or classes of such person.
- 27 - |
(2) The Board may pay, enter into agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable pensions or other benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants, or to any of such persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those, if any, to which such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or may become entitled under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding paragraph. Any such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable, be granted to an employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at any time after his actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any terms or conditions as the Board may determine.
BORROWING POWERS
90. The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to the Act, to issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
91. Debentures, bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.
92. Any debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption, surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general meetings of the Company, appointment of Directors and otherwise.
93. (1) Where any uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any subsequent charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and shall not be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority over such prior charge.
(2) The Board shall cause a proper register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, of all charges specifically affecting the property of the Company and of any series of debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with the requirements of the Act in regard to the registration of charges and debentures therein specified and otherwise.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE DIRECTORS
94. The Board may meet for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes. In the case of any equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall not have an additional or casting vote and the resolution shall fail.
95. A meeting of the Board may be convened by the Secretary on request of a Director or by any Director. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board of which notice may be given in writing or by telephone or in such other manner as the Board may from time to time determine whenever he shall be required so to do by the president or chairman, as the case may be, or any Director.
- 28 - |
96. (1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be equal to a majority of the Board.
(2) Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and, for the purpose of counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute presence at a meeting as if those participating were present in person.
(3) Any Director who ceases to be a Director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of such Board meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present.
97. The continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board but, if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles, the continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of Directors is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the quorum or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the purpose of filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of the Company but not for any other purpose.
98. The Chairman of the Board shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board. If the Chairman of the Board is not present at any meeting within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
99. A meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.
100. (1) The Board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to committees, consisting of such Director or Directors and other persons as it thinks fit, and they may, from time to time, revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment of and discharge any such committees either wholly or in part, and either as to persons or purposes. Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed on it by the Board.
(2) All acts done by any such committee in conformity with such regulations, and in fulfillment of the purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise, shall have like force and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if the Board delegates such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate the members of any such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current expenses of the Company.
- 29 - |
101. The meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter adopted by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.
102. A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors except such as are temporarily unable to act through ill-health or disability shall (provided that such number is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of such resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings in the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held. Such resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more of the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall be treated as valid.
103. All acts bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director or member of such committee.
OFFICERS
104. (1) The officers of the Company shall consist of the President/Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and such additional officers (who may or may not be Directors) as the Board may from time to time determine, all of whom shall be deemed to be officers for the purposes of the Act and these Articles.
(2) The Directors shall, as soon as may be after each appointment or election of Directors, elect amongst the Directors a chairman and if more than one Director is proposed for this office, the election to such office shall take place in such manner as the Directors may determine.
(3) The officers shall receive such remuneration as the Directors may from time to time determine.
105. (1) The Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may determine. If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint Secretaries. The Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it thinks fit one or more assistant or deputy Secretaries.
- 30 - |
(2) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Members and shall keep correct minutes of such meetings and enter the same in the proper books provided for the purpose. He shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Act or these Articles or as may be prescribed by the Board.
106. The officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in the management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them by the Directors from time to time.
107. A provision of the Act or of these Articles requiring or authorizing a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place of the Secretary.
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
108. The Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register of Directors and officers in which there shall be entered the full names and addresses of the Directors and officers and such other particulars as required by the Act or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the Registrar of Companies in the British Virgin Islands a copy of such register, and shall from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place in relation to such Directors and officers as required by the Act.
MINUTES
109. (1) In accordance with the Act, the Board shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the purpose:
(a) of all elections and appointments of officers;
(b) of the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors;
(c) of all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the Members, meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and where there are managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.
(2) Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary at the Office.
- 31 - |
SEAL
110. (1) The Company shall have one or more Seals, as the Board may determine. For the purpose of sealing documents creating or evidencing securities issued by the Company, the Company may have a securities seal which is a facsimile of the Seal of the Company with the addition of the word “Securities” on its face or in such other form as the Board may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody of each Seal and no Seal shall be used without the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board authorized by the Board in that behalf. Subject as otherwise provided in these Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed autographically by one Director and the Secretary or by two Directors or by such other person (including a Director) or persons as the Board may appoint, either generally or in any particular case, save that as regards any certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company the Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them shall be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical signature. Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article shall be deemed to be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously given.
(2) Where the Company has a Seal for use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal appoint any agent or committee abroad to be the duly authorized agent of the Company for the purpose of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may impose restrictions on the use thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to the Seal, the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed to include any such other Seal as aforesaid.
AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS
111. Any Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts, and if any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office or the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board. A document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee which is so certified shall be conclusive evidence in favor of all persons dealing with the Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS
112. Subject to the Act and the provisions of the Memorandum, the Board may from time to time recommend and pay to all Members on a pro rata basis a dividend or a distribution at such time and of such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately after the payment of the dividend or distribution, the value of the Company’s assets exceeds its liabilities and the Company is able to pay its debts as they fall due. The resolution shall include a statement to that effect.
- 32 - |
113. Before declaring and paying any dividend, the Board may set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as it determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall not be necessary to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which it may think prudent not to distribute.
114. Subject to the provisions of the Memorandum, except in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provide:
(a) all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of calls shall be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid up on the share; and
(b) all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.
115. The Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.
116. No dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company.
117. Any dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by check or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such check or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the check or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen or that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders.
- 33 - |
118. All dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof.
119. Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and in particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities of the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and where any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same up or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets, or any part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments of transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend, and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
120. (1) Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may further resolve either:
(a) that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board so determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;
- 34 - |
(iii) the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of shares as aforesaid) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the cash election has not been duly exercised (“the non-elected shares”) and in satisfaction thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on such basis; or
(b) that the Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such part of the dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;
(iii) the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the share election has been duly exercised (“the elected shares”) and in lieu thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the elected shares on such basis.
- 35 - |
(2) (a) The shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any) then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend or in any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of their proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) of this Article in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the Board shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution, bonus or rights.
(b) The Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect to any capitalization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby, in whole or in part, fractional entitlements are aggregated and sold and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorize any person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalization and matters incidental thereto and any agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned.
(3) The Company may upon the recommendation of the Board by ordinary resolution resolve in respect of any one particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article a dividend may be satisfied wholly in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without offering any right to shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash in lieu of such allotment.
(4) The Board may on any occasion determine that rights of election and the allotment of shares under paragraph (1) of this Article shall not be made available or made to any shareholders with registered addresses in any territory where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, the circulation of an offer of such rights of election or the allotment of shares would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable, and in such event the provisions aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
- 36 - |
(5) Any resolution of the Board declaring a dividend on shares of any class may specify that the same shall be payable or distributable to the persons registered as the holders of such shares at the close of business on a particular date, notwithstanding that it may be a date prior to that on which the resolution is passed, and thereupon the dividend shall be payable or distributable to them in accordance with their respective holdings so registered, but without prejudice to the rights inter se in respect of such dividend of transferors and transferees of any such shares. The provisions of this Article shall mutatis mutandis apply to bonuses, capitalization issues, distributions of realized capital profits or offers or grants made by the Company to the Members.
CAPITALISATION
121. The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to capitalize all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the footing that the same is not paid in cash but is applied either in or towards paying up the amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Members respectively or in paying up in full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members, or partly in one way and partly in the other, and the Board shall give effect to such resolution provided that, for the purposes of this Article, a share premium account and any capital redemption reserve or fund representing unrealized profits, may be applied only in paying up in full unissued shares of the Company to be allotted to such Members credited as fully paid.
122. The Board may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard to any distribution under the last preceding Article and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorize any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Members.
- 37 - |
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS RESERVE
123. The following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not prohibited by and are in compliance with the Act:
(1) If, so long as any of the rights attached to any warrants issued by the Company to subscribe for shares of the Company shall remain exercisable, the Company does any act or engages in any transaction which, as a result of any adjustments to the subscription price in accordance with the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, would reduce the subscription price to below the par value of a share, then the following provisions shall apply:
(a) as from the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and thereafter (subject as provided in this Article) maintain in accordance with the provisions of this Article a reserve (the “Subscription Rights Reserve”) the amount of which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being would be required to be capitalized and applied in paying up in full the nominal amount of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as fully paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all the subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights Reserve in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are allotted;
(b) the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make good losses of the Company if and so far as is required by law;
(c) upon the exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a nominal amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be allotted in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder, credited as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to the difference between:
(i) the said amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be, the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights); and
(ii) the nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would have been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent the right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares shall be capitalized and applied in paying up in full such additional nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully paid to the exercising warrantholders; and
- 38 - |
(d) if, upon the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the amount standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not sufficient to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to such difference as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled, the Board shall apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming available (including, to the extent permitted by law, share premium account) for such purpose until such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and allotted as aforesaid and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be paid or made on the fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such payment and allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the Company with a certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such additional nominal amount of shares. The rights represented by any such certificate shall be in registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in part in units of one share in the like manner as the shares for the time being are transferable, and the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to the maintenance of a register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as the Board may think fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to each relevant exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such certificate.
(2) Shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with the other shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the subscription rights represented by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1) of this Article, no fraction of any share shall be allotted on exercise of the subscription rights.
(3) The provision of this Article as to the establishment and maintenance of the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be altered or added to in any way which would vary or abrogate, or which would have the effect of varying or abrogating the provisions for the benefit of any warrantholder or class of warrantholders under this Article without the sanction of a special resolution of such warrantholders or class of warrantholders.
(4) A certificate or report by the auditors for the time being of the Company as to whether or not the Subscription Rights Reserve is required to be established and maintained and if so the amount thereof so required to be established and maintained, as to the purposes for which the Subscription Rights Reserve has been used, as to the extent to which it has been used to make good losses of the Company, as to the additional nominal amount of shares required to be allotted to exercising warrantholders credited as fully paid, and as to any other matter concerning the Subscription Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and binding upon the Company and all warrantholders and shareholders.
- 39 - |
ACCOUNTING RECORDS
124. The Board shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of the Company and of all other matters required by the Act or necessary to give a true and fair view of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions.
125. The accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or places as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors. No Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorized by the Board or the Company in general meeting.
126. Subject to Article 127, a printed copy of the Directors’ report, accompanied by the balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every document required by law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the applicable financial year and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Company under convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure, together with a copy of the Auditors’ report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto at least five (5) days before the date of the general meeting and laid before the Company at the annual general meeting held in accordance with Article 56 provided that this Article shall not require a copy of those documents to be sent to any person whose address the Company is not aware or to more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures.
127. Subject to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, and to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the requirements of Article 126 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a summary financial statement derived from the Company’s annual accounts and the directors’ report which shall be in the form and containing the information required by applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who is otherwise entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and the directors’ report thereon may, if he so requires by notice in writing served on the Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summary financial statement, a complete printed copy of the Company’s annual financial statement and the directors’ report thereon.
128. The requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 126 the documents referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with Article 127 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents referred to in Article 126 and, if applicable, a summary financial report complying with Article 127, on the Company’s computer network or in any other permitted manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication), and that person has agreed or is deemed to have agreed to treat the publication or receipt of such documents in such manner as discharging the Company’s obligation to send to him a copy of such documents.
- 40 - |
AUDIT
129. Subject to applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange:
(1) The Directors or a committee thereof shall appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Company and such auditor shall hold office until the Directors or committee thereof appoint another auditor. Such auditor may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the Company shall, during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an auditor of the Company.
130. Subject to the Act the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in every year.
131. The remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Directors or a committee thereof in such manner as they may determine.
132. If the office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor, or by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability at a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
133. The Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call on the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession relating to the books or affairs of the Company.
134. The statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books, accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be submitted to the Members in general meeting. The generally accepted auditing standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other than the British Virgin Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the Auditor should disclose this act and name such country or jurisdiction.
- 41 - |
NOTICES
135. Any Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication and any such Notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or address or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Notice to him or which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes at the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member or may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws, by placing it on the Company’s website and giving to the member a notice stating that the notice or other document is available there (a “notice of availability”). The notice of availability may be given to the Member by any of the means set out above (other than by placing it on the Company’s website). In the case of joint holders of a share all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders.
136. Any Notice or other document:
(a) if served or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence thereof;
(b) if sent by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on which it is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A notice placed on the Company’s website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the day following that on which a notice of availability is deemed served on the Member; and
(c) if served or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be deemed to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or delivery or, as the case may be, at the time of the relevant dispatch or transmission; and in proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board as to the act and time of such service, delivery, dispatch or transmission shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
- 42 - |
137. (1) Any Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding that such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event, be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his name shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery of such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share.
(2) A notice may be given by the Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence of the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or by the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the person claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.
(3) Any person who by operation of law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall become entitled to any share shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which prior to his name and address being entered on the Register shall have been duly given to the person from whom he derives his title to such share.
SIGNATURES
138. For the purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the case may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of shares from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or duly authorized representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the absence of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon at the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed by such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received.
WINDING UP
139. (1) The provisions of Articles 139(2) and 140 are subject to the provisions of the Memorandum until the consolidation of each series of Shares (other than the Preferred Shares) into one class of Ordinary Shares after consummation of an Acquisition Transaction or Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, as the case may be, and may not be amended during the Target Acquisition Period without the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding IPO Shares.
- 43 - |
(2) The Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a petition to the court for the Company to be wound up.
(3) A resolution that the Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily shall be a special resolution.
140. (1) Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members of the Company shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members in proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and (ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively.
(2) If the Company shall be wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, with the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the Act, divide among the Members in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and whether or not the assets shall consist of properties of one kind or shall consist of properties to be divided as aforesaid of different kinds, and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any one or more class or classes of property and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator with the like authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept any shares or other property in respect of which there is a liability.
INDEMNITY
141. (1) The Directors, Secretary and other officers and every Auditor for the time being of the Company and the liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting in relation to any of the affairs of the Company and everyone of them, and everyone of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them, their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or trusts (including, without limitation, all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by the Directors, Secretary and other officers and every Auditor or on their behalf in defending any proceedings in which judgment is given in his favour, or in which he is acquitted); and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for the sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or effects belonging to the Company shall or may be lodged or deposited for safe custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any moneys of or belonging to the Company shall be placed out on or invested, or for any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto; PROVIDED THAT this indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of said persons.
- 44 - |
(2) Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company; PROVIDED THAT such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to such Director.
AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
AND NAME OF COMPANY
142. Subject to the Memorandum, no Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be made until the same has been approved by a special resolution of the Members. A special resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum (save for an amendment for purposes of altering the capital referred to in Article 3 which shall require an ordinary resolution only), to amend these Articles or to change the name of the Company.
INFORMATION
143. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting any detail of the Company’s trading or any matter which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will be inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the public.
