As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2020.

Registration No. 333-              

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

____________________

East Stone Acquisition Corporation
(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)

25 Mall Road, Suite 330
Burlington, MA 01803
(781) 202 9128

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

____________________

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
130 Worthen Road
Lexington
, MA 02421
(617) 991-5173

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

____________________

Copies to:

Barry Grossman, Esq.
Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105
(212) 370
-1300
(212) 370
-7889 — Facsimile

 

Simon Schilder
Michael Killourhy Ogier
Ritter House, 6
th Floor
Wickhams Cay II
PO Box 3170
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands, VG1110
+ 1 (
284) 852 7300

 

Ralph V. De Martino
Cavas S. Pavri
Schiff Hardin LLP
901 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 778-6400
(202) 778-6460 — Facsimile

____________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. £

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer £

 

Accelerated filer £

   

Non-accelerated filer S

 

Smaller reporting company S

       

Emerging growth company S

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. £

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Security Being Registered

 

Amount Being
Registered

 

Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price per
Security(1)

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1)(2)

 

Amount of
Registration Fee

Units, each consisting of one ordinary share of no par value, one Right entitling the holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share and one redeemable Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share(2)(3)

 

11,500,000

 

$

10.00

 

$

115,000,000

 

$

14,927

 

Ordinary Shares of no par value, included as part of the Units(3)

 

11,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Rights included as part of the Units

 

11,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Shares underlying Rights included as part of the Units

 

1,150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Redeemable Warrants included as part of the Units(3)

 

11,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Representative’s Warrants

 

575,000

 

$

12.00

 

$

6,900,000

 

$

895.62

 

Representative’s Shares

 

86,250

 

$

10.00

 

$

862,500

 

$

111.95

 

Total

     

 

   

$

122,762,500

 

$

15,934.57

 

____________

(1)      Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)      Includes 1,500,000 units, consisting of 1,500,000 ordinary shares, 1,500,000 rights and 1,500,000 redeemable warrants, which may be issued on exercise of a 30-day option granted to the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.

(3)      Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(4)      No fee pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

____________________

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until 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 it 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, January 16, 2020

$100,000,000

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

10,000,000 Units

East Stone Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as a business company and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements with, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. For purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses primarily operating in the financial technology (Fintech in short) space in North America and Asia-Pacific.

This is an initial public offering of our securities. We are offering 10,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one ordinary share, one right and one redeemable warrant, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as “public warrants”. Each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share. We will not issue fractional shares. As a result, you must exercise warrants in multiples of two warrants, at an exercise price of $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus to validly exercise your warrants, and you must have ten (10) rights to receive a share at the closing of the business combination. Each warrant will become exercisable on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and 12 months from the date of this prospectus and will expire five years after the completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.

We have also granted I-Bankers, the representative of the underwriters, a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units (over and above the 10,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding ordinary shares that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to as our “public shares.”

We have 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) to consummate our initial business combination. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our initial shareholders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account for each three months extension, $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the above time period, we will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses, pro rata to our public shareholders by way of the redemption of their shares and to cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. In such event, the rights and warrants will expire and be worthless.

Our sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our “sponsor,” I-Bankers, and individuals Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao, have committed that they or their designees will purchase from us an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) units, or “private units,” at $10.00 per unit. Of such amount, 167,000 units, or the “insider units,” will be purchased by our sponsor (and/or its designees), an aggregate of 108,000 units, or “anchor units”, will be purchased by Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao separately and not together, and 48,750 (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) units, or the “representative units,” will be purchased by I-Bankers (and/or its designees). We refer to Messrs. Mao and Zhao collectively as our “anchor investors” throughout this prospectus. All of these purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering and the over-allotment option, as applicable. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below.

There is presently no public market for our units, ordinary shares, rights or warrants. We have applied to have our units listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “ESSCU.” We expect that our units will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. The securities comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 90th day following the date of this prospectus unless I-Bankers informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or 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. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading as described in this prospectus, we expect the ordinary shares, rights and warrants will be traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “ESSC,” “ESSCR” and “ESSCW,” respectively. We cannot assure you that our securities will be approved for listing and, if approved, will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and will therefore be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus does not constitute, and there will not be, an offering of securities to the public in the British Virgin Islands.

 

Price to Public

 

Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
(1)(2)

 

Proceeds,
Before Expenses, to the Company

Per Unit

 

$

10.00

 

$

0.175

 

$

9.825

Total

 

$

100,000,000

 

$

1,750,000

 

$

98,250,000

____________

(1)       The underwriters will receive compensation in addition to the underwriting discount. Please see the section titled “Underwriting” for further information relating to the underwriting arrangements agreed to between us and the underwriters in this offering.

(2)       Excludes $0.275 per unit, or $2,750,000 (or up to $3,162,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate payable to I-Bankers for advisory services relating to the initial business combination, which amounts will be paid out of the trust account to I-Bankers only on completion of an initial business combination, in an amount equal to $0.275 per unit sold in this offering, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.

Upon consummation of the offering, $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering (whether or not the over-allotment option has been exercised in full or part), subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus, will be deposited into a United States-based trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released to us until the earlier of (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.

The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about           , 2020.

Sole Book-Running Manager

I-Bankers Securities, Inc.

          , 2020

 

i

SUMMARY

This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus:

•        references to “we,” “us” or “our company” refer to East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a BVI business company with limited liability;

•        references to our “anchor investors” refer to Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao, who are purchasing our anchor units;

•        references to our “anchor units” refer to an aggregate of 108,000 units we are selling privately to the anchor investors simultaneously with the closing of this offering;

•        references to the “BVI” refer to the British Virgin Islands;

•        references to the “representative units” refer to the 48,750 units (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) we are selling privately to I-Bankers and/or its designees simultaneously with the closing of this offering;

•        references to the “Companies Act” and the “Insolvency Act” refer to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 and the Insolvency Act, 2003 of the British Virgin Islands, respectively and in each case as amended;

•        references to “founder shares” refer to the 2,875,000 ordinary shares currently held by the initial shareholders (as defined below), which include up to an aggregate of 375,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part;

•        references to our “initial shareholders” refer to our sponsor (as defined below), Navy Sail International Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability, of which our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, is the sole director, and any of our officers or directors that hold founder shares;

•        references to our “insider units” refer to the 167,000 units we are selling privately to our sponsor and/or its designees simultaneously with the closing of this offering;

•        references to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors;

•        references to “private units” refer to the insider units, the anchor units and the I-Bankers units;

•        references to “ordinary shares” refer to the ordinary shares of no par value in the company;

•        references to “private shares,” “private rights” and “private warrants” refer to the ordinary shares, rights and warrants, respectively, included within the private units;

•        references to “public rights” refer to the rights sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are subscribed for in this offering or in the open market);

•        references to our “public shares” refer to ordinary shares which are being sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market) and references to “public shareholders” refer to the holders of our public shares, including our initial shareholders to the extent our initial shareholders purchase public shares, provided that their status as “public shareholders” shall exist only with respect to such public shares;

•        references to our “public warrants” refer to the redeemable warrants which are being sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are subscribed for in this offering or in the open market);

•        references to “public units” refer to the units in this offering (whether they are subscribed for in this offering or in the open market);

1

•        references to our “rights” refers to the rights which are being sold as part of the units in this offering as well as the concurrent private placement;

•        references to our “sponsor” refer to Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability, the sole director of which is Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer; and

•        references to our “warrants” refer to our redeemable warrants, which includes the public warrants as well as the private warrants and warrants underlying units issued upon conversion of working capital loans to the extent they are no longer held by the initial purchasers of the private warrants or members of our management team (or their permitted transferees), in each case after our initial business combination.

In January 2020, we performed a share split whereby each ordinary share was sub-divided into two shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 shares of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised). Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts in this prospectus are expressed on a post-split basis. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant. Except as specifically provided otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.

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 information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

General

We are a blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as a business company with limited liability (meaning that our shareholders have no liability, as members of our company, for the liabilities of our company over and above the amount already paid for their shares) and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements with, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. Although we are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses primarily operating in the financial services industry or businesses providing technological services to the financial industry, commonly known as “fintech businesses” in the region of North America and Asia-Pacific. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions to identify any acquisition target. From the date of our formation through the date of this prospectus, there have been no communications or discussions between any of our officers, directors or our sponsor and any of their contacts or relationships regarding a potential initial business combination with our company. Additionally, we have not engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, to conduct any research or take any measures, directly or indirectly, to locate or contact a target business.

We believe the financial services industry has experienced significant amount of change over the last several years as new companies providing technology, software, and digital platforms have entered the market. Fintech companies exist across many industries within financial services, including banking technology, digital payment, financial transaction and processing, capital markets, wealth management, insurance, and financial management systems. We believe that fintech companies have proven to be successful with multiple business models and strategic objectives. The objective of fintech companies can range from improving the efficiency of traditional financial services companies, to introducing new products and creating new markets, to those focused on disrupting traditional financial services companies with competitive products.

We intend to employ a pro-active acquisition strategy focused on identifying potential business combination targets in the fintech industry serving the financial industries in commercial lending, retail lending, insurance, mutual fund management, money market and securities trading that are fundamentally sound, where we believe we can be a catalyst to accelerating growth. We believe the financial services industry is evolving at a rapid pace due to the entrance of technology focused service providers, and we believe that there are attractive opportunities to acquire and merge with either rapidly growing fintech companies or traditional financial services companies that are at a strategic inflection point. Among the fintech businesses, we are intent on identifying companies with disruptive technology that

2

have allowed them to grow quickly and that we believe are positioned to sustain a robust growth trajectory through the addition of new capital, access to public markets, operational or strategic expertise. Among the traditional financial services companies, we are seeking combination targets that have new or evolving opportunities to respond to changes in the market place through the addition of new capital, access to public markets, operational or strategic expertise. We believe strongly in our management team’s ability to add value from both an operating and a financing perspective has been a key driver of past performance and we believe will continue to be central to its differentiated acquisition strategy.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to utilize our management team’s past to identify and complete our initial business combination with a company that our management believes, with proper utilization of our network and experience, has compelling potential for value creation.

We believe our management team and members of our board have experience in:

•        Operating companies, setting and changing strategies, and identifying, mentoring and recruiting exceptional talent;

•        Developing and growing companies, both organically and through strategic transactions and acquisitions, and expanding the product range and geographic footprint of a number of target businesses;

•        Investing in leading private and public technology companies to accelerate their growth and maturation; and

•        Accessing the capital markets, including financing businesses and helping companies transition to public ownership.

Market Opportunity

Although we are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses within the fintech business space in North America and Asia-Pacific with an overall transaction value between $300 million and $1.0 billion. According to a report titled “The Win-Win Proposition — Why APAC’s Fintech Momentum is Driven by Partnerships,” published by the consulting firm Accenture in March 2019, the number of fintech investments worldwide in 2018 increased 19% to 3,251, up from 2,743 in 2017, totaling $55.3 billion, up 120% from $26.7 billion in 2017; the value of investment out of Asia-Pacific in 2018 rose to $29.8 billion, up from $6.9 billion in 2017. VC investment was particularly strong in Asia, accounting for $19.6 billion in the total fintech investment in 2018, according to a February 2019 KPMG report titled “Global Fintech Investment Rockets to a Record $111.8B in 2018, Driven by Mega Deals: KPMG Pulse of Fintech.” We believe the fintech business are well posed for exponential growth and we believe that the sector represents attractive target markets given the size, breadth and prospects for growth. We have not narrowed our business combination target in any particular fintech business, however, we do believe the following areas:

Online Lending.    Online lending based on big data analytics has grown where traditional bank lending fails to cover or under covers. According to an Accenture analysis in its May 2017 report titled “Fintech — Did Someone Cancel the Revolution,” around 2 billion people worldwide are unbanked, ignored or technically not accessible by traditional banks or mainstream financial services companies. Those who are ignored or out of reach by traditional financial services are being served by advanced digital lending technologies.

Big Data, Cloud Computing and Credit Analytics.    Big data powered by cloud computing provides financial lenders the power to enhance credit rating and credit risk control. Bid data opens up a frontier to financial institutions to service those unbanked and/or underbanked customers.

Mobile Phone Payment.    Mobile phone payment has been deployed quickly where cash payment can be eliminated creating fast and efficient transactions. However, smart phone payment is regulated differently in different countries by their respective financial authorities causing deployment of the technology unevenly worldwide.

Smart Contract.    Smart contract utilizes computer programs, often in block chain, to automatically execute contracts between two or more parties in a variety of business in financial services, commercial transactions, B to

3

B services, or B to C services, in lending, loan repayment, mortgaging, reducing costs in the conventional flow of documents and enhancing accuracy and security of the flow of documents.

Insurtech.    Insurtech is short for “insurance technology.” It represents the emergence of new technologies that are transforming the insurance industry by reducing costs for consumers and insurance companies, improving efficiency, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Insurtech is seen to be a disruptor to the property and casualty homogenous insurance segment. Mass computing ability, scenario-based setting and growth are key strengths of Insurtech companies. Insurtech incorporates artificial intelligence (“AI”) and online-to-offline (O2O) integration by tapping into property and casualty (“P&C”) homogeneous-like auto insurance and health insurance segments.

Insurtech has been applied in areas such as AI-powered anti-fraud solutions for the P&C insurance industry. Insurtech provides a digitized platform, allowing customers to acquire all of their P&C in one place, suitable to small businesses. This digitalized market place is designed to improve insurance agency processes and efficiency.

According to KPMG’s March 2019 report titled “Insurtech 10: Trends for 2019,” insurtech trends in the areas of digital risk reduction, digitizing customers, behaviorial science, AI and machine learning, vehicle-focused coverage (as opposed to driver-focused insurance), and big data.

As reported in an article titled “Insurtech Investments Break New Records in Q1” published by Insurance Journal in May 2019, more than $1 billion was invested in 85 insurtech deals in the first quarter of 2019.

Investment Criteria

We will seek to identify companies that have compelling market presence, growth potential and a combination of the following characteristics. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire companies or assets that we believe have the following attributes:

•        Middle-market businesses.    We intend to seek target businesses with a total enterprise value between $300 million and $1 billion. We believe there are a considerable number of potential target businesses within this valuation range that can benefit from new capital for scalable operations to generate substantial revenue and earnings growth.

•        Strong and noticeable presence in its market.    We intend to focus on investment in an industry segment that has a noticeable presence in its market;

•        First mover in its niche market.    When pursuing our business combination, we will look for targets that are early leaders in their niche market and which set trends in their products and/or services;

•        Differentiated products or services.    A company with differentiated products or services offers investors a long-term investment opportunity and we will certainly spend time and resources to assess our business combination in this regard;

•        Seasoned management team.    We will spend significant time assessing a company’s leadership and personnel and evaluating what we can do to augment and/or upgrade the team over time if needed;

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant.

Initial Business Combination

We will have until 15 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our initial shareholders, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our initial shareholders

4

or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account for each three-month extension, $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under British Virgin Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the rights and warrants will be worthless.

Nasdaq rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding advisory fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in connection with our initial business combination.

We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire substantially all of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than substantially all of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses even if the acquisitions of the target businesses are not closed simultaneously.

Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to allow us to consummate a business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of the business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, we will be required to seek additional financing, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Furthermore, we may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination (although our memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). We do not have a maximum debt leverage ratio or a policy with respect to how much debt we may incur. The amount of debt we will be willing to incur will depend on the facts

5

and circumstances of the proposed business combination and market conditions at the time of the potential business combination. At this time, we are not party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising additional funds through the sale of our securities or the incurrence of debt. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination.

Our Acquisition Process

We believe that conducting comprehensive due diligence on prospective investments is particularly important to achieve a successful business combination. We will utilize the diligence, rigor, and expertise of available resources of the network of our management team and the members of our board to evaluate potential targets’ strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to identify the relative risk and return profile of any potential target for our initial business combination. Given our management team’s extensive tenure in evaluating investment opportunities and due diligence from past working experiences. We will often be familiar with the prospective target’s end-market, competitive landscape and business model. We certainly will empower third parties to assist us when needed.

In evaluating a prospective target for an initial business combination, we expect to conduct a thorough diligence review that will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, inspection of facilities, financial analyses and technology reviews, as well as a review of other information that will be made available to us.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company affiliated with our sponsor, our officers, or our directors, subject to certain approvals and consents. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to us from a financial point of view. Currently, we are not aware of an affiliate of our sponsor, officers or directors that would make a suitable target for our initial business combination.

We currently do not have any specific targets for an initial business combination selected. Our officers and directors have not contacted nor had any discussions with possible target businesses in which they directly or indirectly proposed or encouraged a potential target to consider a possible combination with us. We have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a business combination transaction with any prospective target business. We have not (nor have any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by any candidates (or representative of any candidates) with respect to a possible business combination with us.

Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.

Emerging Growth Company Status and Other Information

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

6

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to emerging growth company shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

Corporate Information

Our executive offices are located at 25 Mall Road, Suite 330, Burlington, MA 01803 and our telephone number is (617) 991-5173.

7

The Offering

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 normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this prospectus.

Securities offered

 

10,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of:

•   one ordinary share,

•   one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination; and

•   one redeemable warrant, each warrant exercisable to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.

Listing of our securities and proposed symbols

 


We anticipate the units, and the ordinary shares, rights and warrants once they begin separate trading, will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “ESSCU,” “ESSC,” “ESSCR” and “ESSCW,” respectively.

   

Each of the ordinary shares, rights and warrants may trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless I-Bankers determines that an earlier date is acceptable. I-Bankers has advised that, generally, it will not allow earlier separate trading of the units until it is confident, based on market conditions, that the units will not fall below the initial public offering price. In no event will I-Bankers allow separate trading of the ordinary shares, rights and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and the sale of the public units.

   

Once the ordinary shares, rights and warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component pieces. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into ordinary shares, rights and warrants.

   

We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, including an audited balance sheet, promptly upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place two business days from the date the units commence trading. The audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised on the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised after the date of this prospectus, we will file an amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K or a new Current Report on Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in the Current Report, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K, information indicating if I-Bankers has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares, rights and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.

8

Ordinary shares:

   

Number of issued and outstanding before this offering

 


2,875,000 shares (includes up to an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the over-allotment option is not fully exercised by the underwriters)

Number to be issued and outstanding
after this offering and sale of private units

 



12,898,750 shares (assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof, excludes the securities underlying any warrants or rights)

Rights:

   

Number outstanding before this offering

 

0

Number of rights to be outstanding after this offering and the private placement

 

10,323,750

Redeemable Warrants:

   

Number outstanding before this offering

 

0 warrants

Number to be outstanding after this
offering and sale of private units

 


10,323,750 (assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and excludes the Representative’s Warrants)

Exercisability

 

Each warrant is exercisable for one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share. Because the warrants may only be exercised for whole numbers of shares, only an even number of warrants may be exercised at any given time.

Exercise price

 

$11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. No public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares. It is our current intention to have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares in effect promptly following consummation of an initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 90 days following the consummation of our initial business combination, public warrant holders may, until such time as there is such an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain such an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of

9

 

exercise. For example, if a holder held 300 warrants to purchase 150 shares and the fair market value on the trading date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 35 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.

   

In addition, if (x) we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.50 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination, and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Price”) is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Price.

Exercise period

 

The warrants will become exercisable on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and 12 months from the date of this prospectus. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the fifth anniversary of our completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.

Redemption of warrants

 

We may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants, any outstanding Representative’s Warrants issued to I-Bankers and/or its designees and any warrants underlying units issued to our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to us), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

   

•   at any time while the warrants are exercisable,

   

•   upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption,

   

•   if, and only if, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three trading days before we send the notice of redemption, and

   

•   if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the issuance of the ordinary shares underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

   

If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption, each warrant holder can exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the ordinary shares may fall below the $18.00 trigger price (as adjusted) as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price (as adjusted) after the redemption notice is issued.

10

 

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in this offering.

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our ordinary shares at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor, anchor investors, I-Bankers, and/or their respective designees or permitted transferees. If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than the sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering.

Term of the Rights

 

Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. In the event we will not be the survivor upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of the business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds for their rights and the rights will expire worthless. No fractional shares will be issued upon conversion of any rights. Any fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole share, and any rounding down and extinguishment may be done with or without any in lieu cash payment or other compensation being made to the holder of the relevant rights.

11

Private units

 

Our sponsor, anchor investors and I-Bankers have committed to purchase an aggregate of 323,750 private units, of which 167,000 will be purchased by our sponsor and/or its designees, 108,000 will be purchased by our anchor investors, and 48,750 will be purchased by I-Bankers (or 350,000 private units if the underwriter’s over-allotment is exercised in full, of which 275,000 to be purchased by our sponsor, anchor investors and/or its designees and 75,000 to be purchased by I-Bankers) at $10.00 per unit ($3,237,500 in the aggregate or $3,500,000 at the maximum aggregate amount) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private unit will consist of one ordinary share, one right (“private right”) entitling holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share, and one warrant (“private warrant”), each warrant exercisable to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per full share (subject to adjustment).

   

The purchase price of the private units will be added to the net proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), the proceeds of the sale of the private units held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the private units will expire worthless.

Offering proceeds to be held in the trust account

 


$100,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units (or $115,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), or $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering, will be placed in a trust account in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee (subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. The proceeds to be placed in the trust account include $3,237,500 (or $3,500,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private units. Pursuant to the business combination marketing agreement we will enter into with I-Bankers in connection with this offering, I-Bankers will serve as our advisor in connection with our business combination and will receive the following compensation upon consummation of our business combination, (i) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is at least 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 2.75% of the cash remaining the trust account in cash, (ii) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is less than 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 1.375% of the gross proceeds of the offering, and (iii) notwithstanding (i) and (ii) above, if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is less than $20,000,000, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be paid in a combination of cash and securities in the same proportion as the cash and securities consideration paid to the target and its shareholders in the business combination, provided that in no event shall the cash portion of such advisory fees be less than $1,000,000. The remaining estimated $700,000 of net proceeds of this offering (after deducting offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $2,537,500) will not be held in the trust account.

12

 

Except as set forth below, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of: (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. Therefore, unless and until our initial business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business.

   

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be released to us from the trust account any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we need to pay our income or other tax obligations. With these exceptions, expenses incurred by us may be paid prior to an initial business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account of approximately $700,000; provided, however, that in order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering if the funds not held in the trust account are insufficient, our initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our initial business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted, as well as 150,000 rights to receive 15,000 ordinary shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares). Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units (and underlying ordinary shares, rights and warrants) upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete an initial business combination, the loans will only be repaid with funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available.

Ability to extend time to complete business combination

 


If we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our initial shareholders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into

13

 

the trust account for each three-month extension, $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share. Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. The terms of the promissory note to be issued in connection with any such loans have not yet been negotiated. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. If we do not complete a business combination, we will not repay such loans. Furthermore, the letter agreement with our initial shareholders contains a provision pursuant to which our sponsor has agreed to waive its right to be repaid for such loans in the event that we do not complete a business combination. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination.

Limited payments to insiders

 

There will be no fees, reimbursements or other cash or non-cash payments paid to our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than the following payments, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units held in the trust account prior to the consummation of our initial business combination:

   

•   repayment at the closing of this offering of non-interest bearing loans and/or advances in an aggregate amount of $166,621 (as of the date of this prospectus) made by our initial shareholders;

   

•   payment to an affiliate of our executive officers of a total of $10,000 per month (up to $120,000 in the aggregate) for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq;

   

•   reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations; and

   

•   repayment upon consummation of our initial business combination of any loans which may be made by our initial shareholders or their affiliates or our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination.

   

There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

14

Manner of conducting redemptions

 

We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve such business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer.

   

In connection with any proposed initial business combination, we may seek shareholder approval of such initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination. In such case, we will consummate our initial business combination so long as (after redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

   

We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares redeem) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all.

   

Our initial shareholders have agreed (A) to vote their founder shares, private shares and any public shares held by them in favor of any proposed initial business combination, (B) not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, (C) not to redeem any shares (including the founder shares) and private units (and underlying securities) into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination (or to sell any shares in a tender offer in connection with a proposed business combination if we do not seek shareholder approval in connection therewith) or a vote to amend the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the founder shares and private units (and underlying securities) shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated, until all of the claims of any redeeming shareholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account). None of our initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any current intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or ordinary shares in the open market or in private transactions. However, if a significant number of shareholders

15

 

vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions (other than I-Bankers and its affiliates engaging in broker-dealer activities in the ordinary course of business) in order to influence the vote. Our initial shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates could purchase sufficient shares so that the initial business combination may be approved without the majority vote of public shares held by non-affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of ordinary shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.

   

If a shareholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:

   

•   conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and

   

•   file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies.

   

In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination although we may seek an alternative initial business combination.

Redemption rights

 

At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, any public shareholder voting either for or against such proposed business combination will be entitled to demand that his ordinary shares be redeemed for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (initially $10.00 per share, subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per ordinary share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account less amounts necessary to pay our taxes). The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the advisory fees we will pay to the underwriters.

16

 

If we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, we will consummate such transaction so long as (after any redemption) our net tangible assets will at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares redeemed) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all.

   

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 15% or more of the ordinary shares sold in this offering without our prior written consent. We believe this restriction will prevent an individual shareholder or “group” from accumulating large blocks of shares before the vote held to approve a proposed business combination and attempt to use the redemption right as a means to force us or our management to purchase its shares at a significant premium to the then current market price. By limiting a shareholder’s ability to redeem no more than 15% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering, we believe we have limited the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block a transaction, which is favored by our other public shareholders. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those shareholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination.

Whether we elect to effectuate our initial business combination via shareholder vote or tender offer, we will require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery at or prior to the meeting ensures that a holder’s election to redeem his shares is irrevocable once the business combination is approved. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders to deliver their shares prior to the vote on the business

17

 

combination in order to exercise redemption rights. This is because a holder would need to deliver shares to exercise redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.

Liquidation if no business combination

 

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining holders of ordinary shares and our board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the company, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

 

 

In connection with our redemption of 100% of our outstanding public shares for a portion of the funds held in the trust account, each public shareholder will receive a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes payable on such funds. Holders of rights or warrants will receive no proceeds in connection with the liquidation with respect to such rights or warrants, which will expire worthless.

   

We may not have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims. Although we will seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into valid and enforceable agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. There is also no guarantee that the third parties would not challenge the enforceability of these waivers and bring claims against the trust account for monies owed them.

   

The underwriters will not receive any advisory fees pursuant to the business combination marketing agreement that is held in the trust account in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.

   

The holders of the founder shares and private units (and underlying securities) will not participate in any redemption distribution with respect to their founder shares, private shares, private rights or private warrants, until all of the claims of any redeeming shareholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account).

18

 

If we are unable to conclude our initial business combination and we expend all of the net proceeds of this offering not deposited in the trust account, without taking into account any interest earned on the trust account, we expect that the initial per-share redemption price will be approximately $10.00 (subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our shareholders. In addition, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. Therefore, the actual per-share redemption price may be less than approximately $10.00.

   

We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account together with up to $50,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that is available to us for such purposes. If such funds are insufficient, our sponsor has agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation and has agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses. We currently do not anticipate that such funds will be insufficient.

Indemnity

 

Our sponsor, Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu (our Chief Executive Officer) and Chunyi (Charlie) Hao (our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer) have agreed that they will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor, Mr. Lu or Mr. Hao, have sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that their only assets are securities of our company. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor, Mr. Lu and Mr. Hao having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.

Risks

We are a blank check company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company, as well as the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and, therefore, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419” You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this prospectus.

19

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data is presented.

 

December 31, 2019
Unaudited

   

Actual

 

As Adjusted(1)

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital (deficiency)

 

$

(150,109

)

 

$

100,700,655

(2)

Total assets

 

$

176,031

 

 

$

100,700,655

(3)

Total liabilities

 

$

175,376

 

 

$

 

 

Value of ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash

 

$

 

 

$

95,700,650

(4)

Shareholders’ equity

 

$

655

 

 

$

5,000,005

 

____________

(1)      Includes $3,500,000 we will receive from the sale of the private units to insiders.

(2)      The “as adjusted” calculation equals actual shareholders’ equity of $655 as of December 31, 2019, plus $100,000,000 in cash that will be held in trust from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the insiders’ private units and private units sold to our Underwriter, plus $700,000 in cash held outside the trust accounts.

(3)      The “as adjusted” calculation equals actual shareholders’ equity of $655 as of December 31, 2019, plus $100,000,000 in cash held in trust from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the insiders’ private units, plus $700,000 in cash held outside the trust accounts.

(4)      The “as adjusted” value of ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash as of December 31, 2019 is derived by taking 9,570,065 ordinary shares which may be redeemed, representing the maximum number of shares that may be redeemed while maintaining at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets after the offering, multiplied by a redemption price of $10.00.

The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering, including the application of the related gross proceeds and the payment of the estimated remaining costs from such sale and the repayment of the accrued and other liabilities required to be repaid such that we have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets prior to or upon consummation of this offering and upon consummation of our initial business combination.

The “as adjusted” working capital and total assets amounts include the $100,000,000 to be held in the trust account, which, except for limited situations described in this prospectus, will be available to us only upon the consummation of our initial business combination within the time period described in this prospectus.

We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination (if a vote is required or being obtained).

20

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

We are a blank check company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning our initial business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.

Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.

If we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote in conjunction with our initial business combination for business or other legal reasons (so long as shareholder approval is not required by the Companies Act or the rules of Nasdaq), we will conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and our memorandum and articles of association. Nasdaq rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a shareholder meeting, provided that we were not seeking to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares to a target business as consideration in any business combination). Furthermore, shareholder approval would not be required pursuant to the Companies Act if our initial business combination were structured as a purchase of assets, a purchase of stock of the target not involving a merger with us, or a merger of the target into a subsidiary of our company, or if we otherwise entered into contractual arrangements with a target to obtain control of such company. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination.

Our sponsor controls a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

Upon closing of this offering and the private placement, our initial shareholders will own approximately 20.7% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 375,000 founder shares by our sponsor as a result thereof). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. If our sponsor purchases any units in this offering or if we or our sponsor purchase any additional ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our sponsor nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, has any current intention to purchase additional securities. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, is and will be divided into two classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of two years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only one-half of the board of directors will be considered for election and our sponsor, because of its ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our sponsor will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of our initial business combination.

Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.

At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more target businesses. Because our board of directors may consummate our initial business

21

combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.

The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into our initial business combination with a target.

We may enter into a transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we may not be able to meet such closing condition, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with such business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Our memorandum and articles of association requires us to provide all of our public shareholders with an opportunity to redeem all of their shares in connection with the consummation of any initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination, or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination transaction with us.

The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

In connection with the successful consummation of our initial business combination, we may redeem up to that number of ordinary shares that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. If our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, the redemption threshold may be further limited. Alternatively, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of shareholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to the target or its shareholders to make up for the failure to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

The requirement that we maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash could increase the probability that our business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.

If, pursuant to the terms of our proposed business combination, we are required to maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash in trust in order to consummate the business combination and regardless of whether we proceed with redemptions under the tender or proxy rules, the probability that our business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in our trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.

The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination and may limit the amount of time we have to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to consummate our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.

22

Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning our initial business combination will be aware that we must consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.

We may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.

Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein.

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the require time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up.

Our sponsor may decide not to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, and the rights and warrants will be worthless.

We will have until 15 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account for each three month extension $1,000,000 or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share. Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. The terms of the promissory note to be issued in connection with any such loans have not yet been negotiated. Consequently, such loans might not be made on the terms described in this prospectus. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under British Virgin Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the rights and warrants will be worthless.

If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from shareholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.

If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may

23

purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.

The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

Purchases of ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our ordinary shares on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial business combination.

If our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, the public “float” of our ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders of our securities would both be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of the business combination.

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.

Our public shareholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of a redemption to public shareholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination or our liquidation (ii) if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your securities, potentially at a loss.

You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.

Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete our initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, since we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable and we may have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our consummation of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”

If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares.

If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association provides that a public shareholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any

24

other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering. Your inability to redeem more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering will reduce your influence over our ability to consummate our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, you would be required to sell your shares in open market transaction, potentially at a loss.

If the net proceeds of this offering not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 15 months (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

The funds available to us outside of the trust account, plus the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be available to us for the payment of our tax obligations, may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 15 months (or up to 21 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), assuming that our initial business combination is not consummated during that time. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we are unable to fund such down payments or “no shop” provisions, our ability to close a contemplated transaction could be impaired. Furthermore, if we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.00 per share on our redemption, and our rights and warrants will expire worthless.

Subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

Even if we conduct thorough due diligence on a target business with which we combine, this diligence may not surface all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.

If we liquidate, distributions, or part of them, may be delayed while the liquidator determines the extent of potential creditor claims.

Pursuant to, among other documents, our memorandum and articles of association, if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), this will trigger the required redemption of our ordinary shares using the available funds in the trust account pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, resulting in our repayment of available funds in the trust account. Following which, we will proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the company. In connection with such a voluntary liquidation, the liquidator would give notice to our creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims

25

and by placing a public advertisement in at least one newspaper published in the British Virgin Islands newspaper and in at least one newspaper circulating in the location where the company has its principal place of business, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate, after which our remaining assets would be distributed.

As soon as our affairs are fully wound-up, if we were to liquidate, the liquidator must complete his statement of account and will then notify the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the “Registrar”) that the liquidation has been completed. However, the liquidator may determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). Also, a creditor or shareholder may file a petition with the British Virgin Islands Court, which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our remaining assets.

In any liquidation proceedings of the 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 may not be able to return to our public shareholders the redemption amounts payable to them.

Our directors may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine on our behalf whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on our behalf, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including restrictions on the nature of our investments and restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including registration as an investment company, adoption of a specific form of corporate structure and reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination.

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application also may change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The British Virgin Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have recently introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. With effect from January 1, 2019, the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnerships) Act, 2018 (the “ESA”) came into force in the

26

British Virgin Islands introducing certain economic substance requirements for British Virgin Islands tax resident companies which are engaged in certain “relevant activities”, which in the case of companies incorporated before January 1, 2019 will apply in respect of financial years commencing June 30, 2019 onwards. However, it is not anticipated that the company itself will be subject to any such requirements prior to any business combination and thereafter the company may still remain out of scope of the legislation or else be subject to more limited substance requirements. Although it is presently anticipated that the ESA will have little material impact on the company or its operations, as the legislation is new and remains subject to further clarification and interpretation it is not currently possible to ascertain the precise impact of these legislative changes on the company.

We are not subject to the supervision of the Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands and so our shareholders are not protected by any regulatory inspections in the British Virgin Islands.

We are not an entity subject to any regulatory supervision in the British Virgin Islands by the Financial Services Commission. As a result, shareholders are not protected by any regulatory supervision or inspections by any regulatory agency in the British Virgin Islands and the company is not required to observe any restrictions in respect of its conduct save as disclosed in this prospectus or its memorandum and articles of association.

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), our public shareholders may be forced to wait beyond such period before redemption from our trust account.

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs by way of a voluntary liquidation, as further described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by our memorandum and articles of association prior to our commencing any voluntary liquidation. If we are required to liquidate prior to distributing the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses) pro rata to our public shareholders, then such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond 15 months (or up to 21 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. Except as otherwise described herein, we have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of any redemption required as a result of our failure to consummate our initial business combination within the period described above or our liquidation, unless we consummate our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their ordinary shares. Only upon any such redemption of public shares as we are required to effect or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our initial business combination.

If we are deemed to be insolvent, distributions, or part of them, may be delayed while the insolvency liquidator determines the extent of potential creditor claims. In these circumstances, prior payments made by the company may be deemed “voidable transactions.”

If we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will be required to redeem our public shares from the trust account pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association.