MATERIAL CHANGES
144. Notwithstanding section 175 of the Act, the Board may sell, transfer, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Company without the sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition being authorised by a Resolution of Members.
We, FH CORPORATE SERVICES LTD., registered agent of the Company, of FH Chambers, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110 for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign this Articles of Association on the [__] [______] 2012:
- 45 - |
Incorporator | |
FH COPORATE SERVICES LTD. | |
Sgd [___] | |
For and on behalf of | |
FH Corporate Services Ltd. |
- 46 - |
SPECIMEN UNIT CERTIFICATE
NUMBER | UNITS |
U- ___________ |
SEE REVERSE FOR | |
CERTAIN | |
DEFINITIONS |
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | CUSIP ___________ |
UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE (1) SERIES A SHARE AND ONE (1) WARRANT TO PURCHASE
ONE (1) ORDINARY SHARE
THIS CERTIFIES THAT | |||
is the owner of | Units. | ||
Each Unit (“Unit”) consists of one (1) Series A Share, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series A Share”), of CIS ACQUISITION LTD., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and one (1) warrant (the “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share (“ordinary shares”) for $10.00 per ordinary share (subject to adjustment). Each Warrant will become exercisable on the later of (i) the consolidation of each series ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after consummation of an initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, and (ii) ____________, 2013, and will expire unless exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on ____________, 2017, or the date of the Company's dissolution and winding up of the Company, or earlier upon redemption (the “Expiration Date”). The Series A Shares and Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate will begin separate trading 90 days after the date of the prospectus covering these securities (the “Prospectus”) or the announcement by the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering of the decision to allow earlier trading; provided, however, in no event will the representative allow separate trading of the Series A Shares and Warrants until the Company files an audited balance sheet with the Securities and Exchange Commission reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the offering and issues a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. The terms of the Warrants are governed by a Warrant Agreement, dated as of _______, 2012, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, 8 th Floor, New York, NY 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 Company. This Unit shall be governed and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
We may not cancel the units at any time unless and until (i) we do not consummate our initial acquisition transaction within the allotted time period and are required to dissolve and liquidate the trust account, (ii) we have completed an acquisition transaction prior to a post-acquisition tender offer or (iii) we have otherwise consummated an acquisition and our trust account has been liquidated.
Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signature of its duly authorized officers.
By | |||
Chief Executive Officer | Secretary |
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CORPORATE
SEAL
2012
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
The Company will furnish without charge to each unitholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - | Custodian | |||||
(Cust) | (Minor) | |||||
under Uniform Gifts to Minors | ||||||
Act | ||||||
(State) | ||||||
Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE | |||
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) | |||
Units | |||
represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint | |||
Attorney | |||
to transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Company will full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated | ||||
NOTICE: | The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
Signature(s) Guaranteed: |
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).
The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in accordance with the terms of the underlying Series A Share. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.
SPECIMEN SERIES A SHARE CERTIFICATE
NUMBER | SHARES |
_________A
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
SERIES A SHARES
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
THIS CERTIFIES THAT | CUSIP ____________ |
IS THE OWNER OF |
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SERIES A SHARES OF
THE PAR VALUE OF $0.0001 EACH OF
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
transferable in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, as amended. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Series A Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes of the Company’s Ordinary Shares upon consummation of its initial Acquisition Transaction, provided that the Company has not elected to grant its public shareholders their redemption rights by means of a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, in which case the Series A Shares will automatically be converted to Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. Public shareholders who hold Series B Shares will be entitled to participate in the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by tendering their Series B Shares in accordance with the instructions included in the Schedule TO and related tender offer documents to be filed with the SEC. The Series B Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes of the Company’s Ordinary Shares upon consummation of its Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. The Company will be forced to liquidate if it is unable to complete an Acquisition Transaction by ________, or if it is unable to commence or complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by ________ or _________ respectively, all as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated _______, 2012. Public shareholders who hold Series A Shares or Series B Shares will have their shares automatically converted into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event of such liquidation. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
Chief Executive Officer | Secretary |
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CORPORATE
SEAL 2012
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of share or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Series A Shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common | ||
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties | ||
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship | ||
and not as tenants in common | ||
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - | Custodian | |||||||
(Cust) | (Minor) | |||||||
under Uniform Gifts to Minors | ||||||||
Act | ||||||||
(State) | ||||||||
Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR | |||
OTHER | |||
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE | |||
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) | |||
shares | |||
represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint | |||
Attorney | |||
to transfer the said share on the books of the within named Corporation will full power of substitution in the premises. |
Dated |
2 |
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. | ||
Signature(s) Guaranteed: | ||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15). | ||
The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of (i) the Company’s liquidation upon a failure to consummate an Acquisition Transaction within the allotted time or (ii) if the holder seeks to convert his respective shares into cash in connection with an Acquisition Transaction for which shareholder approval is sought, which is actually consummated. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account. |
3 |
SPECIMEN SERIES B SHARE CERTIFICATE
NUMBER | SHARES |
_________B
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
SERIES B SHARES
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
THIS CERTIFIES THAT | CUSIP ____________ |
IS THE OWNER OF |
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SERIES B SHARES OF
THE PAR VALUE OF $0.0001 EACH OF
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
transferable in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, as amended. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. Public shareholders who hold Series B Shares will be entitled to participate in a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by tendering their Series B Shares in accordance with the instructions included in the Schedule TO and related tender offer documents to be filed with the SEC. The Series B Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes of the Company’s Ordinary Shares upon consummation of its Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. The Company will be forced to liquidate if it is unable to complete an Acquisition Transaction by ________, or if it is unable to commence or complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by ________ or _________ respectively, all as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated _______, 2012. Public shareholders who hold Series B Shares will have their shares of Series B Shares automatically converted into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event of such liquidation. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
Chief Executive Officer | Secretary |
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CORPORATE
SEAL 2012
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder 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 Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Series B Shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - | Custodian | |||||
(Cust) | (Minor) | |||||
under Uniform Gifts to Minors | ||||||
Act | ||||||
(State) | ||||||
Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE |
|
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) |
shares | |
represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint |
Attorney | |
to transfer the said share on the books of the within named Corporation will full power of substitution in the premises. |
2 |
Dated | |||
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
Signature(s) Guaranteed: |
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15). |
The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of (i) liquidation of the trust account upon a failure to commence or consummate a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer within the allotted time, or (iii) if the holder seeks to convert his respective shares into cash in connection with a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer which is actually consummated. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account. |
3 |
SPECIMEN SERIES C SHARE CERTIFICATE
NUMBER | SHARES |
_________C
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
SERIES C SHARES
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
THIS CERTIFIES THAT | CUSIP ____________ |
IS THE OWNER OF |
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SERIES C SHARES OF
THE PAR VALUE OF $0.0001 EACH OF
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
transferable in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, as amended. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. Holders of Series C Shares will not be entitled to: (1) redeem all or a portion of such Series C Shares in connection with the Acquisition Transaction; (2) share ratably in the Trust Account; or (3) participate in a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. The Series C Shares will be automatically consolidated with all other classes of the Company’s Ordinary Shares upon consummation of the Company’s initial Acquisition Transaction or Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, as the case may be. The Company will be forced to liquidate if it is unable to complete an Acquisition Transaction by ________, or if it is unable to commence or complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer by ________ or _________ respectively, all as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated _______, 2012. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
Chief Executive Officer | Secretary |
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CORPORATE
SEAL 2012
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder 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 Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Series C Shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - | Custodian | |||
(Cust) | (Minor) | |||
under Uniform Gifts to Minors |
Act | |||
(State) |
Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE |
|
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) | |
shares | |
of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint |
Attorney | |
to transfer the said share on the books of the within named Corporation will full power of substitution in the premises. |
2 |
Dated | |||
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
Signature(s) Guaranteed: |
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15). |
The holder of this certificate shall not have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account. |
3 |
SPECIMEN PUBLIC WARRANT CERTIFICATE
NUMBER WARRANTS
__________-
THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY TIME, __________, 2017
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CUSIP __________
WARRANT
This Warrant Certificate certifies that ________________________, or registered assigns, is the registered holder of __________ warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), of CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”). Subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement dated as of ________, 2012 by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”), each 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 nonassessable Ordinary Shares (each, a “Warrant Share”) as set forth below at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement payable in lawful money of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent or cashlessly upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate if there is not an effective registration statement or prospectus covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
Each Warrant is initially exercisable for one Warrant Share. The number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The initial Exercise Price per Warrant Share is equal to $10.00 per ordinary share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement. Warrants may be exercised only during the Warrant Exercise Period subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Warrant Exercise Period such Warrants shall become void.
The Company reserves the right to redeem the Warrant, in whole and not in part, at any time prior to its exercise, with a notice of redemption in writing to the holders of record of the Warrant, giving 30 days’ notice of such call at any time after the Warrant becomes exercisable if the last sale price of the Ordinary Shares has been at least $15.00 per share on each of 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of such redemption is given. The redemption price of the Warrants shall be $.01 per Warrant. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by the end of the date specified in the notice of redemption shall be cancelled on the books of the Company and have no further value except for the $.01 redemption price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Warrants issued to the underwriter of the Company’s initial public offering pursuant to their unit purchase option, shall not be redeemable by the Company.
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 and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: Secretary |
Countersigned:
Dated: ________, 20__
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
as Warrant Agent
By | ||
Authorized Signatory |
[Form of Public 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 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of [____________], 2012 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 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) 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 Warrant 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 Exercise Price , or if on a cashless basis, according to the formula set forth in the Warrant Agreement, as specified 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 assignee a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised. No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on any Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised for cash unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants is effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to such Warrant Shares is current. In the event that there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, holders of Warrants may elect to exercise them on a cashless basis according to the formula set forth in the Warrant Agreement. In no event shall the Warrants be settled on a net cash basis nor shall the Company be required to issue unregistered shares upon the exercise of any Warrant that is not a Placement Warrant.
The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of Warrant Shares set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. No fractions of an Ordinary Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Warrant, but the Company will pay the cash value thereof determined as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
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) thereof 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 __________ Ordinary Shares and herewith tenders payment for such shares to the order of CIS Acquisition Ltd. in the amount of $______ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares be registered in the name of ________________, whose address is _______________________________ and that such shares be delivered to ________________ whose address is ___________ ______________________. If said number of shares is less than all of the Ordinary Shares purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares be registered in the name of ______________, whose address is _________________________, and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to _________________, whose address is __________________.
Signature: _______________________
Date: _____________, 20__
Signature Guaranteed: _________________
SPECIMEN PLACEMENT WARRANT CERTIFICATE
NUMBER WARRANTS
__________-
(SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND)
THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY TIME, __________, 2017
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
CUSIP __________
WARRANT
This Warrant Certificate certifies that ________________________, or registered assigns, is the registered holder of __________ warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), of CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”). Subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement dated as of ________, 2012 by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”), each Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and nonassessable Ordinary Shares (each, a “Warrant Share”) as set forth below at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement payable in lawful money of the United States of America or cashlessly upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent.
Each Warrant is initially exercisable for one Warrant Share. The number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The initial Exercise Price per Warrant Share is equal to $10.00 per ordinary share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement. Warrants may be exercised only during the Warrant Exercise Period subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Warrant Exercise Period such Warrants shall become void.
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 and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: Secretary |
Countersigned:
Dated: ________, 20__
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY ,
as Warrant Agent
By _______________________ Authorized Signatory
1 |
[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 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of [____________], 2012 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 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) 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, on a for cash or cashless basis, during the Warrant 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 Exercise Price, or if on a cashless basis, according to the formula set forth 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 assignee a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised. No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on any Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.
The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of Warrant Shares set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. No fractions of an Ordinary Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Warrant, but the Company will pay the cash value thereof determined as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
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) thereof 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.
2 |
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 __________ Ordinary Shares and herewith tenders payment for such shares to the order of CIS Acquisition Ltd. in the amount of $______ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares be registered in the name of ________________, whose address is _______________________________ and that such shares be delivered to ________________ whose address is ___________ ______________________. If said number of shares is less than all of the Ordinary Shares purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares be registered in the name of ______________, whose address is _________________________, and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to _________________, whose address is __________________.
Signature: _______________________
Date: _____________, 20__
Signature Guaranteed: _________________
3 |
LEGEND FOR PLACEMENT WARRANTS
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (INCLUDING THE ORDINARY SHARES OF THE COMPANY ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF SUCH SECURITIES) 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, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND ORDINARY SHARES OF THE COMPANY ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS UNDER A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COMPANY.
No. _____ _______ Warrants
4 |
WARRANT AGREEMENT
CIS ACQUISITION LTD.
and
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
as Warrant Agent
Dated as of [●], 2012
Table of Contents
Page | ||
SECTION 1. Appointment of Warrant Agent | 1 | |
SECTION 2. Warrant Certificates | 1 | |
SECTION 3. Execution of Warrant Certificates | 1 | |
SECTION 4. Registration and Countersignature | 2 | |
SECTION 5. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges; Transfer Restrictions | 2 | |
SECTION 6. Terms of Warrants | 3 | |
SECTION 7. Payment of Taxes | 6 | |
SECTION 8. Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates | 6 | |
SECTION 9. Reservation of Warrant Shares | 6 | |
SECTION 10. Obtaining Stock Exchange Listings; State Registration | 7 | |
SECTION 11. Adjustment of Number of Warrant Shares | 7 | |
SECTION 12. Fractional Interests | 11 | |
SECTION 13. Notices to Warrant Holders | 11 | |
SECTION 14. Merger, Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent | 12 | |
SECTION 15. Conditions to Warrant Agent Duties and Obligations | 13 | |
SECTION 16. Change of Warrant Agent | 15 | |
SECTION 17. Notices to Company and Warrant Agent | 15 | |
SECTION 18. Supplements and Amendments | 15 | |
SECTION 19. Successors | 16 | |
SECTION 20. Termination | 16 | |
SECTION 21. Governing Law | 16 | |
SECTION 22. Benefits of This Agreement | 16 | |
SECTION 23. Counterparts | 16 | |
SECTION 24. Force Majeure | 16 | |
EXHIBIT A [Form of Warrant Certificate] | A-1 | |
EXHIBIT B [Form of Warrant Certificate] | B-1 | |
EXHIBIT C Warrant Agent Fees | C-1 |
WARRANT AGREEMENT
This Warrant Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of [●], 2012 between CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “ Company ”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent (the “ Warrant Agent ”).
WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) a Registration Statement, No. 333-180224 on Form F-1 (as may be amended from time to time) (the “ Registration Statement ”) for the initial public offering of units (the “ Initial Public Offering” ), each unit (“ Unit” ) consisting of one Series A Share of the Company’s, par value $0.0001 per share (“ Series A Shares” ), and one warrant, each warrant to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of $10.00 per share (“ Public Warrants ”);
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to issue (i) in a private placement to occur immediately prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering, an aggregate of [________] warrants to purchase ordinary shares (the “ Placement Warrants” ) to [___________] (the “ Private Placement Warrantholder” ), and (ii) up to [___________] Public Warrants (together with the Placement Warrants, the “ Warrants” ). The ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the Warrants are referred to as the “ Warrant Shares” ; and
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, transfer, exchange and exercise of the Warrants and other matters as provided herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Appointment of Warrant Agent . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the instructions set forth in this Agreement, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
SECTION 2. Warrant Certificates . The Warrant Agent shall deliver certificates evidencing the Warrants (the “ Warrant Certificates” ) pursuant to this Agreement in registered form only, with respect to the Public Warrants, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and with respect to the Placement Warrants, the warrant certificates for the Placement Warrants substanitally in the form set forth in Exhibit B , except as set forth herein.
SECTION 3. Execution of Warrant Certificates .
3.1 Warrant Certificates must be signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President. Each such signature upon the Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile signature of the present or any future Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, or Vice President, and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates and for that purpose the Company may adopt and use the facsimile signature of any person who has been Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, or Vice President, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Warrant Certificates is countersigned and delivered or disposed of he or she has ceased to hold such office.
3.2 If any officer of the Company who has signed any of the Warrant Certificates ceases to be such officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Warrant Certificates nevertheless may be countersigned and delivered or disposed of as though such person had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, is a proper officer of the Company to sign such Warrant Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such officer.
3.3 The Warrant Agent shall date the Warrant Certificates the date of countersignature by the Warrant Agent.
SECTION 4. Registration and Countersignature .
4.1 The Warrant Agent shall, upon written instructions of the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, countersign, issue and deliver Warrants as provided in this Agreement. Warrant Certificates not countersigned by the Warrant Agent will not be valid for any purpose.
4.2 The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder(s) of the Warrant Certificates as the absolute owner(s) thereof (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by anyone), for all purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
SECTION 5. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges; Transfer Restrictions .
5.1 The Warrant Agent shall from time to time, subject to the limitations of this Section 5, register the transfer of any outstanding Warrant Certificates upon the records to be maintained by it for that purpose, upon surrender thereof duly endorsed or accompanied (if so required by the Warrant Agent) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, duly executed by the registered holder or holders thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized attorney. Upon any such registration of transfer, the Warrant Agent shall issue a new Warrant Certificate to the transferee(s) and shall cancel the surrendered Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall dispose of such cancelled Warrant Certificates in its customary manner.
5.2 The Placement Warrants may not be sold or transferred until the Company completes its initial acquisition transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be (as described more fully in the Registration Statement) (the “ Initial Acquisition Transaction ”), except to a Permitted Transferee who agrees in writing with the Company to be subject to such transfer restrictions.
5.3 As used herein, “Permitted Transferee” means
(a) any officer, director or employee of the Company;
(b) an affiliate or a member of the holder’s immediate family (or a member of the immediate family of its officers or directors) or a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the holder (or one of its officers or directors or a member of their respective immediate families); or
(c) any successor in interest by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any holder, or
(d) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.
5.4 The holder of any Placement Warrants or Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of any Placement Warrants further agree, prior to any transfer of such securities, to give written notice to the Company expressing its desire to effect such transfer and describing briefly the proposed transfer. Upon receiving such notice, the Company shall present copies thereof to its counsel and the holder agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of such securities unless and until:
(a) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement, in which case the legends set forth in Section 6.3(g) hereof (the “ Legends ”) with respect to such securities sold pursuant to such registration statement shall be removed; or
2 |
(b) if reasonably requested by the Company, (A) the holder shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such Securities under the Securities Act, (B) the Company shall have received customary representations and warranties regarding the transferee that are reasonably satisfactory to the Company signed by the proposed transferee and (C) the Company shall have received an agreement by such transferee to the restrictions contained in the Legends.
5.5 Each Public Warrant must initially be issued together with one ordinary share as a Unit. The ordinary shares and Public Warrants comprising a Unit may not be separately transferable until 90 days following effectiveness of the Registration Statement, unless Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (the “Underwriter”) informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to the Company having filed a Form 6-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the offering of the Units and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin (the “ Detachment Date” ). Prior to the Detachment Date, Public Warrants may be transferred or exchanged only together with the Unit in which such Public Warrant is included, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, a transfer or exchange of such Unit. Furthermore, prior to the Detachment Date, each transfer of a Public Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Public Warrant included in such Unit. Upon separation of the Units by a holder, the number of Warrants issuable upon separation of the Units shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Warrant. In no event may a Warrant Certificate for a partial Warrant be issued.
5.6 Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Warrant Certificates may be exchanged at the option of the holder(s) thereof, when surrendered to the Warrant Agent at its principal corporate trust office, which is currently located at the address listed in Section 17.3 hereof, for another Warrant Certificate or other Warrant Certificates of like tenor and representing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants. Any holder desiring to exchange a Warrant Certificate shall deliver a written request to the Warrant Agent, and shall surrender, duly endorsed or accompanied (if so required by the Warrant Agent) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Certificate or Certificates to be so exchanged. Warrant Certificates surrendered for exchange shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. Such cancelled Warrant Certificates shall then be disposed of by such Warrant Agent in its customary manner.
5.7 The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5 and of Section 4 hereof, the new Warrant Certificates required pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.
SECTION 6. Terms of Warrants .
6.1 Exercise Price and Exercise Period .
(a) The initial exercise price per share that Warrant Shares may be purchasable upon the exercise of full Warrants (the “ Exercise Price ”) is $10.00 per share, and each Warrant is initially exercisable to purchase one ordinary share.
(b) Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 6.4 below), each Warrant holder has the right, which may be exercised commencing at the opening of business on the first day of the applicable Warrant Exercise Period set forth below and until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last day of such Warrant Exercise Period, to receive from the Company the number of fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares which the holder may at the time be entitled to receive on exercise of such Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price then in effect for such Warrant Shares, rounded down to the nearest whole Warrant. No adjustments as to dividends will be made upon exercise of the Warrants.
3 |
(c) The “ Warrant Exercise Period” for all Warrants commences (subject to Section 6.4 below) on the later of: (A) the date that is one year from the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Effective Date” ) or (B) the date on which the Company consolidates each of its series of ordinary shares into one class of ordinary shares after it completes its Initial Acquisition Transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, and ends on the earlier of: (A) the date that is five years from the Effective Date, (B) the trading day preceding the date on which such Warrants are redeemed pursuant to Section 6.2 below, or (C) upon the dissolution and winding up of the Company.
(d) Each Warrant not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last day of the Warrant Exercise Period shall become void and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease as of such time.
6.2 Redemption of Warrants .
(a) The Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant, upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each Public Warrant holder, at any time after such Public Warrants have become exercisable pursuant to Section 6.1 above, if, and only if, (i) the Closing Price has equaled or exceeded $15.00 (the “ Redemption Threshold ”) per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the notice of redemption to Public Warrant holders and (ii) at all times between the date of such notice of redemption and the redemption date a registration statement is in effect covering the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to those Warrant Shares is available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Warrants issued to the underwriter of the Company’s initial public offering pursuant to their unit purchase option, shall not be redeemable by the Company.
(b) The “Closing Price” of the ordinary shares on any date of determination means:
(i) the closing sale price for the regular trading session (without considering after hours or other trading outside regular trading session hours) of the ordinary shares (regular way) as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which the ordinary shares are so listed on that date (or, if no closing price is reported, the last reported sale price during that regular trading session), or
(ii) if the ordinary shares are not so listed, the last quoted sales price for the ordinary shares as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization, or
(iii) if the ordinary shares are not so quoted, the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the ordinary shares from at least three nationally recognized investment-banking firms that the Company selects for this purpose.
6.3 Exercise Procedure .
(a) A Warrant may be exercised upon surrender to the Company at the principal stock transfer office of the Warrant Agent, which is currently located at the address listed in Section 17.3 hereof, of the certificate or certificates evidencing the Warrants to be exercised with the form of election to purchase on the reverse thereof duly filled in and signed and such other documentation as the Warrant Agent may reasonably request, and upon payment to the Warrant Agent for the account of the Company of the Exercise Price (adjusted as herein provided if applicable) for the number of Warrant Shares in respect of which such Warrants are then exercised. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price must be made in cash or by certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company in New York Clearing House Funds, or the equivalent thereof.
(b) Holders of Public Warrants may not settle Public Warrants on a cashless basis (in lieu of payment of the Exercise Price), unless there is no effective registration statement or prospectus covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants. Holders of Private Placement Warrants may settle the Private Placement Warrants on a cashless basis at any time. Any exercise on a cashless basis shall be in accordance with the following formula:
4 |
N’= (N x (P - E)) / P
where:
N’ = the adjusted number of ordinary shares issuable upon cashless exercise of each Warrant.
N = the current number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant.
E = the Exercise Price on the date of cashless exercise of the Warrants.
P = the average reported last sales price of the ordinary shares for the last 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of cashless exercise is given.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 7, upon surrender of Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price, the Company shall issue and cause to be delivered with all reasonable dispatch to and in such name or names as the Warrant holder may designate, a certificate or certificates for the number of full Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants. Such certificate or certificates are to be deemed to have been issued and any person so designated to be named therein is to be deemed to have become a holder of record of such Warrant Shares as of the date of the surrender of such Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price.
(d) The Warrants may be exercisable, at the election of the holders thereof, either in full or from time to time in part and, in the event that a certificate evidencing Warrants is exercised in respect of fewer than all of the Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise at any time prior to the date of expiration of the Warrants, a new certificate evidencing the remaining Warrant or Warrants will be issued, and the Warrant Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized to countersign and to deliver the required new Warrant Certificate or Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6 and of Section 4 hereof, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, shall supply the Warrant Agent with Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose. The Warrant Agent may assume that any Warrant presented for exercise is permitted to be so exercised under applicable law and shall have no liability for acting in reliance on such assumption.
(e) The Warrant Agent shall cancel all Warrant Certificates surrendered upon exercise of Warrants and shall then dispose of such Warrant Certificates in its customary manner. The Warrant Agent shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and shall concurrently pay to the Company all monies received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of the Warrant Shares through the exercise of such Warrants.
(f) The Warrant Agent shall keep copies of this Agreement and any notices given or received hereunder available for inspection by the holders with reasonable prior written notice during normal business hours at its office. The Company shall supply the Warrant Agent from time to time with such numbers of copies of this Agreement as the Warrant Agent may request.
(g) Certificates evidencing Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of a Placement Warrant must bear the following legends:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW, 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 SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.
SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WILL BE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS UNDER A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COMPANY.
5 |
6.4 Registration Requirement . Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 6, no Public Warrants may be exercised by the holder paying the Exercise Price in cash unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise (other than Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise of any Placement Warrant) is effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”) and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the Warrant Shares is current. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have a registration statement in effect covering Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants from the date the Warrants become exercisable and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those Warrant Shares until the Warrants expire or are redeemed. In the event that, at the end of the Warrant Exercise Period, a Warrant has not been exercised, all the rights of the holder hereunder shall terminate and such Warrant shall expire unexercised and worthless, and as a result purchasers of the Units will have paid the full Unit price solely for the ordinary share included in each Unit. The Company is not required to issue unregistered shares upon the exercise of any Warrant; provided , however , that the Company shall issue unregistered shares upon the exercise of any Placement Warrant, if, at the time of such exercise, there is not an effective registration statement or current prospectus covering the Warrant Shares underlying such Placement Warrant. In no event will the registered holder of the Warrant be entitled to receive a net-cash settlement, securities or other consideration in lieu of physical settlement in shares of common stock, regardless of whether the common stock underlying the Warrants is registered pursuant to an effective registration statement.
SECTION 7. Payment of Taxes . The Company shall pay all documentary stamp taxes attributable to the initial issuance of Warrant Shares upon the exercise of Warrants; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue of any Warrant Certificates or any certificates for Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder of a Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of a Warrant, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such Warrant Certificates unless or until the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.
SECTION 8. Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates . If any Warrant Certificate is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue and the Warrant Agent shall countersign, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Warrant Certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Warrant Certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent number of Warrants, but only upon receipt of indemnity and evidence in each case satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent of such loss, theft or destruction of such Warrant Certificate. Applicants for such new Warrant Certificates shall pay such reasonable charges as the Company may prescribe.
SECTION 9. Reservation of Warrant Shares .
9.1 The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued ordinary shares or its authorized and issued ordinary shares held in its treasury, for the purpose of enabling it to satisfy any obligation to issue Warrant Shares upon exercise of Warrants, the maximum number of ordinary shares which may then be deliverable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants. The Warrant Agent is not required to verify availability of such shares set aside by the Company.
9.2 The Company or, if appointed, the transfer agent for the ordinary shares (the “ Transfer Agent” ) and every subsequent transfer agent for any ordinary shares of the Company issuable upon the exercise of any of the Warrants is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed at all times to reserve such number of authorized shares as shall be required for such purpose. The Company shall keep a copy of this Agreement on file with the Transfer Agent and with every subsequent transfer agent for any ordinary shares of the Company issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants. The Warrant Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized to requisition from time to time from such Transfer Agent the stock certificates required to honor outstanding Warrants upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall supply such Transfer Agent with duly executed certificates for such purposes. The Company shall furnish such Transfer Agent a copy of all notices of adjustments and certificates related thereto, transmitted to each holder pursuant to Section 13 hereof.
9.3 Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment pursuant to Section 11 hereof to reduce the Exercise Price below the then par value (if any) of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall take any commercially reasonable corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel (which may be counsel employed by the Company), be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares at the Exercise Price as so adjusted.
6 |
9.4 The Company shall, upon exercise of Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price therefor, issue Warrant Shares that are fully paid, nonassessable, free of preemptive rights and free from all taxes, liens, charges and security interests with respect to the issue thereof.
SECTION 10. [Reserved]
SECTION 11. Adjustment of Number of Warrant Shares . The number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of the events enumerated in this Section 11. For purposes of this Section 11, “ordinary shares” means shares now or hereafter authorized of any class of ordinary shares of the Company and any other stock of the Company, however designated, that has the right (subject to any prior rights of any class or series of preferred stock) to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Company without limit as to per share amount.