However, if at any time we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) we fail to comply with the requirements of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) execution or other process issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands Court in favor of a creditor of the company is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due), we are required to immediately enter insolvent liquidation. In these circumstances, a liquidator will be appointed who will give notice to our creditors

27

inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in at least one newspaper published in the British Virgin Islands newspaper and in at least one newspaper circulating in the location where the company has its principal place of business, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate, after which our assets would be distributed. Following the process of insolvent liquidation, the liquidator will complete its final report and accounts and will then notify the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the “Registrar”). The liquidator may determine that he requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). Also, a creditor or shareholder may file a petition with the British Virgin Islands Court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders. In such liquidation proceedings, 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 amounts otherwise payable to them.

If we are deemed insolvent, then there are also limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. A voidable transaction would be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue.” Where a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part.

Our initial shareholders have waived their right to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the initial shares. We will pay the costs of our liquidation and distribution of the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. In addition, our sponsor, Mr. Lu and Mr. Hao have agreed that they will be liable to us, for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust, except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we cannot assure you that the liquidator will not determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). We also cannot assure you that a creditor or shareholder will not file a petition with the British Virgin Islands Court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders.

If deemed to be insolvent, distributions made to public shareholders, or part of them, from our trust account may be subject to claw back in certain circumstances.

If we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), and instead distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption, it will be necessary for our directors to pass a board resolution approving the redemption of those ordinary shares and the payment of the proceeds to public shareholders. Such board resolutions are required to confirm that we satisfy the solvency test prescribed by the Companies Act (namely that our assets exceed our liabilities; and that we are able to pay our debts as they fall due). If, after the redemption proceeds are paid to public shareholders, it transpires that our financial position at the time was such that it did not satisfy the solvency test, the Companies Act provides a mechanism by which those proceeds could be recovered from public shareholders. However, the Companies Act also provides for circumstances where such proceeds could not be subject to claw back, namely where (a) the public shareholders received the proceeds in good faith and without knowledge of our failure to satisfy the solvency test; (b) a public shareholder altered its position in reliance of the validity of the payment of the proceeds; or (c) it would be unfair to require repayment of the proceeds in full or at all.

The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.

Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on the date of this prospectus, our initial shareholders, anchor investors, I-Bankers and their permitted transferees can demand that we register for resale an aggregate of 2,500,000 (or 2,875,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) founder shares, 167,000 insider units and underlying securities, 108,000 anchor units and underlying securities, 48,750 (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) I-Bankers

28

units and underlying securities, 500,000 shares (or 575,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) underlying the warrants being issued to the underwriters of this offering, and up to 1,500,000 units, and underlying securities, issuable upon conversion of working capital loans. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected when the securities owned by our sponsor, holders of our private units or their respective permitted transferees are registered.

Because we are not limited to any particular business or specific geographic location or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.

Although we intend to focus on fintech business in North America and Asia-Pacific, we may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region and in any business industry or sector. Except for the limitations that, so long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) and that we are not permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect to our initial business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we consummate our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. An investment in our units may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.

Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.

Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team and their affiliates is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward. None of our officers or directors has had experience with any blank check companies in the past.

We may seek investment opportunities outside of our management’s area of expertise and our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all significant risks associated with the target company.

There is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating our initial business combination. We may therefore be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team, but we may determine that such candidate offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or their evaluation of its operations.

29

Although we identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.

Although we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we consummate our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or the rules of Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.00 per share on our redemption, and our rights and warrants will expire worthless.

Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our shareholders.

Subject to the requirement that, so long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our shareholders.

We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm, and consequently, an independent source may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.

Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Our board of directors will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of the target acquisition. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.

We may issue additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination, which would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.

Our memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of an unlimited amount of both ordinary shares of no par value and preferred shares of no par value. We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination (although our memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity).

However, our memorandum and articles of association will provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. These provisions of our

30

memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with the approval of our shareholders. However, our executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.

Although no such issuance of ordinary or preferred shares will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account, the issuance of additional ordinary or preferred shares:

•        may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, who will not have pre-emption rights in respect of such an issuance;

•        may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights created by amendment of our memorandum and articles of association by resolution of the directors senior to those afforded our ordinary shares;

•        could cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

•        may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, ordinary shares, rights and/or warrants.

Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.

We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.00 per share on our redemption, and our rights and warrants will expire worthless.

We may qualify as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.

If we are 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 — United States Federal Income Taxation — General”) of our ordinary shares, rights or warrants, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our 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 — United States Federal Income Taxation — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”). Depending on the particular circumstances the application of the start-up exception may be subject to uncertainty, and there cannot be any assurance that we will qualify for the start-up exception. Accordingly, there can be no assurances with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and such election would likely be unavailable with respect to our rights and warrants.

31

We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

We may, in connection with our initial business combination, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders to pay such taxes. Shareholders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.

U.S. federal income tax reform could adversely affect us and holders of our units.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, originally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” which significantly reformed the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The new legislation, among other things, changes the U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest, allows the expensing of capital expenditures, and puts into effect the migration from a “worldwide” system of taxation to a territorial system. We continue to examine the impact this tax reform legislation may have on us. The impact of this tax reform, or of any future administrative guidance interpreting provisions thereof, on holders of our units is uncertain and could be adverse. This prospectus does not discuss any such tax legislation or the manner in which it might affect holders of our units. We urge prospective investors to consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to any such legislation and the potential tax consequences of investing in our units.

We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination and such reincorporation may result in taxes imposed on shareholders.

We may, in connection with our initial business combination, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders to pay such taxes. Shareholders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.

After this offering and after our initial business combination, it is likely that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.

After this offering, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. It is also likely that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and all of our assets will continue to be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.

Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our officers, directors and key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of our officers, directors, or key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our business.

Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us. Additionally, we do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.

32

The role of such persons in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of such persons may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, our assessment of these individuals may not prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.

Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.

Our key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.

When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.

The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of our initial business combination. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the consummation of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that some members of the management team of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.

Certain of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.

Our officers also may become aware of business opportunities, which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary duties or contractual obligations. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These

33

conflicts may not be resolved in our favor or that a potential target business would not be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our directors and/or executives are currently managing or will be managing other businesses similar to the market opportunities we are pursuing business combination.

Furthermore, certain of our directors and/or executives may enter into blank check companies by serving either directors and/or executives. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, Messrs. Lu and Hao will be required to present all suitable target businesses to the Company prior to presenting them to such other blank check company, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to Messrs. Hao and Lu solely in their capacity as officers of such company.

The shares beneficially owned by our officers and directors may not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.

Our officers and directors have waived their right to redeem their founder shares, private shares, shares underlying private rights or private warrants, or any other ordinary shares acquired in this offering or thereafter, or to receive distributions with respect to their founder shares, private shares, or shares underlying private rights or private warrants upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination, until all of the claims of any redeeming shareholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account). Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. Any rights and warrants they hold, like those held by the public, will also be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest.

We may engage in our initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.

We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for our initial business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our initial business combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent account firm regarding the fairness to our shareholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest. Our directors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our shareholders, whether or not a conflict of interest may exist.

Since our sponsor will lose its entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.

In October 2018, we issued an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to our initial shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, with 625,000 shares issued to our sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, is the sole director, 625,000 to Navy Sail International Limited, of which Mr. Hao is the sole director, and 187,500 shares issued to Mr. Hao. In January 2020, we performed a share split whereby each ordinary share was sub-divided into two

34

shares, resulting in our initial shareholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor (and/or its designees), together with our anchor investors, have committed to purchase an aggregate of 275,000 private units in a private placement, each consisting of one ordinary share, one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share, and one warrant to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,750,000 that will also be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination.

We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which may adversely affect our financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.

Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete initial business combination. Furthermore, we may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination (although our memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). We and our officers and directors have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:

•        default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;

•        acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

•        our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;

•        our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;

•        our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares;

•        using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

•        limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;

•        increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and

•        limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, and the sale of the private units, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business, which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.

The net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private units will provide us with approximately $100,000,000 (or approximately $115,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination, which amounts include up to $2,750,000, or up to $3,162,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of advisory fees payable to I-Bankers being held in the trust account, subject to adjustment as described elsewhere herein.

35

We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities, which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:

•        solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or

•        dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.

We may attempt to simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.

We may attempt to consummate our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in our initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, very little public information exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in our initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

Our management team and our shareholders may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.

We may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even though we may own a majority interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.

36

Unlike many blank check companies, we do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it easier for us to consummate our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.

Since we have no specified percentage threshold for redemption contained in our memorandum and articles of association, our structure is different in this respect from the structure that has been used by many blank check companies. Historically, blank check companies would not be able to consummate an initial business combination if the holders of such company’s public shares voted against a proposed business combination and elected to redeem more than a specified maximum percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering, which percentage threshold was typically between 19.99% and 39.99%. As a result, many blank check companies were unable to complete a business combination because the amount of shares voted by their public shareholders electing redemption exceeded the maximum redemption threshold pursuant to which such company could proceed with its initial business combination. As a result, we may be able to consummate our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to us or our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates. However, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Furthermore, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.

Holders of rights and warrants will not participate in liquidating distributions if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period.

If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, the rights and warrants will expire and holders will not receive any of such proceeds with respect to the rights and warrants. In this case, holders of rights and warrants are treated in the same manner as holders of rights and warrants of blank check companies whose units are comprised of shares, rights and warrants, as the rights and warrants in those companies do not participate in liquidating distributions. If a business combination is not approved, the rights and warrants will expire and will be worthless.

If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, public holders will only be able to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis” which would result in a fewer number of shares being issued to the holder had such holder exercised the warrants for cash.

If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrant at the time that holders wish to exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis” provided that an exemption from registration is available. As a result, the number of ordinary shares that a holder will receive upon exercise of its public warrants will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised its warrant for cash. Further, if an exemption from registration is not available, holders would not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis and would only be able to exercise their warrants for cash if a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is available. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are unable to do so, the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company may be reduced or the warrants may expire worthless. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the private warrants may be exercisable for unregistered ordinary shares for cash even if the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current and effective.

37

An investor will only be able to exercise a warrant if the issuance of ordinary shares upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.

No public warrants will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. At the time that the warrants become exercisable, we expect to have our securities listed on a national securities exchange, which would provide an exemption from registration in every state. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. If the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless if they cannot be sold.

Our management’s ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer ordinary shares upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.

If we call our public warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this prospectus have been satisfied, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (including any warrants held by our initial shareholders or their permitted transferees) to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of ordinary shares received by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company.

We may amend the terms of the warrants in a way that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants.

Our warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The warrant agreement requires the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants (including the private warrants) in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

We have no obligation to net cash settle the warrants.

In no event will we have any obligation to net cash settle the warrants. Furthermore, there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to the holders of the warrants upon consummation of our initial business combination or exercise of the warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

Our rights and warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.

We will be issuing rights to receive 1,000,000 of our ordinary shares (or up to 1,150,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and warrants to purchase 5,000,000 of our ordinary shares (or up to 5,750,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), as part of the units offered by this prospectus, rights to receive 32,375 of our ordinary shares (or up to 35,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and warrants to purchase 161,875 of our ordinary shares (or up to 175,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), as part of a private placement. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment. We will also be issuing Representative’s Warrants exercisable for 500,000 ordinary shares (or 575,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at an initial exercise price of $12.00 per share, subject to adjustment. In addition, our initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, make certain loans to us, up to $1,500,000 of which may be converted upon consummation of our initial business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted, as well as 150,000 rights to receive 15,000 ordinary shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares). To the extent we issue ordinary shares to effectuate a business transaction, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon exercise of these

38

warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the ordinary shares issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore, our rights and warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.

A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.

Unlike most blank check companies, if

•        we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.50 per ordinary share,

•        the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination, and

•        the Market Value is below $9.50 per share,

then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.

The ability of our public shareholders to exercise their redemption rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

If our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many public shareholders may exercise 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 our initial business combination. In the event that the acquisition involves the issuance of our stock as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our stock to make up for a shortfall in funds. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

We may be unable to consummate an initial business combination if a target business requires that we have a certain amount of cash at closing, in which case public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our redemption of the public shares to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.

A potential target may make it a closing condition to our initial business combination that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the $5,000,001 of net tangible assets we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If the number of our public shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an initial business combination below such minimum amount required by the target business and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. In that case, public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait the full 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), in order to be able to receive a portion of the trust account, or attempt to sell their shares in the open market prior to such time, in which case they may receive less than they would have in a liquidation of the trust account.

We intend to offer each public shareholder the option to vote in favor of the proposed business combination and still seek redemption of such shareholders’ shares.

In connection with any meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public shareholder (but not our initial shareholders, officers or directors) the right to have his, her or its ordinary shares

39

redeemed for cash (subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this prospectus) regardless of whether such shareholder votes for or against such proposed business combination; provided that a shareholder must in fact vote for or against a proposed business combination in order to have his, her or its ordinary shares redeemed for cash. If a shareholder fails to vote for or against a proposed business combination, that shareholder would not be able to have his ordinary shares so redeemed. We will consummate our initial business combination only so long as (after any redemption) we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where shareholders are offered the right to redeem their shares only when they vote against a proposed business combination. This threshold and the ability to seek redemption while voting in favor of a proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.

A public shareholder that fails to vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination will not be able to have his shares redeemed for cash.

In order for a public shareholder to have his shares redeemed for cash in connection with any proposed business combination, that public shareholder must vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination. If a public shareholder fails to vote in favor of or against a proposed business combination, whether that shareholder abstains from the vote or simply does not vote, that shareholder would not be able to have his ordinary shares so redeemed to cash in connection with such business combination.

We will require public shareholders who wish to redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

We will require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC 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 this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under our memorandum and articles of association, we are required to provide at least 10 days advance notice of any shareholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for shareholders to deliver their shares, shareholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares, its shares may not be redeemed.

Additionally, despite our compliance with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, shareholders may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem their shares.

Redeeming shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.

We will require public shareholders who wish to redeem their ordinary shares in connection with any proposed business combination to comply with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our ordinary shares may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish to, even while other shareholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.

40

Because of our structure, other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.

We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including private equity groups, venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. Therefore, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking shareholder approval of our initial business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

The provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to the rights and obligations attaching to our ordinary shares, including an amendment to permit us to withdraw funds from the trust account such that the per share amount investors will receive upon any redemption or liquidation is substantially reduced or eliminated, may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination with the approval of the holders of 65% (or 50% if for the purposes of approving, or in conjunction with, the consummation of our initial business combination) of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment at the relevant meeting, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the consummation of our initial business combination that a significant number of our shareholders may not support.

Many blank check companies have a provision in their charter, which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those, which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s shareholders. Typically, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public shareholders. Our memorandum and articles of association provides that, prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, its provisions related to pre-business combination activity and the rights and obligations attaching to the ordinary shares, including to permit us to withdraw funds from the trust account such that the per share amount investors will receive upon any redemption or liquidation is substantially reduced or eliminated, may be amended if approved by holders of 65% (or 50% if approved in connection with our initial business combination) of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment. Prior to our initial business combination, if we seek to amend any provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote on any proposed amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. Other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination if approved by a majority of the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Following the consummation of our initial business combination, the rights and obligations attaching to our ordinary shares and other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended if approved by a majority of the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Our initial shareholders, which will beneficially own approximately 20.7% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering and the private placement (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering, no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 375,000 founder shares by our sponsor as a result thereof), will participate in any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination and the rights and obligations attaching to the ordinary shares behavior more easily that many blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to consummate our initial business combination with which you do not agree. However, we and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.

41

We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.00 per share on our redemption, and the rights and warrants will expire worthless.

Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units, including the interest earned on the proceeds held in the trust account that may be available to us for our initial business combination, will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. Financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.00 per share on our redemption, and the rights and warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.

If we do not hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, shareholders will not be afforded an opportunity to elect directors and to discuss company affairs with management until such time.

Unless otherwise required by law or the rules of Nasdaq, we do not currently intend to call an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. If our shareholders want us to hold a meeting prior to our consummation of our initial business combination, they may do so by members holding not less than thirty percent of voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested making a request in writing to the directors in accordance with Section 82(2) of the Companies Act. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above thirty percent. Until we hold an annual meeting of shareholders, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to elect directors and to discuss company affairs with management.

Our initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per founder share (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option) and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares.

The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the ordinary shares, and none to the rights or warrants included in the units) and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our initial shareholders acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon closing of this offering, you and the other public shareholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 88.5% or $8.85 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $1.20 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per ordinary share).

The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry.

Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to

42

our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares, rights and warrants underlying 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;

•        a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions;

•        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 this offering; and

•        other factors as were deemed relevant.

Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.

There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.

Although we have applied to list our securities on Nasdaq, as of the date of this prospectus there is currently no market for our securities. Prospective shareholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Once listed on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. Additionally, if our securities become delisted from Nasdaq for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not listed on a national exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were listed on Nasdaq or another national exchange. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.

Once initially listed on Nasdaq, our securities may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

We anticipate that our securities will be initially listed on Nasdaq upon consummation of this offering. However, we cannot assure you of this or that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. Additionally, in connection with our business combination, Nasdaq will require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.

If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

•        a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

•        a reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;

•        a determination that our ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our ordinary shares;

•        a 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.

43

Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.

The United States federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), or International Financial Reporting Standard as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”). These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and consummate our initial business combination within our 12-month (or up to 21-month, as applicable) time frame.

Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing a business combination.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending June 30, 2020. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.

We may re-domicile or continue out of the British Virgin Islands into, another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

In connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business or re-domicile or continue out of from the British Virgin Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction would likely govern all of our material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Any such reincorporation and the international nature of our business will likely subject us to foreign regulation.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under British Virgin Islands law.

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.

Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the 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 governed by the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived from English common law, and whilst the decisions of the English courts are of persuasive authority, they 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 may not be 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,

44

have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, while statutory provisions do exist in British Virgin Islands law for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, shareholders in BVI companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a BVI company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred.

The British Virgin Islands Courts are also unlikely:

•        to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws where that liability is in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; 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.

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:

•        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;

•        is final and for a liquidated sum;

•        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;

•        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;

•        recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and

•        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 our board of directors, management or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company. For a discussion of certain differences between the provisions of the Companies Act, remedies available to shareholders and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “British Virgin Islands Company Considerations.”

Our memorandum and articles of association permit the board of directors by resolution to amend our memorandum and articles of association, including to create additional classes of securities, including shares with rights, preferences, designations and limitations as they determine which may have an anti-takeover effect.

Our memorandum and articles of association permits the board of directors by resolution to amend certain provisions of the memorandum and articles of association including to designate rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the preferred shares as they determine in their discretion, without shareholder approval with respect the terms or the issuance. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of the preferred shares would be set by the board of directors by amendment to relevant provisions of the memorandum and articles of association and could operate to the disadvantage of the outstanding ordinary shares the holders of which would not have any pre-emption rights in respect of such an issue of preferred shares. Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, or could be used to prevent possible corporate

45

takeovers. We may issue some or all of such preferred shares in connection with our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and our directors and officers have agreed not propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.

We may seek investment opportunities with a financially unstable business or in its early stages of development.

To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. These risks include volatile revenues or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.

The development of fintech is in its early stage and any adverse development in fintech market may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Fintech, as defined by Financial Stability Board, is “technically enabled financial innovation that could result in new business models, applications, processes or products with an associated material effect on financial markets and institutions and the provision of financial services”. As of today, consumers and investors are benefiting from both the emergence of new fintech solutions and the evolution of exiting financial services providers. This has generated a

46

wide range of financial services and products more efficiently and effectively. Some established fintech business today make only light or early-stage use of the technologies to deliver new products and services to reach their customers in different financial segments. However, fintech companies are not all profitable. Fintech companies’ failure to achieve profitability may have a negative impact in our business and operation.

There is no assurance that a fintech business may be embraced and welcomed by users in the market place. Any negative sentiment to fintech business may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

As a relatively new technology, fintech has only recently been deployed in the market place of digital payment, digital wallet, mobile phone banking, distributed financial record keeping, peer to peer lending, credit rating by artificial intelligence, financial cloud computing, big data and analytics in financial services to individual credit, etc. However, there can be no assurance that those in the banking database will welcome the emergence of new technology in the financial system. If privacy and privacy protection are not adequately paired up, consumers may refuse to embrace the deployment of fintech and may refuse to receive services from fintech. Therefore, our business and operation may adversely be impacted by the reverse of the market.

We are subject to regulatory risks with regard to the deployment of fintech, which could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial position.

Fintech is already delivering significant benefits to consumers and investors; to financial services firms and financial market infrastructure; and to financial stability and financial inclusion. The increase use of fintech solutions and emerging technologies also brings risk, to which regulators and supervisors are responding. Fintech is moving from “under the regulatory” and is attracting growing responses and supervisory scrutiny per a report titled Regulation and Supervision of Fintech by KPMG in March 2019. Fintech industry regulation differs greatly from country to country. We foresee that the industry is subject to further governmental supervision and regulation by governmental authorities in the country where fintech are to be deployed. We will see governmental authorities are likely to issue new laws, rules and regulations governing the financial transactions via fintech platform, in the areas of cyber security, open banking, outsourcing of cloud computing, data and AI and accounting and regulatory treatment. We cannot assure you that we are able to successfully foresee any changes in law and regulations which may adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations upon our initial business combination.

Erosion or loss of user confidence in fintech could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Financial transaction involving fintech may suffer from hacking and fraud risks, which may adversely erode user confidence in the technology and reduce demand for our products and services.

Transactions involving fintech are entirely digital and, as with any virtual system, face risk from hackers, malware and operational glitches. Hackers can target fintech platform to gain unauthorized access to transactions performed by and over fintech. Certain features of fintech, such as decentralization, the open source protocols, and peer-to-peer connectivity, may increase the risk of fraud or cyber-attack by potentially reducing the likelihood of a coordinated response. Fintech users may suffer from hacking risks and may face financial losses, which may erode the confidence of fintech users, adversely affecting the operation of our business and negatively affect demand for our products.

The functionality of most fintech platform relies on the Internet. A significant disruption of Internet connectivity could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be subject to information technology system failures or network disruptions caused by natural disasters, accidents, power disruptions, telecommunications failures, acts of terrorism or war, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or other events or disruptions. System redundancy and other continuity measures may be ineffective or inadequate, and our business continuity and disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities. Such a significant disruption of Internet connectivity affecting large numbers of users or geographic areas could impede the functionality of a fintech platform by, among other things, preventing users access, interfering with transactions on fintech platform.

47

Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business Outside of the United States

If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.

If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:

•        rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;

•        laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;

•        exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;

•        tariffs and trade barriers;

•        regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

•        longer payment cycles;

•        tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;

•        currency fluctuations and exchange controls;

•        rates of inflation;

•        challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

•        cultural and language differences;

•        employment regulations;

•        crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and

•        deterioration of political relations with the United States. We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.

Because of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, our results of operations may be negatively impacted.

Managing a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether based abroad or in the United States) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.

If social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination, it may result in a negative impact on our business.

Political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.

Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Our ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition.

48

Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent.

Delay with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.

If relations between the United States and foreign governments deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.

The relationship between the United States and foreign governments could be subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance, the United States may announce its intention to impose quotas on certain imports. Such import quotas may adversely affect political relations between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the foreign government in industries that may affect our ultimate target business. Changes in political conditions in foreign countries and changes in the state of U.S. relations with such countries are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our operations or cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on our ultimate operations if relations are strained between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or move our principal manufacturing or service operations.

If any dividend is declared in the future and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.

If you are a U.S. holder of our ordinary shares, you will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of your dividends, if any, at the time you receive them, even if you actually receive a smaller amount of U.S. dollars when the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Specifically, if a dividend is declared and paid in a foreign currency, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the payments made in the foreign currency, determined at the spot rate of the foreign currency to the U.S. dollar on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Thus, if the value of the foreign currency decreases before you actually convert the currency into U.S. dollars, you will be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.

If our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.

Following our initial business combination, certain members of our management team will likely resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with our laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues, which may adversely affect our operations.

After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.

The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. Such economic growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.

49

Currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.

In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.

Because foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.

Foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of such foreign jurisdiction’s legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. Some foreign jurisdictions may be inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business and business opportunities.

Many of the economies in Asia are experiencing substantial inflationary pressures which may prompt the governments to take action to control the growth of the economy and inflation that could lead to a significant decrease in our profitability following our initial business combination.

While many of the economies in Asia have experienced rapid growth over the last two decades, they currently are experiencing inflationary pressures. As governments take steps to address the current inflationary pressures, there may be significant changes in the availability of bank credits, interest rates, limitations on loans, restrictions on currency conversions and foreign investment. There also may be imposition of price controls. If prices for the products of our ultimate target business rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. If these or other similar restrictions are imposed by a government to influence the economy, it may lead to a slowing of economic growth. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, the ultimate industry that we operate in may be affected more severely by such a slowing of economic growth.

Many industries in Asia are subject to government regulations that limit or prohibit foreign investments in such industries, which may limit the potential number of acquisition candidates.

Governments in many Asian countries have imposed regulations that limit foreign investors’ equity ownership or prohibit foreign investments altogether in companies that operate in certain industries. As a result, the number of potential acquisition candidates available to us may be limited or our ability to grow and sustain the business, which we ultimately acquire will be limited.

If a country in Asia enacts regulations in industry segments that forbid or restrict foreign investment, our ability to consummate our initial business combination could be severely impaired.

Many of the rules and regulations that companies face concerning foreign ownership are not explicitly communicated. If new laws or regulations forbid or limit foreign investment in industries in which we want to complete our initial business combination, they could severely impair our candidate pool of potential target businesses. Additionally, if the relevant central and local authorities find us or the target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination to be in violation of any existing or future laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:

•        levying fines;

•        revoking our business and other licenses;

50

•        requiring that we restructure our ownership or operations; and

•        requiring that we discontinue any portion or all of our business.

Any of the above could have an adverse effect on our company post-business combination and could materially reduce the value of your investment.

Corporate governance standards in Asia may not be as strict or developed as in the United States and such weakness may hide issues and operational practices that are detrimental to a target business.

General corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent business practices that cause unfavorable related party transactions, over-leveraging, improper accounting, family company interconnectivity and poor management. Local laws often do not go far enough to prevent improper business practices. Therefore, shareholders may not be treated impartially and equally as a result of poor management practices, asset shifting, conglomerate structures that result in preferential treatment to some parts of the overall company, and cronyism. The lack of transparency and ambiguity in the regulatory process also may result in inadequate credit evaluation and weakness that may precipitate or encourage financial crisis. In our evaluation of a business combination we will have to evaluate the corporate governance of a target and the business environment, and in accordance with United States laws for reporting companies take steps to implement practices that will cause compliance with all applicable rules and accounting practices. Notwithstanding these intended efforts, there may be endemic practices and local laws that could add risk to an investment we ultimately make and that result in an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

51

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this prospectus, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and any other statements of a future or forward-looking nature, constitute “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “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 our initial business combination;

•        our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;

•        our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;

•        our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;

•        our pool of prospective target businesses, including their industry and geographic location;

•        the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;

•        failure to list or delisting of our securities from Nasdaq or an inability to have our securities listed on Nasdaq following a business combination;

•        our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;

•        the lack of a market for our securities; or

•        our financial performance following this offering.

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not 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.

52

USE OF PROCEEDS

We are offering 10,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private units (all of which will be deposited into the trust account) will be used as set forth in the following table.

 

Without
Over-Allotment Option

 

Over-
Allotment Option Exercised

Gross proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From offering

 

$

100,000,000

 

 

$

115,000,000

 

From private placements

 

 

3,237,500

 

 

 

3,500,000

 

Total gross proceeds

 

 

103,237,500

 

 

 

118,500,000

 

Offering expenses(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting discount (1.75% of gross proceeds from offering)

 

 

1,750,000

(2)

 

 

2,012,500

(2)

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

415,000

 

 

 

415,000

 

Nasdaq listing fee

 

 

85,000

 

 

 

85,000

 

Printing and engraving expenses

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

30,000

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

40,000

 

FINRA filing fee

 

 

18,914

 

 

 

18,914

 

D&O insurance

 

 

125,000

 

 

 

125,000

 

SEC registration fee

 

 

15,935

 

 

 

15,935

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

 

57,651

 

 

 

57,651

 

Total offering expenses

 

 

2,537,500

 

 

 

2,800,000

 

Net proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held in the trust account(3)

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

115,000,000

 

Not held in the trust account

 

 

700,000

 

 

 

700,000

 

Total net proceeds

 

$

100,700,000

 

 

$

115,700,000

 

Use of net proceeds not held in the trust account(3)(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal, accounting and other third party expenses attendant to the search for target businesses and to Due diligence investigation, structuring and negotiation of our initial business combination

 

$

375,000

 

 

 

53.6

%

Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

14.3

%

Nasdaq continued listing fees

 

 

75,000

 

 

 

10.7

%

Payment of administrative fee ($10,000 per month, up to $120,000 in the aggregate)(5)

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

17.1

%

Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, general corporate purposes, liquidation obligations and reserves

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

4.3

%

Total

 

$

700,000

 

 

 

100.0

%

_________

(1)      A portion of the offering expenses, including the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee, the non-refundable portion of the Nasdaq listing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees, have been paid from an aggregate of $166,621 loaned or advanced to us by our affiliates and payable as of December 31, 2019. These funds are currently due on demand and will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us.

(2)      No discounts or commissions will be paid with respect to the purchase of the private units.

(3)      Upon closing of the initial business combination, the funds held in the trust account may, but need not, be used to pay our expenses relating to acquiring a target business.

(4)      Does not include any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be available to us as described in this prospectus.

(5)      We have agreed to pay to an affiliate of our executive officers up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. Such administrative fees shall be paid on a monthly basis at $10,000 until the maximum fee is reached.

A total of $100,000,000 (or $115,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private units described in this prospectus will be placed in a trust account in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, subject to increase in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, and will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes and bonds

53

with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries. Except for all interest income that may be released to us to pay taxes, and up to $50,000 to pay dissolution expenses, as discussed below, none of the funds held in the trust account will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.

The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may apply the cash released from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

We believe that amounts not held in trust will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of our initial business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from members of our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or our officers and directors, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.

Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we have agreed to pay an affiliate of our executive officers up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. Such administrative fees shall be paid on a monthly basis at $10,000 until the maximum fee is reached,. Upon the earlier of completion of our initial business combination, our liquidation, or the maximum payment, we will cease paying these monthly fees.

As of December 31, 2019, our initial shareholders have loaned us a total of $132,500 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering under a promissory note. These loans are non-interest bearing and unsecured. The loan is due on the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the date on which we consummate the offering. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019 our initial shareholders, incoming directors and/or their affiliates had advanced to us an aggregate of $34,121, to be repaid upon the consummation of this offering.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the offering proceeds held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such notes may be convertible into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted as well as 150,000 rights to receive 15,000 shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares).

In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Furthermore, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.

54

A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) our consummation of our initial business combination, and then only in connection with those ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), or (iii) the redemption of our public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and shares underlying private rights and private warrants in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Our initial shareholders have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any public shares purchased during or after the offering in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. In addition, our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions with respect to its founder shares and private shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). However, if our initial shareholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. Our initial shareholders have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (a) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity.

55

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and subject to the Companies Act. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of this offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our initial shareholders’ ownership at 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering (assuming no purchase in this offering and not taking into account ownership of the private units). Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

56

DILUTION

The difference between the public offering price per share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and included in the private units, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with sale and exercise of warrants, including the private warrants. 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 ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding ordinary shares.

At December 31, 2019, our net tangible book value was a deficiency of $150,109, or approximately $(0.05) per share. For the purposes of the dilution calculation, in order to present the maximum estimated dilution as a result of this offering, we have assumed the issuance of 0.1 of a share for each right outstanding, as such issuance will occur upon a business combination without the payment of additional consideration. After giving effect to the sale of 10,000,000 ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, and the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of this offering, and the sale of the private units, our pro forma net tangible book value at December 31, 2019 would have been $5,000,005 or $1.15 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.20 per share to the initial shareholders and an immediate dilution of 88.5% per share or $8.85 to new investors not exercising their redemption rights. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is $95,700,650 less than it otherwise would have been because if we effect our initial business combination, the redemption rights of the public shareholders (but not our initial shareholders) may result in the redemption of up to 9,570,065 shares sold in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution to our public shareholders on a per-share basis, assuming (i) no value is attributed to the rights included in the units and the private units and (ii) no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units and the private warrants.

Public offering price

 

 

 

 

 

$

10.00

 

Net tangible book value before this offering

 

$

(0.05

)

 

 

 

 

Increase attributable to new investors and private sales

 

 

1.20

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.15

 

Dilution to new investors

 

 

 

 

 

$

8.85

 

Percentage of dilution to new investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

88.5

%

The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the new investors:

 

Shares
Purchased

 

Total
Consideration

 

Average Price
per Share

   

Number

 

Percentage

 

Amount

 

Percentage

 

Initial shareholders (founder shares)

 

2,500,000

(1)

 

17.9

%

 

$

25,000

 

0.02

%

 

$

0.01

Shareholders with respect to private units

 

356,125

(2)

 

2.6

%

 

 

3,237,500

 

3.14

%

 

$

10.00

Representative’s shares issued as
compensation

 

75,000

(3)

 

0.05

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public shareholders’ units

 

11,000,000

(4)

 

79.0

%

 

 

100,000,000

 

96.84

%

 

$

10.00

Total

 

13,931,125

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

103,262,500

 

100.00

%

 

 

 

____________

(1)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof.

(2)      Private placement units sold to initial shareholders, anchor investors and underwriter. Assumes the issuance of an additional 32,375 shares underlying the rights included in the private units.

(3)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 11,250 shares have not been issued to I-Bankers as a result thereof.

(4)      Assumes the issuance of an additional 1,000,000 shares underlying the rights included in the public units.

57

The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated as follows:

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

Net tangible book value before the offering

 

$

(150,109

)

Net proceeds from this offering and private placements of private units

 

 

100,700,000

 

Plus: Offering costs accrued for and paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value before this offering

 

 

150,764

 

Less: Proceeds held in the trust account subject to redemption

 

 

(95,700,650

)

   

$

5,000,005

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering

 

 

2,500,000

(1)

Ordinary shares to be sold as part of the units in this offering

 

 

11,000,000

(3)

Ordinary shares to be sold as part of the private units in the private placement

 

 

356,125

(2)

Representative’s shares issued to underwriter as compensation

 

 

75,000

(4)

Less: Shares subject to redemption

 

 

(9,570,065

)

   

 

4,361,060

 

____________

(1)      Assumes that the underwriters’ over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof.

(2)      Assumes the issuance of an additional 32,375 shares underlying the rights included in the private units.

(3)      Assumes the issuance of an additional 1,000,000 shares underlying the rights included in the public units.

(4)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 11,250 shares have not been issued to I-Bankers as a result thereof.

58

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization at December 31, 2019 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units offered by this prospectus and the private units, and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:

 

As At December 31, 2019
(Unaudited)

   

Actual

 

As Adjusted(1)

Amount payable to related party and third party(2)

 

$

166,621

 

 

$

 

Ordinary shares, no par value, actual; -0- and as adjusted; 9,570,065 shares which are subject to possible redemption

 

 

 

 

 

95,700,650

(4)

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 2,500,000(3) issued and outstanding (excluding 9,570,065 shares subject to possible redemption), as adjusted

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

5,024,350

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(24,763

)

 

 

(24,354

)

Total shareholders’ equity:

 

 

655

 

 

 

5,000,005

 

Total capitalization

 

$

166,858

 

 

$

100,700,655

(5)

____________

(1)      Includes $3,237,500 we will receive from the sale of the private units. Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised.

(2)      Amount payable to related party includes $132,500 of loans and $34,121 in accounts payable. Such amounts are non-interest bearing and are payable on the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the date on which we consummate the offering.

(3)      Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof.

(4)      Derived by taking 9,570,065 ordinary shares, which may be redeemed, representing the maximum number of shares that may be redeemed while maintaining at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets after the offering, multiplied by a redemption price of $10.00.

(5)      Derived by adding total shareholders’ equity and the value of the ordinary share, which may be redeemed for cash.

59

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability (meaning our shareholders have no liability, as members of the Company, for the liabilities of the Company over and above the amount already paid for their shares) formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. We have not identified an acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, directly or indirectly, to identify any acquisition target. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private units, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt.

The issuance of additional shares in our initial business combination:

•        may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering who would not have pre-emption rights in respect of any such issue;

•        may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if the rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the preferred shares are created by amendment of our memorandum and articles of association by resolution of the board of directors and preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary shares;

•        could cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;

•        may 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, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant indebtedness, it could result in:

•        default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;

•        acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

•        our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;

•        our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if any document governing such debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;

•        our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares;

•        using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

•        limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;

•        increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and

•        limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

60

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, we had $25,267 and $47,722, respectively, in cash and deferred offering costs of $150,764 and $97,500, respectively. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful.

Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares, loans from our initial shareholders, in an aggregate amount of $132,500 that is more fully described below, and $34,121 in certain affiliate advances. The $166,621 in shareholder loans and affiliate advances was used to prepay a portion of the offering expenses and will be repaid from the proceeds of this offering. We estimate that the net proceeds from (1) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $787,500 and underwriting discounts and commissions of $1,750,000 (or $2,012,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) (excluding certain business combination advisory fees to I-Bankers of $2,750,000 (or up to $3,162,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), subject to adjustment as described elsewhere herein) and (2) the sale of the private units for a purchase price of $3,237,500 (or $3,500,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $100,700,000 (or $115,700,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), of which amount $100,000,000 (or $115,000,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, subject to increase in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, which would require the payment of up to $2,000,000 (or up to $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The remaining estimated $700,000 will not be held in the trust account.

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units, including the funds held in the trust account (excluding certain advisory fees to I-Bankers), to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business’ operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders’ fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our initial business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust account were insufficient to cover such expenses.

We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the estimated $700,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. We anticipate that we will incur approximately:

•        $375,000 of expenses for the search for target businesses and for the legal, accounting and other third-party expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiating of our initial business combination;

•        $120,000 to an affiliate of our executive officers for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq;

61

•        $100,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations;

•        $75,000 of expenses in continued Nasdaq listing fees; and

•        $30,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses, liquidation obligations and reserves.

If our estimates of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination (although our memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). We do not have a maximum debt leverage ratio or a policy with respect to how much debt we may incur. The amount of debt we will be willing to incur will depend on the facts and circumstances of the proposed business combination and market conditions at the time of the potential business combination. At this time, we are not party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising additional funds through the sale of our securities or the incurrence of debt. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.

As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, we had $25,267 and $47,722, respectively, in cash and a working capital deficit of $150,109 and $87,328, respectively. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful.

Controls and Procedures

We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:

•        staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;

•        reconciliation of accounts;

•        proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;

•        evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;

•        documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and

•        documentation of accounting policies and procedures.

Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively also may take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.

62

Related Party Transactions

In October 2018, we issued an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to our initial shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, with 625,000 shares issued to our sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, is the sole director, 187,500 shares issued to Mr. Hao, and 625,000 shares issued to Navy Sail International Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, is the sole director. In January 2020, we performed a share split whereby each ordinary share was sub-divided into two shares, resulting in our initial shareholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent approximately 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering (without giving effect to the private placement). Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by our initial shareholders, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. If we increase or decrease the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, we will effect a share dividend or share surrender, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our sponsor prior to this offering at approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (excluding the private units) upon the consummation of this offering. Up to 375,000 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised.

As of December 31, 2019, our initial shareholders have loaned an aggregate of $132,500 to us under a promissory note, on a non-interest bearing basis, for payment of offering expenses on our behalf. Such amount excludes an additional $34,121 advanced by an affiliate of our initial shareholders and our incoming directors, to be repaid upon the consummation of this offering.

We are obligated, commencing on the date that our securities are listed on Nasdaq and terminating upon the earlier of the consummation of our initial business combination or the liquidation of our company, to pay $10,000 per month up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate, to an affiliate of our executive officers, which funds will be used to pay for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative services.

Our sponsor, anchor investors, and I-Bankers, and/or their respective designees, have committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) private units at $10.00 per unit, among which 167,000 insider units will be purchased by our sponsor (and/or its designees), an aggregate of 108,000 anchor units will be purchased by our anchor investors, and 48,750 units (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) representative units will be purchased by I-Bankers (and/or its designees). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering and the over-allotment option, as applicable. The foregoing purchases will only be made by our sponsor, anchor investors and I-Bankers (and/or their designees) if they are able to do so in accordance with Regulation M and Sections 9(a)(2) and 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. The purchase of the private units will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from the purchase of the private units will be placed in the trust account described below.

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, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted as well as 150,000 rights to receive 15,000 shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares).

Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

63

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The amounts in the trust account, will be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results

As of the date of this prospectus, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have conducted no operations to date.

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,(iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements(auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of this offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

64

PROPOSED BUSINESS

Overview

We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Island company and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. Although we are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses primarily operating in the financial services industry or businesses providing technological services to the financial industry, commonly known as fintech, in North America and Asia-Pacific.

We believe the financial services industry has experienced significant amount of change over the last several years as new companies providing technology, software, and digital platforms have entered the market. According to an article titled Global Fintech Investment Hits Record $111.8B in 2018 published by KPMG in February 2019, there was over $31 billion invested in fintech companies in 2017 alone. Fintech companies exist across many industries within financial services, including banking technology, payment and financial transaction processing, capital markets, wealth management, insurance, and financial management systems. We believe that fintech companies have proven to be successful with multiple business models and strategic objectives. The objective of fintech companies can range from improving the efficiency of traditional financial services companies, to introducing new products and creating new markets, to those focused on disrupting traditional financial services companies with competitive products. Fintech is impacting the financial services sector broadly in the following aspect:

•        Fintech companies tend to snatch away the revenues of traditional financial institutions and force them to be more competitive and vibrant;

•        Technology disrupts the logic of traditional financial institutions and empowers them to adjust their strategic direction;

•        Electronic channel services occupy the entrance, driving traditional financial institutions to achieve full channel integration and coordination;

•        Innovations in fintech companies have sprung up, inspiring traditional financial institutions to innovate their business models;

•        Business innovation drives management innovation, forcing traditional financial institutions to reform their organizational model and IT architecture.

We intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team and the broad network our management team and members of the Board have built up over their respective professional career to identify, acquire, and operate a business in the proposed business of our initial business combination that may provide opportunities for attractive long-term risk-adjusted returns, though we reserve the right to pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to utilize our management team’s past to identify and complete our initial business combination with a company that our management believes, with proper utilization of our network and experience, has compelling potential for value creation.

We believe our management team and members of our board have experience in:

•        Operating companies, setting and changing strategies, and identifying, mentoring and recruiting exceptional talent;

•        Developing and growing companies, both organically and through strategic transactions and acquisitions, and expanding the product range and geographic footprint of a number of target businesses;

•        Investing in leading private and public technology companies to accelerate their growth and maturation; and

•        Accessing the capital markets, including financing businesses and helping companies transition to public ownership.

65

Market Opportunity

Although we are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses within the fintech business with an overall transaction value between $300 million and $1.0 billion. Broadly fintech can refer to any innovation in how people transact business, from money transfers, check deposit over smartphone, bypassing a bank for credit application, loaning money for small business instantly, or investing into money market fund without in-person assistance. According to “2018 US Fintech Market Report” by S&P Global, capital has been pouring into the fintech industry where payments, insurance technology, investment and capital technology, digital lending, banking technology and financial media are taking the center stage. As indicated in the article titled Global Fintech Investment Hits Record $111.8B in 2018 by KPMG, global fintech investment in 2018 reached $111.8 billion with investment in Asia taking the lead up to $22.7 billion. We have not narrowed our business combination target in any particular fintech business, however, we do believe the following areas of the fintech business are exposed to exponential growth.

Online Lending.    Online lending based on big data analytics has grown where traditional bank lending fails to cover or under covers. Around 2 billion people worldwide are unbanked, ignored or technically not accessible by traditional banks or mainstream financial services companies, per Accenture analysis of World Bank and UN figures in its May 2017 report titled Fintech — Did Someone Cancel the Revolution. Those who are ignored or out of reach by traditional financial services are being served by advanced online lending technologies.

Big Data, Cloud Computing and Credit Analytics.    Big data powered by cloud computing provides financial lenders the power to enhance credit rating and credit risk control. Bid data opens up a frontier to financial institutions to service those unbanked and/or underbanked customers.

Mobile Phone Payment.    Mobile phone payment has been deployed quickly where cash payment can be eliminated creating fast and efficient transactions. However, smart phone payment is regulated differently in different countries by their respective financial authorities causing deployment of the technology unevenly worldwide.

Smart Contract.    Smart contract utilizes computer programs, often in block chain, to automatically execute contracts between two or more parties in a variety of business in financial services, commercial transactions, B to B services, or B to C services, in lending, loan repayment, mortgaging, reducing costs in the conventional flow of documents and enhancing accuracy and security of the flow of documents.

Insurtech.    Insurtech is short for “insurance technology.” It represents the emergence of new technologies that are transforming the insurance industry by reducing costs for consumers and insurance companies, improving efficiency, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Insurtech is seen to be a disruptor to the property and casualty homogenous insurance segment. Mass computing ability, scenario-based setting and growth are key strengths of Insurtech companies. Insurtech incorporates AI and online-to-offline (O2O) integration by tapping into casualty P&C homogeneous-like auto insurance and health insurance segments.

Insurtech has been applied in areas such as AI-powered anti-fraud solutions for the P&C insurance industry. Insurtech provides a digitized platform allowing customers to acquire all of their P&C in one place, suitable to small businesses. This digitalized market place is designed to improve insurance agency processes and efficiency.

According to KPMG’s March 2019 report titled “Insurtech 10: Trends for 2019,” insurtech trends in the arears of digital risk reduction, digitizing customers, behaviorial science, AI and machine learning, vehicle-focused coverage (as opposed to driver-focused insurance), and big data.

As reported by Insurance Journal in May 2019, more than $1 billion was invested in 85 insurtech deals in the first quarter of 2019.

Acquisition Criteria

We will seek to identify companies that have compelling market presence and a combination of the following characteristics. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire companies or assets that we believe have the following attributes:

•        Strong and noticeable presence in its market. We intend to focus on investment in an industry segment that has a noticeable presence in its market;

66

•        First mover in its niche market. When pursuing our business combination, we will look for targets that are early leaders in their niche market and which set trends in their products and/or services;

•        Differentiated products or services. A company with differentiated products or services offers investors a long term investment opportunity and we will certainly spend time and resources to assess our business combination in this regard;

•        Seasoned management team. We will spend significant time assessing a company’s leadership and personnel and evaluating what we can do to augment and/or upgrade the team over time if needed;

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant.

Status as a Public Company

We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination. In this situation, the owners of the target business would exchange their shares of stock in the target business for shares of our stock or for a combination of shares of our stock and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. Although there are various costs and obligations associated with being a public company, we believe target businesses will find this method a more certain and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. In a typical initial public offering, there are additional expenses incurred in marketing, road show and public reporting efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us.

Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests. It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

67

Financial Position

With a trust account initially in the amount of $100,000,000 (or $115,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), we can offer a target business a variety of options to facilitate a business combination and fund future expansion and growth of its business. This amount assumes no redemptions and includes up to $2,750,000 of advisory fees payable to I-Bankers (or up to $3,162,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), subject to adjustment as described elsewhere herein. Because we are able to consummate a business combination using the cash proceeds from this offering, our share capital, debt or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use an efficient structure allowing us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to address the needs of the parties. However, if a business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay for the purchase price, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing. Accordingly, our flexibility in structuring a business combination may be subject to these constraints.

Effecting Our Initial Business Combination

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 complete our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement units, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of our ordinary shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other assets, companies or for working capital.

We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the completion of our initial business combination (which may include a specified future issuance), and we may complete our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would expect to complete such financing only simultaneously with the completion of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law, we would seek shareholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately, including pursuant to any specified future issuance, or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.

The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which our business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.

Sources of Target Businesses

We expect to receive a number of proprietary transaction opportunities to originate as a result of the business relationships, direct outreach, and deal sourcing activities from the network built up by our management team and by the members of our Board. We also anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment banking firms, consultants, accounting firms, private equity groups,

68

large business enterprises, and other market participants. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-transaction company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate. In no event will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context. As more fully discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us.

Lack of Business Diversification

For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. In addition, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination in a single industry. By completing our business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

•        subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and

•        cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.

Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team

Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team or of our board, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our business combination, it is presently unknown if any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. The determination as to whether any members of our board of directors will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

Following a business combination, to the extent that we deem it necessary, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management team 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.

69

Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination

Subject to the requirement that, so long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. In any case, we will only consummate an initial business combination in which we become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes as discussed below) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.

The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.

Fair Market Value of Target Business or Businesses

So long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, the target business or businesses or assets with which we effect our initial business combination must have a collective fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. So long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, if we acquire less than 100% of one or more target businesses in our initial business combination, the aggregate fair market value of the portion or portions we acquire must equal at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. However, we will always acquire at least a controlling interest in a target business. The fair market value of a portion of a target business or assets will likely be calculated by multiplying the fair market value of the entire business by the percentage of the target we acquire. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with an initial target business or businesses with a collective fair market value in excess of the balance in the trust account. In order to consummate such an initial business combination, we may issue a significant amount of debt, equity or other securities to the sellers of such business and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt, equity or other securities (although our memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). If we issue securities in order to consummate such an initial business combination, our shareholders could end up owning a minority of the combined company’s voting securities as there is no requirement that our shareholders own a certain percentage of our company (or, depending on the structure of the initial business combination, an ultimate parent company that may be formed) after our business combination. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such arrangement to issue our debt or equity securities and have no current intention of doing so.

70

We anticipate structuring our initial business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act. Even though we will own a majority interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.

The fair market value of a target business or businesses or assets will be determined by our board of directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses, earnings and cash flow, book value and, where appropriate, upon the advice of appraisers or other professional consultants. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine that the target business or assets has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders.

Lack of Business Diversification

For an indefinite period of time after consummation of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

•        subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and

•        cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.

Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team

Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. The future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. Consequently, members of our management team may not become a part of the target’s management team, and the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Further, it is also not certain whether one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination. Moreover, members of our management team may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not 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.

71

Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination

Although we may seek shareholder approval before we effect our initial business combination, we may not do so for business or legal reasons (so long as such transaction does not require shareholder approval under the Companies Act or the rules of Nasdaq). Presented in the table below is a graphic explanation of the types of initial business combinations we may consider and whether we expect shareholder approval would be required under the Companies Act for each such transaction.

Type of Transaction

 

Whether
Shareholder
Approval is
Required

Purchase of assets

 

No

Purchase of stock of target not involving a merger with the company

 

No

Merger of target with a subsidiary of the company

 

No

Merger of the company with a target

 

Yes

Entering into contractual agreements with a target to obtain control

 

No

Additionally, under Nasdaq’s listing rules, shareholder approval would be required for our initial business combination if, for example:

•        we issue ordinary shares that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding (other than in a public offering);

•        any of our directors, officers or substantial shareholders (as defined by Nasdaq rules) has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of ordinary shares could result in an increase in outstanding ordinary shares or voting power of 5% or more; or

•        the issuance or potential issuance of ordinary shares will result in our undergoing a change of control.

We also may be required to obtain shareholder approval if we wish to take certain actions in connection with our initial business combination such as adopting an incentive stock plan or amending our charter. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing of our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with such rules.

Ability to Extend Time to Complete Business Combination

We will have until 15 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our initial shareholders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account for each three-month extension, $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination.

72

Redemption rights for public shareholders upon consummation of our initial business combination

We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share (subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by certain advisory fees we will pay to I-Bankers. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their right to receive liquidating distributions if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the requisite time period. However, if our initial shareholders or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.

Manner of Conducting Redemptions

We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer.

We intend to hold a shareholder vote in connection with our business combination. In such case, 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.

In the event that we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above upon consummation of the initial business combination.

If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. In such case, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination and our officers and directors have also agreed to vote any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, we would need only 3,782,376 of the 10,000,000 public shares, or approximately 37.8%, sold in this offering to be voted in favor of a transaction in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised and they do not purchase shares in the offering or the aftermarket). Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. In addition, our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination.

In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Furthermore, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote in conjunction with their initial business combination for business or other legal reasons (so long as shareholder approval is not required by the Companies Act or the rules of Nasdaq), we will conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and our memorandum and articles of association. In such case, we will:

•        offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and

73

•        file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and we will not be permitted to consummate our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period.

In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem shall remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act.

In connection with the successful consummation of our business combination, we may redeem pursuant to a tender offer up to that number of ordinary shares that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. However, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our proposed initial business combination. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or members of its management team, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the allocation of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares that are validly tendered plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not consummate the business combination, we will not purchase any shares pursuant to the tender offer and all shares will be returned to the holders thereof following the expiration of the tender offer. Additionally, since we are required to maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination (which may be substantially higher depending on the terms of our potential business combination), the chance that the holders of our ordinary shares electing to redeem in connection with a redemption conducted pursuant to the proxy rules will cause us to fall below such minimum requirement is increased.

When we conduct a tender offer to redeem our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in order to comply with the tender offer rules, the offer will be made to all of our shareholders, not just our public shareholders. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with any such tender offer.

Limitation on Redemption Rights upon Consummation of Our Initial Business Combination If We Seek Shareholder Approval

If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association provides that a public shareholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering. We believe this restriction will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to consummate our initial business combination, particularly in connection with our initial business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those shareholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination. We will resolve any disputes relating to whether a public shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” either by requiring certifications under the penalty of perjury to such effect by public shareholders or via adjudication in court.

74

Permitted Purchases of Our Securities by Our Affiliates

If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Although very unlikely, our initial shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates could purchase sufficient shares so that the initial business combination may be approved without the majority vote of public shares held by non-affiliates. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.

The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (2) to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

As a consequence of any such purchases, the public “float” of our ordinary shares may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of a business combination.

Tendering Share Certificates in Connection With a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights

We will require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the vote on the business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short exercise period, it is advisable for shareholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.

There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.

The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the shareholders’ vote on our initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for him to deliver his certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an “option window” after the consummation of the business combination during which he could monitor the price of the company’s shares in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he could sell his shares in the open market before actually delivering his shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which shareholders were aware they needed to commit before the shareholder meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the consummation of the business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery at or prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming holder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the business combination is approved.

75

Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the tender offer materials or the date of the shareholder meeting set forth in our proxy materials, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our initial business combination.

If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.

If our initial proposed business combination is not consummated, we may continue to try to consummate our initial business combination with a different target until 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus).

Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation If No Initial Business Combination

Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate our initial business combination within such time period. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the Companies Act.

Following the redemption of public shares, we intend to enter “voluntary liquidation” which is the statutory process for formally closing and dissolving a company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Given that we intend to enter voluntary liquidation following the redemption of public shareholders from the trust account, we do not expect that the voluntary liquidation process will cause any delay to the payment of redemption proceeds from our trust account. In connection with such a voluntary liquidation, the liquidator would give notice to creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in at least one newspaper published in the British Virgin Islands newspaper and in at least one newspaper circulating in the location where the company has its principal place of business, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate to identify the company’s creditors, after which our remaining assets would be distributed. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must complete his statement of account and file notice with the Registrar that the liquidation is complete. We would be dissolved once the Registrar issues a Certificate of Dissolution.

Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and private units if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable period from the closing of this offering.

However, if our initial shareholders, or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights and warrants, which will expire worthless in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within 15 months of the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). We will pay the costs of our liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account or

76

interest earned on the funds held in the trust account. However, the liquidator may determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). Also, a creditor or shareholder may file a petition with the BVI court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our remaining assets.

Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of the 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 may not be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them.

If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00 (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors, which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. The actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00, plus interest (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses).

Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, our sponsor agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. However, our sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. Other than as described above, none of our other officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy his indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy any applicable obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to

77

enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. Accordingly, due to claims of creditors, the actual value of the per-share redemption price may be less than $10.00 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).

We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $700,000 not placed in the trust account with which to pay any such potential claims. In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $800,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the estimated $700,000 not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to hold outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $800,000 the amount of funds we intend to hold outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.

If we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) we fail to comply with the requirements of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) execution or other process issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands Court in favor of a creditor of the company is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due), then there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. A voidable transaction would include, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. A liquidator appointed over an insolvent company who considers that a particular transaction or payment is a voidable transaction under the Insolvency Act could apply to the British Virgin Islands Courts for an order setting aside that payment or transaction in whole or in part.

Additionally, if we enter insolvent liquidation under the Insolvency Act, the funds held in our trust account will likely 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 insolvency claims deplete the trust account you may not be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts due them.

Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of a redemption of the public shares prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within 15 months of the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), (ii) if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. In no other circumstances shall a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.

78

Comparison of Redemption or Purchase Prices In Connection With Our Initial Business Combination and If We Fail To Consummate Our Initial Business Combination

The following table compares the redemptions and other permitted purchases of public shares that may take place in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus).

 

Redemptions in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination

 

Other Permitted Purchases
of Public Shares by Our
Affiliates

 

Redemptions if We Fail to Complete an Initial Business Combination

Calculation of Redemption Price

 

Redemptions at the time of our initial business combination may be made pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. The redemption price will be the same whether we conduct redemptions pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. In either case, our public shareholders may redeem their public shares for cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per unit (subject to increase of up to an additional $0.20 per unit in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus)), including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitation that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination after payment of certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination.

 

If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following completion of our initial business combination. Such purchases will only be made to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions.

 

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will redeem all public shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share), including interest (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, which interest shall be net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares.

79

 

Redemptions in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination

 

Other Permitted Purchases
of Public Shares by Our
Affiliates

 

Redemptions if We Fail to Complete an Initial Business Combination

Impact to remaining shareholders

 

The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for our remaining shareholders, who will bear the burden of certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and interest withdrawn in order to pay taxes (to the extent not paid from amounts accrued as interest on the funds held in the trust account).

 

If the permitted purchases described above are made, there will be no impact to our remaining shareholders because the purchase price would not be paid by us.

 

The redemption of our public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for the shares held by our sponsor, who will be our only remaining shareholder after such redemptions.

Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419

The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.

 

Terms of Our Offering

 

Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering

Escrow of offering proceeds

 

$100,000,000 of the net offering proceeds, which includes net proceeds from the $3,237,500 sale of the private units ($115,000,000, including net proceeds from the $3,500,000 sale of the private units, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be deposited into a trust account in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, subject to increase in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination.

 

Approximately $88,425,000 of the offering proceeds, representing the gross proceeds of this offering, less allowable underwriting commissions, expenses and company deductions under Rule 419 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.

Investment of net proceeds

 

$100,000,000 of the net offering proceeds, which includes net proceeds from the $3,237,500 sale of the private units ($115,000,000, including net proceeds from the $3,500,000 sale of the private units, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, subject to increase in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination) held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries.

 

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.

80

 

Terms of Our Offering

 

Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering

Receipt of interest on escrowed funds

 

Interest on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to shareholders is reduced by any taxes paid or payable and up to $50,000 payable for dissolution expenses.

 

Interest on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our consummation of a business combination.

Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business

 

So long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination.

 

The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.

Trading of securities issued

 

We anticipate that the units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares, rights and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless I-Bankers informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering.

 

No trading of the units or the underlying ordinary shares, rights or warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account.

Exercise of the warrants

 

The warrants cannot be exercised until the later of the completion of a business combination and 12 months from the date of this prospectus and, accordingly, will be exercised only after the trust account has been terminated and distributed.

 

The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account.

Election to remain an investor

 

We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest less taxes payable, upon the consummation of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination. If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. In such case, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules.

 

A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued.

81

 

Terms of Our Offering

 

Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering

   

If we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote (so long as it is not required by the Companies Act or Nasdaq), we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and the terms of the proposed business combination and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules.

   

Business combination deadline

 

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will, as soon as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up.

 

If an acquisition has not been consummated within 12 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement (or up to 21 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors.

Release of funds

 

Except for interest earned on the funds in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our tax obligations, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier; (1) of the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.

 

The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and the failure to effect our initial business combination within the allotted time.

82

Competition

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups, venture capital funds leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have significant experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, the requirement that, so long as our securities are listed on Nasdaq, we acquire a target business or businesses having a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less certain advisory fees to I-Bankers and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for taxes) at the time of the agreement to enter into the business combination, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights, and our outstanding rights and warrants and the potential future dilution they represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

Facilities

We currently maintain our executive offices at 25 Mall Road, Suite 330, Burlington, MA 01803. The cost for this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee (up to $120,000 in the aggregate) that the Company pays East Stone Capital Limited, an affiliate of our executive officers, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in Burlington, MA that this amount is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

Employees

We currently have two officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.

Periodic Reporting and Financial Information

We will register our units, ordinary shares, rights and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.

We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, GAAP, or IFRS and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and consummate our initial business combination within our 12-month (or up to 21-month, as applicable) time frame.

We will be required to have our internal control procedures evaluated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

83

Prior to the date of this prospectus, we will file a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we will be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

Legal Proceedings

There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such.

84

MANAGEMENT

Our current directors, officers and director nominees are listed below.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

53

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director Nominee*

Chunyi (Charlie) Hao

 

59

 

Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

Sanjay Prasad

 

56

 

Director Nominee*

Michael S. Cashel

 

58

 

Director Nominee*

William Zielke

 

74

 

Director Nominee*

____________

*        This individual will occupy the position of director on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Mr. Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception and will be Co-Chairman of the Board upon his appointment to the board of directors. Mr. Lu is a founding partner and has been a managing director of East Stone Capital Limited, a private equity firm focusing on emerging industries, since October 2017. From January 2017 to November 2017, Mr. Lu served as the executive vice president of Kangde Investment Group, a Chinese company engaging in new energy and financial services and capital investment. Prior to that, Mr. Lu served as the chief executive officer of Wanda Investment Company and vice president of Wanda Financial Group, the investment and financial arms of Wanda Group, a China multinational conglomerate in the real estate, hospitality, retailing, entertainment and heath care, responsible for business expansion, capital investment, and cross board merger and acquisition in commercial real estate and entertainment business from May 2015 to December 2016. Mr. Lu served as the executive vice president of China Shenzhen Stock Exchange, one of the two primary stock exchanges in China, overseeing public company governance and securities offering from November 2012 to May 2015. Prior to Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Mr. Lu was a full-time non-executive board director at China Construction Bank from August 2010 to November 2012. Mr. Lu has also served in various positions and in different functions at State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) from May 2005 to August 2010, a financial services and bank holding company headquartered in Boston with operations worldwide. Currently, Mr. Lu serves as independent director on the boards of Yango Group Co., Ltd. (000671.SZ), a China-based company principally engaged in the development and sale of real estate, Sailing Henan Investment, a private investment company, and BOC International (China) Co, Ltd., a private company providing securities brokerage and investment services in China. Mr. Lu received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in thermal engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China and an MBA degree from Boston College. Mr. Lu is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in finance and investment management across various industries.

Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer since our inception. Mr. Hao is a founding partner and has been a managing director of East Stone Capital Limited, a private equity firm focusing on emerging industries, since October 2017. He served as chief executive officer and president of Shandong Haizhishe Energy Engineering Co., Ltd., a solar and wind engineering company in China, and was in charge of the daily operations and business development of the company from December 2015 to March 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Hao was an investment officer of Shanghai Guxin Investment Limited, a firm engaging in the investment of solar farms across China, from 2014 to June 2015.He served as chief financial officer at Delphi Automotive Corp (Saginaw Steering System) (“Delphi”) of General Motors Inc., overseeing joint venture operation across China and Asia Pacific from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Hao is an independent director of Cogobuy Group PLC (HKSE: 0400.HK), an e-commerce platform and distributor for electronic goods in China. He served as chief executive officer and director at China Fundamental Acquisition Corporation and a board director and president of China operations at Asia Automotive Acquisition Corporation, two SPACs in 2008 and 2005, respectively. Mr. Hao received his Bachelor’s degree in French from Beijing Language and Culture University, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA degree from Pace University. Mr. Hao is well qualified to serve as our Chairman due to his extensive experience with SPACs, as well as his expertise in management, finance and capital investments.

Mr. Sanjay Prasad has been the founder, chief executive officer and president of Global Business Dimensions Inc., a manufacturer, seller and distributor of PC components, semiconductor and consumer electronic products, since June 1994. Mr. Prasad also founded Cinemagic Entertainment, a home cinema and audio video installation company, in June 2006 and Buyonlineled.com, a seller of LED lighting products, in April 2017. Mr. Prasad is a member of the New Jersey District Export Council. Mr. Prasad has helped numerous companies export their products overseas providing guidance on financing, export license controls and help in marketing to Asia, Europe and Middle East.

85

Mr. Prasad received his Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from BIT India, Master’s degree in industrial engineering from Kansas State University and an MBA degree from Adelphi University. Mr. Prasad is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in entrepreneurship and management across various countries.

Mr. Michael S. Cashel has been the Chief Operating Officer of Open Door Securities LLC since September 2019. Prior to that, he was a business consultant for State Street from September 2018 to September 2019, and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Trading Ventures from 2012 to 2017, where he led the development of various trading technologies and analytics. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Equities with Fidelity’s Capital Market Services from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Cashel has previously served in managerial positions at Bear Steans, Harborside Securities, ABN AMRO and Morgan Stanley. Mr. Cashel earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Lawrence University and is actively licensed in Series 7, 9, 10, 24, 55, 63 and 99. Mr. Cashel is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in finance and investment.

Mr. William Zielke has been the Managing Partner of Automotive Advisory Partners LLC (“AAP”) since 2006, providing consulting services to companies in North American, Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Since November 2015, Zielke has been a member of the Board of Directors of DEEC Inc., a company focused on development of innovative high technology automotive products such as hydrogen injection into the combustion chamber of internal combustion engines and advanced Thermal Management Systems. From May 2010 to April 2013, Mr Zielke served initially as Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Audit Committee, and later on served as Chief Executive Officer of Tongxin International Ltd. (“Tongxin”). Prior to formation of AAP, Zielke was employed by General Motors (Delphi after the spinoff from GM). GM Divisions Zielke was assigned to included Diesel Equipment, Rochester Products, AC Rochester, GM Europe (GM Luxembourg), AC Delco Systems, Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, Delphi Energy and Chassis Systems, and ACG Holdings. Functions performed by Zielke included Sales (OEM and Aftermarket), Marketing (OEM and Aftermarket), Business Development (Mergers and Acquisitions), Intellectual Property Management, and Manufacturing. Zielke received a BBA degree from the University Of Wisconsin – Whitewater and a MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. Additional Executive education was completed at Northwestern University (Vevey, Switzerland), INSEAD (Fontainebleau France), Duke, Thunderbird, and University of Michigan. Mr. Zielke is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in operations and management.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

Except as described below, to the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:

•        been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

•        had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;

•        been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, by any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

•        been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

•        been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

86

•        been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

From May 2010 to April 2013, Mr Zielke, our director nominee, served initially as Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Audit Committee, and later on served as Chief Executive Officer of Tongxin. In January 2011, Mr. Zielke, together with certain current and former officers of Tongxin, was named as a defendent in a number of shareholder lawsuits (collectively, the “Shareholder Lawsuits”). Each of the Shareholder Lawsuits is a class action brought on behalf of the shareholders of Tongxin. The allegations in the Shareholder Lawsuits were substantially similar and alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All of the Shareholder Lawsuits were transferred to the Central District of California, and consolidated. In July 2012, the United States District Court for the Central District of California granted final approval of the settlement agreement entered between Tongxin and the plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuits against Tongxin. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Tongxin’s insurer paid $3 million to the plaintiff, and all claims against Tongxin and its current and former officers and directors were settled, released and dismissed, without any admission of liability or wrongdoing. Also in January 2011, the SEC commenced a non-public formal investigation against Tongxin into the circumstances surrounding certain related party transactions and the circumstances surrounding Tongxin’s failure to timely file its 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F. In December 2013, the SEC concluded its investigation without any allegations of wrongdoing against Tongxin.

Advisors to the Board

We intend to form an advisory board comprised of our anchor investors, Mr. Hua Mao and Mr. Cheng Zhao, which appointments shall take effect upon the effective date of this registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Such individuals will assist our management team in search of suitable acquisition targets following the consummation of this offering. The advisors are neither paid nor reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the search of acquisition targets before or after the consummation of our initial business combination.

Mr. Hua Mao, 42, is a vice president with Tencent, a dominant player in China for online services such as instant messaging, mobile payment, digital banking and online gaming. Mr. Mao founded his start-up software company, Hangzhou Mole Information Technology Co. Ltd., in March 2009, which Tencent subsequently purchased at the end of 2011. Since then, Mr. Mao has served various leadership positions within Tencent in the areas of AI clouding, AR communication platform, IoT, and Tencent’s APP store. Mr. Mao has received educational training in software engineering with a bachelor degree from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology.

Mr. Cheng Zhao, 45, is a veteran of Baidu, a leading search engine in China, and he has offered Baidu more than a decade of service from 2006 to March 2019. Before his departure from Baidu, Mr. Zhao served as Group Vice President and Chief Editor, responsible for digital media, communication, public and government relationship. Mr. Zhao earned his Master’s degree in Economics from Renmin University and MBA from Beijing University.

Director Independence

Nasdaq requires that a majority of our board must be composed of “independent directors,” which is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, Messrs. Prasad, Cashel and Zielke will be our independent directors. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Any affiliated transactions must be approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors.

87

Executive Officer and Director Compensation

Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we will pay East Stone Capital Limited, an affiliate of our executive officers, up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. Such administrative fees shall be paid on a monthly basis at $10,000 until the maximum fee is reached, or if earlier, until the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. We believe that such fees are at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party for such services. Except as set forth above, no compensation will be paid to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our independent directors will review on a quarterly basis all payments that are made to our sponsor, officers, directors, or our or their affiliates.

After the completion of our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us, may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed business combination. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommenced, to the board of directors for determination, either by a committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.

We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after the initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

Audit Committee

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Prasad, Cashel and Zielke will serve as members of our audit committee. Mr. Prasad will serve as chairman of the audit committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have three members of the audit committee all of whom must be independent. Messrs. Prasad, Cashel and Zielke are independent.

Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Prasad qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

Responsibilities of the audit committee include:

•        the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent auditors and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;

•        pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;

•        reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;

•        setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;

•        setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

•        obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within, the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;

88

•        reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and

•        reviewing with management, the independent auditors, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Compensation Committee

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and subject to the requirement of law or the Nasdaq rules, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors. The members of our Compensation Committee will be Messrs. Prasad, Cashel and Zielke. Mr. Cashel will serve as chairman of the compensation committee. We will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

•        reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation in executive session at which the Chief Executive Officer is not present;

•        reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other officers;

•        reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;

•        implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

•        assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

•        approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;

•        producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

•        reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

The charter will also provide that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.

Director Nominations

We do not have a standing nominating committee, though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who shall participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Prasad, Cashel and Zielke. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.

The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our shareholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of shareholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of shareholders). Our shareholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the Board should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.

We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders.

89

Our board of directors is divided into two classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a two-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Lu, Prasad and Zielke, will expire at the first annual meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Cashel and Hao will expire at the second annual meeting.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. We will file a copy of our form of Code of Ethics and our audit committee charter as exhibits to the registration statement. You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Conflicts of Interest

Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations.

Individual

 

Entity

 

Entity’s Business

 

Affiliation

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

East Stone Capital Limited, East Stone (BVI) Capital LP

 

Private equity investment

 

Founding partner and managing director

Chunyi (Charlie) Hao

 

East Stone Capital Limited, East Stone (BVI) Capital LP

 

Private equity investment

 

Founding partner and managing director

Sanjay Prasad

 

Global Business Dimensions Inc.