11.1 Adjustment for Change in Capital Stock . If the Company: (i) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its ordinary shares in either case in ordinary shares; (ii) subdivides its outstanding ordinary shares into a greater number of shares; (iii) combines its outstanding ordinary shares into a smaller number of shares; (iv) makes a distribution on its ordinary shares in shares of its capital stock other than ordinary shares; or (v) issues by reclassification of its ordinary shares any shares of its capital stock, then the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant immediately prior to such action shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised shall receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock of the Company which he would have owned immediately following such action if such Warrant had been exercised immediately prior to such action. The adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case of a dividend or distribution and immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event listed above shall occur.
11.2 Adjustment for Rights Issue .
(a) If the Company distributes any rights, options or warrants to all holders of its ordinary shares entitling them to purchase ordinary shares at a price per share less than the Closing Price per share on the Business Day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution of rights, options or warrants, the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant is to be adjusted in accordance with the following formula:
N’= N x ((O+A) / (O+(A x (P/M))))
where:
N’ = the adjusted number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant.
N = the current number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant.
O = the number of ordinary shares outstanding on the record date for such distribution.
A = the number of additional ordinary shares issuable pursuant to such rights or warrants.
P = the purchase price per share of the additional shares.
M = the Closing Price per ordinary share on the record date.
(b) The adjustment is to be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and is to become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive the rights, options or warrants. If at the end of the period during which such rights, options or warrants are exercisable, not all rights, options or warrants have been exercised, the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant is to be immediately readjusted to what it would have been if “N” in the above formula had been the number of shares actually issued.
7 |
11.3 Adjustment for Other Distributions .
(a) If the Company distributes to all holders of its ordinary shares any of its assets (including cash) or debt securities or any rights, options or warrants to purchase debt securities, assets or other securities of the Company (other than ordinary shares), the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant is to be adjusted in accordance with the formula:
N’ = N x (M / (M-F))
where:
N’ = the adjusted number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant.
N = the current number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant.
M = the Closing Price per ordinary share on the Business Day immediately preceding the ex dividend date for such distribution.
F = the fair market value on the ex dividend date for such distribution of the assets, securities, rights or warrants distributable to one ordinary share after taking into account, in the case of any rights, options or warrants, the consideration required to be paid upon exercise thereof. The Board of Directors shall reasonably determine the fair market value in good faith.
(b) The adjustment is to be made successively whenever any such distribution is made and shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.
(c) If any adjustment is made pursuant to this Section 11.3 as a result of the issuance of rights, options or warrants and at the end of the period during which any such rights, options or warrants are exercisable, not all such rights, options or warrants shall have been exercised, the Warrant shall be immediately readjusted as if “F” in the above formula was the fair market value on the ex-dividend date for such distribution of the indebtedness or assets actually distributed upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants divided by the number of ordinary shares outstanding on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection (c), if “M−F” in the above formula is less than $1.00, the Company may elect to, and if “M−F” or is a negative number, the Company shall, in lieu of the adjustment otherwise required by this Section 11.3, distribute to the holders of the Warrants, upon exercise thereof, the evidences of indebtedness, assets, rights, options or warrants (or the proceeds thereof) which would have been distributed to such holders had such Warrants been exercised immediately prior to the record date for such distribution.
11.4 Defined Terms; When De Minimis Adjustment May Be Deferred .
(a) As used in this Section 11:
(i) “Closing Price” of the ordinary shares on any date of determination means: (x) the closing sale price for the regular trading session (without considering after hours or other trading outside regular trading session hours) of the ordinary shares (regular way) as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which the ordinary shares are so listed on that date (or, if no closing price is reported, the last reported sale price during that regular trading session); (y) if the ordinary shares are not so reported, the last quoted sales price for the ordinary shares in the over the counter market as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization; or (z) if the ordinary shares are not so quoted, the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the ordinary shares from at least three nationally recognized investment-banking firms that the Company selects for this purpose;
8 |
(ii) “ex-dividend date” means the first date on which the ordinary shares on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance or distribution in question;
(iii) “trading day” means, with respect to the ordinary shares or any other security, a day during which (A) trading in the ordinary shares or such other security generally occurs, (B) there is no market disruption event (as defined below) and (C) a Closing Price for the ordinary shares or such other security (other than a Closing Price referred to in the next to last clause of such definition) is available for such day; provided that if the ordinary shares or such other security is not admitted for trading or quotation on or by any exchange, bureau or other organization, “trading day” will mean any Business Day;
(iv) “market disruption event” means, with respect to the ordinary shares or any other security, the occurrence or existence of more than one-half hour period in the aggregate or any scheduled trading day for the ordinary shares or such other security of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the stock exchange or otherwise) in the ordinary shares or such other security or in any options, contract, or future contracts relating to the ordinary shares or such other security, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on such day; and
(v) “Business Day” means, any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banks in the City of New York, New York, are authorized or required by law to close.
(b) No adjustment in the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant need be made unless the adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such number. Any adjustments that are not made are to be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
(c) All calculations under this Section 11 are to be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be.
11.5 When No Adjustment Required .
(a) No adjustment need be made for a transaction referred to in Sections 11.2-11.3 if Warrant holders are to participate, without requiring the Warrants to be exercised, in the transaction on a basis and with notice that the Board of Directors of the Company reasonably determines to be fair and appropriate in light of the basis and notice on which holders of ordinary shares participate in the transaction.
(b) No adjustment need be made for a change in the par value or no par value of the ordinary shares.
(c) To the extent the Warrants become convertible into cash, no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the amount of cash into which such Warrants are exercisable. Interest will not accrue on the cash.
11.6 Notice of Adjustment . Whenever the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant is adjusted, the Company shall provide the notices required by Section 13 hereof.
11.7 Notice of Certain Transactions .
(a) The Company shall mail to Warrant holders a notice stating the proposed record date for a dividend or distribution or the proposed effective date of a subdivision, combination, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, lease, liquidation or dissolution if:
9 |
(i) the Company takes any action that would require an adjustment in the Exercise Price pursuant to this Section 11, and if the Company does not arrange for Warrant holders to participate pursuant to Section 11.5;
(ii) the Company takes any action that would require a supplemental Warrant Agreement pursuant to Section 11.8; or
(iii) there is a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) The Company shall mail the notice at least 15 days before such date. Failure to mail the notice or any defect in it will not affect the validity of the transaction.
11.8 Reorganization of Company .
(a) If the Company consolidates or merges with or into, or transfers or leases all or substantially all its assets to, any person, upon consummation of such transaction, the Warrants will automatically become exercisable for the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets which the holder of a Warrant would have owned immediately after the consolidation, merger, transfer or lease if such holder had exercised the Warrant immediately before the effective date of the transaction; provided that (i) if the holders of ordinary shares were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each Warrant becomes exercisable is to be deemed the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by the holders of ordinary shares in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election or (ii) if a tender or exchange offer has been made to and accepted by the holders of ordinary shares 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the outstanding ordinary shares, the holder of a Warrant is entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder if such Warrant holder had exercised the Warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the ordinary shares 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 11; provided further, however, that if less than 70% of the consideration (the “ Public Share Percentage ”) receivable by the holders of the ordinary shares 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 on the OTC Bulletin Board, or is to be so listed for trading immediately following such event, then the Exercise Price shall be reduced by an amount (in dollars) equal to the quotient of: (x) the Redemption Threshold minus the Per Share Consideration (as defined below) (but in no event, less than zero) and (y) if the applicable event is announced on or prior to the third anniversary of the closing date of the Initial Acquisition Transaction, 2; if the applicable event is announced after the third anniversary of the closing date of the Initial Acquisition Transaction and on or prior to the fourth anniversary of the closing date of the Initial Acquisition Transaction, 2.5; if the applicable event is announced after the fourth anniversary of the closing date of the Initial Acquisition Transaction and on or prior to the Expiration Date, 3. “Per Share Consideration” means (i) if the consideration paid to holders of ordinary shares consists exclusively of cash, the amount of such cash per ordinary shares, and (ii) in all other cases, the average reported last sales price of the ordinary shares for the last 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the applicable event. Concurrently with the consummation of any such transaction, the corporation or other entity formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger if other than the Company, or the person to which such sale or conveyance has been made, shall enter into a supplemental Warrant Agreement so providing and further providing for adjustments which are to be as nearly equivalent as may be practical to the adjustments provided for in this Section. The successor Company shall mail to Warrant holders a notice describing the supplemental Warrant Agreement.
10 |
(b) If the issuer of securities deliverable upon exercise of Warrants under the supplemental Warrant Agreement is an affiliate of the formed, surviving, transferee or lessee corporation, that issuer shall join in the supplemental Warrant Agreement.
(c) If this Section 11.8 applies, Sections 11.2-11.7 do not apply.
11.9 Warrant Agent’s Disclaimer . The Warrant Agent is not required to determine when an adjustment under this Section 11 should be made, how it should be made or what it should be. The Warrant Agent is not required to determine whether any provisions of a supplemental Warrant Agreement under Section 11.8 are correct. The Warrant Agent makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon exercise of Warrants. The Warrant Agent is not responsible for the Company’s failure to comply with this Section.
11.10 When Issuance or Payment May Be Deferred . In any case in which this Section 11 requires that an adjustment in the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event issuing to the holder of any Warrant exercised after such record date the Warrant Shares and other capital stock of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Warrant Shares and other capital stock of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional Warrant Shares and other capital stock upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
11.11 Form of Warrants . Notwithstanding any adjustments in the number or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants or the Exercise Price, Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same number and kind of shares and Exercise Price as are stated in the Warrants initially issuable pursuant to this Agreement.
SECTION 12. Fractional Interests . The Company is not required to issue fractional Warrant Shares on the exercise of Warrants. If more than one Warrant is presented for exercise in full at the same time by the same holder, the number of full Warrant Shares which are issuable upon the exercise thereof are to be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Shares purchasable on exercise of the Warrants so presented, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
SECTION 13. Notices to Warrant Holders .
13.1 Upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 11, the Company shall promptly thereafter, and in any event within five days, (a) cause to be filed with the Warrant Agent a certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer or principal financial officer of the Company setting forth the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant after such adjustment and setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculations are based, and (b) cause to be given to each of the registered holders of the Warrant Certificates at his address appearing on the Warrant register written notice of such adjustments by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Where appropriate, such notice may be given in advance and included as a part of the notice required to be mailed under the other provisions of this Section 13. The Warrant Agent may rely on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and is not to be deemed to have knowledge of such adjustment unless and until it has received such certificate.
13.2 The Company shall cause to be filed with the Warrant Agent and shall cause to be given to each registered holder of Warrant Certificates at his address appearing on the Warrant register, at least 10 calendar days prior to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, or as promptly as practicable under the circumstances in the case of events for which there is no record date, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a written notice stating (i) the date as of which the holders of record of shares of common stock to be entitled to receive any such rights, options, warrants or distribution are to be determined, (ii) the initial expiration date set forth in any tender offer or exchange offer for shares of common stock, or (iii) the date on which any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or consummated, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of record of shares of common stock are to be entitled to exchange such shares for securities or other property, if any, deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, in the event:
11 |
(a) the Company authorizes the issuance to all holders of ordinary shares of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase ordinary shares or of any other subscription rights or warrants;
(b) the Company authorizes the distribution to all holders of ordinary shares of evidences of its indebtedness or assets (other than regular cash dividends or dividends payable in ordinary shares or distributions referred to in Section 11.3);
(c) of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required, or of the conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety, or of any reclassification or change of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), or a tender offer or exchange offer for ordinary shares;
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company; or
(e) the Company proposes to take any action not specified above which would require an adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 11.
13.3 The failure to give the notice required by this Section 13 or any defect therein does not affect the legality or validity of any distribution, right, option, warrant, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, or the vote upon any action. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any of the Warrant Certificates is to be construed as conferring upon the holders thereof the right to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of Directors of the Company or any other matter, or any rights whatsoever as shareholders of the Company.
SECTION 14. Merger, Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent .
14.1 Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent is merged or with which it is consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent is a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust or agency business of the Warrant Agent, will be the successor to the Warrant Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor warrant agent under the provisions of Section 16. If at the time the successor to the Warrant Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement, and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the original Warrant Agent; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor to the Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates will have the full force and effect provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.
14.2 If at any time the name of the Warrant Agent is changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent whose name has been changed may adopt the countersignature under its prior name, and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates have not been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name, and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates will have the full force and effect provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.
12 |
SECTION 15. Conditions to Warrant Agent Duties and Obligations . The Warrant Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement (and no implied duties or obligations may be read into this Agreement against the Warrant Agent) upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Warrants, by their acceptance thereof, are bound:
15.1 The statements contained herein and in the Warrant Certificates may be taken as statements of the Company and the Warrant Agent assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any of the same except such as describe the Warrant Agent or action taken or to be taken by it. The Warrant Agent assumes no responsibility with respect to the distribution of the Warrant Certificates except as provided herein.
15.2 The Warrant Agent is not responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of the covenants contained in this Agreement or in the Warrant Certificates to be complied with by the Company.
15.3 The Warrant Agent may consult at any time with counsel of its own selection (who may be counsel for the Company) and the Warrant Agent incurs no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any holder of any Warrant Certificate in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion or the advice of such counsel. The Warrant Agent may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or through agents or attorneys and the Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
15.4 The Warrant Agent may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Warrant Agent and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement. The Warrant Agent incurs no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any holder of any Warrant Certificate for any action taken in reliance on any Warrant Certificate, certificate of shares, notice, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, or other paper, document or instrument (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.
15.5 The Company shall: (i) pay to the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent as set forth on Exhibit C hereto; (ii) reimburse the Warrant Agent for all reasonable expenses, taxes and governmental charges and other charges of any kind and nature incurred by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement (including fees and expenses of its counsel); and (iii) to indemnify the Warrant Agent (and any predecessor Warrant Agent) and save it harmless against any and all claims (whether asserted by the Company, a holder or any other person), damages, losses, expenses (including taxes other than taxes based on the income of the Warrant Agent), liabilities, including judgments, costs and counsel fees and expenses, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement except as a result of its negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith. The provisions of this Section 15.5 survive the expiration of the Warrants and the termination of this Agreement.
15.6 The Warrant Agent is not required to institute any action, suit or legal proceeding or to take any other action likely to involve expense unless the Company or one or more registered holders of Warrant Certificates furnish the Warrant Agent with security and indemnity satisfactory to it for any costs and expenses which may be incurred, but this provision will not affect the power of the Warrant Agent to take such action as it may consider proper, whether with or without any such security or indemnity. All rights of action under this Agreement or under any of the Warrants may be enforced by the Warrant Agent without the possession of any of the Warrant Certificates or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Warrant Agent is to be brought in its name as Warrant Agent and any recovery of judgment is to be for the ratable benefit of the registered holders of the Warrants, as their respective rights or interests may appear.
15.7 The Warrant Agent, and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of it, may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein precludes the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
13 |
15.8 The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company, and its duties are determined solely by the provisions hereof. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for anything that it does or refrains from doing in connection with this Agreement except for its own negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith. The Warrant Agent is not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by it, unless it is proved that the Warrant Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event is the Warrant Agent liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the likelihood of the loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action.
15.9 The Warrant Agent is not required to make or cause to be made any adjustment of the Exercise Price or number of the Warrant Shares or other securities or property deliverable as provided in this Agreement, or to determine whether any facts exist which may require any of such adjustments, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustments, when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the same. The Warrant Agent is not accountable with respect to the validity or value or the kind or amount of any Warrant Shares or of any securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of any Warrant or with respect to whether any such Warrant Shares or other securities will when issued be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable, and makes no representation with respect thereto.
15.10 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent has any liability to any holder of a Warrant Certificate or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided that (i) the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible and (ii) nothing in this Section 15.10 affects the Company’s obligation under Section 6.4 to use all commercially reasonable efforts to have a registration statement in effect covering the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those Warrant Shares.
15.11 Any application by the Warrant Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Warrant Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Warrant Agent under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Warrant Agent in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date must not be less than three Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer has consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Warrant Agent has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
15.12 Warrant Agent is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights.
15.13 In addition to the foregoing, the Warrant Agent is protected and does not incur liability for, or in respect of, any action taken or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement if such acts or omissions are not the result of the Warrant Agent’s reckless disregard of its duty, gross negligence or willful misconduct and are in reliance upon (i) the proper execution of the certification concerning beneficial ownership appended to the form of assignment and the form of the election attached hereto unless the Warrant Agent has actual knowledge that, as executed, such certification is untrue, or (ii) the non-execution of such certification including, without limitation, any refusal to honor any otherwise permissible assignment or election by reason of such non-execution.
14 |
SECTION 16. Change of Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as Warrant Agent upon written notice to the Company. If the Warrant Agent becomes incapable of acting as Warrant Agent, the Company shall appoint a successor to such Warrant Agent. If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of 60 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or of such incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the registered holder of a Warrant Certificate, then the registered holder of any Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agent may apply, at the expense of the Company, to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor to the Warrant Agent. Pending appointment of a successor to such Warrant Agent, either by the Company or by such a court, the duties of the Warrant Agent shall be carried out by the Company. The holders of a majority of the unexercised Warrants may at any time remove the Warrant Agent and appoint a successor to such Warrant Agent. If a Successor Warrant Agent is not appointed within 60 days of such removal, the Warrant Agent may apply, at the expense of the Company, to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor to the Warrant Agent. Such successor to the Warrant Agent need not be approved by the Company or the former Warrant Agent. After appointment the successor to the Warrant Agent will be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Warrant Agent without further act or deed; but the former Warrant Agent upon payment of all fees and expenses due it and its agents and counsel shall deliver and transfer to the successor to the Warrant Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 16, however, or any defect therein, will not affect the legality or validity of the appointment of a successor to the Warrant Agent.
SECTION 17. Notices to Company and Warrant Agent .
17.1 Any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the registered holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Company is sufficiently given or made when and if deposited in the mail, first class or registered, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Fax No.: [______________]
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
17.2 If the Company fails to maintain such office or agency or fails to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations may be made and notices and demands may be served at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent.
17.3 Any notice pursuant to this Agreement to be given by the Company or by the registered holder(s) of any Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent is sufficiently given when and if deposited in the mail, first-class or registered, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company) to the Warrant Agent as follows:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company]
17 Battery Place, 8 th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Fax: [__________]
Attention: Compliance Department
SECTION 18. Supplements and Amendments . The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Warrant Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which is defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable and which do not in any way adversely affect the interests of the holders of Warrant Certificates theretofore issued. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 18, the Warrant Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the prior written consent of the Warrant Agent must be obtained in connection with any supplement or amendment that alters the rights or duties of the Warrant Agent. The Company and the Warrant Agent may amend any provision herein with the consent of the holders of Warrants exercisable for a majority of the Warrant Shares issuable on exercise of all outstanding Warrants; provided that any amendment affecting the Public Warrants must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Public Warrants. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, prior to the issuance of any Public Warrants, this Agreement (including the exhibits hereto) may be amended by the Company and the Warrant Agent, without the consent of any holder of Placement Warrants, to modify in any way or provide for the terms of the Public Warrants.
15 |
SECTION 19. Successors . All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
SECTION 20. Termination . This Agreement terminates on any earlier date if all Warrants have been exercised or expire without exercise. The provisions of Section 15 hereof shall survive such termination.
SECTION 21. Governing Law . The laws of the State of New York govern this Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued hereunder without regard to conflicts of laws principles. The parties agree that all actions and proceedings arising out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or in a New York State Court in the County of New York and that, in connection with any such action or proceeding, submit to the jurisdiction of, and venue in, such court. Each of the parties hereto also irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 22. Benefits of This Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the registered holders of the Warrant Certificates any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement, and this Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the registered holders of the Warrant Certificates.
SECTION 23. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts is for all purposes to be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 24. Force Majeure . The Warrant Agent is not responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
[Signature page follows]
16 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
17 |
EXHIBIT A
[Form of Public Warrant Certificate]
A- 1 |
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Public Warrant Certificate]
B- 1 |
EXHIBIT C
Warrant Agent Fees
Description | Amount ($) | |
Fee for acting as Warrant Agent | [_____] |
C- 1 |
[ ] 2012
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Attention : The directors
Dear Sirs,
Re: CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”)
We have acted as special British Virgin Islands legal counsel to the Company in connection with the initial public offering (the “ IPO ”) of (i) 10,000,000 units (the “ Units ”), with each Unit consisting of one callable series A share par value US$0.0001 each (the “ Series A Shares ”) and one redeemable warrant (the “ Warrants ”) to purchase one ordinary share of par value US$0.0001 each (the “ Ordinary Shares ”) to the underwriters for whom Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (the “ Representative ”) is acting as representative (collectively, the “ Underwriters ”); (ii) up to 1,500,000 Units (the “ Over-Allotment Units ”) which the Underwriters will have a right to purchase from the Company to cover over-allotments, if any, (iii) 11,500,000 Series A Shares included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units; (iv) 11,500,000 Warrants included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units; (v) 11,500,000 Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units; (vi) 11,500,000 callable series B share of par value US$0.0001 each (the “ Series B Shares ”) issuable upon automatic conversion of the Series A Shares; (vii) 11,500,000 Ordinary Shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the Series B Shares; (viii) 1 underwriters unit purchase option (the “ UPO ”); (ix) 700,000 Units underlying the UPO (the “ UPO Units ”); (x) 700,000 Ordinary Shares included as part of the UPO Units; (xi) 700,000 Warrants included as part of the UPO Units; and (xii) 700,000 Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants included in the UPO Units, each as described in the prospectus contained in the Company's registration statement on Form F-1, as amended to date (the “ Registration Statement ”) originally filed by the Company under the United States Securities Act 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on or about [ ] 2012.
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied upon copies of the following documents:
(i) | the Registration Statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act with the Commission as amended; |
(ii) | the prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) contained in the Registration Statement; |
(iii) | a draft of the unit certificate constituting the Units (the “ Unit Certificate ”); and |
(iv) | a draft of the warrant certificate constituting the Warrants (the “ Warrant Certificate ”). |
The documents listed in items (i) through (iv) above are herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Documents” (which term does not include any other instrument or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto).
We have also reviewed the amended and restated memorandum of association and the amended and restated articles of association of the Company, as obtained from the Registrar of Co rporate Affairs on [ ] 2012 (the “ A&R M&As ”), resolutions in writing signed by all the directors of the Company and dated [ ] 2012 and resolutions in writing signed by all the members of the Company and dated [ ] 2012 (the “Resolutions”), and such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.
We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Documents and other documents reviewed by us, and (c) that, upon the issue of any Series A Shares, Series B Shares or Ordinary Shares (collectively, “Shares”) by the Company, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof.
Page 2 of 4 |
We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the British Virgin Islands. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the British Virgin Islands. This opinion is issued solely for the purposes of the filing of the Registration Statement and the offering of the Units by the Company in the IPO.
“Non-assessability” is not a legal concept under British Virgin Islands law, but when we describe the Shares as being “non-assessable” we mean, subject to any contrary provision in any agreement between the Company and any one of its members holding any of the Units, Warrants or Shares (but only with respect to such member), that no further sums are payable with respect to the issue of such Shares and no member shall be bound by an alteration in the memorandum and articles of association after the date upon which it became a member if and so far as the alteration requires such member to take or subscribe for additional Shares or in any way increases its liability to contribute to the share capital of, or otherwise pay money to, the Company.
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing we are of the opinion that:
1. | The Company is duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands in good standing (meaning solely that it has not failed to make any filing with any British Virgin Islands governmental authority or to pay any British Virgin Islands government fee or tax which would make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of the British Virgin Islands). |
2. | When issued and paid for as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Units, the Over-Allotment Units, the UPO Units and the Warrants, all Series A Shares and Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
3. | When issued and paid for as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the A&R M&As, (i) the Series B Shares issuable on automatic conversion of the Series A Shares, and (ii) the Ordinary Shares issuable on the automatic consolidation and/or re-designation of the Series A Shares and the Series B Shares, will, in each case, be validly issued fully paid and non-assessable . |
Page 3 of 4 |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Yours faithfully, | |
Forbes Hare |
Page 4 of 4 |
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154-1895 |
Direct
Main Fax |
212.407.4000
212.407.4000 212.407.4990 |
[________], 2012
CIS Acquisition Ltd. | |
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84 | |
Moscow, Russia 119607 |
Re: | CIS Acquisition Ltd. |
Ladies and Gentlemen::
Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “ Company ”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), covering an underwritten public offering of (i) 10,000,000 units (the “ Units ”), with each Unit consisting of one ordinary share of the Company, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Ordinary Shares ”), which ordinary share is designated as a Series A Share (the “ Series A Shares ”), and one warrant, each warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share (the “ Warrants ”), (ii) up to 1,500,000 Units (the “ Over-Allotment Units ”) which the underwriters will have a right to purchase from the Company to cover over-allotments, if any, (iii) an option (“ Unit Purchase Option ”) to purchase up to 700,000 Units granted to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, (iv) up to 700,000 Units (“ Purchase Option Units ”) underlying the Unit Purchase Option, (iv) all Ordinary Shares, including the Series A Shares, and all Warrants issued as part of the Units, Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units, (v) all Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units, Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units, (vi) the Series B Shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the Series A Shares (the “ Series B Shares ”) and (vii) Ordinary Shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the Series B Shares.
We have examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth below. With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain officers of the Company. Because the agreement governing the Warrants (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), the Warrants, the Units, the Unit Purchase Option and the Purchase Option Units contain provisions stating that they are to be governed by the laws of the State of New York, we are rendering this opinion as to New York law. We are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to any matters governed by any law other than the law of the State of New York. In particular, we do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that Warrant Agreement, and each of the Warrants (including the Warrants issuable in connection with the Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units), the Units, the Unit Purchase Option and the Purchase Option Units, if and when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Warrant Agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.
In addition, the foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that (a) enforceability may be limited by and be subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including, without limitation, concepts of notice and materiality), and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ and debtors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, any state or federal law in respect of fraudulent transfers); and (b) no opinion is expressed herein as to compliance with or the effect of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.
Los Angeles New York Chicago Nashville Washington, DC Beijing www.loeb.com
A limited liability partnership including professional corporations
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
[_______], 2012 Page 2 |
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your U.S. counsel and to all references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours, | |
Loeb & Loeb LLP |
Exhibit 8.1
Loeb & Loeb LLP | |||
345 Park Avenue | Direct | 212.407.4000 | |
New York, NY 10154-1895 | Main | 212.407.4000 | |
Fax | 212.407.4990 |
[Date]
CIS Acquisition Ltd. | DRAFT |
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84 | |
Moscow, Russia 119607 |
Re: | Registration Statement of CIS Acquisition Ltd. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as U.S. counsel to CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), filed on [ ], 2012 (Registration Number 333-180224), as amended through the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”).
As U.S. counsel to the Company, we have reviewed the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed with your approval the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the legal authority of all entities, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the completeness and accuracy of the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed with your approval and have not verified the accuracy of the factual matters and representations set forth in the Registration Statement.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in the Registration Statement and herein, we hereby confirm and adopt as our opinion on the date hereof the statements of U.S. federal income tax law as set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
This opinion is based upon the existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published revenue rulings and procedures from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof. Any such authority is subject to change, and any change may be retroactive in effect and may affect our opinion set forth herein. Our opinion is based on the facts, assumptions and representations set forth in the Registration Statement and this opinion. If any of the facts, assumptions or representations is not true, correct or complete, our opinion may not be applicable. We undertake no responsibility to update this opinion or to advise you of any developments or changes as a result of a change in legal authority, fact, assumption or document, or any inaccuracy in any fact, representation or assumption, upon which this opinion is based, or otherwise.
CIS Acquisition Ltd. |
[Date] |
Page 2 |
Our opinion is not binding on the IRS or a court. The IRS may disagree with one or more of our conclusions, and a court may sustain the IRS’s position.
Except as expressly provided herein, we express no opinion with respect to any tax matter.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm as U.S. counsel to the Company under the captions “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement, without implying or admitting that we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.
Very truly yours,
Loeb & Loeb LLP
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
[ ] 2012
Dear Sirs
Re: Registration Statement of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (“Company”)
We have acted as special British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company to provide this legal opinion in connection with the Company's registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " Commission ") under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the " Act "), as amended on [ ] 2012 (Registration Number 333-180224) (the " Registration Statement "). This opinion is given in accordance with the terms of the Taxation and Legal Matters section of the Registration Statement.
1 | DOCUMENTS REVIEWED |
We have reviewed originals, copies, drafts or conformed copies of the following documents and have examined such other documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this legal opinion:
1.1 | the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; |
1.2 | the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association; and |
1.3 | the Registration Statement. |
2 | ASSUMPTIONS |
In giving this opinion we have relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:
As British Virgin Islands legal counsel to the Company, we have reviewed the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed with your approval the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the legal authority of all entities, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the completeness and accuracy of the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed with your approval and have not verified the accuracy of the factual matters and representations set forth in the Registration Statement.
Page 2 of 3 |
Save as aforesaid we have not been instructed to undertake and have not undertaken any further enquiry or due diligence in relation to the transaction the subject of this opinion.