 

Manufacturer and distributor of PC components, semiconductor, consumer electronic products

 

Founder, chief executive officer and president

Michael S. Cashel

 

Open Door Securities LLC

 

Securities brokerage firm

 

Chief operating officer

William Zielke

 

Automotive Advisory Partners LLP

 

Consulting services to manufacturers, distributors and engineering firms in the automotive industry

 

Managing partner

Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to the company’s best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation the nature of the company; the nature of the decision; and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors shall exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act.

In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands court for an order that the Court considers just and equitable which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.

90

Although we do not believe any conflict currently exists between us and our sponsor, officers and directors. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present business combination opportunities to such entity. Accordingly, in the future, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We do not believe, however, that any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers arising in the future would materially undermine our ability to complete our business combination.

Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:

•        Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu, and our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, are founding partners of East Stone Capital Limited. They each have a fiduciary responsibility to dedicate substantial time and attention to the affairs of its investment fund.

Since our directors and/or executives are currently managing or will be managing their business similar to the market opportunities we are pursuing in our business combination, our management may have conflicts of interest in determine the allocation of their time and resources.

Furthermore, our directors and/or executives may be involved in other blank check companies by serving either as directors and/or executives. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, Messrs. Lu and Hao will be required to present all suitable target businesses to the Company prior to presenting them to such other blank check company, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to Messrs. Hao and Lu solely in their capacity as officers of such company.

•        In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

•        Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months with possible extension after the closing of this offering. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the private placement units held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. With certain limited exceptions, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell 50% of their founder shares until the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and the remaining 50% of the founder shares may not be transferred, assigned or sold until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement units and the ordinary shares underlying such units, will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our sponsor and officers and directors may directly or indirectly own ordinary shares, rights and warrants following this offering, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to complete our initial business combination.

•        Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.

91

•        Our sponsor, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the warrants underlying the private placement units, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period.

The conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.

In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:

•        the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;

•        the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and

•        it would not be fair to our company and its shareholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.

Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. However, we are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, subject to certain approvals and consents. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA, or from an independent accounting firm, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.

In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote any founder shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination and our officers and directors have also agreed to vote any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.

Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to the company’s best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation the nature of the company; the nature of the decision; and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors shall exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act.

In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands court for an order that the Court considers just and equitable which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.

Our officers and directors may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company. Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:

•        None of our officers or directors is required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities.

92

•        In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

•        Our initial shareholders purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and our sponsor will purchase the insider units in transactions that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their right to liquidating distributions with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). However, if our initial shareholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the private units will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the private units, private rights and private warrants will expire worthless. Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell 50% of their founder shares until the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and the remaining 50% of the founder shares may not be transferred, assigned or sold until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. With certain limited exceptions, the private units will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.

•        Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.

Subject to the foregoing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations, each of our officers and directors has agreed that until the earliest of our initial business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, investment opportunities that might be suitable for our business. However, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us or, in the case of a non-compete obligation, possibly prohibited from referring such opportunity to us.

In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination and our officers and directors have also agreed to vote any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our memorandum and articles of association provide that, subject to certain limitations, the company shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. Such indemnity only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful and is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the memorandum and articles of association, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order,

93

settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our memorandum and articles of association. Our memorandum and articles of association also will permit us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer or director who at the request of the Company is or was serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability as provided in the memorandum and articles of association. We will purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.

These provisions may discourage 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 officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.

94

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus and private units, 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 officers, directors and director nominees that beneficially owns ordinary shares; and

•        all our 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 reflect record or beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of warrants as these warrants are not exercisable, within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.

 

Prior to Offering

 

After Offering

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership

 

Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Ordinary
Shares
(2)

 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
(3)

 

Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Ordinary
Shares
(4)

Double Ventures Holdings Limited(5)

 

1,250,000

 

43.5

%

 

1,417,000

 

11.0

%

Navy Sail International Limited(6)

 

625,000

 

21.7

%

 

625,000

 

4.8

%

Fan Yu(5)

 

1,250,000

 

43.5

%

 

1,417,000

 

11.0

%

Chunyi (Charlie) Hao(5)(7)

 

2,875,000

 

100.0

%

 

2,667,000

 

20.7

%

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu(6)

 

625,000

 

21.7

%

 

625,000

 

4.8

%

Sanjay Prasad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael S. Cashel

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Zielke

 

 

 

 

 

 

All directors and officers as a group (5 individuals)

 

2,875,000

 

100.0

%

 

2,667,000

 

20.7

%

____________

*        Less than one percent

(1)      Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is 25 Mall Road, Suite 330, Burlington, MA 01803.

(2)      Based on 2,875,000 ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering.

(3)      Includes the 323,750 private units to be purchased by our sponsor, our anchor investors, and I-Bankers simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. Assumes (i) no exercise of the over-allotment option and (ii) an aggregate of 375,000 ordinary shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof.

(4)      Based on 12,898,750 ordinary shares outstanding, including 323,750 shares underlying the private units, immediately after this offering (assumes (i) the over-allotment option has not been exercised and (ii) an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor or its designee as a result thereof).

(5)      Chunyi (Charlie) Hao is the sole officer and director of our sponsor. Mr. Hao owns 33.3% of our sponsor, and Fan Yu owns 66.7% of our sponsor. As a result, Mr. Hao and Ms. Yu may be deemed to share voting and investment discretion with respect to the ordinary shares held by our sponsor. Each may thus be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by our sponsor. Each such entity or person disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(6)      Chunyi (Charlie) Hao is the sole officer and director of Navy Sail International Limited. Navy Sail International Limited is indirectly owned by our directors Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu, along with certain other individuals, namely Yuning Yao, Yanan Zhao, Richard Hong Yan, Daniel Hao Zhao, Garrett Barclay Lu, Tianlei Han, and Ting Li. Such individuals do not directly own any of our ordinary shares. However, each such individual has a pecuniary interest in our ordinary shares through his or her respective indirect ownership of the equity interests of Navy Sail International Limited. As a result, each such individual may be deemed to share voting and investment discretion with respect to the ordinary shares held directly by Navy Sail International Limited. Each such entity or person disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. Daniel Hao Zhao is the son of Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, and Garret Barclay Lu is the son of Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu.

(7)      Includes 1,250,000 shares held by our sponsor (plus, where applicable, an additional 167,000 private units held by our sponsor and/or its designees following this offering), 625,000 shares held by Navy Sail International Limited, and 1,000,000 shares held directly by Mr. Hao.

95

Immediately after this offering (without the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), our initial shareholders will beneficially own 20% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and without giving effect to the private placement).

Because of this ownership block, our initial shareholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors, amendments to our memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions.

To the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option, up to an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares held by our sponsor will be subject to forfeiture. Our sponsor will be required to forfeit only a number of founder shares necessary to maintain our initial shareholders’ 20% ownership interest in our ordinary shares (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and without giving effect to the private placement) after giving effect to the offering and without giving effect to the exercise, if any, of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

Our initial shareholders, sponsor and our executive officers and directors, may be deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.

Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell 50% of the founder shares until the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and the remaining 50% of the founder shares may not be transferred, assigned or sold until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

During the lock-up period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and shareholders) participating in the private placement of the private units, officers, directors, shareholders, employees and members of our sponsor and its affiliates, (2) amongst initial holders or to our officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, shareholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the applicable securities were originally purchased or (9) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause 9) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the insider letter and by the same agreements entered into by our sponsor with respect to such securities (including provisions relating to voting, the trust account and liquidation distributions described elsewhere in this prospectus). If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, there will be no liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, there will be no liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares.

Our sponsor, anchor investors, I-Bankers, and/or their respective designees, have committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) private units, at $10.00 per unit, among which 167,000 insider units will be purchased by our sponsor (and/or its designees), an aggregate of 108,000 anchor units will be purchased by our anchor investors, and 48,750 (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) units, or the “I-Bankers units,” will be purchased by I-Bankers (and/or its designees). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering and the over-allotment option, as applicable. The holders of the private units have agreed (A) to vote their private shares in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, (C) not to redeem any private shares or private units (and underlying securities) in connection with a shareholder vote to approve

96

our proposed initial business combination and (D) that such private shares and private units (and underlying securities) shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated, until all of the claims of any redeeming shareholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account). Additionally, the purchasers of the private units have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.

Registration Rights

Our initial shareholders and I-Bankers and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the founder shares, the private units and underlying securities, the shares underlying the Representative’s Warrants being issued to the underwriters of this offering, and any securities issued upon conversion of working capital loans, pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the date of this prospectus. The holders of the Private Units (or underlying securities) are entitled to demand that the Company register these securities at any time after the Company consummates a Business Combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights on registration statements filed after the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I-Bankers may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion.

97

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On October 8, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, with 625,000 issued to our sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer is the sole director, 625,000 issued to Navy Sail International Limited, of which Mr. Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer is the sole director, and 187,500 to Mr. Hao. In January 2020, we performed a share split whereby each ordinary share was sub-divided into two shares, resulting in our initial shareholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. Up to 375,000 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased, an additional share dividend would be effectuated in order to maintain the ownership represented by the founder shares at the same percentage, as was the case before such share dividend.

Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the founder shares (except to certain permitted transferees as described below) until, with respect to 50% of the founder shares, the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, with respect to the remaining 50% of the founder shares, upon six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

Our sponsor (and/or its designees) has committed to purchase an aggregate of 167,000 insider units in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor (and/or its designees) has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the shares included in the insider units and the respective ordinary shares underlying the private rights and private warrants included in the insider units until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.

East Stone Capital Limited agreed, from the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of our consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, to make available to us office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay East Stone Capital Limited up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. Such administrative fees shall be paid on a monthly basis at $10,000 per month until the maximum fee is reached, or if earlier, until the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in Burlington, MA, that the fee charged by East Stone Capital Limited is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. East Stone Capital Limited’s executive officers are Chunyi (Charlie) Hao and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu, who are also our executive officers.

Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees, non-cash payments or other similar compensation, will be paid to our officers or directors, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). Our independent directors will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates and will be responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, after reviewing each such transaction for potential conflicts of interests and other improprieties.

As of December 31, 2019, our initial shareholders have also loaned to us under a promissory note an aggregate of $132,500 to cover expenses related to this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing and will be payable without interest on demand. We intend to repay these loans and advances from the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account. Additionally, an affiliate of our initial shareholders and incoming directors has advanced us $34,121 as of December 31, 2019. Such amount will be repaid upon the consummation of this offering.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the offering proceeds held outside the

98

trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted, as well as 150,000 rights to receive 15,000 shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares).

After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a shareholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any member of our management team or his or her respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us at that time, based upon other similar arrangements known to us, to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to obtain estimates from unaffiliated third parties for similar goods or services to ascertain whether such transactions with affiliates are on terms that are no less favorable to us than are otherwise available from such unaffiliated third parties. If a transaction with an affiliated third party were found to be on terms less favorable to us than with an unaffiliated third party, we would not engage in such transaction.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent accounting firm, or independent investment banking firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.

We have entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares, the shares underlying the Representative’s Warrants, and the securities underlying the private units, which is described under the heading “Principal Shareholders — Registration Rights.”

99

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We are a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as a BVI business company (company number 1988698) and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of both ordinary shares of no par value and preferred shares of no par value. The following description summarizes certain terms of our shares as set out more particularly in our memorandum and articles of association. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.

Units

Each unit consists of one ordinary share, one right and one redeemable warrant. Each right entitles the holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) ordinary share. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one-half (1/2) ordinary share exercisable at $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.

In no event will the ordinary shares, rights and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place four business days after the date of this prospectus. The audited balance sheet will include proceeds we received from the exercise of the over-allotment option if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Current Report on Form 8-K. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

Ordinary Shares

As of the date of this prospectus, there were 2,875,000 ordinary shares outstanding, all of which were held of record by our initial shareholders. This includes an aggregate of 375,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full, so that our initial shareholders will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and without giving effect to the private placement). Upon closing of this offering, 13,273,750 ordinary shares will be outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option prior to forfeiture of any founder shares).

Under the Companies Act, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our register of members. Our register of members will be maintained by our transfer agent Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which will enter the name of Cede & Co. in our register of members on the closing of this offering as nominee for each of the respective public shareholders. If (a) information that is required to be entered in the register of members is omitted from the register or is inaccurately entered in the register, or (b) there is unreasonable delay in entering information in the register, a shareholder of the company, or any person who is aggrieved by the omission, inaccuracy or delay, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Courts for an order that the register be rectified, and the court may either refuse the application or order the rectification of the register, and may direct the company to pay all costs of the application and any damages the applicant may have sustained.

At any general meeting on a show of hands every ordinary shareholder who is present in person (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) or by proxy will have one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Voting at any meeting of the ordinary shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by shareholders present in person or by proxy if the shareholder disputes the outcome of the vote on a proposed resolution and the chairman shall cause a poll to be taken. Prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the rights attaching to ordinary shares (including those provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections to our ordinary shareholders) may only be amended by a resolution of persons holding 65% (or 50% if approved in connection with our initial business combination) of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment. Other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination if approved by a majority of the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Following the consummation of, or in connection with, our initial business combination, the rights and obligations attaching to our ordinary shares and other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended

100

if approved by a majority of the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Our board of directors is divided into two classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of two years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.

We may not currently intend to hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. Therefore, if our shareholders want us to hold a meeting prior to such consummation, they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of members entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above such 30 percent level.

Our memorandum and articles of association will require us to provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share, whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, subject to increase of up to an additional approximately $0.20 per share in the event that our sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by certain business combination marketing fees we will pay to I-Bankers if we complete a business combination. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. We intend to obtain shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination. If we so decide, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the votes of ordinary shareholders who being so entitled attend and vote at the general meeting are voted in favor of the business combination. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if held, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination.

If we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a shareholder vote is not required for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination. Our memorandum and articles of association requires these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules.

Pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account will be effected as required

101

by and by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any formal voluntary liquidation of the company. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their right to receive liquidating distributions with respect to their founder shares and private shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). However, if our initial or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.

Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of a liquidation or winding up of the company after our initial business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights set forth above.

Founder Shares

The founder shares are identical to the other ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (i) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, and (ii) our initial shareholders have agreed (A) to waive their rights to liquidating distribution with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and private shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), although they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within such time period and (C) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (a) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. Our initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination and our officers and directors have also agreed to vote any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.

Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the founder shares (except to certain permitted transferees as described below) until, with respect to 50% of the founder shares, the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, with respect to the remaining 50% of the founder shares, upon six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

Preferred Shares

Our memorandum and articles of association authorizes the creation and issuance without shareholder approval of an unlimited number of preferred shares divided into five classes, Class A through Class E each with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined by a resolution of our board of directors to amend the memorandum and articles of association to create such designations, rights and preferences. We have five classes of preferred shares to give us flexibility as to the terms on which each Class is issued. Unlike Delaware law, all shares of a single class must be issued with the same rights and obligations. Accordingly, starting with five classes of preferred shares will allow us to issue shares at different times on different terms. No preferred shares are currently issued or outstanding. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred shares

102

with dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting or other rights, which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of ordinary shares. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to our initial business combination, from issuing 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 our initial business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred shares to effect our initial business combination. In addition, the preferred shares could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preferred shares, we may do so in the future.

The rights of preferred shareholders, once the preferred shares are in issue, may only be amended by a resolution to amend our memorandum and articles of association provided such amendment is also approved by a separate resolution of a majority of the votes of preferred shareholders who being so entitled attend and vote at the class meeting of the relevant preferred class. If our preferred shareholders want us to hold a meeting of preferred shareholders (or of a class of preferred shareholders), they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of preferred shareholders entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter (or class) for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above 30 percent.

Under the Companies Act there are no provisions which specifically prevent the issuance of preferred shares or any such other “poison pill” measures. Our memorandum and articles of association also do not contain any express prohibitions on the issuance of any preferred shares. Therefore, the directors, without the approval of the holders of ordinary shares, may issue preferred shares that have characteristics that may be deemed anti-takeover. Additionally, such a designation of shares may be used in connection with plans that are poison pill plans. However, as noted above under the Companies Act, a director in the exercise of his powers and performance of his duties is required to act honestly and in good faith in what the director believes to be the best interests of the company.

Rights

Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination, even if the holder of such right redeemed all ordinary shares held by him, her or it in connection with the initial business combination or an amendment to our memorandum and articles of association with respect to our pre-business combination activities. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive his, her or its additional ordinary shares upon consummation of an initial business combination as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in this offering. The shares issuable upon exchange of the rights will be freely tradable (except to the extent held by affiliates of ours).

If we enter into a definitive agreement for a business combination in which we will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of the ordinary share will receive in the transaction on an as-converted into ordinary share basis, and each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of the business combination. More specifically, the right holder will be required to indicate his, her or its election to convert the rights into underlying shares as well as to return the original rights certificates to us.

If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds with respect to their rights, nor will they receive any distribution from our assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such rights, and the rights will expire worthless.

As soon as practicable upon the consummation of our initial business combination, we will direct registered holders of the rights to return their rights to our rights agent. Upon receipt of the rights, the rights agent will issue to the registered holder of such right(s) the number of full ordinary shares to which he, she or it is entitled. We will notify registered holders of the rights to deliver their rights to the rights agent promptly upon consummation of such business combination and have been informed by the rights agent that the process of exchanging their rights for ordinary shares should take no more than a matter of days. The foregoing exchange of rights is solely ministerial in nature and is not intended to provide us with any means of avoiding our obligation to issue the shares underlying the rights upon consummation of our initial business combination. Other than confirming that the rights delivered by a registered holder are valid, we will have no ability to avoid delivery of the shares underlying the rights. Nevertheless,

103

there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to the holders of the rights upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, in no event will we be required to net cash settle the rights. Accordingly, the rights may expire worthless.

Although a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands may issue fractional shares, we will not issue any fractional shares upon conversions of the rights. In the event that any holder would otherwise be entitled to any fractional share upon exchange of his, her or its rights, we will reserve the option, to the fullest extent permitted by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the applicable law, to deal with any such fractional entitlement at the relevant time as we see fit, which would include the rounding down of any entitlement to receive ordinary shares to the nearest whole share (and in effect extinguishing any fractional entitlement), or the holder being entitled to hold any remaining fractional entitlement (without any share being issued) and to aggregate the same with any future fractional entitlement to receive shares in the company until the holder is entitled to receive a whole number. Any rounding down and extinguishment may be done with or without any in lieu cash payment or other compensation being made to the holder of the relevant rights, such that value received on exchange of the rights may be considered less than the value that the holder would otherwise expect to receive. All holders of rights shall be treated in the same manner with respect to the issuance of shares upon conversions of the rights.

Redeemable Warrants

No warrants are currently outstanding. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment as described below, at any time commencing on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and 12 months from the date of this prospectus. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares.

However, no public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 90 days from the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. The warrants will expire five years from the closing of our initial business combination at 5:00 p.m., New York City time or earlier redemption.

If (x) we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.50 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination, and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Price”) is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Price.

The private warrants and any warrants underlying units issued to our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to us will be identical to the public warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus except that such warrants will be exercisable for cash (even if a registration statement covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective) or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by us, in each case so long as they are still held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates. In addition, for as long as the private warrants are held by I-Bankers or their respective designees or affiliates, they may not be exercised after five years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

We have agreed to issue to I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) a warrant to purchase up to 500,000 ordinary shares (or 575,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $12.00 per share. Such warrants will not be redeemable for as long as they are held by I-Bankers or their respective designees or affiliates, and they may not be exercised after five years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Except as described above, the warrants are identical to those underlying the units offered by this prospectus. See “Underwriting.”

104

We may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the private warrants, and any outstanding Representative’s Warrants,and any warrants underlying units issued to our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to us), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

•        at any time while the warrants are exercisable,

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder,

•        if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third trading business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders, and

•        if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the issuance of the ordinary shares underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in this offering.

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our ordinary shares at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances.

The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below their respective exercise prices.

The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants

105

and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.

Except as described above, no public warrants will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current 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 warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, if we do not maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the ordinary shares is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless.

Warrant holders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their warrants such that an electing warrant holder would not be able to exercise their warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the ordinary shares outstanding.

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our shares of ordinary share to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. It is the present intention of our board of directors 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.

Private Units

The private units (including the rights, warrants or ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except, among other limited exceptions as described under “Principal Shareholders,” to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the sponsor) and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by members of the sponsor or I-Bankers, respectively, or their permitted transferees. Otherwise, the private units have terms and provisions that are identical the units sold in this offering except the warrants included in the private units will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the warrants included in the private units are held by holders other than the holders who purchased such units or their permitted transferees, the warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. In addition, for as long as the private warrants are held by I-Bankers or its designees or affiliates, they may not be exercised after five years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The price of the private units was determined in negotiations between our sponsor and the underwriter for this offering, with reference to the prices paid by initial shareholders for such warrants in special purpose acquisition companies, which have recently consummated their initial public offerings.

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

106

Memorandum and Articles of Association

As set forth in the memorandum of association, the objects for which are established are unrestricted and we shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the British Virgin Islands.

Our memorandum and articles of association contain provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections to our ordinary shareholders prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of 65% (or 50% if approved in connection with our initial business combination) of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment. Our initial shareholders, who will beneficially own approximately 20.7% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Prior to our initial business combination, if we seek to amend any provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote on any proposed amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. We and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association prior to our initial business combination.

Specifically, our memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that:

•        If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to commencing any voluntary liquidation; and

•        except in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination;

•        although we do not intend to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent accounting firm, or independent investment banking firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; and

•        we will not effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

In addition, our memorandum and articles of association provide that under no circumstances will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination.

107

Changes in Authorized Shares

We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which will have rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to them as the shares in issue. We may by resolution of directors or shareholders:

•        consolidate and divide all or any of our unissued authorized shares into shares of larger or smaller amount than our existing shares;

•        cancel any ordinary shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person; or

•        create new classes of shares with preferences to be determined by resolution of the board of directors to amend the memorandum and articles of association to create new classes of shares with such preferences at the time of authorization, although any such new classes of shares, with the exception of the preferred shares, may only be created with prior shareholder approval.

Pre-Emption Rights

There are no pre-emption rights applicable to the issuance of new shares under our memorandum and articles of association.

Variation of Rights of Shares

As permitted by the Companies Act and our memorandum of association, we may vary the rights attached to any class of shares only with: (i) in the case of the ordinary shares prior to our initial business combination, the consent of not less than 65% (or 50% if for the purposes of approving, or in connection with, the consummation of our initial business combination) of the votes who are in attendance and vote at a meeting, or (ii) in the case of the preferred shares, 50% of the votes of shareholders who being so entitled attend and vote at a meeting of such shares, except, in each case where a greater majority is required under our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act, provided that that for these purposes the creation, designation or issue of preferred shares with rights and privileges ranking in priority to an existing class of shares is deemed not to be a variation of the rights of such existing class and may in accordance with our memorandum and articles of association be effected by resolution of directors without shareholder approval.

108

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and the provisions of applicable British Virgin Islands law, including the Companies Act. The Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders. A brief discussion of certain other provisions of the Companies Act and British Virgin Islands law also follows.

We cannot predict whether British Virgin Islands Courts would reach the same conclusions based on a particular set of facts as the U.S. courts would be expected to reach. Thus, 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 United States jurisdiction, which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the Companies Act together with the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association) and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights.

British Virgin Islands

 

Delaware

Shareholder Meetings

Held at a time and place as determined by the directors

 

May be held at such time or place as designated in the charter or the by-laws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors

May be held within or outside the British Virgin Islands

 

May be held within or without Delaware

Notice:

 

Notice:

Under our memorandum and articles of association, a copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given not fewer than ten (10) days before the date of the proposed meeting to those persons whose names appear in the register of members on the date the notice is given and are entitled to vote at 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

Shareholders’ Voting Rights

Any person authorized to vote may be represented at a meeting by a proxy who may speak and vote on behalf of the member.

 

Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy

Quorum is fixed by our memorandum and articles of association, to consist of the holder or holders present in person or by proxy entitled to exercise at least 50 percent of the voting rights of the shares of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class or series thereon.

 

For stock corporations, the charter 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 shall constitute a quorum

Under our memorandum and articles of association, subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares, at any general meeting on a show of hands every shareholder who is present in person (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) or by proxy shall have one vote and on a poll every shareholder present in person (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly appointed representative) or by proxy shall have one vote for each share which such shareholder is the holder. Voting at any meeting of the shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by shareholders present in person or by proxy if the shareholder disputes the outcome of the vote on a proposed resolution and the chairman shall cause a poll to be taken.

 

For non-stock companies, the charter or by-laws may specify the number of shareholders to constitute a quorum. In the absence of this, one-third of the shareholders shall constitute a quorum

109

British Virgin Islands

 

Delaware

Prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, changes in the rights attaching to the ordinary shares as set forth in the memorandum and articles of association require approval by way of resolution of not less than 65% (or 50% if for the purposes of approving, or in connection with, the consummation of our initial business combination) of those outstanding ordinary shares attending the meeting and voting in respect of such resolution, following the consummation of our initial business combination, changes in the rights attaching to the ordinary shares require the approval by way of resolution of only a majority of those outstanding ordinary shares attending at the meeting and voting in respect of such resolution.

 

Except as provided in the charter documents, changes in the rights of shareholders as set forth in the charter documents require approval of a majority of its shareholders

The rights attaching to the preferred shares may be changed by way of a resolution of a majority of the votes attending and voting at the relevant meeting or class meeting.

   

However, in the case of both the ordinary shares and the preferred shares, the above is subject to any greater majority is required under our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act, provided that that for these purposes the creation, designation or issue of preferred shares with rights and privileges ranking in priority to an existing class of shares shall be deemed not to be a variation of the rights of such existing class.

   

The memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors

 

The memorandum and articles of association may provide for cumulative voting

If we decide to seek shareholder approval in respect of the consummation of our initial business combination, such approval may be by a majority vote of shareholders who being so entitled attend and vote at the general meeting

 

Approval of our initial business combination may be by a majority of outstanding shares if such transaction involves the merger of such entity

All other matters to be decided upon by the shareholders require a majority vote of shareholders who being so entitled attend and vote at the general meeting, unless the Companies Act requires a higher majority. Our memorandum and articles of association also may be amended by resolution of directors, including to create the rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to any blank check preferred shares.

   

Directors

Board must consist of at least one director

 

Board must consist of at least one member

Maximum and minimum number of directors can be changed by an amendment to the articles of association, with such amendment being passed by a resolution of shareholders or a resolution of directors

 

Number of board members shall be fixed by the by-laws, unless the charter fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment of the charter

Directors are appointed for two year staggered terms by the shareholders (as described under “Directors” below). However, the directors may by resolution appoint a replacement director to fill a casual vacancy arising on the resignation, disqualification or death of a director. The replacement director will then hold office until the next annual general meeting at which the director he replaces would have been subject to retirement by rotation.

   

110

British Virgin Islands

 

Delaware

Directors do not have to be independent

 

Directors do not have to be independent

Under our memorandum and articles of association, a director may not be removed from office by a resolution of our shareholders prior to the consummation of our business combination.

   

Fiduciary Duties

Directors and officers owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute as follows:

 

Directors and officers must act in good faith, with the care of a prudent person, and in the best interest of the corporation.

Duty to act honestly and in good faith in what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the company;

 

Directors and officers must refrain from self-dealing, usurping corporate opportunities and receiving improper personal benefits.

Duty to exercise powers for a proper purpose and directors shall not act, or agree to act, in a matter that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum and articles of association;

 

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.”

Duty to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation:

   

(a)     the nature of the company;

(b)     the nature of the decision; and

(c)     the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him.

   

The Companies Act provides that, a director of a company shall, immediately after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into, or to be entered into, by the company, disclose the interest to the board of the company. However, the failure of a director to disclose that interest does not affect the validity of a transaction entered into by the director or the company, so long as the transaction was not required to be disclosed because the transaction is between the company and the director himself and is in the ordinary course of business and on usual terms and conditions. Additionally, the failure of a director to disclose an interest does not affect the validity of the transaction entered into by the company if (a) the material facts of the interest of the director in the transaction are known by the shareholders and the transaction is approved or ratified by a resolution of shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or (b) the company received fair value for the transaction.

 

Directors may vote on a matter in which they have an interest so long as the director has disclosed any interests in the transaction.

Pursuant to the Companies Act, the company’s memorandum and articles of association, so long as a director has disclosed any interests in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the company to the board he/she may:

   

vote on a matter relating to the transaction;

   

attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and

   

111

British Virgin Islands

 

Delaware

sign a document on behalf of the company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction.

   

Shareholders’ Derivative Actions

Generally speaking, the company is the proper plaintiff in any action. A shareholder may, with the permission of the British Virgin Islands Court, bring an action or intervene in a matter in the name of the company, in certain circumstances. Such actions are known as derivative actions. The British Virgin Islands Court may only grant permission to bring a derivative action 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 shareholder’s stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.

the company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend or discontinue the proceedings; and

 

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.

it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings not be left to the directors or to the determination of the shareholders as a whole.

 

Such action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Chancery Court.

When considering whether to grant leave, the British Virgin Islands Court is also required to have regard to the following matters:

   

whether the shareholder is acting in good faith;

whether a derivative action is in the interests of the company, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters;

whether the action is likely to succeed;

the costs of the proceedings in relation to the relief likely to be obtained; and

whether another alternative remedy to the derivative action is available.

 

If we were a Delaware corporation, a shareholder whose shares were cancelled in connection with our dissolution, would not be able to bring a derivative action against us after the ordinary shares have been cancelled.

As noted above, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some of the significant provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements.    The Companies Act provides for mergers as that expression is understood under United States corporate law. Under the Companies Act, two or more companies may either merge into one of such existing companies (the “surviving company”) or consolidate with both existing companies ceasing to exist and forming a new company (the “consolidated company”). The procedure for a merger or consolidation between the company and another company (which need not be a BVI company, and which may be the company’s parent or subsidiary, but need not be) is set out in the Companies Act. The directors of the BVI company or BVI companies which are to merge or consolidate must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation which, with the exception of a merger between a parent company and its subsidiary, must also be approved by a resolution of a majority of the shareholders who are entitled to vote and actually vote at a quorate meeting of shareholders or by written resolution of the shareholders of the BVI company or BVI companies which are to merge. A foreign company which is able under the laws of its foreign jurisdiction to participate in the merger or consolidation is required by the Companies Act to comply with the laws of that foreign jurisdiction in relation to the merger or consolidation. The company must then execute articles of merger or consolidation, containing certain prescribed details. The plan and articles of merger or consolidation are then filed with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands. The Registrar then registers the articles of merger or consolidation and any amendment to the memorandum and articles of the surviving company in a merger or the memorandum and articles of association of the new consolidated company in

112

a consolidation and issue a certificate of merger or consolidation (which is conclusive evidence of compliance with all requirements of the Companies Act in respect of the merger or consolidation). The merger is effective on the date that the articles of merger are registered with the Registrar or on such subsequent date, not exceeding thirty days, as is stated in the articles of merger or consolidation.

As soon as a merger becomes effective:    (a) the surviving company or consolidated company (so far as is consistent with its memorandum and articles of association, as amended or established by the articles of merger or consolidation) has all rights, privileges, immunities, powers, objects and purposes of each of the constituent companies; (b) in the case of a merger, the memorandum and articles of association of any surviving company are automatically amended to the extent, if any, that changes to its amended memorandum and articles of association are contained in the articles of merger or, in the case of a consolidation, the memorandum and articles of association filed with the articles of consolidation are the memorandum and articles of the consolidated company; (c) assets of every description, including choses-in-action and the business of each of the constituent companies, immediately vest in the surviving company or consolidated company; (d) the surviving company or consolidated 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 or consolidation; 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 or consolidation; but: (i) the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the surviving company or consolidated company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof; as the case may be; or (ii) the surviving company or consolidated company may be substituted in the proceedings for a constituent company. The Registrar shall strike off the register of companies each constituent company that is not the surviving company in the case of a merger and all constituent companies in the case of a consolidation.

If the directors determine it to be in the best interests of the company, it is also possible for a merger to be approved as a Court approved plan of arrangement or scheme of arrangement in accordance with the Companies Act. However, we do not anticipate the use of such statutory provisions because we expect the required terms of the initial business combination will be capable of being achieved through other means, such as a merger or consolidation (as  described above), a share exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business.

Poison Pill Defenses.    Under the Companies Act there are no provisions, which specifically prevent the issuance of preferred shares or any such other ‘poison pill’ measures. The memorandum and articles of association of the company also do not contain any express prohibitions on the issuance of any preferred shares. Therefore, the directors without the approval of the holders of ordinary shares may issue preferred shares that have characteristics that may be deemed to be anti-takeover. Additionally, such a designation of shares may be used in connection with plans that are poison pill plans. However, as noted above under the Companies Act, a director in the exercise of his powers and performance of his duties is required to act honestly and in good faith in what the director believes to be the best interests of the company.

Directors:    Our directors are appointed by our shareholders and are subject to rotational retirement every two years. The initial terms of office of the Class I and Class II directors have been staggered over a period of two years to ensure that all directors of the company do not face reelection in the same year. However, the directors may by resolution appoint a replacement director to fill a casual vacancy arising on the resignation, disqualification or death of a director. The replacement director will then hold office until the next annual general meeting at which the director he replaces would have been subject to retirement by rotation. Under our memorandum and articles of association, a director may not be removed from office by a resolution of our shareholders prior to the consummation of our business combination. There is nothing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, which specifically prohibits or restricts the creation of cumulative voting rights for the election of our directors. Our memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting for such elections.

There are no share ownership qualifications for directors.

Meetings of our board of directors may be convened at any time by any of our directors.

A meeting of our board of directors will be quorate if at least a majority of the directors are present or represented by an alternate director. At any meeting of our directors, each director, whether by his or her presence or by his or her

113

alternate, is entitled to one vote. Questions arising at a meeting of our board of directors are required to be decided by simple majority votes of the directors present or represented at the meeting. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or deciding vote. Our board of directors also may pass resolutions without a meeting by unanimous written consent.

Alternate Directors:    Our memorandum and articles of association provide that, following the consummation of our initial business combination, each of our directors may appoint an alternate (who need not be another director of the company). The alternate of any director shall be entitled to attend board meetings in the absence of the director who appointed him or her and to vote or give written consent in place of that director until the alternate’s appointment lapses or is terminated (an alternate’s appointment, if he has not already done so, will automatically terminate on his appointor ceasing to be a director). However, a director may not appoint an alternate prior to our initial business combination.

Agents:    Our board of directors has the power to appoint any person (whether or not a director or other officer of the company) to be an agent of the company. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that an agent of the company shall be able to exercise such powers and authorities of the directors (which may include the power to affix the company’s seal) as the directors may allow when appointing the agent, except that, as stated in our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, no agent shall have be given any power or authority to amend the memorandum or the articles in place of the directors or members; to designate committees of directors; to delegate powers to a committee of directors; to appoint directors; to appoint an agent; to approve a plan of merger, consolidation or arrangement; or to make a declaration of solvency or to approve a liquidation plan. When appointing an agent of the company, our directors may authorize the agent to appoint one or more substitutes or delegates to exercise some or all of the powers conferred on the agent. Our directors may remove an agent and may revoke or vary a power conferred on him.

Indemnification of Directors:    Our memorandum and articles of association provide that, subject to certain limitations, the company shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. Such indemnity only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the memorandum and articles of association, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Directors and Conflicts of Interest.    As noted in the table above, pursuant to the Companies Act and the company’s memorandum and articles of association, a director of a company who has an interest in a transaction and who has declared such interest to the other directors, may:

(a)     vote on a matter relating to the transaction;

(b)    attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and

(c)     sign a document on behalf of the company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction.

Shareholders’ Suits.    Our British Virgin Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a British Virgin Islands court. The enforcement of the company’s rights will ordinarily be a matter for its directors.

In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company,

114

the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.