3 | OPINIONS |
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
3.1 | The Company is a company limited by shares duly incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, in good standing at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and validly existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. |
3.2 | Based on the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in the Registration Statement and herein, we hereby confirm and adopt as our opinion on the date hereof the statements of British Virgin Islands tax law as set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation – British Virgin Islands Taxation.” |
4 | QUALIFICATIONS |
The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
4.1 | To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, annual filing fees must be paid to the Registry of Corporate Affairs. |
4.2 | Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion. |
4.3 | This opinion is confined to and given on the basis of the laws of the British Virgin Islands at the date hereof and as currently applied by the courts of the British Virgin Islands. We have not investigated and we do not express or imply nor are we qualified to express or imply any opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction. |
We hereby consent to filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm as British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company under the under the headings “Taxation – British Virgin Islands Taxation” and "Legal Matters" included in the Registration Statement. In the giving our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required or admit that we are “experts” within the meaning of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.
2 |
Page 3 of 3 |
This opinion is limited to the matters detailed herein as is issued solely in connection with the original issuance of securities by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement and is not to be read as an opinion with respect to any other matter.
Except as expressly provided herein, we express no opinion with respect to any other tax matter.
Yours faithfully
Forbes Hare
3 |
___________, 2012
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
17 State Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY 10004
Re: Initial Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The undersigned [shareholder] [Insert position] of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”), in consideration of Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) entering into an agreement to underwrite an initial public offering of the securities of the Company (“IPO”) and embarking on the IPO process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 12 hereof):
1. If the Company initiates an issuer tender offer in connection with the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction, the undersigned will not redeem any Shares owned by the undersigned in such tender offer. If the Company solicits approval of its shareholders to approve the Acquisition Transaction, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by the undersigned in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares, and will vote any IPO Shares acquired in the IPO or the aftermarket owned by the undersigned in favor of such Acquisition Transaction. If the Company solicits approval of its shareholders to amend Clause 6(3) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association prior to consummation of an Acquisition Transaction, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by the undersigned in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares. The undersigned will not exercise any appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights are available) to which the undersigned may be entitled under the British Virgin Islands Law (“BVI Law”) in connection with the vote to approve any Acquisition Transaction, as the case may be, with respect to any Shares acquired in the aftermarket owned by the undersigned.
2. In the event that the Company fails to consummate an Acquisition Transaction within 18 months (or 21 months pursuant to the automatic period extension) from the consummation of the IPO (such date being referred to herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall take all such action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company and liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of BVI Law. [The undersigned in its capacity as a member of the board of directors of the Company hereby agrees not to recommend to shareholders of the company to vote in favor of an amendment to Clause 6(3) of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, if such amendment would take effect prior to the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction.] The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to his Insider Shares, and his Placement Warrants (“Claim”). The undersigned hereby agrees that he will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any Claim he may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever, other than liquidation distributions for any IPO Shares acquired by him in the IPO or the aftermarket.
3. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claims, 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, or any claim whatsoever) which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by any vendor or other person who is owed money by the Company for services rendered or products sold or contracted for, or by any Target Business (“Third-Party Claimant”), but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not reduce the amount in the Trust Fund; provided, however, that the undersigned shall not be required to so indemnify the Company if the Third-Party Claimant has waived its right to proceed against the Trust Fund. The undersigned further agrees to advance such funds as are necessary to complete the plan of dissolution and distribution, and not seek repayment thereof, if and to the extent the Company’s assets outside of the Trust Fund are insufficient.
4. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire a Target Business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an Acquisition Transaction, the liquidation of the Company or until such time as the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the undersigned might have.
5. To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any Acquisition Transaction with an entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the Acquisition Transaction is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view.
6. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating an Acquisition Transaction and the undersigned acknowledges that (i) the Company has an obligation to repay a $[_______] non-interest bearing loan made to the Company by Intercarbo Holding AG, an affiliate of the Company’s officers and directors (“Related Party”), and (ii) Related Party shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities and secretarial services.
7. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates an Acquisition Transaction.
8. The undersigned will escrow, in accordance with the terms of a Securities Escrow Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent: (i) all of his Insider Shares until the date which is two (2) years after the date on the prospectus in the IPO, and (ii) all of his Placement Warrants until the date on which the Company consummates its initial Acquisition Transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be.
9. [The undersigned agrees to be [a member of the Company’s board of directors] [and] [the Company’s [Insert Officer Position]] until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an Acquisition Transaction or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s biographical information furnished to the Company and Chardan and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.] The undersigned’s Questionnaire furnished to the Company and Chardan is true and accurate in all respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a) The undersigned 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;
(b) The undersigned has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
2 |
(c) The undersigned 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.
10. The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement [and to serve as [a member of the Company’s board of directors] [and] [the Company’s [Insert Officer Position]].
11. 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 undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in any way to this letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii) irrevocably agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service of process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and Chardan and appoint a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company Chardan within 30 days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
12. As used herein, (i) an “Acquisition Transaction” shall mean an acquisition by a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses that have a fair market value, individually or collectively, of at least equal to 80% of the balance in the trust account (less the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable) at the time of such acquisition transaction; (ii) “Shares” shall mean shares of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Series C Shares owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall mean the Series A Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vii) “Private Placement” shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated immediately prior to the IPO; (viii) “Placement Warrants” shall mean the warrants issued in the Private Placement; (ix) “Series C Shares” shall mean the Shares issued to the Insiders prior to the Private Placement; (x) “Target Business” shall mean an operating business that the Company seeks to acquire; and (xi) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
By: | ||
Name: |
3 |
EXHIBIT A
[Insert Biographical Information from “Management” section of Final Prospectus]
4 |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of _________, 2012 by and between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, No. 333-180224 (as amended from time to time) (“Registration Statement”), for its initial public offering of securities (“IPO”) has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Effective Date”); and
WHEREAS, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC is acting as the representative (the “Representative”) of the underwriters in the IPO; and
WHEREAS, the Company has issued securities in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the IPO (the “Placement”); and
WHEREAS, as described in the Company’s Registration Statement, and in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, a maximum of $[_____] of the proceeds of the Placement and the IPO, net of all discounts and commissions including the Deferred Compensation (as defined below), if the over-allotment option is not exercised (or a minimum of $[_____] if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Company’s Series A Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Shares”), issued in the IPO, including any Series B Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Shares”), and excluding any Series C Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series C Shares”), issuable upon conversion of such shares (the Series A Shares and Series B Shares, collectively, the “IPO Shares”), as hereinafter provided, and in the event the units issued in the IPO are registered in Colorado, pursuant to Section 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado revised statutes (the “CRS”). A copy of Section 11-51-302(6) of the CRS is attached hereto and made a part hereof; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Representative, on behalf of the underwriters, has agreed to deposit into the Trust Account an additional $[_____] (or $[_____] if the Representative’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) (or the amount specified in the notice delivered pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof), representing a portion of the underwriters’ discount (the “Deferred Compensation”); and
WHEREAS, the amount to be delivered to the Trustee, including the proceeds of the IPO, the Placement and the Deferred Compensation (a maximum of $[_____] if the Representative's over-allotment option is not exercised, or a minimum of $[_____], if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be referred to herein as the “Property,” the holders of IPO Shares for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public Shareholders;” and the Public Shareholders, the Representative and the Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries;” 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;
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, including without limitation, the terms of Section 11-51-302(6) of the CRS, in a segregated trust account established by the Trustee at a branch of J.P. Morgan;
(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;
(c) In a timely manner, upon the instruction of the Company, to invest and reinvest the Property in cash or any “Government Security.” As used herein, Government Security means any Treasury Bill issued by the United States, having a maturity of 180 days or less or any open ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(d) Collect and receive, when due, all principal and income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;
(e) Notify the Company and the Representative of all communications received by it with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;
(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns for 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 and/or the Representative to do so;
(h) Render to the Company and to the Representative, and to such other person as the Company may instruct, monthly written statements of the activities of and amounts in the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account; and
(i) If there is any tax obligation relating to the Property in the Trust Account or to fund the working capital of the Company, then, only at the written instruction of the Company in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , to make available in cash or by check from the Property in the Trust Account an amount specified by the Company by electronic funds transfer, account debit or other method of payment; provided, however , that such distributions may only be made if and to the extent that interest has been earned on the amount initially deposited in the Trust Account sufficient to pay for such distribution (it being expressly understood that the principal of the Property shall not be used to pay any such distribution); and
(j) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account or commence liquidation of a portion thereof only after receipt of and only in accordance with the terms of a letter (“ Termination Letter ”), in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit B , Exhibit C , Exhibit D , or Exhibit E , signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and disburse the Property in the Trust Account (which disbursement shall include, in the event of (i) an Acquisition Transaction (as hereafter defined), (ii) a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer (as hereinafter defined), (iii) a trust liquidation, as required by its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, in the event the Company does not commence or complete a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer within 30 days or six months of consummation of the Acquisition Transaction, respectively, the payment of the Deferred Compensation to the Representative) only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein. The Trustee understands and agrees that, except as provided in this paragraph and paragraphs 1(i), 1(k) and 6(a) hereof, disbursements from the Trust Account shall be made only pursuant to a duly executed Termination Letter, together with the other documents referenced herein. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) an “Acquisition Transaction” shall mean an acquisition through a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or similar acquisition transaction of one or more operating businesses with a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance of the Trust Account at the time of such acquisition transaction (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $[_____] or $[_____] if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and taxes payable) and (ii) a “Post-Acquisition Tender Offer” shall mean an issuer tender offer for all IPO Shares following the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction where the Company has elected to grant Public Shareholders their redemption rights by means of such issuer tender offer;
(k) If the Company structures the Acquisition Transaction to require a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, then it may, after a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K describing the terms of the Acquisition Transaction is filed with the SEC, seek that holders of 5% or more of the Series A Shares who are also accredited investors elect to convert all of their Series A Shares into shares of Series C Shares, on a one-for-one basis, immediately prior to consummation of the Acquisition Transaction, with any remaining Series A Shares automatically converting to shares of Series B Shares immediately following consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. Such opportunity to convert would only be available to these certain shareholders, and not to our other holders of Series A Shares. Holders of shares of Series A Shares who elect to convert their shares into Series C Shares prior to consummation of the Acquisition Transaction shall not be entitled to participate in the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, while holders of shares of Series A Shares that have their shares automatically converted to shares of Series B Shares shall be entitled to participate in the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. Upon written confirmation from the Company of the date of consummation of an Acquisition Transaction (the “Consummation Date”) and the conversion of Series A Shares into Series C Shares, in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit F , signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, the Trustee shall distribute to the Company a pro rata share of the amounts in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the Consummation Date in the Trust Account for each such share of Series A Shares converted to Series C Shares on the Consummation Date; and
(l) Permit or effect no distribution from the Trust Account except in accordance with Sections 1(i), 1(j), 1(k) and 6(a).
2. Agreements and Covenants of the Company . The Company hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Provide all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with respect to its duties under Section 1(i) above, 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 believes to be given by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer;
(b) Hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Trustee 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 income earned from investment of the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence 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 paragraph, 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. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;
(c) Pay the Trustee an initial acceptance fee of $[__] and an annual fee of $[__] (it being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fee). The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and first year’s fee at the consummation of the IPO and shall thereafter pay the annual fee on the anniversary of the Effective Date. The Trustee shall refund to the Company the fee (on a pro rata basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation of the Trust Fund. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof (it being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to make any payments to the Trustee under such Section) and for accountable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Trustee acting as Trustee of the Property in accordance with this Agreement;
(d) Within five business days after the Representative’s over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) expires or is exercised in full, provide the Trustee notice in writing (with a copy to the Representative) of the total amount of the Deferred Compensation, which shall in no event be less than $[_____]; and
(e) In connection with a vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding a Acquisition Transaction, if any, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a firm regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies and tabulating shareholder votes verifying the vote of the Company’s shareholders and the Company’s Public Shareholders regarding such Acquisition Transaction.
3. Limitations of Liability . The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:
(a) 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 party except for liability arising out of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(b) 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 written 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;
(c) Change the investment of any Property, other than in compliance with Section 1(c);
(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;
(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company or the Representative to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company or the Representative 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 exercise of its own best judgment, except for its gross negligence 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), 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 is believed by the Trustee, in good faith, 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 correctness of the information set forth in the Registration Statement or to confirm or assure that any acquisition made by the Company or any other action taken by it is as contemplated by the Registration Statement, unless an officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof, or written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee or as otherwise required under Section 1(j) hereof; and
(h) Pay any taxes on behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly understood that, as set forth in Section 1(i), if there is any income tax obligation relating to the income of the Property in the Trust Account, then, at the written instruction of the Company, the Trustee shall make available by check or in cash for transfer by account debit or wire in the amount indicated by the Company).
4. Certain Rights Of Trustee .
(a) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or opinion of counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or opinion of counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(b) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(c) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement.
(d) The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Agreement; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Trust Account. Notwithstanding the effective date of this Agreement or anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for any act or event relating to this Agreement or the transactions related thereto which occur prior to the date of this Agreement, and shall have no contractual obligations to the Beneficiaries until the date of this Agreement.
5. No Right of Set-Off . The Trustee waives any right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind that the Trustee may have against the Property held in the Trust Account. In the event that the Trustee has a claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b), the Trustee will pursue such claim solely against the Company and not against the Property held in the Trust Account.
6. 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. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed by the Company 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 days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited 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 that arises due to any actions or omissions to act by any party after such deposit; or
(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(j) 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).
7. Miscellaneous .
(a) 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 information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon account numbers or other identifying numbers of a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank, rather than names. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in an account number or other identifying number, provided it has accurately transmitted the numbers provided.
(b) This 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. It may be executed in several 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. This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or modification (other than to correct a typographical or similar technical error) may be made to Sections 1(i), 1(j), 1(k), and 1(l) hereof without the consent of the holders of 80% of the IPO Shares, it being the specific intention of the parties hereto that each holder of an IPO Share is and shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section 7(c) with the same right and power to enforce this Section 7(c) as any of the parties hereto. For purposes of this Section 7(c), the “consent of the holders of 80% of the IPO Shares” shall mean receipt by the Trustee of a certificate from an entity certifying that either (i) the holders of record of 80% of the IPO Shares outstanding as of a record date established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and British Virgin Islands Law (“BVI Law”), have voted in favor of such amendment or modification or (ii) the holders of record of 80% of the IPO Shares outstanding as of a record date established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and BVI Law have delivered to such entity a signed writing approving such amendment or modification.
(d) As to any claim, cross-claim or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement, each party waives the right to trial by jury.
(e) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder.
(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 facsimile transmission:
if to the Trustee, to:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8 th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Fax No. [___]
if to the Company, to:
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
Fax No.: [____________]
in either case with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Chardan Capital Markets LLC
17 State Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Kerry Propper
Fax No.: (646) 465-9039
and
[UW Counsel]
[Address]
Attn: [__]
Fax.: [__]
and
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
Fax No.: (212) 407-4990
(g) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior written consent of the Company.
(h) Each of the Trustee and the Company 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.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY , as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Anatoly Danilitskiy | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Investment Management Trust Agreement
EXHIBIT A
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8 th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Re: Trust Account No. [ ]
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of _________, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $_______ of the income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. The Company needs such funds [for working capital purposes] [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]
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT B
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department t
Re: Trust Account No. [ ] Termination Letter
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ______, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement (“Business Agreement”) with __________________ (“Target Business”) to consummate an acquisition transaction with Target Business (“Acquisition Transaction”) on or about [insert date] and has elected to grant Public Shareholders their redemption rights at the time of the consummation of the Acquisition Transaction. The Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Acquisition Transaction (“Consummation Date”) and shall provide you with a certificate or affidavit [in accordance with Section 2(e) of the Trust Agreement][verifying that a vote of shareholders is not required]. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence liquidation of the Trust Account to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of 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.
On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that (a) the Acquisition Transaction has been consummated and [(b) the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the CRS have been met,] and (ii) the Company and the Representative shall deliver to you written instructions with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account (“Instructions”), and (iii) the Company and the Representative shall deliver to you written instructions for delivery of the Deferred Compensation. You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds, including the Deferred Compensation, held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the counsel’s letter and the Instructions, in accordance with the terms of the Instructions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon verification of receipt by you of the Instruction Letter, we hereby agree and acknowledge that the Property in the Trust Account shall be distributed as follows: (1) first, to Public Shareholders who exercised their redemption rights in connection with the Acquisition Transaction, in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the amounts in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the Consummation Date (including the Deferred Compensation and accrued but undistributed income, net of (i) taxes payable, and (ii) interest income earned previously released to the Company); (2) to the Representative by wire transfer (or as otherwise directed by the Representative) in immediately available funds, the aggregate amount of $__________; and (3) thereafter, to any other Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Instructions. 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 of the same and the Company, if the amount set forth in clause (1) shall not have been paid in full, the Company and shall issue written instructions directing 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 funds in the Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In the event that the Acquisition Transaction 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 the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the notice.
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT C
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Re: Trust Account No. [ ] Termination Letter
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ______, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company entered into an agreement (“Business Agreement”) with __________________ (“Target Business”) and consummated an acquisition transaction with Target Business (“Acquisition Transaction”) on [insert date] and has elected to grant Public Shareholders their redemption rights following the consummation of the Acquisition Transaction pursuant to a Post-Acquisition Tender Offer. The Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer (“Consummation Date”) and shall provide you with a certificate or affidavit [in accordance with Section 2(e) of the Trust Agreement][verifying that a vote of shareholders is not required]. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence liquidation of the Trust Account to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of 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.
On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that (a) the Acquisition Transaction has been consummated [and (b) the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the CRS have been met,] and (ii) the Company and the Representative shall deliver to you written instructions with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account (“Instructions”), and (iii) the Company and the Representative shall deliver to you written instructions for delivery of the Deferred Compensation. You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds, including the Deferred Compensation, held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the counsel’s letter and the Instructions, in accordance with the terms of the Instructions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon verification of receipt by you of the Instruction Letter, we hereby agree and acknowledge that the Property in the Trust Account shall be distributed as follows: (1) first, to Public Shareholders who exercised their redemption rights in connection with the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer, in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the amounts in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the Consummation Date (including the Deferred Compensation and accrued but undistributed income, net of (i) taxes payable, and (ii) interest income earned previously released to the Company); (2) to the Representative by wire transfer (or as otherwise directed by the Representative) in immediately available funds, the aggregate amount of $__________; and (3) thereafter, to any other Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Instructions. 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 of the same and the Company, if the amount set forth in clause (1) shall not have been paid in full, the Company and shall issue written instructions directing 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 funds in the Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In the event that the Post-Acquisition Tender Offer 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 the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the notice.
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT D
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Re: Trust Account No. [ ] Termination Letter
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ________, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a plan of dissolution and liquidation relating to the winding up of the affairs of the Company and liquidation of the Trust Account (as defined in the Trust Agreement). Attached hereto is a copy of the minutes, including a copy of the plan of dissolution and liquidation, of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company relating thereto, certified by an executive officer of the Company as true and correct and in full force and effect.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby [(a) certify to you that the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado Statute have been met and (b)] authorize you to commence liquidation of the Trust Account as part of the Company’s plan of dissolution and distribution. In connection with this liquidation, you are hereby authorized to establish a record date for the purposes of determining the shareholders of record entitled to receive their per share portion of the Trust Account. The record date shall be within ten (10) days of the liquidation date, or as soon as thereafter as is practicable. You will notify the Company and ______________ (“Designated Paying Agent”) in writing as to when all of the funds in the Trust Account will be available for immediate transfer (“Transfer Date”). The Designated Paying Agent shall thereafter notify you as to the account or accounts of the Designated Paying Agent that the funds in the Trust Account should be transferred to on the Transfer Date so that the Designated Paying Agent may commence distribution of such funds in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Upon the payment of all the funds in the Trust Account, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated and the Trust Account closed.
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT E
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Re: Trust Account No. [ ]
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of _________, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $_______ of the Property as of the date hereof. The Company needs such funds to settle purchases of its units or callable Series A Shares pursuant to its 10b-5 plan. 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 brokerage account at:
[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT F
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Re: Trust Account No. [ ]
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 1(k) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ________, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company entered into an agreement (“Business Agreement”) with __________________ (“Target Business”) and consummated an acquisition transaction with Target Business (“Acquisition Transaction”) on [insert date] (the “Consummation Date”), and in connection with the Acquisition Transaction an aggregate of [_______] Series A Shares have been converted to Series C Shares.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby [(a) certify to you that the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado Statute have been met and (b)] instruct you to deliver an aggregate of $[______] from the proceeds held in trust, representing a pro rata share of the amounts in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the Consummation Date in the Trust Account for each Series A Share converted to Series C Shares on the Consummation Date.
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
SECURITIES ESCROW AGREEMENT
SECURITIES ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 2012 (“Agreement”) by and among CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (“Company”), the undersigned parties listed as Initial Shareholders on the signature page hereto (the “Initial Shareholders”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”).
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated _________, 2012 (“Underwriting Agreement”) with Chardan Capital Markets LLC (“Chardan”), as representative of the underwriters named therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”) in connection with a public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the Company of Units (as hereafter defined), pursuant to which, among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase up to [_____] units (“Units”) of the Company, each consisting of one Series A Share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Shares”), and one Warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant evidences the right of the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share for $10.00, subject to adjustment, as described in the Warrant Agreement dated as of __________, 2012 by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of ____________, 2012, among the Company and the Initial Shareholders, the Company has issued [_____] warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to purchase ordinary shares in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the IPO (the “Private Placement”); and
WHEREAS, the Initial Shareholders have agreed, as a condition of the Underwriters’ obligation to purchase the Units pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and to offer them to the public, to deposit all of the Series C Shares (the “Insider Shares”) owned by the Initial Shareholders prior to the consummation of the Public Offering and the Private Placement and all of the Private Placement Warrants (collectively “Escrow Securities”; provided , however , that if Chardan does not exercise the over-allotment option in full, the Escrow Securities will equal such lesser amount as remains after the cancellation of shares held in escrow pursuant to Section 3.1), in escrow as hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Shareholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept the Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Appointment of Escrow Agent . The Company and the Initial Shareholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.
2. Deposit of Escrow Securities . Prior to the date of the consummation of the Private Placement and the Public Offering, the Initial Shareholders shall deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates representing his or her respective Escrow Securities to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Initial Shareholders acknowledge and agree that the certificates representing their Escrow Securities will be legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Securities under this Agreement.
3. Disbursement of the Escrow Securities .
3.1 The Escrow Securities . The Escrow Agent shall hold (1) the Escrow Securities listed under “Warrant Escrow” on Schedule A until it receives a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company stating that the Company’s initial Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined) or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be, has occurred (the “Warrant Escrow Period”) and (2) the Escrow Securities listed under “Share Escrow” on Schedule A until it receives a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company stating that 24 months have elapsed from the closing of the initial Acquisition Transaction or post-acquisition tender offer, as the case may be (the “Share Escrow Period”; the Warrant Escrow Period and Share Escrow Period, each, an “Escrow Period”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Escrow Period shall be extended, as applicable, if the Company has completed an Acquisition Transaction without liquidating the trust account established at the time of the Public Offering, until such trust account has been liquidated as described in the prospectus relating to the Public Offering. Following the termination of an Escrow Period, the Escrow Agent shall, upon written instructions from each of the Initial Shareholders and/or their Permitted Transferees (as defined in Section 4.3 below), disburse the applicable Escrow Securities to the Initial Shareholders and/or such Permitted Transferees; provided however , that if, after the Company consummates an Acquisition Transaction, it (or the surviving entity) subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or if there is a tender offer for the Company’s securities, or other similar transaction which results in all of the shareholders of such entity having the right to exchange their Insider Shares or Warrants for cash, securities or other property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in form reasonably acceptable to the Escrow Agent, stating that such transaction is then being consummated, release the Escrow Securities to the Initial Shareholders or their Permitted Transferees immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction so that they can similarly participate; provided further , that if the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated at any time during the applicable Escrow Period, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates representing the Escrow Securities; and provided further , that if the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company that Chardan did not exercise its over-allotment option (as further described in the Registration Statement) or exercised it in part, an amount such that the remaining Insider Shares included in the Escrow Securities shall not exceed 20% of the outstanding common stock post-Public Offering (but in no event more than [_____] Insider Shares) shall be forfeited by the Initial Shareholders and any Permitted Transferee and cancelled by the Company and the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates representing such Insider Shares. For purposes of this Agreement, an “Acquisition Transaction” shall mean an acquisition of one or more operating businesses by a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar acquisition transaction, or control and pursuant to which holders of Units sold in the Public Offering have been granted redemption rights with respect to such Units.
3.2 Company Covenants . The Company hereby covenants and agrees to (i) cause its officers to act in good faith regarding the release of the Escrow Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, and (ii) to promptly release the Escrow Securities after the end of each Escrow Period, as applicable.
3.3 Duties . The Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement or destruction of the Escrow Securities in accordance with this Section 3.
4. Rights of the Initial Shareholders in Escrow Securities .
4.1 Voting Rights as a Shareholder . Subject to the terms of the Insider Letters described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein provided, the Initial Shareholders and each of their affiliates and designees shall retain all of their rights as shareholders of the Company during the applicable Escrow Period, including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares.
4.2 Dividends and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Securities . During the applicable Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow Securities shall be paid to the Initial Shareholders or its Permitted Transferees, but all dividends payable in shares or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein, the term “Escrow Securities” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends distributed thereon, if any.
4.3 Restrictions on Transfer . During the applicable Escrow Period, no sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition may be made of any or all of the Escrow Securities except (i) by gift to an affiliate or a member of the immediate family of the Initial Shareholder (or the immediate family of an Initial Shareholder’s officers and/or directors) or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is the Initial Shareholders or one of their officers, directors (or member of their respective immediate families), (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any Initial Shareholder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (such transferees, the “Permitted Transferees”); provided , however , that such permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Insider Letters signed by each Initial Shareholder and their affiliates and designees transferring the Escrow Securities. During the applicable Escrow Period, no Initial Shareholder or Permitted Transferee shall pledge or grant a security interest in his, her or its Escrow Securities or grant a security interest in his, her or its rights under this Agreement.
4.4 Insider Letters . Each of the Initial Shareholders and their affiliates and designees has executed a letter agreement with Chardan and the Company, dated as indicated on Schedule A hereto (“Insider Letter”), and which is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, Registration No. 333-180224 with respect to the Units to be issued in the Public Offering (the “Registration Statement”), respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Shareholder and its affiliates and designees in certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the Company.
5. Concerning the Escrow Agent .
5.1 Good Faith Reliance . The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and 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 Escrow Agent), 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 is believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.
5.2 Indemnification . The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Securities held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition of the Escrow Securities or it may deposit the Escrow Securities with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Securities pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Securities are to be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.
5.3 Compensation . The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company for all services rendered by it hereunder, as set forth on Exhibit A hereto. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.
5.4 Further Assurances . From time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial Shareholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.
5.5 Resignation . The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Company and approved by Chardan and the Initial Shareholders or their Permitted Transferees, the Escrow Securities held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60 day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Securities with any court it deems appropriate.
5.6 Discharge of Escrow Agent . The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the Company and a majority of the Initial Shareholders or their Permitted Transferees, jointly, provided , however , that such resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.
5.7 Liability . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own willful misconduct.
6. Miscellaneous .
6.1 Governing Law . This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction. Each of the parties 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 (each, a “New York court”), and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. Each of the parties hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
6.2 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Each Initial Shareholder hereby acknowledges that Chardan is a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified or changed without the prior written consent of Chardan.
6.3 Amendment . This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by Escrow Agent and holders of 65% or more of the Escrow Securities, and with the consent of the holders of 80% of the Series A Shares sold in the Public Offering (the “IPO Shares”), it being the specific intention of the parties hereto that each holder of an IPO Share is and shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section 6.3 with the same right and power to enforce this Section 6.3 as any of the parties hereto. For purposes of this Section 6.3, the “consent of the holders of 80% of the IPO Shares” shall mean receipt by the Escrow Agent of a certificate from an entity certifying that either (i) the holders of record of 80% of the IPO Shares outstanding as of a record date established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and British Virgin Islands Law (“BVI Law”), have voted in favor of such amendment or modification or (ii) the holders of record of 80% of the IPO Shares outstanding as of a record date established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and BVI Law have delivered to such entity a signed writing approving such amendment or modification.
6.4 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.
6.5 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and assigns.
6.6 Notices . Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered personally or by private national courier service, or be mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or, if sent by private national courier service, on the next business day after delivery to the courier, or, if mailed, two business days after the date of mailing, as follows:
If to the Company, to:
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
If to the Initial Shareholders or their Permitted Transferees, to:
c/o CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Attn: [Initial Shareholder]
and if to the Escrow Agent, to:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8 th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Compliance Department
Fax No. [____]
A copy of any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to (but which shall not constitute notice):
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
and:
Chardan Capital Markets LLC
17 State Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Kerry Propper
Fax No.: (646) 465-9039
and:
[UW Counsel]
[Address]
Attn: [___]
Fax.: [___]
The parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the manner provided herein for giving notice.
6.7 Liquidation of Company . The Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company in the event that the Company fails to consummate an Acquisition Transaction within the time period(s) specified in the Registration Statement.