The Companies Act provides for a series of remedies available to shareholders. Where a company incorporated under the Companies Act conducts some activity, which breaches the Act or the company’s memorandum and articles of association, the court can issue a restraining or compliance order. Under the Companies Act, a shareholder of a company may bring an action against the company for breach of a duty owed by the company to him as a member. A shareholder also may, with the permission of the British Virgin Islands Court, bring an action or intervene in a matter in the name of the company, in certain circumstances. Such actions are known as derivative actions. As noted above, the British Virgin Islands Court may only grant permission to bring a derivative action where the following circumstances apply:

•        the company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend or discontinue proceedings; and

•        it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings not be left to the directors or to the determination of the shareholders as a whole.

•        when considering whether to grant leave, the British Virgin Islands Court is also required to have regard to the following matters:

•        whether the shareholder is acting in good faith;

•        whether a derivative action is in the company’s best interests, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters;

•        whether the action is likely to proceed;

•        the costs of the proceedings; and

•        whether an alternative remedy is available.

Any member of a company may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court under the Insolvency Act for the appointment of a liquidator to liquidate 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 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 if the company is a constituent company, unless the company is the surviving company and the member continues to hold the same or similar shares; (b) a consolidation if the company is a constituent company; (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 compulsory 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 Act; and (e) a plan of 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 company’s memorandum and articles of association. There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely derived from English common law. Under the general 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 company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to seek to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those

115

who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s 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.

Compulsory Acquisition:    Under the Companies Act, subject to any limitations in a company’s memorandum or articles, members holding 90% of the votes of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, and members holding 90% of the votes of the outstanding shares of each class of shares entitled to vote, may give a written instruction to the company directing the company to redeem the shares held by the remaining members. Upon receipt of such written instruction, the company shall redeem the shares specified in the written instruction, irrespective of whether or not the shares are by their terms redeemable. The company shall give written notice to each member whose shares are to be redeemed stating the redemption price and the manner in which the redemption is to be effected. A member whose shares are to be so redeemed is entitled to dissent from such redemption, and to be paid the fair value of his shares, as described under “Shareholders’ Suits” above.

Share Repurchases and Redemptions:    As permitted by the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association, shares may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by us. Depending on the circumstances of the redemption or repurchase, our directors may need to determine that immediately following the redemption or repurchase we will be able to satisfy our debts as they fall due and the value of our assets exceeds our liabilities. Our directors may only exercise this power on our behalf, subject to the Companies Act, our memorandum and articles of association and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, Nasdaq or any other stock exchange on which our securities are listed.

Dividends:    Subject to the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association, our directors may declare dividends at a time and amount they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after distribution of the dividend, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they fall due. No dividend shall carry interest against us.

Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders and Disclosure of Substantial Shareholdings:    There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

Untraceable Shareholders:    Under our memorandum and articles of association, we are entitled to sell any shares of a shareholder who is untraceable, as long as: (a) all checks, not being less than three in total number, for any sums payable in cash to the holder of such shares have remained uncashed for a period of 12 years; (b) we have not during that time or before the expiry of the three-month period referred to in (c) below received any indication of the existence of the shareholder or person entitled to such shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and (c) upon expiration of the 12-year period, we have caused an advertisement to be published in newspapers, giving notice of our intention to sell these shares, and a period of three months or such shorter period has elapsed since the date of such advertisement. The net proceeds of any such sale shall belong to us, and when we receive these net proceeds we shall become indebted to the former shareholder for an amount equal to such net proceeds.

Transfer of Shares:    Subject to any applicable restrictions set forth in our memorandum and articles of association, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form, in the case of listed shares, in any manner permitted by and in accordance with the rules of the relevant exchange, or in any other form which our directors may approve.

116

Inspection of Books and Records:    Under the Companies Act, members of the general public, on payment of a nominal fee, can obtain copies of the public records of a company available at the office of the Registrar which will include the company’s certificate of incorporation, its memorandum and articles of association (with any amendments) and records of license fees paid to date and will also disclose any articles of dissolution, articles of merger and a register of charges if the company has elected to file such a register.

A member of a company is entitled, on giving written notice to the company, to inspect:

(a)     the memorandum and articles;

(b)    the register of members;

(c)     the register of directors; and

(d)    the minutes of meetings and resolutions of members and of those classes of members of which he is a member;

and to make copies of or take extracts from the documents and records referred to in (a) to (d) above.

Subject to the memorandum and articles of association, the directors may, if they are satisfied that it would be contrary to the company’s interests to allow a member to inspect any document, or part of a document, specified in (b), (c) or (d) above, refuse to permit the member to inspect the document or limit the inspection of the document, including limiting the making of copies or the taking of extracts from the records.

Where a company fails or refuses to permit a member to inspect a document or permits a member to inspect a document subject to limitations, that member may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order that he should be permitted to inspect the document or to inspect the document without limitation.

Dissolution; Winding Up:    As permitted by the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association, we may be voluntarily liquidated under Part XII of the Companies Act by resolution of directors and resolution of shareholders if we have no liabilities or we are able to pay our debts as they fall due.

We also may be wound up in circumstances where we are insolvent in accordance with the terms of the Insolvency Act.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws

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 also may 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. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.

If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing 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 his belief or suspicion to the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act 1997 (as amended). Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.

117

SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Immediately after this offering we will have 13,273,750 (or 14,811,250, if the over-allotment is exercised in full) ordinary shares outstanding, prior to any forfeitures. Of these shares, the 10,000,000 (or 11,500,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining 3,273,750 shares (or 4,811,250 if the over-allotment is exercised in full), including shares underlying the 323,750 private units (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) private units, are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.

Rule 144

Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares, rights or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.

Persons who have beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares, rights and warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:

•        1% of the total number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which, prior to any forfeitures, will equal 132,737 shares immediately after this offering (or 148,112 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or

•        the average weekly reported trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:

•        the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;

•        the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

•        the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and

•        at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

As a result, our sponsor will be able to sell its founder shares and insider units, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.

Registration Rights

Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on the date of this prospectus, our initial shareholders and I-Bankers and their permitted transferees can demand that we register for resale the founder shares, the private units and underlying securities, the shares underlying the Representative’s Warrants and any securities issued upon conversion of working capital loans. The holders of 25% of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short

118

form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I-Bankers may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Listing of Securities

We have applied to list our units, ordinary shares, rights and warrants on the Nasdaq under the symbols “ESSCU,” “ESSC,” “ESSCR” and “ESSCW,” respectively. We anticipate that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the ordinary shares, rights and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the ordinary shares, rights and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq.

119

TAXATION

The following summary of British Virgin Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, ordinary shares, rights to receive our ordinary shares and warrants to acquire our ordinary shares, sometimes referred to collectively in the summary as our “securities,” is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.

British Virgin Islands Taxation

The Government of the British Virgin Islands does not, under existing legislation, impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax upon the company or its securityholders who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands.

The company and all distributions, interest and other amounts paid by the company to persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands will not be subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes in the British Virgin Islands, with respect to the shares in the company owned by them and dividends received on such shares, nor will they be subject to any estate or inheritance taxes in the British Virgin Islands.

No estate, inheritance, succession or gift tax, rate, duty, levy or other charge is payable by persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the company.

Except to the extent that we have any interest in real property in the British Virgin Islands, all instruments relating to transactions in respect of the shares, debt obligations or other securities of the company and all instruments relating to other transactions relating to the business of the company are exempt from the payment of stamp duty in the British Virgin Islands.

There are currently no withholding taxes or exchange control regulations in the British Virgin Islands applicable to the company or its securityholders.

United States Federal Income Taxation

General

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units (each consisting of one ordinary share, one right and one warrant) that are purchased in this offering by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). Because the components of a unit are generally separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying ordinary share and right and warrant components of the unit.

This discussion is limited to certain U.S. federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our securities who are initial purchasers of a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion assumes that the ordinary shares, rights and warrants will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances, including:

•        financial institutions or financial services entities;

•        broker-dealers;

•        taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules;

•        tax-exempt entities;

•        governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

120

•        insurance companies;

•        regulated investment companies;

•        real estate investment trusts;

•        expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;

•        persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares;

•        persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;

•        persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction; or

•        U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and such provisions may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift, estate or Medicare contribution tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of units, ordinary shares, rights or warrants who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election 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 U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders.”

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 generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. 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 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.

121

Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit

There is no statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addressing the treatment, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of securities with terms substantially the same as the units, and, therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one ordinary share, one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share. Each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the ordinary share and right, and the warrant that comprise the unit based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of issuance. A holder’s initial tax basis in the ordinary share, right and warrant included in each unit should equal the portion of the purchase price of the unit allocated thereto. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the ordinary share, right and warrant comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the ordinary share and right, and the warrant based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of disposition. The separation of the ordinary share, right and warrant comprising a unit should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The foregoing treatment of our ordinary shares, right and warrants and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each holder is advised to consult its own tax advisor regarding the risks associated with an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit) and regarding an allocation of the purchase price between the ordinary share and right, and warrant that comprise a unit. The balance of this discussion generally assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders

Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as dividends the amount of any cash distribution paid on our ordinary shares. A cash distribution on such shares generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividends paid by us will be taxable to a corporate U.S. holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations.

Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “— Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares, Rights and Warrants” below) only if our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and certain other requirements are met. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares.

Possible Constructive Distributions

The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. However, the U.S. Holders of the warrants would be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases the 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 ordinary shares which is taxable to the U.S. Holders of such ordinary shares as described under “— Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares” 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 warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest. For certain information reporting purposes, we are required to determine the date and amount of any such

122

constructive distributions. Recently proposed Treasury regulations, which we may rely on prior to the issuance of final regulations, specify how the date and amount of constructive distributions are determined.

Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares, Rights and Warrants

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares, rights or warrants which, in general, would include a redemption of ordinary shares as described below, and including as a result of a dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not consummate an in initial business combination within the required time period, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss. The amount of gain or loss recognized generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the ordinary shares, rights or warrants are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the ordinary shares, rights or warrants based upon the then fair market values of the ordinary shares, the rights and the warrants included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares, rights and warrants generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to an ordinary share, rights or warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. See “— Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to a Warrant” and “— Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to a Right” below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s basis in an ordinary share acquired pursuant to a warrant.

Under tax law currently in effect long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at a reduced rate of tax. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares, rights or warrants exceeds one year. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the ordinary shares described in this prospectus may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements for this purpose. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations that are not described herein because a discussion of such limitations depends on each U.S. Holder’s particular facts and circumstances.

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, if a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares are redeemed pursuant to the exercise of a shareholder redemption right or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares in an open market transaction (each of which we refer to below as a “redemption”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such redemption will be subject to the following rules. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of the ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code, the tax treatment of such redemption will be as described under “— Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares, Rights and Warrants” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code, a U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a distribution with the tax consequences described below. Whether a redemption of our shares qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of our ordinary shares treated as held by such U.S. Holder (including any shares constructively owned as a result of, among other things, owning warrants and, possibly, rights). The redemption of ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares (rather than as a distribution) if the receipt of cash upon the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to a U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of such holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to such holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder must take into account not only our ordinary shares actually owned by such holder, but also our ordinary shares that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to our ordinary shares owned directly, ordinary shares owned by related individuals and entities in which such holder has an interest or that have an interest in such holder, as well as any ordinary shares such holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant (and possibly ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the rights). In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by a U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of our ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting and ordinary shares actually and constructively owned by such holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our ordinary shares actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our ordinary shares actually owned by such U.S. Holder are

123

redeemed and such holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives, in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by family members and such holder does not constructively own any other shares. The redemption of the ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of an exercise of the redemption right.

If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption may be treated as a distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “— Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares,” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis a U.S. Holder has in the redeemed ordinary shares will be added to the adjusted tax basis in such holder’s remaining ordinary shares. If there are no remaining ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors as to the allocation of any remaining basis.

U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own one percent or more of our shares (by vote or value) may be subject to special reporting requirements with respect to a redemption of ordinary shares, and such holders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their reporting requirements.

Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to a Warrant

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a warrant for cash. An ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant for cash generally will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant, increased by the amount paid to exercise the warrant. It is unclear whether a Holder’s holding period for the ordinary share will commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.

The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received generally would equal the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants. If the cashless exercise was not a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the ordinary shares would include the holding period of the warrants.

It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. Holder could be deemed to have surrendered warrants with an aggregate fair market a value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such warrants. In this case, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s initial investment in the warrants exercised (i.e., the portion of the U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) and the exercise price of such warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares would commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant.

Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.

Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Rights

The treatment of the rights to acquire ordinary shares is uncertain. The right may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to a warrant or option with no exercise price), and

124

thus the holder of the right would not be viewed as owning the ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the rights until such ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the rights are issued.

The tax consequences of an acquisition of our ordinary shares pursuant to rights are unclear and will depend on the treatment of any initial business combination. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an acquisition of ordinary shares pursuant to rights and the consequences of any initial business combination.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC for U.S. tax purposes if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. 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 rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.

Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income (the “start-up year”), if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us will not be known until after the close of our current taxable year. After the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the start-up exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any future taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.

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 ordinary shares, rights or warrants and, in the case of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, 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 ordinary shares, rights or 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 ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares).

Under these rules,

•        the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares, rights and warrants;

•        the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;

125

•        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, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ordinary shares (but likely not our warrants) by making a timely QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge

The treatment of the rights to acquire our ordinary shares is unclear. For example, the rights may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to a warrant or option with no exercise price), and thus the holder of the right would not be viewed as owning the ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the rights until such ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the rights are issued, that would reach different conclusions regarding the tax treatment of the rights under the PFIC rules. In any case, depending on which characterization is successfully applied to the rights, different PFIC consequences may result for U.S. Holders of the rights. It is also likely that a U.S. Holder of rights would not be able to make a QEF or mark-to-market election (discussed below) with respect to such U.S. Holder’s rights. Due to the uncertainty of the application of the PFIC rules to the rights, all potential investors are strongly urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding an investment in the rights offered hereunder as part of the units offering and the subsequent consequences to holders of such rights in any initial business combination.

A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants to acquire our ordinary shares. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of such warrants (other than upon exercise of such warrants), any gain recognized generally 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 warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such 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 ordinary 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 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 have a new basis and holding period in the ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the warrants 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 QEF election may not be made with respect to our warrants and likely not our rights. 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. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances.

In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the

126

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.

If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary 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 of our ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed under the PFIC rules. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as a dividend to such U.S. Holders. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules.

Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, a determination that our company is a PFIC for any particular taxable year will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held ordinary shares, rights or 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 ordinary 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 the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a purging election, as described above, 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) ordinary shares in us 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 ordinary 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 ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election likely may not be made with respect to our rights or 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, 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. 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 ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.

If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. We will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC. In addition, we may not hold a controlling interest in any such lower-tier PFIC and thus there can be no assurance we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.

127

A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621(whether or not a QEF or market-to-market election is made) and 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 ordinary shares, rights or warrants should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our ordinary shares, rights or warrants under their particular circumstances.

Tax Reporting

Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement.

Furthermore, certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. Holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), subject to certain exceptions. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our securities.

Non-U.S. Holders

Dividends (including constructive distributions) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to its ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).

In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares, rights and warrants unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from United States sources generally is subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).

Dividends (including constructive distributions) and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder’s receipt of an ordinary share upon the exercise or lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. Holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the receipt of a share or exercise of a warrant by a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Warrant,” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described in the preceding paragraphs above for a Non-U.S. Holder’s gain on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares, rights and warrants.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup

128

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. Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the requisite 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 procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

129

NOTES REGARDING OUR CHOICE OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND
THE ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

Reasons for our Choice of Incorporating in the British Virgin Islands

We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands because of the following benefits we believe are found there:

•        political and economic stability;

•        an effective and sophisticated judicial system with a dedicated Commercial Court;

•        tax neutral treatment, with no tax levied against companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands by the local tax authorities;

•        the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and

•        the availability of professional and support services.

•        commitment of the British Virgin Islands to implement best international practice and to comply with the requirements of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF);

•        the adoption of the English law concept of corporate separateness to mitigate the risk of the assets of a shareholder being used to satisfy the liabilities of the company; and

•        confidentiality for shareholders.

•        the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors; and

•        British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

We believe the disadvantages of incorporating in the British Virgin Islands are outweighed by the benefits to us and our investors of such incorporation.

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

We are a BVI business company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and therefore, located outside of the United States. The proceeds we receive from this offering will be held in U.S. Dollars and deposited in a trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. The trust account will be governed by an Investment Management Trust Agreement between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

The courts of the British Virgin Islands will not necessarily enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws. Additionally, there is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, however, 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. 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;

•        is final and for a liquidated sum;

•        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;

•        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;

130

•        recognition or enforcement of the judgment in the BVI would not be contrary to public policy; and

•        the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice.

In appropriate circumstances, the 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.

We expect that in the event of a voluntary liquidation of the company, after payment of the liquidation costs and any sums then due to creditors, that the liquidator would distribute our remaining assets on a pari passu basis.

Although we will seek to have all third parties such as vendors and prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any interest to any assets held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Our sponsor agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, such persons will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, our existing shareholders may not be able to satisfy those obligations. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.

Our initial shareholders have agreed (A) to waive their rights to liquidating distribution with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and private shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus), although they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within such time period and (C) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (a) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity.

We will pay the costs of our liquidation of the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to indemnify us for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director is required to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors must exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act.

In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the courts of the British Virgin Islands may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company,

131

make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the courts of the British Virgin Islands for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.

If we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) it fails to comply with the requirements of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) the execution or other process issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands Court in favor of a creditor of the company is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due), there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. A voidable transaction would include, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. A liquidator appointed over an insolvent company who considers that a particular transaction or payment is a voidable transaction under the Insolvency Act could apply to the British Virgin Islands Courts for an order setting aside that payment or transaction in whole or in part.

132

UNDERWRITING

We intend to offer our securities described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (“I-Bankers” or the “Representative”) is acting as the sole book-running manager of the offering and as the representative of the underwriters named below. We will enter into an underwriting agreement with the Representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters, through the Representative, have each severally agreed to purchase from us, on a firm commitment basis, the number of units listed next to its name in the following table at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus:

Underwriter

 

Number of
Units

I-Bankers

 

Total

 

10,000,000

A copy of the form of underwriting agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Listing of Our Securities

We expect our units, ordinary shares, rights and warrants to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “ESSCU,” “ESSC,” “ESSCR” and “ESSCW,” respectively. We anticipate that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date our ordinary shares, rights and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the ordinary shares, rights and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq or that they will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.

Pricing of This Offering

We have been advised by the Representative that the underwriters 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 also allow a concession not in excess of $        per unit to other dealers.

Prior to this offering there has been no public market for our securities. The public offering price of the units was negotiated between us and the representative of the underwriters. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units include:

•        the history of other similarly structured blank check companies;

•        prior offerings of those companies;

•        our prospects for consummating our initial business combination with an operating business at attractive values;

•        our capital structure;

•        securities exchange listing requirements;

•        market demand;

•        expected liquidity of our securities; and

•        general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering.

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.

133

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional units at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. The underwriters have 30 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. If the underwriters exercise this option, they will each purchase additional units approximately in proportion to the amounts specified in the table above.

Commissions and Discounts

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount to be paid by us to the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us. This information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the representative of the underwriters of its over-allotment option.

 

Per Unit

 

Without
Over-allotment

 

With
Over-allotment

Public offering price

 

$

10.00

 

$

100,000

 

$

115,000,000

Discount(1)

 

$

0.175

 

$

1,750,000

 

$

2,012,500

Proceeds before expenses(2)

 

$

9.825

 

$

98,250,000

 

$

112,987,500

____________

(1)      Such amount excludes $0.275 per unit, or $2,750,000 (or up to $3,162,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate payable to I-Bankers for advisory services relating to the initial business combination. For more information, see “Business Combination Marketing Agreement” below.

(2)      The offering expenses are estimated at approximately $800,000.

In addition to the underwriting discount, we paid I-Bankers $15,000, upon the execution of the engagement letter, as an advance against certain background check expenses actually anticipated to be incurred by the underwriter, which is reimbursable to the extent not actually incurred, and we have agreed to pay to the underwriters for travel, lodging and other “road show” expenses, expenses of the underwriters’ legal counsel and certain diligence and other fees, which such fees and expenses are capped at an aggregate of $150,000.

No discounts or commissions will be paid on the sale of the private units.

Private Units

I-Bankers (and/or its designees) has committed to purchase 48,750 private units for an aggregate purchase price of $487,500, at $10.00 per unit. I-Bankers has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters in full or in part, it will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per unit the number of private units (up to a maximum of 75,000 private units) that is necessary to maintain in the trust account an amount equal to $10.00 per ordinary share sold to the public in this offering. All of these purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering and the over-allotment option, as applicable. The private units are identical to the units being sold in this offering. However, I-Bankers has agreed (A) to vote its founder shares, private shares and any public shares acquired in or after this offering in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, (C) not to convert any shares (including the founder shares) into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination (or sell any shares they hold to us in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial business combination) or a vote to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or 21 months, as applicable), and (D) that the founder shares and private shares shall not be entitled to be redeemed for a pro rata

134

portion of the funds held in the trust account if a business combination is not consummated. The private units, and the ordinary shares, rights, warrants underlying the private units, and the ordinary shares that are issuable pursuant to the rights and warrants included in such units have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1) commencing on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or the commencement of sales in this offering. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Additionally, the private units purchased by I-Bankers may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated during the 180-day lock-up period commencing on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or the commencement of sales in this offering, except to any selected dealer participating in the offering and the bona fide officers or partners of the underwriter and any such participating selected dealer. I-Bankers has agreed that the private units it purchases will not be sold or transferred by it (except to certain permitted transferees) until after we have completed an initial business combination. We have granted the holders of private units, including I-Bankers, the registration rights as described under the section “Shares Eligible for Future Sale — Registration Rights” which will at all times be in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(iii)-(v).

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

Prior to the closing of this offering, we will engage I-Bankers as an advisor in connection with our business combination to assist us in holding meetings with our shareholders to discuss the potential business combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection with our initial business combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the business combination and assist us with our press releases and public filings in connection with the business combination. Pursuant to our agreement with I-Bankers, (i) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is at least 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 2.75% of the cash remaining the trust account in cash, (ii) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is less than 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 1.375% of the gross proceeds of the offering, and (iii) notwithstanding (i) and (ii) above, if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the business combination, after redemptions, is less than $20,000,000, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be paid in a combination of cash and securities in the same proportion as the cash and securities consideration paid to the target and its shareholders in the business combination, provided that in no event shall the cash portion of such advisory fees under (ii) or (iii) above be less than $1,000,000.

Representative’s Shares

We have agreed to issue to I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) 75,000 ordinary shares (or up to 86,250 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consummation of this offering. I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without our prior written consent until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) has agreed (i) to waive its redemption rights with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time).

The shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following 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.

135

Representative’s Warrants

We have agreed to grant to I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) 500,000 warrants (or 575,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) exercisable at $12.00 per share (or an aggregate exercise price of $6,000,000 or $6,900,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the closing of this offering. The warrant may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the closing of our initial business combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, I-Bankers Securities, Inc. has agreed that neither it nor its designees will be permitted to exercise the warrants after the five year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The warrants and such shares purchased pursuant to the warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 360 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 360 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 360 days immediately following 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. The warrants grant to holders demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. 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 number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price. We will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the warrants. The holder of the warrants will not be entitled to exercise the warrants for cash unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the warrants is effective or an exemption from registration is available.

Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities

Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for or purchase our units before the distribution of the units 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 solely for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the price of our units, as long as stabilizing bids do not exceed the offering price of $10.00 and the underwriters comply with all other applicable rules.

•        Over-Allotments and Syndicate Coverage Transactions.    The underwriters may create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus up to the amount of the over-allotment option. This is known as a covered short position. The underwriters may also create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and the units allowed by the over-allotment option. This is known as a naked short position. If the underwriters create a short position during the offering, the representative may engage in syndicate covering transactions by purchasing our units in the open market. The representative may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option. Determining what method to use in reducing the short position depends on how the units trade in the aftermarket following the offering. If the unit price drops following the offering, the short position is usually covered with shares purchased by the underwriters in the aftermarket. However, the underwriters may cover a short position by exercising the over-allotment option even if the unit price drops following the offering. If the unit price rises after the offering, then the over-allotment option is used to cover the short position. If the short position is more than the over-allotment option, the naked short must be covered by purchases in the aftermarket, which could be at prices above the offering price.

136

•        Penalty Bids.    The representative may reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the units originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

Stabilization and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of our 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 our securities if it discourages resales of our securities.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may occur on Nasdaq, 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.

Other Terms

Except as set forth above, we are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. However, any of the underwriters may, among other things, introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital, as needs may arise in the future. If any underwriter provides services to us after this offering, we may pay the underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with the underwriter and no fees for such services will be paid to the underwriter prior to the date which is 90 days after the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriter’s compensation in connection with this offering.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in this respect.

137

Selling Restrictions

Canada

Resale Restrictions

We intend to distribute our securities in the Province of Ontario, Canada (the “Canadian Offering Jurisdiction”) by way of a private placement and exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in such Canadian Offering Jurisdiction. Any resale of our securities in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws that will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Canadian resale restrictions in some circumstances may apply to resales of interests made outside of Canada. Canadian purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of our securities. We may never be a “reporting issuer”, as such term is defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, in any province or territory of Canada in which our securities will be offered and there currently is no public market for any of the securities in Canada, and one may never develop. Canadian investors are advised that we have no intention to file a prospectus or similar document with any securities regulatory authority in Canada qualifying the resale of the securities to the public in any province or territory in Canada.

Representations of Purchasers

A Canadian purchaser will be required to represent to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

•        the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase our securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws;

•        where required by law, that the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent;

•        the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions; and

•        the purchaser acknowledges and consents to the provision of specified information concerning its purchase of our securities to the regulatory authority that by law is entitled to collect the information.

Rights of Action — Ontario Purchasers Only

Under Ontario securities legislation, certain purchasers who purchase a security offered by this prospectus during the period of distribution will have a statutory right of action for damages, or while still the owner of our securities, for rescission against us in the event that this prospectus contains a misrepresentation without regard to whether the purchaser relied on the misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of action and three years from the date on which payment is made for our securities. The right of action for rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the date on which payment is made for our securities. If a purchaser elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the purchaser will have no right of action for damages against us. In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at which our securities were offered to the purchaser and if the purchaser is shown to have purchased the securities with knowledge of the misrepresentation, we will have no liability. In the case of an action for damages, we will not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not represent the depreciation in value of our securities as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon. These rights are in addition to, and without derogation from, any other rights or remedies available at law to an Ontario purchaser. The foregoing is a summary of the rights available to an Ontario purchaser. Ontario purchasers should refer to the complete text of the relevant statutory provisions.

Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All of our assets and the assets of those persons are located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be

138

possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

Collection of Personal Information

If a Canadian purchaser is resident in or otherwise subject to the securities laws of the Province of Ontario, the Purchaser authorizes the indirect collection of personal information pertaining to the Canadian purchaser by the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) and each Canadian purchaser will be required to acknowledge and agree that the Canadian purchaser has been notified by us (i) of the delivery to the OSC of personal information pertaining to the Canadian purchaser, including, without limitation, the full name, residential address and telephone number of the Canadian purchaser, the number and type of securities purchased and the total purchase price paid in respect of the securities, (ii) that this information is being collected indirectly by the OSC under the authority granted to it in securities legislation, (iii) that this information is being collected for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of the securities legislation of Ontario, and (iv) that the title, business address and business telephone number of the public official in Ontario who can answer questions about the OSC’s indirect collection of the information is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Corporate Finance, the Ontario Securities Commission, Suite 1903, Box 5520, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3S8, Telephone: (416) 593-8086, Facsimile: (416) 593-8252.

British Virgin Islands

No offer or invitation to subscribe for shares may be made to the public in the British Virgin Islands.

Switzerland

The Units may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Units or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, or FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of Units.

Italy

This prospectus has not been submitted to the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa, the Italian Securities Exchange Commission (“CONSOB”), for clearance and will not be subject to formal review or clearance by CONSOB.

Accordingly, the Units may not be offered, and copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the shares may not be distributed in Italy except:

(a)     to “qualified investors” (investitori qualificati), as defined pursuant to Article 34-ter, first paragraph, letter b), of CONSOB regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended, concerning issuers (“Regulation No. 11971”), but excluding (i) small and medium enterprises and natural persons indicated in Regulation No. 11971 that have not been included in the register of qualified investors, (ii) management companies and financial intermediaries authorized to manage individual portfolios on behalf of third parties and (iii) fiduciary companies managing portfolio investments regulated by Article 60, paragraph 4 of Legislative Decree No. 415 of July 23, 1996; or

139

(b)    in other circumstances that are exempt from the rules on public offers pursuant to Article 100 of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the “Italian Financial Act”), and its implementing CONSOB regulations, including Regulation No. 11971.

Any such offer, sale or delivery of the Units offered hereby or distribution of copies of this Prospectus, or any other document relating to the offering in the Republic of Italy must be in compliance with the selling restrictions under

(i)     made by soggetti abilitati (including investment firms (imprese di investimento), banks or financial intermediaries, as defined by Article 1, first paragraph, letter r), of the Italian Financial Act), to the extent duly authorized to engage in the offering and/or underwriting and/or purchase of financial instruments in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Italian Financial Act, CONSOB Regulation 16190 of October 29, 2007, as amended, Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended (the “Italian Banking Act”) and any other applicable laws and regulations; and

(ii)    in compliance with any other applicable requirements or limitations which may be imposed by CONSOB, the Bank of Italy or any other Italian regulatory authority.

Any investor purchasing the Units offered hereby is solely responsible for ensuring that any offer or resale of the shares it purchased occurs in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

In accordance with Article 100-bis of the Italian Financial Act, the subsequent resale on the secondary market in the Republic of Italy of the Units offered hereby (which were part of an offer made pursuant to an exemption from the obligation to publish a prospectus) constitutes a distinct and autonomous offer that must be made in compliance with the public offer and prospectus requirement rules provided under the Italian Financial Act and the Regulation No. 11971 unless an exemption applies. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the subsequent resale of such shares being declared null and void and the intermediary transferring the shares may be liable for any damage suffered by the investors.

140

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus is being passed upon for us by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York with respect to the units and warrants and Ogier, British Virgin Islands, with respect to the ordinary shares and matters of British Virgin Islands law. Schiff Hardin LLP, Washington, DC, is acting as counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of East Stone Acquisition Corporation as of June 30, 2019 and for the period from August 9, 2018 (inception) through June 30, 2019 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.

Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

141

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
East Stone Acquisition Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2019, the related statement of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for the period from August 9, 2018 (inception) through June 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from August 9, 2018 (inception) through June 30, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

New York, New York
January 16, 2020

F-2

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31,
2019

 

June 30,
2019

   

(Unaudited)

   

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current asset – cash

 

$

25,267

 

 

$

47,722

 

Deferred offering costs associated with initial public offering

 

 

150,764

 

 

 

97,500

 

Total Assets

 

 

$176,031

 

 

$

145,222

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances from related party

 

$

34,121

 

 

$

25,050

 

Accrued offering cost

 

 

8,755

 

 

 

10,000

 

Note payable – related party

 

 

132,500

 

 

 

100,000

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

175,376

 

 

 

135,050

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares in class A, B, C, D, and E, no par value; unlimited shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

 

 

— 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019(1)(2)

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

25,000

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(24,345

)

 

 

(14,828

)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

655

 

 

 

10,172

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

176,031

 

 

$

145,222

 

____________

(1)      Includes an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares held by the initial shareholders that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in part or in full (see Note 5).

(2)      Share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect January 8, 2020 share dividend of 1.0 share for each ordinary share outstanding, resulting in our initial shareholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares (see Note 5)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2019

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2018

 

Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2019

 

For the Period
from August 9,
2018 (inception)
through
December 31,
2018

 

For the Period
from August 9,
2018 (inception)
through
June 30,
2019

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

   

Formation and operating costs

 

$

9,099

 

 

$

14,776

 

 

$

9,517

 

 

$

14,839

 

 

$

14,828

 

Net loss

 

$

(9,099

)

 

$

(14,776

)

 

$

(9,517

)

 

$

(14,839

)

 

$

(14,828

)

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)(2)

 

 

2,500,000

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share

 

$

(0.00

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.00

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.01

)

____________

(1)      Excludes an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares held by the initial shareholders that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in part or in full (see Note 5).

(2)      Share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the January 8, 2020 share dividend of 1.0 share for each ordinary share outstanding, resulting in 2,875,000 our initial shareholders’ holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares (see Note 5)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 


Ordinary Shares(1)

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance – August 9, 2018 (inception)

 

 

$

 

$

 

 

$

 

Issuance of ordinary shares to initial shareholders

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(63

)

Balance – September 30, 2018 (unaudited)

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

(63

)

 

 

24,937

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(14,776

)

 

 

(14,776

)

Balance – December 31, 2018 (unaudited)

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

(14,839

)

 

 

10,161

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Balance – March 31, 2019 (unaudited)

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

(14,826

)

 

 

10,174

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Balance – June 30, 2019 (audited)

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

(14,828

)

 

 

10,172

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(418

)

 

 

(418

)

Balance – September 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

2,875,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

(15,246

)

 

 

9,754

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(9,099

)

 

 

(9,099

)

       

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance – December 31, 2019 (unaudited)

 

2,875,000

 

$

25,000

 

$

(24,345

)

 

$

655

 

____________

(1)      Includes an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2019 held by the Company’s initial shareholders that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in part or in full (see Note 5).

(2)      Share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the January 8, 2020 share dividend of 1.0 share for each ordinary share outstanding, resulting in our initial shareholders’ holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares. (see Note 5)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2019

 

For the
Period from
August 9,
2018
(inception)
through
December 31,
2018

 

For the
Period from
August 9,
2018
(inception)
through
June 30,
2019

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

   

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(9,517

)

 

$

(14,839

)

 

$

(14,828

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances from related party

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

Net cash used by operating activities

 

 

(9,517

)

 

 

(14,789

)

 

 

(14,778

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to initial shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

25,000

 

Advances from related party

 

 

9,071

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from promissory notes – related party

 

 

32,500

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

Payment of deferred offering costs

 

 

(54,509

)

 

 

(87,500

)

 

 

(62,500

)

Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities

 

 

(12,938

)

 

 

62,500

 

 

 

62,500

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Change in Cash

 

 

(22,455

)

 

 

47,711

 

 

 

47,722

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

 

47,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

25,267

 

 

$

47,711

 

 

$

47,722

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment and advances of offering cost by related party

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

25,000

 

Deferred offering costs included in accrued
offering costs

 

$

8,755

 

 

$

 

 

$

10,000

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-6

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANISATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on August 9, 2018 (“inception”). The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses that the Company has not yet identified (“Business Combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination, the Company intends to focus on financial technology industry. The Company has selected June 30th as its fiscal year end.

The Company’s sponsor is Double Venture Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company with limited liability (the “sponsor”).

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity for the period from inception through December 31, 2019 relates to the Company’s formation and the Proposed Offering described below.

The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed initial public offering of 10,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit (or 11,500,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (“Units” and, with respect to the ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) which is discussed in Note 3 (the “Proposed Offering”) and the sale of 323,750 Units (or 350,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Unit in a private placement. The Company’s sponsor, individuals Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao (Mao and Zhao, together, the “anchor investors”), and I-Bankers Securities, Inc, and/or their respective designees, have committed to purchase from the Company an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) Units, or “Private Units”, at $10.00 per unit, among which 275,000 units, or the “Insider Units”, will be purchased by the Company’s sponsor, Mr. Hua Mao, and Mr. Cheng Zhao (and/or its designees), and 48,750 (or 75,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) units, or the “I-Bankers Units”, will be purchased by I-Bankers (and/or its designees) (“I-Bankers”). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering and the over-allotment option, as applicable. All of the proceeds the Company receives from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below.

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of its Proposed Offering and Private Units (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the certain trust agreement), although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. The Company’s initial Business Combination must be with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes) at the time the Company signs a definitive agreement in connection with the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering, management has agreed that an amount equal to at least $10.00 per Unit sold in the Proposed Offering, including the proceeds of the Private Placement, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3) and (c)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

The Company will provide its shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Company, as a foreign private issuer, must comply with the tender offer rules in connection with its Business Combination, and unless otherwise required by Nasdaq rules or applicable laws, it does not intend to conduct

F-7

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANISATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (cont.)

a shareholder vote. The public shareholders will be entitled, nevertheless, to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially approximately $10.00 per share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). These Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a shareholder vote is not required by the law and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain shareholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Shareholders (as defined below) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Offering in favour of a Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the ordinary shares sold in the Proposed Offering, without the prior consent of the Company.

The Company’s sponsor, officers, directors and Navy Sail International Limited (collectively the “Initial Shareholders”) have agreed not to propose an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination, unless the Company provides the public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

The Company has until 15 months from the closing of the Proposed Offering to consummate a Business Combination. However, if the Company is not able to consummate a Business Combination within 15 months, the Company, by resolution of the board of the Company, at the request of the Initial Shareholders, may extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a Business Combination), subject to the Company’s Initial Shareholders depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below (the “Combination Period”). Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the trust agreement to be entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of the Proposed Offering, in order for the time available for the Company to consummate a Business Combination to be extended, the Company’s Initial Shareholders and their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.10 per share, on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension. In the event that the Company receives notice from its sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline to effect an extension, the Company intends to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, the Company intends to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. However, the Company’s Initial Shareholders and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time to consummate a Business Combination.

F-8

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANISATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (cont.)

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 15 months from the closing of the Proposed Offering and if the Company fails to receive an extension requested by the Company’s Initial Shareholders at the end of the 15 months from the closing of the Proposed Offering, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than five business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject in each case to its obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

In connection with the redemption of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Public Shares for a portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, each holder will receive a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of any taxes payable).

The Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares and the shares underlying the Private Units if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Shareholders should acquire Public Shares in or after the Proposed Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Company’s sponsor and its officers has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriter of the Proposed Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Company’s sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to vendors, service providers (except the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In connection with the company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”, the management of the Company has determined that the Company has access to funds from the Company’s sponsor that are sufficient to fund the working capital needs of the Company until the earlier of the consummation of the Proposed Offering or a minimum one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.

F-9

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

The accompanying unaudited financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and the three months ended December 31, 2018 and the period from August 9, 2018 (inception) to December 31, 2018 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustment (consisting of normal accruals) considered for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2020.

Emerging growth company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Deferred offering costs

Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting, and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Offering and that will be charged to shareholders’ equity upon the completion of the Proposed Offering. Should the Proposed Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.

Income taxes

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and

F-10

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realised.

ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company’s management determined that the British Virgin Islands is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the British Virgin Islands. In accordance with British Virgin federal income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company. Consequently, income taxes are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.

Net loss per ordinary share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. At December 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per ordinary share is the same as basic loss per share for the periods presented.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. At December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 respectively, the Company had not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.

Recently issued accounting standards

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No 33-10532, “Disclosure Update and Simplification”, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendment expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders’ equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of income is required to be filed. The Company’s management anticipates its first presentation of changes in stockholders’ equity will in included in its first quarterly report on Form 10-Q following the Proposed Offering.

The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

F-11

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3. PROPOSED OFFERING

Pursuant to the Proposed Offering, the Company will offer for sale up to 10,000,000 Units (or 11,500,000 Units if the underwriters’ overallotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one ordinary share, no par value, one right, and one redeemable warrant (each whole warrant, a “Public Warrant”). Each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Each Public Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per full share (subject to certain adjustments) (see Note 7).

NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

The Company’s sponsor, anchor investors, and I-Bankers have committed to purchase an aggregate of 323,750 Private Units, of which 275,000 to be purchased by the Company’s sponsor and/or its designees and the Company’s anchor investors, and 48,750 to be purchased by I-Bankers (or 350,000 Private Units if the underwriter’s over-allotment is exercised in full, of which 275,000 to be purchased by the Company’s sponsor, anchor investors and/or its designees and 75,000 by I-Bankers) at $10.00 per unit ($3,237,500 in the aggregate or $3,500,000 at the maximum aggregate amount) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Offering. Each Private Unit will consist of one ordinary share (“Private Share”), one right (“Private Right”) and one warrant (“Private Warrant”). Each Private Right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per full share. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be added to the proceeds from the Proposed Offering to be held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and Private Units and all underlying securities will expire worthless.

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In October 2018, the Company issued 1,437,500 ordinary shares to its Initial Shareholders (the “Founder Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share. On January 8, 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend for 1.0 share for each ordinary share outstanding, resulting in the Initial Shareholders owning an aggregate of 2,875,000 Founder Shares. The share dividend is retroactively restated in the accompanying financial statements. On January 9, 2020, Navy Sail International Limited transferred 625,000 Founder Shares to Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. As of January 9, 2020, of the 2,875,000 Founder Shares outstanding, 1,250,000 shares were issued to our sponsor, Double Venture Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao is the sole director, 1,000,000 shares were issued to Mr. Hao, and 625,000 shares issued to Navy Sail International Limited, of which Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao is the sole director. The Founder Shares are identical to the Public Shares being sold in the Proposed Offering, except that (1) the Founder Shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions as set forth in certain share escrow agreement, (2) the Founder Shares were purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of the Founder Shares is registered under the Securities Act, in addition to in accordance with the terms of the share escrow agreement, and (3) the Initial Shareholders have agreed (i) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any shares in connection with the consummation of Business Combination and (ii) to waive their liquidation rights with respect to their Founder Shares and private shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The 2,875,000 Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Initial Shareholders to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the Initial Shareholders will collectively own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Offering (excluding the sale of the Private Units).

Additionally, subject to certain limited exceptions, the Initial Shareholders have agreed to escrow (and not transfer any ownership interest in) their Founder Shares, excluding any Units or shares comprising Units acquired by the Initial Shareholders in the offering or in the open market: (i) with respect to 50% of the Founder Shares for a

F-12

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)

period ending on the earlier of the six month anniversary of the Business Combination or the date on which the closing price of the Ordinary Shares exceeds $12.50 for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) with respect to the other 50% of the Founder Shares for a period ending on the six month anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination, unless approved by the Company’s public stockholders. However, if, after a Business Combination, there is a transaction whereby all the outstanding shares are exchanged or converted into cash (as they would be in a post-asset sale liquidation) or another issuer’s shares, then the Founder Shares (or any Ordinary Shares thereunder) shall be permitted to come out of escrow to participate. In addition, all Initial Shareholders have agreed to escrow (and not transfer any ownership interest in) their Private Units (or any securities comprising the Private Units), excluding any Units acquired by Initial Shareholders in the Proposed Offering or in the open market, until thirty (30) days following the closing of the Business Combination.

Promissory Note — Related Party

One of the Company’s Initial Shareholders, Navy Sail International Limited, has signed a Promissory Note to loan the Company $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to the Proposed Offering (the “Note”). The Note is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the closing of the Proposed Offering. The Company intends to repay the Note from the proceeds of the Proposed Offering not being placed in the Trust Account. At June 30, 2019, the Company has borrowed $100,000 under the Note and at December 31, 2019, the Company has borrowed an additional $32,500, increasing the balance of the Note to $132,500.

Each loan from the Company’s Initial Shareholders would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of the initial Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of the initial Business Combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 ordinary shares if $1,500,000 of notes were so converted, as well as 150,000 rights convertible into 1,500 shares and 150,000 warrants to purchase 75,000 shares). The Company’s shareholders have approved the issuance of the units (and underlying ordinary shares, rights and warrants) upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of the initial Business Combination. If the Company does not complete an initial Business Combination, the loans will only be repaid with funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available.

Advance from Related Party

As of December 31, 2019, the Company has an outstanding account payable of $9,071, payable to Mr. Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, our Chairman and Chief Executive Offer, which amount was paid by Mr. Hao on behalf of the Company for professional service fee related to the Proposed Offering. As of June 30, 2019, $25,050 in accounts payable were due to Latitude Infrastructure Limited (“Latitude”), of which $25,000 Latitude paid on behalf of the Company for legal service fee related to the Proposed Offering and $50 is banking charge associated with the payment. Latitude is 100% owned by a shareholder of Navy Sail International Limited. Total advances payable to related parties at December 31, 2019 was $34,121.

Administrative Services Arrangement

The Company will agree, commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay an affiliate of the Company’s executive officers up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. Such administrative fees shall be paid on a monthly basis at $10,000 per month until the maximum fee is reached, or if earlier, until the consummation of our Business Combination or our liquidation.

Related Party Loans

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s sponsor, officers and directors or their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (the “Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the

F-13

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)

Working Capital Loans. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, or converted upon consummation of a Business Combination into additional Private Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit (the “Working Capital Units”). To date, no Working Capital Loans have been issued.

Related Party Extension Loans

As discussed in Note 1, the Company may extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of 21 months to complete a Business Combination). In order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate a Business Combination, the Company’s sponsor and its affiliates or designees must deposit into the Trust Account $0.10 per unit or up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) for a total of two extensions. Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. The terms of the loan in connection with the loan have not yet been negotiated. If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination, the Company will not repay such loans or, at the lender’s discretion, may be converted upon consummation of a Business Combination into additional Private Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit.

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Registration Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Units (and underlying securities), Private Warrants and Working Capital Units (and underlying securities) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the registration statement related to the Proposed Offering. The holders of a majority-in-interest of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination.

Underwriting Agreement

The Company will grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional Units to cover the over-allotment at the Proposed Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriters will be entitled to an underwriting discount of (1.75%) of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering (the “Underwriting Discount”).

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

The Company has engaged I-Bankers as an advisor in connection with our business combination to assist us in holding meetings with our shareholders to discuss the potential Business Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection with the Business Combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the Business Combination and assist us with our press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination. Pursuant to our agreement with I-Bankers, (i) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the Business Combination, after redemptions, is at least 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 2.75% of the cash remaining in the trust account, (ii) if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the Business Combination, after redemptions, is less than 50% of the gross proceeds of the offering hereunder, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be 1.375% of the gross proceeds of the offering, and (iii) notwithstanding (i) and (ii) above, if the amount of cash held in the trust account immediately prior to the

F-14

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont.)

Business Combination, after redemptions, is less than $20,000,000, then the advisory fees payable to I-Bankers will be paid in a combination of cash and securities in the same proportion as the cash and securities consideration paid to the target and its shareholders in the Business Combination, provided that in no event shall the cash portion of such advisory fees be less than $1,000,000.

Representative’s Shares

The Company has agreed to issue to I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) 75,000 ordinary shares at the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering, plus up to an additional 11,250 shares to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. The Company accounted for such shares as an offering cost of the Proposed Public Offering, with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity. I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without our prior written consent until the completion of the Business Combination. In addition, I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) has agreed (i) to waive its redemption rights with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of the Business Combination and (ii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete the Business Combination within 15 months (or up to 21 months, if extended) from the closing of the Proposed Offering.

The shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following 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.

Representative’s Warrants

We have agreed to grant to I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (and/or its designees) 500,000 warrants (or 575,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) exercisable at $12.00 per share (or an aggregate exercise price of $6,000,000 or $6,900,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the closing of this offering. The warrant may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the closing of the Business Combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, I-Bankers Securities, Inc. has agreed that neither it nor its designees will be permitted to exercise the warrants after the five year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The warrants and such shares purchased pursuant to the warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 360 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 360 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 360 days immediately following 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. The warrants grant to holders demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. 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 number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted

F-15

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont.)

in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price. We will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the warrants. The holder of the warrants will not be entitled to exercise the warrants for cash unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the warrants is effective or an exemption from registration is available.

NOTE 7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Shares — The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par value preferred shares, divided into five classes, Class A through Class E, each with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined by a resolution of the Company’s board of directors to amend the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to create such designations, rights and preferences. The Company has five classes of preferred shares to give the Company flexibility as to the terms on which each Class is issued. All shares of a single class must be issued with the same rights and obligations. Accordingly, starting with five classes of preferred shares will allow the Company to issue shares at different times on different terms. At December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 there are no preferred shares designated, issued or outstanding.

Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par value ordinary shares. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, there are 2,875,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, of which up to 375,000 are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in part or in full, so that the Initial Shareholders will own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Offering (excluding the sale of the Private Units and assuming the Initial Shareholders do not purchase any Units in the Proposed Offering).

Rights — Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of the Business Combination, even if the holder of such right redeemed all ordinary shares held by him, her or it in connection with the Business Combination or an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association with respect to the Company’s pre-business combination activities. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive his, her or its additional ordinary shares upon consummation of a Business Combination as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in the Proposed Offering. The shares issuable upon exchange of the Public Rights will be freely tradable (except to the extent held by affiliates of the Company).

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) the consummation of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Proposed Offering. No Public Warrants will be exercisable for cash unless the Company has an effective and current registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective within 90 days from the consummation of a Business Combination, the holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise the Public Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis. The Public Warrants will expire five years from the consummation of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Private Warrants, if any, will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Offering, except that the Private Warrants and the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Warrants

F-16

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (cont.)

are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

The warrant exercise (for both Public Warrant and Private Warrant) price is adjusted, if (x) the Company issues additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.50 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination, and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates the initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Price”) is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Price.

The Company may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the Private Warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $.01 per warrant:

•        at any time while the Public Warrants are exercisable,

•        upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each Public Warrant holder,

•        if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18 per share, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to Public Warrant holders, and

•        if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the ordinary shares underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

NOTE 8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company did not identify any other subsequent events that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were available that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

F-17

 

Until             , 2020 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the securities offered by this prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.

10,000,000 Units

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

_________________________

Prospectus

_________________________

Sole Book-Running Manager

I-Bankers Securities, Inc.

            , 2020

   

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:

SEC Registration Fees

 

$

15,935

FINRA Filing Fees

 

$

18,914

Accounting fees and expenses

 

$

40,000

Printing and engraving expenses

 

$

30,000

Nasdaq listing fee

 

$

85,000

D&O insurance

 

$

125,000

Legal fees and expenses

 

$

415,000

Miscellaneous

 

$

57,651

Total

 

$

787,750

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a Company’s 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 Court to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that, subject to certain limitations, the company shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. Such indemnity only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful.

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.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

In October 2018, we issued an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, with 625,000 shares issued to our sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Hao, our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, is the sole director, 625,000 shares issued to Navy Sail International Limited, of which Mr. Hao is the sole director, and 187,500 shares issued to Mr. Hao. In January 2020, we performed a share split whereby each ordinary share was sub-divided into two shares, resulting in our initial shareholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares, of which up to 375,000 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

In addition, our sponsor, anchor investors and I-Bankers (and/or their respective designees) have committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 323,750 private units at $10.00 per unit (for an aggregate purchase price of $3,237,500, or $3,500,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). The purchase of the private units will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of our initial public offering. These issuances will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Each of our initial shareholders is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.

No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.

II-1

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)     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

3.3

 

Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association

4.1

 

Specimen Unit Certificate

4.2

 

Specimen Ordinary Shares Certificate

4.3

 

Specimen Warrant Certificate

4.4

 

Specimen Right Certificate

4.5

 

Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant

4.6

 

Form of Rights Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant

4.7

 

Form of Representative’s Warrant*

5.1

 

Opinion of Ogier

5.2

 

Opinion of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

10.1

 

Form of Letter Agreement among the Registrant, and each of the initial shareholders, anchor investors, directors and officers of the Registrant

10.2

 

Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant

10.3

 

Form of Letter Agreement between East Stone Capital Limited and the Registrant regarding administrative support

10.4

 

Securities Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and sponsor

10.5

 

Unit Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and sponsor

10.6

 

Unit Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and I-Bankers

10.7

 

Unit Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Hua Mao

10.8

 

Unit Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Cheng Zhao

10.9

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and securityholders

10.10

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement

10.11

 

Promissory Note issued to Navy Sail International Limited by the Registrant

14

 

Form of Code of Ethics

23.1

 

Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC

23.2

 

Consent of Ogier (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.3

 

Consent of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (included on Exhibit 5.2)

24.1

 

Power of Attorney (included on signature page to initial filing of this Registration Statement)

99.1

 

Audit Committee Charter

99.2

 

Compensation Committee Charter

99.3

 

Consent of Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

99.4

 

Consent of Sanjay Prasad

99.5

 

Consent of Michael S. Cashel

99.6

 

Consent of William Zielke

____________

*        To be filed by amendment.

II-2

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a)     The undersigned registrant 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.

(b)    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.

(c)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(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)    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.

(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)    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.

(5)    For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement

II-3

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.

(6)    For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(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 an 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

(iv)   Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

II-4

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Burlington, MA, on the 16th day of January, 2020.

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

   

By:

 

/s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

   

Name:

 

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu and Chunyi (Charlie) Hao his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name

 

Position

 

Date

/s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

January 16, 2020

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

(Principal executive officer)

   

/s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao

 

Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

January 16, 2020

Chunyi (Charlie) Hao

 

(Principal financial and accounting officer)

   

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of East Stone Acquisition Corporation has signed this registration statement on the 16th day of January, 2020.

   
   

/s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

   

Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

II-5

Exhibit 3.1

 

BVI COMPANY NUMBER: 1988698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004

 

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

Incorporated on the 9th day of August, 2018

 

INCORPORATED IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

 

 

 

(As adopted by the Shareholders' resolution dated 8 October, 2018 and filed on 8 October, 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT 2004

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 8 OCTOBER, 2018

 

1 NAME

 

The name of the Company is East Stone Acquisition Corporation.

 

2 STATUS

 

The Company shall be a company limited by shares.

 

3 REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

 

3.1 The first registered office of the Company is at Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110 British Virgin Islands, the office of the first registered agent.

 

3.2 The first registered agent of the Company is Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands.

 

3.3 The Company may change its registered office or registered agent by a Resolution of Directors or a Resolution of Members. The change shall take effect upon the Registrar registering a notice of change filed under section 92 of the Act.

 

4 CAPACITY AND POWER

 

4.1 The Company has, subject to the Act and any other British Virgin Islands legislation for the time being in force, irrespective of corporate benefit:

 

  (a) full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction; and

 

  (b) for the purposes of paragraph (a), full rights, powers and privileges.

 

4.2 There are subject to clause 4.1 no limitations on the business that the Company may carry on.

 

1

 

 

5 NUMBER AND CLASSES OF SHARES

 

5.1 The Company is authorised to issue an unlimited number of shares of no par value divided into six classes of shares as follows:

 

  (a) Ordinary shares of no par value (Ordinary Shares);

 

  (b) Class A preferred shares of no par value (Class A Preferred Shares);

 

  (c) Class B preferred shares of no par value (Class B Preferred Shares);

 

  (d) Class C preferred shares of no par value (Class C Preferred Shares);

 

  (e) Class D preferred shares of no par value (Class D Preferred Shares); and

 

  (f) Class E preferred shares of no par value (Class E Preferred Shares and together with the Class A Preferred Shares, the Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and the Class D Preferred Shares being referred to as the Preferred Shares).

 

5.2 The Company may issue fractional Shares and a fractional Share shall have the corresponding fractional rights, obligations and liabilities of a whole share of the same class or series of shares.

 

6 DESIGNATIONS POWERS PREFERENCES OF SHARES

 

6.1 Each Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the Member:

 

  (a) the right to one vote at a meeting of the Members of the Company or on any Resolution of Members;

 

  (b) the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company; and

 

  (c) the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on its liquidation.

 

2

 

 

6.2 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Preferred Shares shall be stated in this Memorandum, which shall be amended accordingly prior to the issue of such Preferred Shares. Such rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions may include:

 

(a) the number of shares and series constituting that class and the distinctive designation of that class;

 

(b) the dividend rate of the Shares of that class, if any, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and whether they shall be payable in preference to, or in relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes of Shares (including the Ordinary Shares);

 

(c) whether that class shall have voting rights, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

(d) whether that class shall have conversion or exchange privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including provision for adjustment of the conversion or exchange rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine;

 

(e) whether or not the Shares of that class shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the manner of selecting Shares for redemption if less than all Shares are to be redeemed, the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount maybe less than fair value and which may vary under different conditions and at different dates;

 

(f) whether that class shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of Shares of that class, and, if so, the terms and amounts of such sinking fund;

 

(g) the right of the Shares of that class to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional Shares (including additional Shares of such class of any other class) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or any subsidiary of any outstanding Shares of the Company;

 

(h) the right of the Shares of that class in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and whether such rights be in preference to, or in relation to, the comparable rights or any other class or classes of Shares; and

 

(i) any other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of that class.

 

6.3 The directors may at their discretion by Resolution of Directors redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any of the Shares in the Company subject to Regulation 3 of the Articles.

 

3

 

 

7 VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

The rights attached to Shares as specified in Clause 6 may only, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied with the consent in writing of or by a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of more than 50 per cent of the issued Shares of that class.

 

8 RIGHTS NOT VARIED BY THE ISSUE OF SHARES PARI PASSU OR

 

The 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. For the avoidance of doubt, the initial issuance of any Preferred Shares with rights as contemplated at Clause 6.2 above shall not be considered as a variation of the rights of the Ordinary Shares or any other class of Preferred Share then in issue.

 

9 REGISTERED SHARES

 

9.1 The Company shall issue registered shares only.

 

9.2 The Company is not authorised to issue bearer shares, convert registered shares to bearer shares or exchange registered shares for bearer shares.

 

10 TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

10.1 A share may, subject to the provisions of the Articles, be transferred subject to the prior or subsequent approval of the Company contained in a Resolution of Members or a Resolution of Directors.

 

10.2 The Members and/or the directors may in their absolute and unfettered discretion refuse to approve any intended transfer of a Share.

 

11 AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

11.1 The Company may amend its Memorandum or Articles by a Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors, save that no amendment may be made by a Resolution of Directors:

 

  (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; or
     
  (d) to Clauses 7 or 8 or this Clause 11.

 

4

 

 

12 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

12.1 In this Memorandum of Association and the attached Articles of Association, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:

 

  (a) Act means the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 and includes the regulations made under the Act;

 

  (b) Articles means the attached Articles of Association of the Company;

 

  (c) Chairman of the Board and Chairman has the meaning specified in Regulation 13;

 

  (d) Class A Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

  (e) Class B Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

  (f) Class C Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

  (g) Class D Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

  (h) Class E Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(i) Distribution in relation to a distribution by the Company means the direct or indirect transfer of an asset, other than Shares, to or for the benefit of a Member in relation to Shares held by a Member, and whether by means of a purchase of an asset, the redemption or other acquisition of Shares, a distribution of indebtedness or otherwise, and includes a dividend;

 

(j) Eligible Person means individuals, corporations, trusts, the estates of deceased individuals, partnerships and unincorporated associations of persons;

 

(k) Member means an Eligible Person whose name is entered in the share register of the Company as the holder of one or more Shares or fractional Shares;

 

(l) Memorandum means this Memorandum of Association of the Company;

 

  (m) Ordinary Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

  (n) Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

5

 

 

  (o) Resolution of Directors means either:

 

  (i) a resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of directors of the Company or of a committee of directors of the Company by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at the meeting who voted except that where a director is given more than one vote, he shall be counted by the number of votes he casts for the purpose of establishing a majority; or

 

  (ii) a resolution consented to in writing by all directors or by all members of a committee of directors of the Company, as the case may be;

 

(p) Resolution of Members means either:

 

  (i) a resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Members of the Company by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote thereon which were present at the meeting and were voted; or

 

  (ii) a resolution consented to in writing by a majority of the votes of Shares entitled to vote thereon;

 

(q) Seal means any seal which has been duly adopted as the common seal of the Company;
   
(r) Securities means Shares and debt obligations of every kind of the Company, and including without limitation options, warrants and rights to acquire shares or debt obligations;
   
(s) Share means a share issued or to be issued by the Company;
   
(t) Treasury Share means a Share that was previously issued but was repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled; and
   
(u) written or any term of like import includes information generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, biometric or photonic means, including electronic data interchange, electronic mail, telegram, telex or telecopy, and "in writing" shall be construed accordingly.

 

12.2 In the Memorandum and the Articles, unless the context otherwise requires a reference to:

 

  (a) a Regulation is a reference to a regulation of the Articles;

 

  (b) a Clause is a reference to a clause of the Memorandum;

 

  (c) voting by Member is a reference to the casting of the votes attached to the Shares held by the Member voting;

 

6

 

 

  (d) the Act, the Memorandum or the Articles is a reference to the Act or those documents as amended; and

 

  (e) the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

 

12.3 Any words or expressions defined in the Act unless the context otherwise requires bear the same meaning in the Memorandum and Articles unless otherwise defined herein.

 

12.4 Headings are inserted for convenience only and shall be disregarded in interpreting the Memorandum and Articles.

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign this Memorandum of Association the 9th day of August, 2018.

 

Incorporator

 

/s/ Rexella D. Hodge

 

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

7

 

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT 2004

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

EAST STONE ACQUISTION CORPORATION

 

A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 8 OCTOBER, 2018

 

1 REGISTERED SHARES
   
1.1 Every Member is entitled to a certificate signed by a director of the Company or under the Seal specifying the number of Shares held by him and the signature of the director and the Seal may be facsimiles.
   
1.2 Any Member receiving a certificate shall indemnify and hold the Company and its directors and officers harmless from any loss or liability which it or they may incur by reason of any wrongful or fraudulent use or representation made by any person by virtue of the possession thereof. If a certificate for Shares is worn out or lost it may be renewed on production of the worn out certificate or on satisfactory proof of its loss together with such indemnity as may be required by a Resolution of Directors.
   
1.3 If several Eligible Persons are registered as joint holders of any Shares, any one of such Eligible Persons may give an effectual receipt for any Distribution.
   
2 SHARES
   
2.1 Shares and other Securities may be issued and option to acquire Shares or other Securities may be granted at such times, to such Eligible Persons, for such consideration and on such terms as the directors may by Resolution of Directors determine.
   
2.2 Section 46 of the Act does not apply to the Company.

 

8

 

 

2.3 A Share may be issued for consideration in any form, including money, a promissory note, real property, personal property (including goodwill and know-how) or a contract for future services.
   
2.4 No Shares may be issued for a consideration other than money, unless a Resolution of Directors has been passed stating:

 

(a) the amount to be credited for the issue of the Shares; and

 

(b) that, in their opinion, the present cash value of the non-money consideration for the issue is not less than the amount to be credited for the issue of the Shares.

 

2.5 The Company shall keep a register (the share register) containing:

 

(a) the names and addresses of the persons who hold Shares;

 

(b) the number of each class and series of Shares held by each Member;

 

(c) the date on which the name of each Member was entered in the share register; and

 

(d) the date on which any Eligible Person ceased to be a Member.

 

2.6 The share register may be in any such form as the directors may approve, but if it is in magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the Company must be able to produce legible evidence of its contents. Until the directors otherwise determine, the magnetic, electronic or other data storage form shall be the original share register.
   
2.7 A Share is deemed to be issued when the name of the Member is entered in the share register.
   
3 FORFEITURE
   
3.1 Shares that are not fully paid on issue are subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in this Regulation and for this purpose Shares issued for a promissory note or a contract for future services are deemed to be not fully paid.
   
3.2 A written notice of call specifying the date for payment to be made shall be served on the Member who defaults in making payment in respect of the Shares.

 

9

 

 

3.3 The written notice of call referred to in Regulation 3.12 shall name a further date not earlier than the expiration of 14 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 Shares, or any of them, in respect of which payment is not made will be liable to be forfeited.
   
3.4 Where a written notice of call has been issued pursuant to Sub-Regulation 3.2 and the requirements of the notice have not been complied with, the directors may, at any time before tender of payment, forfeit and cancel the Shares to which the notice relates.
   
3.5 The Company is under no obligation to refund any moneys to the Member whose Shares have been cancelled pursuant to Sub-Regulation 3.34 and that Member shall be discharged from any further obligation to the Company.
   
4 TRANSFER OF SHARES
   
4.1 Subject to the Memorandum shares may be transferred by a written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee, which shall be sent to the Company for registration.
   
4.2 The transfer of a Share is effective when the name of the transferee is entered on the share register.
   
4.3 If the directors of the Company are satisfied that an instrument of transfer relating to Shares has been signed but that the instrument has been lost or destroyed, they may resolve by Resolution of Directors:

 

  (a) to accept such evidence of the transfer of Shares as they consider appropriate; and

 

  (b) that the transferee's name should be entered in the share register notwithstanding the absence of the instrument of transfer.

 

4.4 Subject to the Memorandum, the personal representative of a deceased Member may transfer a Share even though the personal representative is not a Member at the time of the transfer.

 

10

 

 

5 DISTRIBUTIONS
   
5.1 The directors of the Company may, by Resolution of Directors, authorise a distribution at a time and of an amount they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the distribution, the value of the Company's assets will exceed its liabilities and the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
   
5.2 Dividends may be paid in money, shares, or other property.
   
5.3 The Company may, by Resolution of Directors, from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear to the directors to be justified by the profits of the Company, provided always that they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the distribution, the value of the Company's assets will exceed its liabilities and the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
   
5.4 Notice in writing of any dividend that may have been declared shall be given to each Member in accordance with Regulation 21 and all dividends unclaimed for three years after such notice has been given to a Member may be forfeited by Resolution of Directors for the benefit of the Company.
   
5.5 No dividend shall bear interest as against the Company.
   
6 REDEMPTION OF SHARES AND TREASURY SHARES
   
6.1 The Company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own Shares save that the Company may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its own Shares without the consent of the Member whose Shares are to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired unless the Company is permitted by the Act or any other provision in the Memorandum or Articles to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire the Shares without such consent.
   
6.2 The purchase redemption or other acquisition by the Company of its own Shares is deemed not to be a distribution where:

 

  (a) The Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires the Shares pursuant to a right of a Member to have his Shares redeemed or to have his shares exchanged for money or other property of the Company, or

 

  (b) The Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires the Shares by virtue of the provisions of section 179 of the Act.

 

11

 

 

6.3 Sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Act shall not apply to the Company.
   
6.4 Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires pursuant to this Regulation may be cancelled or held as Treasury Shares except to the extent that such Shares are in excess of 50 percent of the issued Shares in which case they shall be cancelled but they shall be available for reissue.
   
6.5 All rights and obligations attaching to a Treasury Share are suspended and shall not be exercised by the Company while it holds the Share as a Treasury Share.
   
6.6 Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions (not otherwise inconsistent with the Memorandum and Articles) as the Company may by Resolution of Directors determine.
   
6.7 Where Shares are held by another body corporate of which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, shares having more than 50 per cent of the votes in the election of directors of the other body corporate, all rights and obligations attaching to the Shares held by the other body corporate are suspended and shall not be exercised by the other body corporate.
   
7 MORTGAGES AND CHARGES OF SHARES
   
7.1 A Member may by an instrument in writing mortgage or charge his Shares.
   
7.2 There shall be entered in the share register at the written request of the Member:

 

  (a) a statement that the Shares held by him are mortgaged or charged;

 

  (b) the name of the mortgagee or chargee; and

 

  (c) the date on which the particulars specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) are entered in the share register.

 

7.3 Where particulars of a mortgage or charge are entered in the share register, such particulars may be cancelled:

 

  (a) with the written consent of the named mortgagee or chargee or anyone authorised to act on his behalf; or

 

  (b) upon evidence satisfactory to the directors of the discharge of the liability secured by the mortgage or charge and the issue of such indemnities as the directors shall consider necessary or desirable.

 

12

 

 

7.4 Whilst particulars of a mortgage or charge over Shares are entered in the share register pursuant to this Regulation:

 

  (a) no transfer of any Share the subject of those particulars shall be effected;

 

  (b) the Company may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such Share; and

 

  (c) no replacement certificate shall be issued in respect of such Shares, without the written consent of the named mortgagee or chargee.

 

8 MEETINGS AND CONSENTS OF MEMBERS
   
8.1 Any director of the Company may convene meetings of the Members at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the British Virgin Islands as the director considers necessary or desirable.
   
8.2 Upon the written request of the Members entitled to exercise 30 per cent or more of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested the directors shall convene a meeting of Members.
   
8.3 The director convening a meeting shall give not less than seven days' written notice of a meeting of Members to:

 

  (a) those Members whose names on the date the notice is given appear as Members in the share register of the Company and are entitled to vote at the meeting; and

 

  (b) the other directors.

 

8.4 The director convening a meeting of Members may fix as the record date for determining those Members that are entitled to vote at the meeting the date notice is given of the meeting, or such other date as may be specified in the notice, being a date not earlier than the date of the notice.
   
8.5 A meeting of Members held in contravention of the requirement to give notice is valid if Members holding at least 90 per cent of the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a Member at the meeting shall constitute waiver in relation to all the Shares which that Member holds.

 

13

 

 

8.6 The inadvertent failure of a director who convenes a meeting to give notice of a meeting to a Member or another director, or the fact that a Member or another director has not received notice, does not invalidate the meeting.
   
8.7 A Member may be represented at a meeting of Members by a proxy who may speak and vote on behalf of the Member.
   
8.8 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be produced at the place designated for the meeting before the time for holding the meeting at which the person named in such instrument proposes to vote.
   
8.9 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in substantially the following form or such other form as the chairman of the meeting shall accept as properly evidencing the wishes of the Member appointing the proxy.

 

 

[Name of Company]

 

I/We being a Member of the above Company HEREBY APPOINT                                                                                                                         of                                                                                                                       or failing him ____________________ of                                                                                                                            to be my/our proxy to vote for me/us at the meeting of Members to be held on the          day of                                           , 20    and at any adjournment thereof.

 

(Any restrictions on voting to be inserted here.)

 

Signed this             day of                              , 20      

 

                                    

Member

 

8.10 The following applies where Shares are jointly owned:

 

  (a) if two or more persons hold Shares jointly each of them may be present in person or by proxy at a meeting of Members and may speak as a Member;

 

  (b) if only one of the joint owners is present in person or by proxy he may vote on behalf of all joint owners; and

 

  (c) if two or more of the joint owners are present in person or by proxy they must vote as one and in the event of disagreement between any of the joint owners of Shares then the vote of the joint owner whose name appears first (or earliest) in the share register in respect of the relevant Shares shall be recorded as the vote attributable to the Shares.

 

14

 

 

8.11 A Member shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of Members if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all Members participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

8.12 A meeting of Members is duly constituted if, at the commencement of the meeting, there are present in person or by proxy not less than 50 per cent of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote on Resolutions of Members to be considered at the meeting. If the Company has two or more classes of shares, a meeting may be quorate for some purposes and not for others. A quorum may comprise a single Member or proxy and then such person may pass a Resolution of Members and a certificate signed by such person accompanied where such person holds a proxy by a copy of the proxy instrument shall constitute a valid Resolution of Members.

 

8.13 If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the next business day in the jurisdiction in which the meeting was to have been held at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting there are present within one hour from the time appointed for the meeting in person or by proxy not less than one third of the votes of the Shares or each class or series of Shares entitled to vote on the matters to be considered by the meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum but otherwise the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

8.14 At every meeting of Members, the Chairman of the Board shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if the Chairman of the Board is not present at the meeting, the Members present shall choose one of their number to be the chairman. If the Members are unable to choose a chairman for any reason, then the person representing the greatest number of voting Shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting shall preside as chairman failing which the oldest individual Member or representative of a Member present shall take the chair.

 

8.15 The chairman may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn any meeting from time to time, and from place to place.

 

15

 

 

8.16 At any meeting of the Members the chairman is responsible for deciding in such manner as he considers appropriate whether any resolution proposed has been carried or not and the result of his decision shall be announced to the meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting. If the chairman has any doubt as to the outcome of the vote on a proposed resolution, he shall cause a poll to be taken of all votes cast upon such resolution. If the chairman fails to take a poll then any Member present in person or by proxy who disputes the announcement by the chairman of the result of any vote may immediately following such announcement demand that a poll be taken and the chairman shall cause a poll to be taken. If a poll is taken at any meeting, the result shall be announced to the meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 

8.17 Subject to the specific provisions contained in this Regulation for the appointment of representatives of Members other than individuals the right of any individual to speak for or represent a Member shall be determined by the law of the jurisdiction where, and by the documents by which, the Member is constituted or derives its existence. In case of doubt, the directors may in good faith seek legal advice and unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction shall otherwise rule, the directors may rely and act upon such advice without incurring any liability to any Member or the Company.