- Signature page of the Company immediately follows –
WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Initial Shareholders: | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: |
- Signature page of Escrow Agent immediately follows –
Securities Escrow Agreement
WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER | ||
& TRUST COMPANY, as Escrow Agent | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Securities Escrow Agreement
SCHEDULE A
Warrant Escrow | ||||||||
Warrant | ||||||||
Name of Initial Shareholder | Number of | Certificate | ||||||
and Affiliates/Designees | Warrants | Number | ||||||
Share Escrow | ||||||||
Stock | ||||||||
Name of Initial Shareholder | Number of | Certificate | ||||||
and Affiliates/Designees | Shares | Number | ||||||
(1) Up to [____] shares subject to forfeiture pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement.
EXHIBIT A
Escrow Agent Fees
Description | Amount ($) | |
Fee for acting as Escrow Agent | [_____] |
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
_________, 2012
Intercarbo Holding AG
Aeulestr. 38, FL-9490
Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Gentlemen:
This letter will confirm
our agreement that commencing on the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the registration statement (the “Registration
Statement”) relating to the initial public offering of the securities of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (the “Company”)
and continuing until the consummation by the Company of an acquisition transaction or the distribution of the trust
account to the Company’s then public shareholders (as described in the Registration Statement), Intercarbo Holding AG (the
“Firm”) shall make available to the Company certain general and administrative services, including the use of office
space, utilities and secretarial support, as may be required by the Company from time to time, at 89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84,
Moscow, Russia 119607 (or any successor location). In exchange therefor, the Company shall pay the Firm at the rate of $7,500
per month.
Very truly yours, | ||
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Agreed to and Accepted as of the date first written above by:
INTERCARBO HOLDING AG | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Services Agreement
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the __ day of ______, 2012, by and among CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and the undersigned parties listed under Investors on the signature page hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).
WHEREAS, the Investors currently hold all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Investors and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to provide the Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of Ordinary Shares (as defined below) owned by them, and the Insider Securities (as defined below) and the Ordinary Shares they may acquire upon exercise of the Insider Securities;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. THE FOLLOWING CAPITALIZED TERMS USED HEREIN HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
“Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
“Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Demand Registration” is defined in Section 2.1.1.
“Demanding Holder” is defined in Section 2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
“Form F-3” is defined in Section 2.3.
“Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.3.
“Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3.
“Insider Securities” means the warrants owned by the Investors prior to the Company’s initial public offering.
“Investor” and “Investors” are defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Investor Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.
“Maximum Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.4.
“Notices” is defined in Section 6.3.
“Ordinary Shares” shall mean all series of ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, including the Series C Shares acquired by the Investors on November 28, 2011 and Fabruary 13, 2012.
“Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.
“Register,” “registered” and “registration” 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.
“Registrable Securities” means (i) all of the Ordinary Shares owned or held by the Investors prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering and (ii) all of the Insider Securities (and underlying Ordinary Shares) owned or held by the Investors upon consummation of the Company’s initial public offering. Registrable Securities includes any warrants, Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such Ordinary Shares. As to any particular Registrable Securities, 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 them not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (c) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding, or (d) the Registrable Securities are salable without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 in the opinion of counsel to the Company.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of securities of the Company (other than a registration statement on Form F-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).
“Release Date” means the earliest date on which any of the Ordinary Shares or Insider Securities may be disbursed from escrow pursuant to that certain Securities Escrow Agreement dated as of ___________, 2012 by and among the parties hereto and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent.
“Repurchase Right” is defined in Section 6.10.1.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
“Underwriter” means 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.
2 |
2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
2.1 Demand Registration .
2.1.1 Request for Registration . At any time and from time to time on or after the date that is (i) after the Company consummates an acquisition with respect to the Insider Securities (or underlying Ordinary Shares) or (ii) three months prior to the Release Date with respect to all Registrable Securities (to the extent not previously registered by the Company pursuant to the preceding subclause (i)), the holders of not less than a majority of the Insider Securities or other Registrable Securities, as the case may be, held by the Investors or the transferee(s) of the Investors, may make a written demand for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (a “Demand Registration”). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of Registrable Securities of the demand, and each holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to include all or a portion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such holder including shares of Registrable Securities in such registration, a “Demanding Holder”) shall so notify the Company within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration, subject to Section 2.1.4 and the provisos set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2) Demand Registrations under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of Registrable Securities.
2.1.2 Effective Registration . A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective and the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration will 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 thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a Demand Registration or is terminated or withdrawn.
2.1.3 Underwritten Offering . If not less than a majority interest of the Demanding Holders so elect and such holders so advise the Company as part of their written demand for a Demand Registration, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. In such event, the right of any holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the Demand Registration.
2.1.4 Reduction of Offering . If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other shareholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such 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 shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Registrable Securities which such Demanding Holder has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of shares of Registrable Securities held by each Demanding Holder) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Ordinary Shares for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (v) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares have not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the Ordinary Shares that other shareholders desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.
3 |
2.1.5 Withdrawal . If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand Registration, then such registration shall not count as a Demand Registration.
2.2 Piggy-Back Registration .
2.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights . If at any time on or after the Release Date 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, by the Company for its own account or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by shareholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1), 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 shareholders, (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 (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall 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, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such 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 to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.
4 |
2.2.2 Reduction of Offering . If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such registration:
(i) If the registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares, if any, including the Registrable Securities, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of security holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of Ordinary Shares which each such person has actually requested to be included in such registration, regardless of the number of Ordinary Shares with respect to which such persons have the right to request such inclusion) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and
(ii) If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested under this Section 2.2 (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Registrable Securities held by each such holder); and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights which other shareholders desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.
2.2.3 Withdrawal . Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company may also elect to withdraw a registration statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.
2.3 Registrations on Form F-3 . The holders of Registrable Securities may at any time and from time to time, request in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all of such Registrable Securities on Form F-3 or any similar short-form registration which may be available at such time (“Form F-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an underwritten offering. Upon receipt of such written request, the Company will promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities, and, as soon as practicable thereafter, effect the registration of all or such portion of such holder’s or holders’ Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other holder or holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.3: (i) if Form F-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) if the holders of the Registrable Securities, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $500,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.
5 |
3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
3.1 Filings; Information . Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection with any such request:
3.1.1 Filing Registration Statement . The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible and in any event within sixty (60) days after receipt of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof, and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective for the period required by Section 3.1.3; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right to defer any Demand Registration for up to thirty (30) days, and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as may be applicable to deferment of any demand registration to which such Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if the Company shall furnish to the holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time; provided further, however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise the right set forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in any 365-day period in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.
3.1.2 Copies . The Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to 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 holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration or legal counsel for any such holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders.
3.1.3 Amendments and Supplements . The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement (which period shall not exceed the sum of one hundred eighty (180) days plus any period during which any such disposition is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any governmental agency or court) or such securities have been withdrawn.
6 |
3.1.4 Notification . After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) business days after such filing, notify the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and shall further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2) business days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and promptly make available to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall object.
3.1.5 State Securities Laws Compliance . The Company shall 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 but for this paragraph 3.1.5 or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.
3.1.6 Agreements for Disposition . The Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. No holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting agreement except, if applicable, with respect to such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack of conflict of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect to written information relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.
3.1.7 Cooperation . The principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer of the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential investors.
7 |
3.1.8 Records . The Company shall make available for inspection by the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement or any Underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information requested by any of them in connection with such Registration Statement.
3.1.9 Opinions and Comfort Letters . The Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i) any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii) any comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter, the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a prospectus, an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the Registration Statement containing such prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect.
3.1.10 Earnings Statement . The Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and make available to its shareholders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, beginning within three (3) months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
3.2 Obligation to Suspend Distribution . Upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, in the case of a resale registration on Form F-3 pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
3.3 Registration Expenses . The Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Piggy-Back Registration pursuant to Section 2.2, and any registration on Form F-3 effected pursuant to Section 2.3, and all expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees; (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 3.1.9); (vii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration and (viii) the fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective amount of shares each is selling in such offering.
8 |
3.4 Information . The holders of Registrable Securities shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.
4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.
4.1 Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Investors and each other holder of Registrable Securities, and each of their respective officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any, who controls an Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, an “Investor Indemnified Party”), from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration; and the Company shall promptly reimburse the Investor Indemnified Party for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Indemnified Party in connection with investigating and defending any such expense, loss, judgment, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, or summary prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by such selling holder expressly for use therein. The Company also shall indemnify any Underwriter of the Registrable Securities, their officers, affiliates, directors, partners, members and agents and each person who controls such Underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification provided above in this Section 4.1.
4.2 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each selling holder of Registrable Securities will, in the event that any registration is being effected under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement of any Registrable Securities held by such selling holder, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers and each underwriter (if any), and each other person, if any, who controls the company or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse the Company, its directors and officers, and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually received by such selling holder.
9 |
4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action in which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based upon the written opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.
4.4 Contribution .
4.4.1 If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
10 |
4.4.2 The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 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 the immediately preceding Section 4.4.1. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
5. UNDERWRITING AND DISTRIBUTION.
5.1 Rule 144 . The Company covenants that it shall file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as the holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar Rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
6. MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1 Other Registration Rights . Except with respect to those securities issued or issuable upon exercise of that certain Unit Purchase Option to be issued to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC or its designees in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in [_______], 2012, the Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a holder of the Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any shares of the Company’s capital stock for sale or to include shares of the Company’s capital stock in any registration filed by the Company for the sale of shares of capital stock for its own account or for the account of any other person.
6.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries . 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. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Registrable Securities in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable Securities by any such holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective successors and the permitted assigns of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Article 4 and this Section 6.2.
11 |
6.3 Notices . All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively, “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by telegram, telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on a business day or is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the next business day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given on the next business day following timely delivery of such notice to a reputable air courier service with an order for next-day delivery.
To the Company:
CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
with a copy to:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
To the Investors, to:
c/o CIS Acquisition Ltd.
89 Udaltsova Street, Suite 84
Moscow, Russia 119607
Attn: [Investor]
6.4 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.
6.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.6 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written.
6.7 Modifications and Amendments . No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by such party.
12 |
6.8 Titles and Headings . Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.
6.9 Waivers and Extensions . Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.
6.10 Remedies .
6.10.1 Specific Performance . Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that the other parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions (without the necessity of posting a bond or other security) to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state or other foreign court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity.
6.11 Remedies Cumulative . In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Investors or any other holder of Registrable Securities may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
6.12 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
6.13 Waiver of Trial by Jury . Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Investors in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement hereof.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
13 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Investors: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Name: | |
Title: |
Registration Rights Agreement
14 |
PLACEMENT WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
PLACEMENT WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made as of this ___ day of _____, 2012 among CIS Acquisition Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and the undersigned parties listed under Purchasers on the signature page hereto (each, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS , the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-180224) (the “Registration Statement”), in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) of up to [_______] units, each unit (“Unit”) consisting of one (1) Series A Share of the Company, $0.0001 par value (the “Series A Shares”), and (ii) one (1) warrant (the “Warrants”) to purchase one ordinary share; and
WHEREAS , the Company desires to sell in a private placement to the Purchasers (the “Placement”) an aggregate of [_______] Warrants (the “Placement Warrants”) substantially identical to the Warrants being issued in the IPO pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof and as set forth in the Registration Statement, except that the Placement Warrants to be issued in the Placement shall not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
WHEREAS , the Placement Warrants shall be governed by the Warrant Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement”); and
WHEREAS , the Purchasers are entitled to registration rights with respect to the Placement Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying such Placement Warrants (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”) on the terms set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase of Placement Warrants . The Purchasers hereby agree, directly or through nominees, to purchase an aggregate of [_______] Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $0.75 per Placement Warrant, or an aggregate of $[_______] (the “Purchase Price”).
2. Closing . The closing of the purchase and sale of the Placement Warrants (the “Closing”) will take place at such time and place as the parties may agree (the “Closing Date”), but in no event later than immediately prior to the closing of the IPO. At least 24 hours prior to the date on which the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective (the “Effective Date”), the Purchasers shall pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of funds to an account maintained by Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb”), counsel for the Company. Prior to the closing of the IPO, Loeb shall deposit the Purchase Price into the trust account described in the Registration Statement (the “Trust Account”). The certificate for the Warrants comprising the Placement Warrants shall be delivered to the Purchasers promptly after the closing of the IPO.
3. Redemption . The Placement Warrants shall not be redeemable.
4. Cashless Exercise . The Placement Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration in accordance with the terms set out in the Warrant Agreement.
5. Escrow of Placement Warrants . The Placement Warrants shall be held in escrow from the Effective Date until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an Acquisition Transaction or, if the Acquisition Transaction is completed without granting the Company’s shareholders redemption rights in connection with such Acquisition Transaction, the consummation of a post-acquisition tender offer (the “Escrow Period”). The terms and conditions of the escrow of the Placement Warrants and their release therefrom shall be set forth in the Securities Escrow Agreement, dated as of _________, 2012, among the Company and the Purchasers. Any terms not herein defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in such Securities Escrow Agreement.
6. Waiver of Liquidation Distributions . In connection with the Placement Warrants purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchasers hereby waive any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any liquidating distributions by the Company in the event of a liquidation of the Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete an Acqusitiion Transaction. For purposes of clarity, any ordinary shares purchased in the IPO or the aftermarket by the Purchasers shall be eligible to receive any liquidating distributions by the Company.
7. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser . Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants on behalf of itself to the Company that:
7.1 The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
7.2 The Placement Warrants are being acquired by the Purchaser for its own account, only for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution or public offering thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
7.3 The Purchaser has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and this Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms.
8. Waiver and Indemnification . Each Purchaser hereby waives any and all rights to assert any present or future claims, including any right of rescission, against the Company with respect to its purchase of the Placement Warrants, and each such Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from all losses, damages or expenses that relate to claims or proceedings brought against the Company by such Purchaser of the Placement Warrants or its transferees, heirs, assigns or any subsequent holders of the Placement Warrants.
9. Counterparts; Facsimile . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement or any counterpart may be executed via facsimile transmission, and any such executed facsimile copy shall be treated as an original.
10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be construed 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 any other jurisdiction. Each of the parties 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 exclusive. Each of the parties hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CIS ACQUISITION LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Purchaser: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of CIS Acquisition Ltd . (a company in the development stage) on Amendment No. 2 to Form F-1, File No. 333-180224, of our report dated March 19, 2012, except for Notes 1 and 7 as to which the date is May 3, 2012, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to CIS Acquisition Ltd.’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audit of the financial statements of CIS Acquisition Ltd. (a company in the development stage) for the period from November 28, 2011 (inception) through February 17, 2012, 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
May 25, 2012