 

8.18 Any Member other than an individual may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such individual as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of Members or of any class of Members, and the individual so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same rights on behalf of the Member which he represents as that Member could exercise if it were an individual.

 

8.19 The chairman of any meeting at which a vote is cast by proxy or on behalf of any Member other than an individual may at the meeting but not thereafter call for a notarially certified copy of such proxy or authority which shall be produced within 7 days of being so requested or the votes cast by such proxy or on behalf of such Member shall be disregarded.

 

8.20 Directors of the Company may attend and speak at any meeting of Members and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class or series of Shares.

 

8.21 An action that may be taken by the Members at a meeting may also be taken by a Resolution of Members consented to in writing, without the need for any prior notice. If any Resolution of Members is adopted otherwise than by the unanimous written consent of all Members, a copy of such resolution shall forthwith be sent to all Members not consenting to such resolution. The consent may be in the form of counterparts, each counterpart being signed by one or more Members. If the consent is in one or more counterparts, and the counterparts bear different dates, then the resolution shall take effect on the earliest date upon which Eligible Persons holding a sufficient number of votes of Shares to constitute a Resolution of Members have consented to the resolution by signed counterparts.

 

16

 

 

 

 

9 DIRECTORS

 

9.1 The first directors of the Company shall be appointed by the first registered agent within 30 days of the incorporation of the Company; and thereafter, the directors shall be elected by Resolution of Members or by Resolution of Directors for such term as the Members or directors determine.

 

9.2 No person shall be appointed as a director of the Company unless he has consented in writing to act as a director.

 

9.3 The minimum number of directors shall be one and there shall be no maximum number of directors.

 

9.4 Each director holds office for the term, if any, fixed by the Resolution of Members or Resolution of Directors appointing him, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. If no term is fixed on the appointment of a director, the director serves indefinitely until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

9.5 A director may be removed from office with or without cause by,

 

(a) a Resolution of Members passed at a meeting of Members called for the purposes of removing the director or for purposes including the removal of the director or by a written resolution passed by a least seventy five per cent of the Members of the Company entitled to vote; or

 

(b) a Resolution of Directors passed at a meeting of directors.

 

9.6 A director may resign his office by giving written notice of his resignation to the Company and the resignation has effect from the date the notice is received by the Company at the office of its registered agent or from such later date as may be specified in the notice. A director shall resign forthwith as a director if he is, or becomes, disqualified from acting as a director under the Act.

 

9.7 The directors may at any time appoint any person to be a director either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the existing directors. Where the directors appoint a person as director to fill a vacancy, the term shall not exceed the term that remained when the person who has ceased to be a director ceased to hold office.

 

17

 

 

9.8 A vacancy in relation to directors occurs if a director dies or otherwise ceases to hold office prior to the expiration of his term of office.

 

9.9 The Company shall keep a register of directors containing:

 

(a) the names and addresses of the persons who are directors of the Company;

 

(b) the date on which each person whose name is entered in the register was appointed as a director of the Company;

 

(c) the date on which each person named as a director ceased to be a director of the Company; and

 

(d) such other information as may be prescribed by the Act.

 

9.10 The register of directors may be kept in any such form as the directors may approve, but if it is in magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the Company must be able to produce legible evidence of its contents. Until a Resolution of Directors determining otherwise is passed, the magnetic, electronic or other data storage shall be the original register of directors.

 

9.11 The directors may, by a Resolution of Directors, fix the emoluments of directors with respect to services to be rendered in any capacity to the Company.

 

9.12 A director is not required to hold a Share as a qualification to office.

 

10 POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

10.1 The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of, the directors of the Company. The directors of the Company have all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, the business and affairs of the Company. The directors may pay all expenses incurred preliminary to and in connection with the incorporation of the Company and may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not by the Act or by the Memorandum or the Articles required to be exercised by the Members.

 

10.2 If the Company is the wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, a director of the Company may, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, act in a manner which he believes is in the best interests of the holding company even though it may not be in the best interests of the Company.

 

18

 

 

10.3 If the Company is a subsidiary, but not a wholly owned subsidiary, of a holding company, and the shareholders other than the holding company agree in advance, a director of the Company may, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director in connection with the carrying out of the joint venture, act in a manner which he believes is in the best interests of a Member or some Members even though it may not be in the best interests of the Company.

 

10.4 If the Company is carrying out a joint venture between shareholders, a director of the Company may, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, act in a manner which he believes is in the best interests of the holding company even though it may not be in the best interests of the Company.

 

10.5 Each director shall exercise his powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the Company acting in a manner that contravenes the Memorandum, the Articles or the Act. Each director, in exercising his powers or performing his duties, shall act honestly and in good faith in what the director believes to be the best interests of the Company.

 

10.6 Any director which is a body corporate may appoint any individual as its duly authorised representative for the purpose of representing it at meetings of the directors, with respect to the signing of consents or otherwise.

 

10.7 The continuing directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body.

 

10.8 The directors may by Resolution of Directors exercise all the powers of the Company to incur indebtedness, liabilities or obligations and to secure indebtedness, liabilities or obligations whether of the Company or of any third party.

 

10.9 All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments 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 shall from time to time be determined by Resolution of Directors.

 

10.10 Section 175 of the Act shall not apply to the Company.

 

19

 

 

11 PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

11.1 Any one director of the Company may call a meeting of the directors by sending a written notice to each other directors.

 

11.2 The directors of the Company or any committee thereof may meet at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the British Virgin Islands as the notice calling the meeting provides.

 

11.3 A director is deemed to be present at a meeting of directors if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all directors participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

11.4 A director shall be given not less than three days’ notice of meetings of directors, but a meeting of directors held without three days’ notice having been given to all directors shall be valid if all the directors entitled to vote at the meeting who do not attend waive notice of the meeting, and for this purpose the presence of a director at a meeting shall constitute waiver by that director. The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to a director, or the fact that a director has not received the notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

 

11.5 A meeting of directors is duly constituted for all purposes if at the commencement of the meeting there are present in person or by alternate not less than one-half of the total number of directors, unless there are only two directors in which case the quorum is two.

 

11.6 A director may by a written instrument appoint an alternate who need not be a director and the alternate shall be entitled to attend meetings in the absence of the director who appointed him and to vote or consent in place of the director until the appointment lapses or is terminated.

 

11.7 If the Company has only one director the provisions herein contained for meetings of directors do not apply and such sole director has full power to represent and act for the Company in all matters as are not by the Act, the Memorandum or the Articles required to be exercised by the Members. In lieu of minutes of a meeting the sole director shall record in writing and sign a note or memorandum of all matters requiring a Resolution of Directors. Such a note or memorandum constitutes sufficient evidence of such resolution for all purposes.

 

11.8 At meetings of directors at which the Chairman of the Board is present, he shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if the Chairman of the Board is not present, the directors present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. If the directors are unable to choose a chairman for any reason, then the oldest individual Director present (and for this purpose an alternate director shall be deemed to be the same age as the director that he represents) shall take the chair.

 

20

 

 

11.9 An action that may be taken by the directors or a committee of directors at a meeting may also be taken by a Resolution of Directors or a resolution of a committee of directors consented to in writing by all directors or by all members of the committee, as the case may be, without the need for any notice. The consent may be in the form of counterparts each counterpart being signed by one or more directors. If the consent is in one or more counterparts, and the counterparts bear different dates, then the resolution shall take effect on the date upon which the last director has consented to the resolution by signed counterparts.

 

12 COMMITTEES

 

12.1 The directors may, by Resolution of Directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors, and delegate one or more of their powers, including the power to affix the Seal, to the committee.

 

12.2 The directors have no power to delegate to a committee of directors any of the following powers:

 

(a) to amend the Memorandum or the Articles;

 

(b) to designate committees of directors;

 

(c) to delegate powers to a committee of directors;

 

(d) to appoint directors;

 

(e) to appoint an agent;

 

(f) to approve a plan of merger, consolidation or arrangement; or

 

(g) to make a declaration of solvency or to approve a liquidation plan.

 

12.3 Regulations 12.2(b) and (c) do not prevent a committee of directors, where authorised by the Resolution of Directors appointing such committee or by a subsequent Resolution of Directors, from appointing a sub-committee and delegating powers exercisable by the committee to the sub-committee.

 

12.4 The meetings and proceedings of each committee of directors consisting of 2 or more directors shall be governed mutatis mutandis by the provisions of the Articles regulating the proceedings of directors so far as the same are not superseded by any provisions in the Resolution of Directors establishing the committee.

 

21

 

 

13 OFFICERS AND AGENTS

 

13.1 The Company may by Resolution of Directors appoint officers of the Company at such times as may be considered necessary or expedient. Such officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more vice-presidents, secretaries and treasurers and such other officers as may from time to time be considered necessary or expedient. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

13.2 The officers shall perform such duties as are prescribed at the time of their appointment subject to any modification in such duties as may be prescribed thereafter by Resolution of Directors. In the absence of any specific prescription of duties it shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board to preside at meetings of directors and Members, the Chief Executive Officer to manage the day to day affairs of the Company, the vice-presidents to act in order of seniority in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer but otherwise to perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive Officer, the secretaries to maintain the share register, minute books and records (other than financial records) of the Company and to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements imposed on the Company by applicable law, and the treasurer to be responsible for the financial affairs of the Company.

 

13.3 The emoluments of all officers shall be fixed by Resolution of Directors.

 

13.4 The officers of the Company shall hold office until their death, resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by Resolution of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company may be filled by Resolution of Directors.

 

13.5 The directors may, by a Resolution of Directors, appoint any person, including a person who is a director, to be an agent of the Company. An agent of the Company shall have such powers and authority of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the Seal, as are set forth in the Articles or in the Resolution of Directors appointing the agent, except that no agent has any power or authority with respect to the matters specified in Sub-Regulation 12.1. The Resolution of Directors appointing an agent may authorise the agent to appoint one or more substitutes or delegates to exercise some or all of the powers conferred on the agent by the Company. The directors may remove an agent appointed by the Company and may revoke or vary a power conferred on him.

 

22

 

 

14 CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

 

14.1 A director of the Company shall, forthwith after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company, disclose the interest to all other directors of the Company.

 

14.2 For the purposes of Sub-Regulation 14.1, a disclosure to all other directors to the effect that a director is a member, director or officer of another named entity or has a fiduciary relationship with respect to the entity or a named individual and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction which may, after the date of the entry or disclosure, be entered into with that entity or individual, is a sufficient disclosure of interest in relation to that transaction.

 

14.3 A director of the Company who is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company may:

 

(a) vote on a matter relating to the transaction;

 

(b) attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and

 

(c) sign a document on behalf of the Company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction,

 

and, subject to compliance with the Act shall not, by reason of his office be accountable to the Company for any benefit which he derives from such transaction and no such transaction shall be liable to be avoided on the grounds of any such interest or benefit.

 

15 INDEMNIFICATION

 

15.1 Subject to the limitations hereinafter provided the Company shall indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings any person who:

  

  (a) is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director of the Company; or

 

23

 

 

  (b) is or was, at the request of the Company, serving as a director of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

15.2 The indemnity in Sub-Regulation 15.1 only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful.

 

15.3 The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the Articles, unless a question of law is involved.

 

15.4 The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

15.5 The Company may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any person who is or was a director, officer or liquidator of the Company, or who at the request of the Company is or was serving as a director, officer or liquidator of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the Company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability as provided in the Articles.

 

24

 

 

16 RECORDS

 

16.1 The Company shall keep the following documents at the office of its registered agent:

 

(a) the Memorandum and the Articles;

  

(b) the share register, or a copy of the share register;

 

(c) the register of directors, or a copy of the register of directors; and

 

(d) copies of all notices and other documents filed by the Company with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the previous 10 years.

 

16.2 If the Company maintains only a copy of the share register or a copy of the register of directors at the office of its registered agent, it shall:

 

(a) within 15 days of any change in either register, notify the registered agent in writing of the change; and

 

(b) provide the registered agent with a written record of the physical address of the place or places at which the original share register or the original register of directors is kept.

 

16.3 The Company shall keep the following records at the office of its registered agent or at such other place or places, within or outside the British Virgin Islands, as the directors may determine:

 

(a) minutes of meetings and Resolutions of Members and classes of Members;

 

(b) minutes of meetings and Resolutions of Directors and committees of directors; and

 

(c) an impression of the Seal, if any.

 

16.4 Where any original records referred to in this Regulation are maintained other than at the office of the registered agent of the Company, and the place at which the original records is changed, the Company shall provide the registered agent with the physical address of the new location of the records of the Company within 14 days of the change of location.

 

16.5 The records kept by the Company under this Regulation shall be in written form or either wholly or partly as electronic records complying with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Act.

 

25

 

 

17 REGISTERS OF CHARGES

 

17.1 The Company shall maintain at the office of its registered agent a register of charges in which there shall be entered the following particulars regarding each mortgage, charge and other encumbrance created by the Company:

 

(a) the date of creation of the charge;

 

(b) a short description of the liability secured by the charge;

 

(c) a short description of the property charged;

 

(d) the name and address of the trustee for the security or, if there is no such trustee, the name and address of the chargee;

 

(e) unless the charge is a security to bearer, the name and address of the holder of the charge; and

 

(f) details of any prohibition or restriction contained in the instrument creating the charge on the power of the Company to create any future charge ranking in priority to or equally with the charge.

 

18 CONTINUATION

 

The Company may by Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors continue as a company incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands in the manner provided under those laws.

 

19 SEAL

 

The Company may have more than one Seal and references herein to the Seal shall be references to every Seal which shall have been duly adopted by Resolution of Directors. The directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal and for an imprint thereof to be kept at the registered office. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein the Seal when affixed to any written instrument shall be witnessed and attested to by the signature of any one director or other person so authorised from time to time by Resolution of Directors. Such authorisation may be before or after the Seal is affixed, may be general or specific and may refer to any number of sealings. The directors may provide for a facsimile of the Seal and of the signature of any director or authorised person which may be reproduced by printing or other means on any instrument and it shall have the same force and validity as if the Seal had been affixed to such instrument and the same had been attested to as hereinbefore described.

 

26

 

 

20 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

 

20.1 The Company shall keep records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and that will, at any time, enable the financial position of the Company to be determined with reasonable accuracy.

 

20.2 The Company may by Resolution of Members call for the directors to prepare periodically and make available a profit and loss account and a balance sheet. The profit and loss account and balance sheet shall be drawn up so as to give respectively a true and fair view of the profit and loss of the Company for a financial period and a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities of the Company as at the end of a financial period.

 

20.3 The Company may by Resolution of Members call for the accounts to be examined by auditors.

 

20.4 The first auditors shall be appointed by Resolution of Directors; subsequent auditors shall be appointed by a Resolution of Members or a Resolution of Directors.

 

20.5 The auditors may be Members, but no director or other officer shall be eligible to be an auditor of the Company during their continuance in office.

 

20.6 The remuneration of the auditors of the Company:

 

(a) in the case of auditors appointed by the directors, may be fixed by Resolution of Directors; and

 

(b) subject to the foregoing, shall be fixed by Resolution of Members or in such manner as the Company may by Resolution of Members determine.

 

20.7 The auditors shall examine each profit and loss account and balance sheet required to be laid before a meeting of the Members or otherwise given to Members and shall state in a written report whether or not:

 

(a) in their opinion the profit and loss account and balance sheet give a true and fair view respectively of the profit and loss for the period covered by the accounts, and of the assets and liabilities of the Company at the end of that period; and

 

(b) all the information and explanations required by the auditors have been obtained.

 

27

 

 

20.8 The report of the auditors shall be annexed to the accounts and shall be read at the meeting of Members at which the accounts are laid before the Company or shall be otherwise given to the Members.

 

20.9 Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books of account and vouchers of the Company, and shall be entitled to require from the directors and officers of the Company such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

 

20.10 The auditors of the Company shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend any meetings of Members at which the Company’s profit and loss account and balance sheet are to be presented.

 

21 NOTICES

 

21.1 Any notice, information or written statement to be given by the Company to Members may be given by personal service by mail, facsimile or other similar means of electronic communication, addressed to each Member at the address shown in the share register.

 

21.2 Any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be served by leaving it, or by sending it by registered mail addressed to the Company, at its registered office, or by leaving it with, or by sending it by registered mail to, the registered agent of the Company.

 

21.3 Service of any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be proved by showing that the summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement was delivered to the registered office or the registered agent of the Company or that it was mailed in such time as to admit to its being delivered to the registered office or the registered agent of the Company in the normal course of delivery within the period prescribed for service and was correctly addressed and the postage was prepaid.

 

22 VOLUNTARY WINDING UP

 

22.1 The Company may by a Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors appoint a voluntary liquidator.

 

28

 

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign these Articles of Association the 9th day of August, 2018.

 

Incorporator

 

/s/ Rexella D. Hodge                                                     

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

 

29

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT 2004

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

east stone ACQUISITION CORPoration

 

A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 8 OCTOBER 2018 AND ON [.]

 

1 NAME

 

The name of the Company is East Stone Acquistion Corporation.

 

2 STATUS

 

The Company shall be a company limited by shares.

 

3 REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

 

3.1 The first registered office of the Company is at Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110 British Virgin Islands, the office of the first registered agent.

 

3.2 The first registered agent of the Company is Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands.

 

3.3 The Company may change its registered office or registered agent by a Resolution of Directors or a Resolution of Members. The change shall take effect upon the Registrar registering a notice of change filed under section 92 of the Act.

 

4 CAPACITY AND POWER

 

4.1 The Company has, subject to the Act and any other British Virgin Islands legislation for the time being in force, irrespective of corporate benefit:

 

(a) full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction; and

 

(b) for the purposes of paragraph (a), full rights, powers and privileges.

 

4.2 There are subject to Clause 4.1 and Regulation 23, no limitations on the business that the Company may carry on.

 

1

 

 

5 NUMBER AND CLASSES OF SHARES

 

5.1 The Company is authorised to issue an unlimited number of shares of no par value divided into six classes of shares as follows:

 

(a) Ordinary shares of no par value (Ordinary Shares);

 

(b) Class A preferred shares of no par value (Class A Preferred Shares);

 

(c) Class B preferred shares of no par value (Class B Preferred Shares);

 

(d) Class C preferred shares of no par value (Class C Preferred Shares);

 

(e) Class D preferred shares of no par value (Class D Preferred Shares); and

 

(f) Class E preferred shares of no par value (Class E Preferred Shares and together with the Class A Preferred Shares, the Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and the Class D Preferred Shares being referred to as the Preferred Shares).

 

5.2 The Company may at the discretion of the Board of Directors, but shall not otherwise be obliged to, issue fractional Shares or round up or down fractional holdings of Shares to its nearest whole number and a fractional Share (if authorised by the Board of Directors) may have the corresponding fractional rights, obligations and liabilities of a whole share of the same class or series of shares.

 

6 DESIGNATIONS POWERS PREFERENCES OF SHARES

 

6.1 Each Ordinary Share in the Company confers upon the Member (unless waived by such Member):

 

(a) Subject to Clause 11, the right to one vote at a meeting of the Members of the Company or on any Resolution of Members;

 

(b) the right to be redeemed on an Automatic Redemption Event in accordance with Regulation 23.2 or pursuant to either a Tender Redemption Offer or Redemption Offer in accordance with Regulation 23.5 or pursuant to an Amendment Redemption Event in accordance with Regulation 23.11;

 

(c) the right to an equal share with each other Ordinary Share in any dividend paid by the Company; and

 

(d) subject to satisfaction of and compliance with Regulation 23, the right to an equal share with each other Ordinary Share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on its liquidation provided that in the event that the Company enters liquidation prior to or without having consummated a Business Combination then, in such circumstances, in the event any surplus assets (Residual Assets) of the Company remain following the Company having complied with its applicable obligations to redeem Public Shares and distribute the funds held in the Trust Account in respect of such redemptions pursuant to Regulation 23, the Public Shares shall not have any right to receive any share of those Residual Assets which are held outside the Trust Account and such Residual Assets shall be distributed (on a pro rata basis) only in respect of those Ordinary Shares that are not Public Shares.

 

2

 

 

6.2 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Preferred Shares shall be stated in this Memorandum, which shall be amended accordingly prior to the issue of such Preferred Shares. Such rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions may include subject to Regulation 23.7:

 

(a) the number of shares and series constituting that class and the distinctive designation of that class;

 

(b) the dividend rate of the Preferred Shares of that class, if any, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and whether they shall be payable in preference to, or in relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes of Shares;

 

(c) whether that class shall have voting rights, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

(d) whether that class shall have conversion or exchange privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including provision for adjustment of the conversion or exchange rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine;

 

(e) whether or not the Preferred Shares of that class shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the manner of selecting such Shares for redemption if less than all Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount maybe less than fair value and which may vary under different conditions and at different dates;

 

(f) whether that class shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of Preferred Shares of that class, and, if so, the terms and amounts of such sinking fund;

 

(g) the right of the Preferred Shares of that class to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional Preferred Shares (including additional Preferred Shares of such class of any other class) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or any subsidiary of any outstanding Preferred Shares of the Company;

 

(h) the right of the Preferred Shares of that class in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and whether such rights be in preference to, or in relation to, the comparable rights or any other class or classes of Shares; and

 

3

 

 

(i) any other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of that class.

 

6.3 The Directors may at their discretion by Resolution of Directors redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any of the Shares in the Company subject to Regulation 6 and Regulation 23 of the Articles.

 

6.4 The Directors have the authority and the power by Resolution of Directors:

 

(a) to authorise and create additional classes of shares; and

 

(b) to fix the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions, if any, appertaining to any and all classes of shares that may be authorised to be issued under this Memorandum.

 

7 VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

7.1 Unless the proposed variation is for the purposes of approving, or in conjunction with, the consummation of a Business Combination, prior to a Business Combination but subject always to the limitations set out in Clause 11 in respect of amendments to the Memorandum and Articles, the rights attached to the Ordinary Shares as specified in Clause 6.1 may only, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied by a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the total number of Ordinary Shares that have voted (and are entitled to vote thereon) in relation to any such resolution, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of such class, and any such variation that has to be approved under this Clause 7.1 shall also be subject to compliance with Regulation 23.11 of the Articles.

 

7.2 In the case of a proposed variation that (a) is for the purposes of approving, or in conjunction with, the consummation of a Business Combination; or (b) is after the consummation of a Business Combination, the rights attached to the Ordinary Shares as specified in Clause 6.1 may only, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied by a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Ordinary Shares present at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Members of the Company holding Ordinary Shares which were present at the meeting and voted unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of such class.

 

7.3 The rights attached to any Preferred Shares in issue as specified in Clause 6.2 may only, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied by a resolution passed at a meeting by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Preferred Shares of the same class present at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Members of the Company holding Preferred Shares in such class which were present at the meeting and voted unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of such class.

 

4

 

 

8 RIGHTS NOT VARIED BY THE ISSUE OF SHARES PARI PASSU

 

The 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

 

9.1 The Company shall issue registered shares only.

 

9.2 The Company is not authorised to issue bearer shares, convert registered shares to bearer shares or exchange registered shares for bearer shares.

 

10 TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

A Share may be transferred in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Articles.

 

11 AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

11.1 The Company may amend its Memorandum or Articles by a Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors, save that no amendment may be made by a Resolution of Directors:

 

(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; or

 

(d) to change Clauses 7 or 8, this Clause 11 or Regulation 23 (or any of the defined terms used in any such Clause or Regulation)..

 

11.2 Notwithstanding Clause 11.1, no amendment may be made to the Memorandum or Articles to amend:

 

(a) Regulation 23 prior to the Business Combination unless the holders of the Public Shares are provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval of any such amendment in the manner and for the price as set out in Regulation 23.11; or

 

(b) Regulation 9.1(b) or this Regulation 11.2 during the Target Business Acquisition Period.

 

5

 

 

12 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

12.1 In this Memorandum of Association and the attached Articles of Association, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:

 

(a) Act means the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) and includes the regulations made under the Act;

 

(b) AGM means an annual general meeting of the Members;

 

(c) Amendment has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.11;

 

(d) Amendment Redemption Event has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.11;

 

(e) Approved Amendment has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.11;

 

(f) Articles means the attached Articles of Association of the Company;

 

(g) Automatic Redemption Event shall have the meaning given to it in Regulation 23.2;

 

(h) Board of Directors means the board of directors of the Company;

 

(i) Business Combination shall mean the initial acquisition by the Company, whether through a merger, share exchange, share reconstruction or amalgamation, asset or share acquisition, a contractual arrangement or other similar business combination transaction, with a Target Business at Fair Value;

 

(j) Business Combination Articles means Regulation 23 relating to the Company's obligations regarding the consummation of a Business Combination;

 

(k) Business Days means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in New York are required or are authorised to be closed for business;

 

(l) Chairman means a person who is appointed as chairman to preside at a meeting of the Company and Chairman of the Board means a person who is appointed as chairman to preside at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company, in each case, in accordance with the Articles;

 

(m) Class A Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(n) Class B Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(o) Class C Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(p) Class D Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(q) Class E Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

6

 

 

(r) Class I Directors has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 9.1(b);

 

(s) Class II Directors has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 9.1(b);

 

(t) Designated Stock Exchange means the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, the Global Select Market, Global Market or the Capital Market of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, the NYSE American or the New York Stock Exchange, as applicable; provided, however, that until the Shares are listed on any such Designated Stock Exchange, the rules of such Designated Stock Exchange shall be inapplicable to the Company and this Memorandum or the Articles;

 

(u) Director means any director of the Company, from time to time;

 

(v) Distribution in relation to a distribution by the Company means the direct or indirect transfer of an asset, other than Shares, to or for the benefit of a Member in relation to Shares held by a Member, and whether by means of a purchase of an asset, the redemption or other acquisition of Shares, a distribution of indebtedness or otherwise, and includes a dividend;

 

(w) Eligible Person means individuals, corporations, trusts, the estates of deceased individuals, partnerships and unincorporated associations of persons;

 

(x) Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which an Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Director, Officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent;

 

(y) Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

 

(z) Expenses shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all legal fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses, in each case reasonably incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses shall also include any or all of the foregoing expenses incurred in connection with all judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred (whether by an Indemnitee, or on his behalf) in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, or any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, but shall not include amounts paid in settlement by an Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against an Indemnitee;

 

7

 

 

(aa) Fair Value shall mean a value at least equal to 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriting fees and any taxes payable on the Trust Account balance) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business Combination;

 

(bb) FINRA means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority of the United States;

 

(cc) Indemnitee means any person detailed in sub regulations (a) and (b) of Regulation 15;

 

(dd) Initial Shareholders means the Sponsor, Navy Sail International Limited (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) and any of the Directors or officers of the Company who hold shares prior to the IPO;

 

(ee) IPO means the initial public offering of units, consisting of ordinary shares and warrants of the Company and rights to receive ordinary shares of the Company;

 

(ff) Member means an Eligible Person whose name is entered in the share register of the Company as the holder of one or more Shares or fractional Shares;

 

(gg) Memorandum means this Memorandum of Association of the Company;

 

(hh) Officer means any officer of the Company, from time to time;

 

(ii) Ordinary Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(jj) Per-Share Redemption Price means:

 

(i) with respect to an Automatic Redemption Event, the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, but net of taxes payable and less up to US$ 50,000 of any interest earned to pay liquidation expenses divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares;

 

(ii) with respect to an Amendment Redemption Event, the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares; and

 

(iii) with respect to either a Tender Redemption Offer or a Redemption Offer, the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned but net of taxes payable, on the date that is two Business Days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares;

 

8

 

 

(kk) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the name of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative nature, in which an Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was a Director or Officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting as a Director, Officer, employee or adviser of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Director, Officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee, adviser or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under these Articles;

 

(ll) Public Shares means the Shares included in the units issued in the IPO;

 

(mm) Preferred Shares has the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.1;

 

(nn) Redemption Offer has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.5(b);

 

(oo) Registration Statement has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.10;

 

(pp) relevant system means a relevant system for the holding and transfer of shares in uncertificated form;

 

(qq) Resolution of Directors means either:

 

(i) Subject to sub-paragraph (ii) below, a resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of Directors of the Company or of a committee of Directors of the Company by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at the meeting who voted except that where a Director is given more than one vote, he shall be counted by the number of votes he casts for the purpose of establishing a majority; or

 

(ii) a resolution consented to in writing by all Directors or by all members of a committee of Directors of the Company, as the case may be;

 

9

 

 

(rr) Resolution of Members means:

 

(i) prior to the consummation of a Business Combination in relation to any resolution seeking to amend or vary the rights of the Ordinary Shares (unless such amendment or variation is for the purposes or approving, or in conjunction with, the consummation of a Business Combination), a resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Members of the Company by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote thereon which were present at the meeting and were voted; or

 

(ii) in all other cases (including in relation to any resolution seeking to amend or vary the rights of the Ordinary Shares where such amendment or variation is for the purposes or approving, or in conjunction with, the consummation of a Business Combination), a resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Members of the Company by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote thereon which were present at the meeting and were voted;

 

(ss) Seal means any seal which has been duly adopted as the common seal of the Company;

 

(tt) SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

(uu) Securities means Shares, other securities and debt obligations of every kind of the Company, and including without limitation options, warrants, rights to receive Shares or other securities or debt obligations;

 

(vv) Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

(ww) Share means a share issued or to be issued by the Company and Shares shall be construed accordingly;

 

(xx) Sponsor means Double Venture Holdings Limited, company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands;

 

(yy) Target Business means any businesses or entity with whom the Company wishes to undertake a Business Combination;

 

(zz) Target Business Acquisition Period shall mean the period commencing from the effectiveness of the registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with the Company's IPO up to and including the first to occur of (i) a Business Combination; or (ii) the Termination Date.

 

(aaa) Tender Redemption Offer has the meaning ascribed to it in Regulation 23.5(a);

 

(bbb) Termination Date has the meaning given to it in Regulation 23.2;

 

10

 

 

(ccc) Treasury Share means a Share that was previously issued but was repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled;

 

(ddd) Trust Account shall mean the trust account established by the Company prior to the IPO and into which a certain amount of the IPO proceeds and the proceeds from a simultaneous private placement of like units comprising like securities to those in included in the IPO by the Company are deposited, interest on the balance of which may be released to the Company from to time to time to pay the Company’s income or other tax obligations, and up to US$ 50,000 of such interest on the balance of the Trust Account may also be released to pay the liquidation expenses of the Company if applicable; and

 

(eee) written or any term of like import includes information generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, biometric or photonic means, including electronic data interchange, electronic mail, telegram, telex or telecopy, and "in writing" shall be construed accordingly.

 

12.2 In the Memorandum and the Articles, unless the context otherwise requires a reference to:

 

(a) a Regulation is a reference to a regulation of the Articles;

 

(b) a Clause is a reference to a clause of the Memorandum;

 

(c) voting by Member is a reference to the casting of the votes attached to the Shares held by the Member voting;

 

(d) the Act, the Memorandum or the Articles is a reference to the Act or those documents as amended; and

 

(e) the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

 

12.3 Any words or expressions defined in the Act unless the context otherwise requires bear the same meaning in the Memorandum and Articles unless otherwise defined herein.

 

12.4 Headings are inserted for convenience only and shall be disregarded in interpreting the Memorandum and Articles.

 

11

 

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign this Memorandum of Association the 9th day of August 2018.

 

Incorporator

 

[Rexella D. Hodge]

…………………………………

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

 

12

 

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT 2004

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 8 OCTOBER 2018 AND ON [.]

 

1 REGISTERED SHARES

 

1.1 Every Member is entitled to a certificate signed by a Director of the Company or under the Seal specifying the number of Shares held by him and the signature of the Director and the Seal may be facsimiles.

 

1.2 Any Member receiving a certificate shall indemnify and hold the Company and its Directors and officers harmless from any loss or liability which it or they may incur by reason of any wrongful or fraudulent use or representation made by any person by virtue of the possession thereof. If a certificate for Shares is worn out or lost it may be renewed on production of the worn out certificate or on satisfactory proof of its loss together with such indemnity as may be required by a Resolution of Directors.

 

1.3 If several Eligible Persons are registered as joint holders of any Shares, any one of such Eligible Persons may give an effectual receipt for any Distribution.

 

1.4 Nothing in these Articles shall require title to any Shares or other Securities to be evidenced by a certificate if the Act and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange permit otherwise.

 

1.5 Subject to the Act and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Board of Directors without further consultation with the holders of any Shares or Securities may resolve that any class or series of Shares or other Securities in issue or to be issued from time to time may be issued, registered or converted to uncertificated form and the practices instituted by the operator of the relevant system. No provision of these Articles will apply to any uncertificated shares or Securities to the extent that they are inconsistent with the holding of such shares or securities in uncertificated form or the transfer of title to any such shares or securities by means of a relevant system.

 

1.6 Conversion of Shares held in certificated form into Shares held in uncertificated form, and vice versa, may be made in such manner as the Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion, may think fit (subject always to the requirements of the relevant system concerned). The Company or any duly authorised transfer agent shall enter on the register of members how many Shares are held by each member in uncertificated form and certificated form and shall maintain the register of members in each case as is required by the relevant system concerned. Notwithstanding any provision of these Articles, a class or series of Shares shall not be treated as two classes by virtue only of that class or series comprising both certificated shares and uncertificated shares or as a result of any provision of these Articles which applies only in respect of certificated shares or uncertificated shares.

 

13

 

 

1.7 Nothing contained in Regulation 1.5 and 1.6 is meant to prohibit the Shares from being able to trade electronically. For the avoidance of doubt, Shares shall only be traded and transferred electronically upon consummation of the IPO.

 

2 SHARES

 

2.1 Subject to the provisions of these Articles and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the unissued Shares of the Company shall be at the disposal of the Directors and Shares and other Securities may be issued and option to acquire Shares or other Securities may be granted at such times, to such Eligible Persons, for such consideration and on such terms as the Directors may by Resolution of Directors determine.

 

2.2 Without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing Preferred Shares or class of Preferred Shares, any class of Preferred Shares may be issued with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting or otherwise as the Directors may from time to time determine subject to Regulation 23.7.

 

2.3 Section 46 of the Act does not apply to the Company.

 

2.4 A Share may be issued for consideration in any form, including money, a promissory note, real property, personal property (including goodwill and know-how) or a contract for future services.

 

2.5 No Shares may be issued for a consideration other than money, unless a Resolution of Directors has been passed stating:

 

(a) the amount to be credited for the issue of the Shares; and

 

(b) that, in their opinion, the present cash value of the non-money consideration for the issue is not less than the amount to be credited for the issue of the Shares.

 

2.6 The Company shall keep a register (the share register) containing:

 

(a) the names and addresses of the persons who hold Shares;

 

(b) the number of each class and series of Shares held by each Member;

 

(c) the date on which the name of each Member was entered in the share register; and

 

(d) the date on which any Eligible Person ceased to be a Member.

 

14

 

 

2.7 The share register may be in any such form as the Directors may approve, but if it is in magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the Company must be able to produce legible evidence of its contents. Until the Directors otherwise determine, the magnetic, electronic or other data storage form shall be the original share register.

 

2.8 A Share is deemed to be issued when the name of the Member is entered in the share register.

 

2.9 Subject to the provisions of the Act and the Business Combination Articles, Shares may be issued on the terms that they are redeemable, or at the option of the Company be liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Directors before or at the time of the issue of such Shares may determine. The Directors may issue options, warrants, rights or convertible securities or securities or a similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or Securities on such terms as the Directors may from time to time determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Directors may also issue options, warrants, rights to acquire or receive shares or convertible securities in connection with the Company's IPO.

 

3 FORFEITURE

 

3.1 Shares that are not fully paid on issue are subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in this Regulation and for this purpose Shares issued for a promissory note or a contract for future services are deemed to be not fully paid.

 

3.2 A written notice of call specifying the date for payment to be made shall be served on the Member who defaults in making payment in respect of the Shares.

 

3.3 The written notice of call referred to in Regulation 3.2 shall name a further date not earlier than the expiration of 14 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 Shares, or any of them, in respect of which payment is not made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

3.4 Where a written notice of call has been issued pursuant to Regulation 3.2 and the requirements of the notice have not been complied with, the Directors may, at any time before tender of payment, forfeit and cancel the Shares to which the notice relates.

 

3.5 The Company is under no obligation to refund any moneys to the Member whose Shares have been cancelled pursuant to Regulation 3.4 and that Member shall be discharged from any further obligation to the Company.

 

4 TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

4.1 Subject to the Memorandum, certificated shares may be transferred by a written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee, which shall be sent to the Company for registration. A member shall be entitled to transfer uncertificated shares by means of a relevant system and the operator of the relevant system shall act as agent of the Members for the purposes of the transfer of such uncertificated shares.

 

15

 

 

4.2 The transfer of a Share is effective when the name of the transferee is entered on the share register.

 

4.3 If the Directors of the Company are satisfied that an instrument of transfer relating to Shares has been signed but that the instrument has been lost or destroyed, they may resolve by Resolution of Directors:

 

(a) to accept such evidence of the transfer of Shares as they consider appropriate; and

 

(b) that the transferee's name should be entered in the share register notwithstanding the absence of the instrument of transfer.

 

4.4 Subject to the Memorandum, the personal representative of a deceased Member may transfer a Share even though the personal representative is not a Member at the time of the transfer.

 

5 DISTRIBUTIONS

 

5.1 Subject to the Business Combination Articles, the Directors of the Company may, by Resolution of Directors, authorise a distribution at a time and of an amount they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the distribution, the value of the Company's assets will exceed its liabilities and the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.

 

5.2 Dividends may be paid in money, shares, or other property.

 

5.3 The Company may, by Resolution of Directors, from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear to the Directors to be justified by the profits of the Company, provided always that they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the distribution, the value of the Company's assets will exceed its liabilities and the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.

 

5.4 Notice in writing of any dividend that may have been declared shall be given to each Member in accordance with Regulation 21 and all dividends unclaimed for three years after such notice has been given to a Member may be forfeited by Resolution of Directors for the benefit of the Company.

 

5.5 No dividend shall bear interest as against the Company.

 

6 REDEMPTION OF SHARES AND TREASURY SHARES

 

6.1 The Company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own Shares save that the Company may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its own Shares without the consent of the Member whose Shares are to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired unless the Company is permitted or required by the Act or any other provision in the Memorandum or Articles to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire the Shares without such consent.

 

16

 

 

6.2 The purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of its own Shares is deemed not to be a distribution where:

 

(a) the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires the Shares pursuant to a right of a Member to have his Shares redeemed or to have his shares exchanged for money or other property of the Company, or

 

(b) the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires the Shares by virtue of the provisions of section 179 of the Act.

 

6.3 Sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Act shall not apply to the Company.

 

6.4 Subject to the provisions of Regulation 23, shares that the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires pursuant to this Regulation may be cancelled or held as Treasury Shares except to the extent that such Shares are in excess of 50 percent of the issued Shares in which case they shall be cancelled but they shall be available for reissue.

 

6.5 All rights and obligations attaching to a Treasury Share are suspended and shall not be exercised by the Company while it holds the Share as a Treasury Share.

 

6.6 Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions (not otherwise inconsistent with the Memorandum and Articles) as the Company may by Resolution of Directors determine.

 

6.7 Where Shares are held by another body corporate of which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, shares having more than 50 per cent of the votes in the election of Directors of the other body corporate, all rights and obligations attaching to the Shares held by the other body corporate are suspended and shall not be exercised by the other body corporate.

 

7 MORTGAGES AND CHARGES OF SHARES

 

7.1 Unless a Member agrees otherwise, a Member may by an instrument in writing mortgage or charge his Shares.

 

7.2 There shall be entered in the share register at the written request of the Member:

 

(a) a statement that the Shares held by him are mortgaged or charged;

 

(b) the name of the mortgagee or chargee; and

 

(c) the date on which the particulars specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) are entered in the share register.

 

7.3 Where particulars of a mortgage or charge are entered in the share register, such particulars may be cancelled:

 

(a) with the written consent of the named mortgagee or chargee or anyone authorised to act on his behalf; or

 

(b) upon evidence satisfactory to the Directors of the discharge of the liability secured by the mortgage or charge and the issue of such indemnities as the Directors shall consider necessary or desirable.

 

17

 

 

7.4 Whilst particulars of a mortgage or charge over Shares are entered in the share register pursuant to this Regulation:

 

(a) no transfer of any Share the subject of those particulars shall be effected;

 

(b) the Company may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such Share; and

 

(c) no replacement certificate shall be issued in respect of such Shares,

 

without the written consent of the named mortgagee or chargee.

 

8 MEETINGS AND CONSENTS OF MEMBERS

 

8.1 Any Director of the Company may convene meetings of the Members at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the British Virgin Islands as the Director considers necessary or desirable. Following consummation of the Business Combination, an AGM shall be held annually at such date and time as may be determined by the Directors.

 

8.2 Upon the written request of the Members entitled to exercise 30 percent or more of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested the Directors shall convene a meeting of Members.

 

8.3 The Director convening a meeting of Members shall give not less than 10 nor more than 60 days' written notice of such meeting to:

 

(a) those Members whose names on the date the notice is given appear as Members in the share register of the Company and are entitled to vote at the meeting; and

 

(b) the other Directors.

 

8.4 The Director convening a meeting of Members shall fix in the notice of the meeting the record date for determining those Members that are entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

8.5 A meeting of Members held in contravention of the requirement to give notice is valid if Members holding at least 90 per cent of the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a Member at the meeting shall constitute waiver in relation to all the Shares which that Member holds.

 

8.6 The inadvertent failure of a Director who convenes a meeting to give notice of a meeting to a Member or another Director, or the fact that a Member or another Director has not received notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

 

8.7 A Member may be represented at a meeting of Members by a proxy who may speak and vote on behalf of the Member.

 

18

 

 

8.8 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be produced at the place designated for the meeting before the time for holding the meeting at which the person named in such instrument proposes to vote.

 

8.9 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in substantially the following form or such other form as the chairman of the meeting shall accept as properly evidencing the wishes of the Member appointing the proxy.

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

 

I/We being a Member of the above Company HEREBY APPOINT ……………………………………………………………………………..…… of ……………………………………...……….…………..………… or failing him …..………………………………………………….…………………….. of ………………………………………………………..…..…… to be my/our proxy to vote for me/us at the meeting of Members to be held on the …… day of …………..…………, 20…… and at any adjournment thereof.

 

(Any restrictions on voting to be inserted here.)

 

Signed this …… day of …………..…………, 20……

 

 

 

……………………………

 

Member

 

8.10 The following applies where Shares are jointly owned:

 

(a) if two or more persons hold Shares jointly each of them may be present in person or by proxy at a meeting of Members and may speak as a Member;

 

(b) if only one of the joint owners is present in person or by proxy he may vote on behalf of all joint owners; and

 

(c) if two or more of the joint owners are present in person or by proxy they must vote as one and in the event of disagreement between any of the joint owners of Shares then the vote of the joint owner whose name appears first (or earliest) in the share register in respect of the relevant Shares shall be recorded as the vote attributable to the Shares.

 

8.11 A Member shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of Members if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all Members participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

8.12 A meeting of Members is duly constituted if, at the commencement of the meeting, there are present in person or by proxy not less than 50 per cent of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote on Resolutions of Members to be considered at the meeting. If the Company has two or more classes of shares, a meeting may be quorate for some purposes and not for others. A quorum may comprise a single Member or proxy and then such person may pass a Resolution of Members and a certificate signed by such person accompanied where such person holds a proxy by a copy of the proxy instrument shall constitute a valid Resolution of Members.

 

19

 

 

8.13 If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting of Members, a quorum is not present, the meeting, at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall either be dissolved or stand adjourned to a business day in the jurisdiction in which the meeting was to have been held at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting there are present within one hour from the time appointed for the meeting in person or by proxy not less than one third of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote or each class or series of Shares entitled to vote, as applicable, on the matters to be considered by the meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum but otherwise the meeting shall either be dissolved or stand further adjourned at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

8.14 At every meeting of Members, the Chairman of the Board shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if the Chairman of the Board is not present at the meeting, the Members present shall choose one of their number to be the chairman. If the Members are unable to choose a chairman for any reason, then the person representing the greatest number of voting Shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting shall preside as chairman failing which the oldest individual Member or representative of a Member present shall take the chair.

 

8.15 The person appointed as chairman of the meeting pursuant to Regulation 8.14 may adjourn any meeting from time to time, and from place to place. For the avoidance of doubt, a meeting can be adjourned for as many times as may be determined to be necessary by the chairman and a meeting may remain open indefinitely for as long a period as may be determined by the chairman.

 

8.16 At any meeting of the Members the chairman of the meeting is responsible for deciding in such manner as he considers appropriate whether any resolution proposed has been carried or not and the result of his decision shall be announced to the meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting. If the chairman has any doubt as to the outcome of the vote on a proposed resolution, he shall cause a poll to be taken of all votes cast upon such resolution. If the chairman fails to take a poll then any Member present in person or by proxy who disputes the announcement by the chairman of the result of any vote may immediately following such announcement demand that a poll be taken and the chairman shall cause a poll to be taken. If a poll is taken at any meeting, the result shall be announced to the meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 

8.17 Subject to the specific provisions contained in this Regulation for the appointment of representatives of Members other than individuals the right of any individual to speak for or represent a Member shall be determined by the law of the jurisdiction where, and by the documents by which, the Member is constituted or derives its existence. In case of doubt, the Directors may in good faith seek legal advice and unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction shall otherwise rule, the Directors may rely and act upon such advice without incurring any liability to any Member or the Company.

 

20

 

 

8.18 Any Member other than an individual may by resolution of its Directors or other governing body authorise such individual as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of Members or of any class of Members, and the individual so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same rights on behalf of the Member which he represents as that Member could exercise if it were an individual.

 

8.19 The chairman of any meeting at which a vote is cast by proxy or on behalf of any Member other than an individual may at the meeting but not thereafter call for a notarially certified copy of such proxy or authority which shall be produced within 7 days of being so requested or the votes cast by such proxy or on behalf of such Member shall be disregarded.

 

8.20 Directors of the Company may attend and speak at any meeting of Members and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class or series of Shares.

 

8.21 Until the consummation of the Company's IPO, any action that may be taken by the Members at a meeting may also be taken by a Resolution of Members consented to in writing, without the need for any prior notice. If any Resolution of Members is adopted otherwise than by the unanimous written consent of all Members, a copy of such resolution shall forthwith be sent to all Members not consenting to such resolution. The consent may be in the form of counterparts, each counterpart being signed by one or more Members. If the consent is in one or more counterparts, and the counterparts bear different dates, then the resolution shall take effect on the earliest date upon which Eligible Persons holding a sufficient number of votes of Shares to constitute a Resolution of Members have consented to the resolution by signed counterparts. Following the Company's IPO, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Members of the Company must be effected by a meeting of the Company, such meeting to be duly convened and held in accordance with these Articles.

 

9 DIRECTORS

 

9.1 The first Directors of the Company shall be appointed by the first registered agent within 30 days of the incorporation of the Company; and thereafter, the Directors shall be elected:

 

(a) subject to Regulation 9.1 (b), by Resolution of Members or by Resolution of Directors for such term as the Members or Directors determine;

 

(b) immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, the Directors shall pass a Resolution of Directors dividing themselves into two classes, being the class I directors (the Class I Directors) and the class II directors (the Class II Directors). The number of Directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. The Class I Directors shall stand elected for a term expiring at the Company's first AGM and the Class II Directors shall stand elected for a term expiring at the Company's second AGM. Commencing at the Company’s first AGM, and at each following AGM, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the second AGM following their election. Except as the Act or any applicable law may otherwise require, in the interim between an AGM or general meeting called for the election of Directors and/or the removal of one or more Directors any vacancy on the Board of Directors, may be filled by the majority vote of the remaining Directors.

 

21

 

 

9.2 No person shall be appointed as a Director of the Company unless he has consented in writing to act as a Director.

 

9.3 The minimum number of Directors shall be one and there shall be no maximum number of Directors.

 

9.4 Each Director holds office for the term, if any, fixed by the Resolution of Members or Resolution of Directors appointing him or pursuant to Regulation 9.1 or 9.7, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal (provided that no director may be removed by a Resolution of Members prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination). If no term is fixed on the appointment of a Director, the Director serves indefinitely until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

9.5 A Director may be removed from office with or without cause by:

 

(a) (following the consummation of the initial Business Combination but not at any time before) a Resolution of Members passed at a meeting of Members called for the purposes of removing the Director or for purposes including the removal of the Director; or

 

(b) subject to Regulation 9.1 (b), a Resolution of Directors passed at a meeting of Directors.

 

9.6 A Director may resign his office by giving written notice of his resignation to the Company and the resignation has effect from the date the notice is received by the Company at the office of its registered agent or from such later date as may be specified in the notice. A Director shall resign forthwith as a Director if he is, or becomes, disqualified from acting as a Director under the Act.

 

9.7 Subject to Regulation 9.1 (b), the Directors may at any time appoint any person to be a Director either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the existing Directors. Where the Directors appoint a person as Director to fill a vacancy, the term shall not exceed the term that remained when the person who has ceased to be a Director ceased to hold office.

 

9.8 A vacancy in relation to Directors occurs if a Director dies or otherwise ceases to hold office prior to the expiration of his term of office.

 

9.9 The Company shall keep a register of Directors containing:

 

(a) the names and addresses of the persons who are Directors of the Company;

 

(b) the date on which each person whose name is entered in the register was appointed as a Director of the Company;

 

(c) the date on which each person named as a Director ceased to be a Director of the Company; and

 

(d) such other information as may be prescribed by the Act.

 

22

 

 

9.10 The register of Directors may be kept in any such form as the Directors may approve, but if it is in magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the Company must be able to produce legible evidence of its contents. Until a Resolution of Directors determining otherwise is passed, the magnetic, electronic or other data storage shall be the original register of Directors.

 

9.11 The Directors, or if the Shares (or depository receipts therefore) are listed or quoted on a Designated Stock Exchange, and if required by the Designated Stock Exchange, any committee thereof, may, by a Resolution of Directors, fix the emoluments of Directors with respect to services to be rendered in any capacity to the Company.

 

9.12 A Director is not required to hold a Share as a qualification to office.

 

9.13 Prior to the consummation of any transaction with:

 

(a) any affiliate of the Company;

 

(b) any Member owning an interest in the voting power of the Company that gives such Member a significant influence over the Company;

 

(c) any Director or executive officer of the Company and any relative of such Director or executive officer; and

 

(d) any person in which a substantial interest in the voting power of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person referred to in Regulations 9.13(b) and (c) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence,

 

such transaction must be approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who do not have an interest in the transaction, such directors having been provided with access (at the Company's expense) to the Company's attorney or independent legal counsel, unless the disinterested directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favourable to the Company than those that would be available to the Company with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

 

10 POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

10.1 The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of, the Directors of the Company. The Directors of the Company have all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, the business and affairs of the Company. The Directors may pay all expenses incurred preliminary to and in connection with the incorporation of the Company and may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not by the Act or by the Memorandum or the Articles required to be exercised by the Members.

 

10.2 If the Company is the wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, a Director of the Company may, when exercising powers or performing duties as a Director, act in a manner which he believes is in the best interests of the holding company even though it may not be in the best interests of the Company.

 

23

 

 

10.3 Each Director shall exercise his powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the Company acting in a manner that contravenes the Memorandum, the Articles or the Act. Each Director, in exercising his powers or performing his duties, shall act honestly and in good faith in what the Director believes to be the best interests of the Company.

 

10.4 Any Director which is a body corporate may appoint any individual as its duly authorised representative for the purpose of representing it at meetings of the Directors, with respect to the signing of consents or otherwise.

 

10.5 The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body.

 

10.6 Subject to Regulation 23.7, the Directors may by Resolution of Directors exercise all the powers of the Company to incur indebtedness, liabilities or obligations and to secure indebtedness, liabilities or obligations whether of the Company or of any third party, provided always that if the same occurs prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company must first obtain from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account.

 

10.7 All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments 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 shall from time to time be determined by Resolution of Directors.

 

10.8 Section 175 of the Act shall not apply to the Company.

 

11 PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

11.1 Any one Director of the Company may call a meeting of the Directors by sending a written notice to each other Director.

 

11.2 The Directors of the Company or any committee thereof may meet at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the British Virgin Islands as the notice calling the meeting provides.

 

11.3 A Director is deemed to be present at a meeting of Directors if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all Directors participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

11.4 Until the consummation of a Business Combination, a Director may not appoint an alternate. Following the consummation of a Business Combination, a Director may by a written instrument appoint an alternate who need not be a Director, any such alternate shall be entitled to attend meetings in the absence of the Director who appointed him and to vote or consent in place of the Director until the appointment lapses or is terminated.

 

11.5 A Director shall be given not less than three days' notice of meetings of Directors, but a meeting of Directors held without three days' notice having been given to all Directors shall be valid if all the Directors entitled to vote at the meeting who do not attend waive notice of the meeting, and for this purpose the presence of a Director at a meeting shall constitute waiver by that Director. The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to a Director, or the fact that a Director has not received the notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

 

24

 

 

11.6 A meeting of Directors is duly constituted for all purposes if at the commencement of the meeting there are present in person or, following the consummation of a Business Combination, by alternate not less than one-half of the total number of Directors, unless there are only two Directors in which case the quorum is two.

 

11.7 If the Company has only one Director the provisions herein contained for meetings of Directors do not apply and such sole Director has full power to represent and act for the Company in all matters as are not by the Act, the Memorandum or the Articles required to be exercised by the Members. In lieu of minutes of a meeting the sole Director shall record in writing and sign a note or memorandum of all matters requiring a Resolution of Directors. Such a note or memorandum constitutes sufficient evidence of such resolution for all purposes.

 

11.8 At meetings of Directors at which the Chairman of the Board is present, he shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if the Chairman of the Board is not present, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. If the Directors are unable to choose a chairman for any reason, then the oldest individual Director present (and for this purpose an alternate Director shall be deemed to be the same age as the Director that he represents) shall take the chair.

 

11.9 An action that may be taken by the Directors or a committee of Directors at a meeting may also be taken by a Resolution of Directors or a resolution of a committee of Directors consented to in writing by all Directors or by all members of the committee, as the case may be, without the need for any notice. The consent may be in the form of counterparts each counterpart being signed by one or more Directors. If the consent is in one or more counterparts, and the counterparts bear different dates, then the resolution shall take effect on the date upon which the last Director has consented to the resolution by signed counterparts.

 

12 COMMITTEES

 

12.1 The Directors may, by Resolution of Directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of one or more Directors, and delegate one or more of their powers, including the power to affix the Seal, to the committee.

 

12.2 The Directors have no power to delegate to a committee of Directors any of the following powers:

 

(a) to amend the Memorandum or the Articles;

 

(b) to designate committees of Directors;

 

(c) to delegate powers to a committee of Directors;

 

(d) to appoint Directors;

 

25

 

 

(e) to appoint an agent;

 

(f) to approve a plan of merger, consolidation or arrangement; or

 

(g) to make a declaration of solvency or to approve a liquidation plan.

 

12.3 Regulations 12.2(b) and (c) do not prevent a committee of Directors, where authorised by the Resolution of Directors appointing such committee or by a subsequent Resolution of Directors, from appointing a sub-committee and delegating powers exercisable by the committee to the sub-committee.

 

12.4 The meetings and proceedings of each committee of Directors consisting of 2 or more Directors shall be governed mutatis mutandis by the provisions of the Articles regulating the proceedings of Directors so far as the same are not superseded by any provisions in the Resolution of Directors establishing the committee.

 

13 OFFICERS AND AGENTS

 

13.1 The Company may by Resolution of Directors appoint officers of the Company at such times as may be considered necessary or expedient. Such officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer (in each case there may be more than one of such officers), one or more vice-presidents, secretaries and treasurers and such other officers as may from time to time be considered necessary or expedient. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

13.2 The officers shall perform such duties as are prescribed at the time of their appointment subject to any modification in such duties as may be prescribed thereafter by Resolution of Directors. In the absence of any specific prescription of duties it shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board (or Co-Chairman, as the case may be) to preside at meetings of Directors and Members, the Chief Executive Officer (or Co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be) to manage the day to day affairs of the Company, the vice-presidents to act in order of seniority in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer (or Co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be) but otherwise to perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive Officer (or Co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be), the secretaries to maintain the share register, minute books and records (other than financial records) of the Company and to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements imposed on the Company by applicable law, and the treasurer to be responsible for the financial affairs of the Company.

 

13.3 The emoluments of all officers shall be fixed by Resolution of Directors.

 

13.4 The officers of the Company shall hold office until their death, resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the Directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by Resolution of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company may be filled by Resolution of Directors.

 

13.5 The Directors may, by a Resolution of Directors, appoint any person, including a person who is a Director, to be an agent of the Company. An agent of the Company shall have such powers and authority of the Directors, including the power and authority to affix the Seal, as are set forth in the Articles or in the Resolution of Directors appointing the agent, except that no agent has any power or authority with respect to the matters specified in Regulation 12.1. The Resolution of Directors appointing an agent may authorise the agent to appoint one or more substitutes or delegates to exercise some or all of the powers conferred on the agent by the Company. The Directors may remove an agent appointed by the Company and may revoke or vary a power conferred on him.

 

26

 

 

14 CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

 

14.1 A Director of the Company shall, forthwith after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company, disclose the interest to all other Directors of the Company.

 

14.2 For the purposes of Regulation 14.1, a disclosure to all other Directors to the effect that a Director is a member, Director or officer of another named entity or has a fiduciary relationship with respect to the entity or a named individual and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction which may, after the date of the entry or disclosure, be entered into with that entity or individual, is a sufficient disclosure of interest in relation to that transaction.

 

14.3 Provided that the requirements of Regulation 9.13 have first been satisfied, a Director of the Company who is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company may:

 

(a) vote on a matter relating to the transaction;

 

(b) attend a meeting of Directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the Directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and

 

(c) sign a document on behalf of the Company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a Director, that relates to the transaction,

 

and, subject to compliance with the Act and these Articles shall not, by reason of his office be accountable to the Company for any benefit which he derives from such transaction and no such transaction shall be liable to be avoided on the grounds of any such interest or benefit.

 

15 INDEMNIFICATION

 

15.1 Subject to the limitations hereinafter provided the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate against all direct and indirect costs, fees and Expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, any person who:

 

(a) is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Director, officer, key employee, adviser of the Company or who at the request of the Company; or

 

(b) is or was, at the request of the Company, serving as a Director of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another Enterprise.

 

27

 

 

15.2 The indemnity in Regulation 15.1 only applies if the relevant Indemnitee acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

15.3 The decision of the Directors as to whether an Indemnitee acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company and as to whether such Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the Articles, unless a question of law is involved.

 

15.4 The termination of any Proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the relevant Indemnitee did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company or that such Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

15.5 The Company may purchase and maintain insurance, purchase or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond in relation to any Indemnitee or who at the request of the Company is or was serving as a Director, officer or liquidator of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another Enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by him in that capacity, whether or not the Company has or would have had the power to indemnify him against the liability as provided in these Articles.

 

16 RECORDS

 

16.1 The Company shall keep the following documents at the office of its registered agent:

 

(a) the Memorandum and the Articles;

 

(b) the share register, or a copy of the share register;

 

(c) the register of Directors, or a copy of the register of Directors; and

 

(d) copies of all notices and other documents filed by the Company with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the previous 10 years.

 

16.2 If the Company maintains only a copy of the share register or a copy of the register of Directors at the office of its registered agent, it shall:

 

(a) within 15 days of any change in either register, notify the registered agent in writing of the change; and

 

(b) provide the registered agent with a written record of the physical address of the place or places at which the original share register or the original register of Directors is kept.

 

28

 

 

16.3 The Company shall keep the following records at the office of its registered agent or at such other place or places, within or outside the British Virgin Islands, as the Directors may determine:

 

(a) minutes of meetings and Resolutions of Members and classes of Members;

 

(b) minutes of meetings and Resolutions of Directors and committees of Directors; and

 

(c) an impression of the Seal, if any.

 

16.4 Where any original records referred to in this Regulation are maintained other than at the office of the registered agent of the Company, and the place at which the original records is changed, the Company shall provide the registered agent with the physical address of the new location of the records of the Company within 14 days of the change of location.

 

16.5 The records kept by the Company under this Regulation shall be in written form or either wholly or partly as electronic records complying with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Act.

 

17 REGISTERS OF CHARGES

 

17.1 The Company shall maintain at the office of its registered agent a register of charges in which there shall be entered the following particulars regarding each mortgage, charge and other encumbrance created by the Company:

 

(a) the date of creation of the charge;

 

(b) a short description of the liability secured by the charge;

 

(c) a short description of the property charged;

 

(d) the name and address of the trustee for the security or, if there is no such trustee, the name and address of the chargee;

 

(e) unless the charge is a security to bearer, the name and address of the holder of the charge; and

 

(f) details of any prohibition or restriction contained in the instrument creating the charge on the power of the Company to create any future charge ranking in priority to or equally with the charge.

 

18 CONTINUATION

 

The Company may by Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors continue as a company incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands in the manner provided under those laws.

 

29

 

 

19 SEAL

 

The Company may have more than one Seal and references herein to the Seal shall be references to every Seal which shall have been duly adopted by Resolution of Directors. The Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal and for an imprint thereof to be kept at the registered office. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein the Seal when affixed to any written instrument shall be witnessed and attested to by the signature of any one Director or other person so authorised from time to time by Resolution of Directors. Such authorisation may be before or after the Seal is affixed, may be general or specific and may refer to any number of sealings. The Directors may provide for a facsimile of the Seal and of the signature of any Director or authorised person which may be reproduced by printing or other means on any instrument and it shall have the same force and validity as if the Seal had been affixed to such instrument and the same had been attested to as hereinbefore described.

 

20 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

 

20.1 The Company shall keep records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and that will, at any time, enable the financial position of the Company to be determined with reasonable accuracy.

 

20.2 The Company may by Resolution of Members call for the Directors to prepare periodically and make available a profit and loss account and a balance sheet. The profit and loss account and balance sheet shall be drawn up so as to give respectively a true and fair view of the profit and loss of the Company for a financial period and a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities of the Company as at the end of a financial period.

 

20.3 The Company may by Resolution of Members call for the accounts to be examined by auditors.

 

20.4 If the Shares are listed or quoted on a Designated Stock Exchange that requires the Company to have an audit committee, the Directors shall adopt a formal written audit committee charter and review and assess the adequacy of the formal written charter on an annual basis.

 

20.5 If the Shares are listed or quoted on the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and, if required, shall utilise the audit committee for the review and approval of potential conflicts of interest.

 

20.6 If applicable, and subject to applicable law and the rules of the SEC and the Designated Stock Exchange:

 

(a) at the AGM or at a subsequent general meeting in each year, the Members shall appoint an auditor who shall hold office until the Members 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 auditor;

 

(b) a person, other than a retiring auditor, shall not be capable of being appointed auditor at an AGM unless notice in writing of an intention to nominate that person to the office of auditor has been given not less than ten days before the AGM and furthermore the Company shall send a copy of such notice to the retiring auditor; and

 

30

 

 

(c) the Members may, at any meeting convened and held in accordance with these Articles, by resolution remove the auditor at any time before the expiration of his term of office and shall by resolution at that meeting appoint another auditor in his stead for the remainder of his term.

 

20.7 The remuneration of the auditors shall be fixed by Resolution of Directors in such manner as the Directors may determine or in a manner required by the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and the SEC.

 

20.8 The report of the auditors shall be annexed to the accounts and shall be read at the meeting of Members at which the accounts are laid before the Company or shall be otherwise given to the Members.

 

20.9 Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books of account and vouchers of the Company, and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

 

20.10 The auditors of the Company shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend any meetings of Members at which the Company's profit and loss account and balance sheet are to be presented.

 

21 NOTICES

 

21.1 Any notice, information or written statement to be given by the Company to Members may be given by personal service by mail, facsimile or other similar means of electronic communication, addressed to each Member at the address shown in the share register.

 

21.2 Any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be served by leaving it, or by sending it by registered mail addressed to the Company, at its registered office, or by leaving it with, or by sending it by registered mail to, the registered agent of the Company.

 

21.3 Service of any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be proved by showing that the summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement was delivered to the registered office or the registered agent of the Company or that it was mailed in such time as to admit to its being delivered to the registered office or the registered agent of the Company in the normal course of delivery within the period prescribed for service and was correctly addressed and the postage was prepaid.

 

22 VOLUNTARY WINDING UP

 

The Company may by a Resolution of Members or by a Resolution of Directors appoint a voluntary liquidator.

 

31

 

 

23 BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

23.1 Regulations 23.1 to 23.11 and Regulation 9.1(b) shall terminate upon consummation of any Business Combination.

 

23.2 The Company has until 15 months from the closing of the IPO to consummate a Business Combination, provided however that if the Board of Directors anticipates that the Company may not be able to consummate a Business Combination within 15 months of the closing of the IPO, the Company may, by Resolution of Directors, at the request of the Initial Shareholders, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a Business Combination), subject to the Initial Shareholders depositing additional funds into the Trust Account in accordance with terms as set out in the Trust Agreement and referred to in the Registration Statement. In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the closing of the IPO or within up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO (subject in the latter case to valid three months extensions having been made in each case (such date falling 15 months or up to 21 months, as applicable, after the closing of the IPO being referred to as the Termination Date), such failure shall trigger an automatic redemption of the Public Shares (an Automatic Redemption Event) and the Directors of the Company shall take all such action necessary (i) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than five (5) Business Days thereafter to redeem the Public Shares or distribute the Trust Account to the holders of Public Shares, on a pro rata basis, in cash at a per-share amount equal to the applicable Per-Share Redemption Price; and (ii) as promptly as practicable, to cease all operations except for the purpose of making such distribution and any subsequent winding up of the Company's affairs. In the event of an Automatic Redemption Event, only the holders of Public Shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata redeeming distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their Public Shares.

 

23.3 Unless a shareholder vote is required by law or the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, or, at the sole discretion of the Directors, the Directors determine to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company may enter into a Business Combination without submitting such Business Combination to its Members for approval.

 

23.4 Although not required, in the event that a shareholder vote is held, and a majority of the votes of the Shares entitled to vote thereon which were present at the meeting to approve the Business Combination are voted for the approval of such Business Combination, the Company shall be authorised to consummate the Business Combination.

 

23.5

 

(a) In the event that a Business Combination is consummated by the Company other than in connection with a shareholder vote under Regulation 23.4, the Company will, subject to as provided below, offer to redeem the Public Shares for cash in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act and subject to any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) set forth in the definitive transaction agreements related to the initial Business Combination (the Tender Redemption Offer), provided however that the Company shall not redeem those Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates or the Directors or officers of the Company pursuant to such Tender Redemption Offer, whether or not such holders accept such Tender Redemption Offer. The Company will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating the Business Combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the Business Combination and the redemption rights as would be required in a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. In accordance with the Exchange Act, the Tender Redemption Offer will remain open for a minimum of 20 Business Days and the Company will not be permitted to consummate its Business Combination until the expiry of such period. If in the event a Member holding Public Shares accepts the Tender Redemption Offer and the Company has not otherwise withdrawn the tender offer, the Company shall, promptly after the consummation of the Business Combination, pay such redeeming Member, on a pro rata basis, cash equal to the applicable Per-Share Redemption Price.

 

32

 

 

(b) In the event that a Business Combination is consummated by the Company in connection with a shareholder vote held pursuant to Regulation 23.4 in accordance with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (the Redemption Offer), the Company will, subject as provide below, offer to redeem the Public Shares, other than those Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates or the Directors or officers of the Company, regardless of whether such shares are voted for or against the Business Combination, for cash, on a pro rata basis, at a per-share amount equal to the applicable Per-Share Redemption Price, provided however that: (i) the Company shall not redeem those Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates or the Directors or officers of the Company pursuant to such Redemption Offer, whether or not such holders accept such Redemption Offer; and (ii) any other redeeming Member who either individually or together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a "group" (as such term is defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) shall not be permitted to redeem, without the consent of the Directors, more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total Public Shares sold in the IPO.

 

(c) In no event will the Company consummate the Tender Redemption Offer or the Redemption Offer under Regulation 23.5(a) or 23.5(b) if such redemptions would cause the Company to have net tangible assets of less than US$5,000,001 prior to or upon consummation of a Business Combination.

 

23.6 A holder of Public Shares shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Trust Account only in the event of an Automatic Redemption Event, an Amendment Redemption Event or in the event he accepts a Tender Redemption Offer or a Redemption Offer where the Business Combination is consummated. In no other circumstances shall a holder of Public Shares have any right or interest of any kind in or to the Trust Account.

 

23.7 Prior to a Business Combination, the Company will not issue any Securities (other than Public Shares) that would entitle the holder thereof to (i) receive funds from the Trust Account; or (ii) vote on any Business Combination.

 

33

 

 

23.8 In the event the Company seeks to complete a Business Combination with a company that is affiliated with the Sponsor or any of the Directors or officers of the Company, the Company will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or independent accounting firm that such a Business Combination is fair to the Company from a financial point of view.

 

23.9 The Company will not effectuate a Business Combination with another "blank cheque" company or a similar company with nominal operations.

 

23.10 Immediately after the Company's IPO, that amount of the net proceeds received by the Company from the IPO (including proceeds of any exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option) and from the simultaneous private placement by the Company as is stated in the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC (the Registration Statement) to be deposited in the Trust Account shall be so deposited and thereafter held in the Trust Account until released in the event of a Business Combination or otherwise in accordance with this Regulation 23. Neither the Company nor any officer, Director or employee of the Company will disburse any of the proceeds held in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) a Business Combination, or (ii) an Automatic Redemption Event or in payment of the acquisition price for any shares which the Company elects to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire in accordance with this Regulation 23, in each case in accordance with the trust agreement governing the Trust Account; provided that interest earned on the Trust Account (as described in the Registration Statement) may be released from time to time to the Company to pay the Company’s tax obligations and up to US$ 50,000 of such interest may also be released from the Trust Account to pay any liquidation expenses of the Company if applicable.

 

23.11 In the event the Directors of the Company propose any amendment to Regulation 23 or to any of the other rights of the Ordinary Shares as set out at Clause 6.1 of the Memorandum prior to, but not for the purposes of approving or in conjunction with the consummation of, a Business Combination that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligations as described in this Regulation 23 to pay or to offer to pay the Per-Share Redemption Price to any holder of the Public Shares (an Amendment) and such Amendment is (i) duly approved by a Resolution of Members; and (ii) the amended Memorandum and Articles reflecting such amendment are to be filed at the Registry of Corporate Affairs (an Approved Amendment), the Company will offer to redeem the Public Shares of any Member for cash, on a pro rata basis, at a per-share amount equal to the applicable Per-Share Redemption Price (an Amendment Redemption Event), provided however that the Company shall not redeem those Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates or the Directors or officers of the Company pursuant to such offer, whether or not such holders accept such offer.

 

34

 

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purpose of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign these Articles of Association the 9th day of August 2018.

 

Incorporator

 

[Rexella D. Hodge]

…………………………………

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

 

35

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

NUMBER

U-__________

    UNITS
     
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION  

 

G2911D 124

 

UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE ORDINARY SHARE, ONE RIGHT AND ONE WARRANT

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT_________________________________________________________________________

 

is the owner of ___________________________________________________________________________ Units.

 

Each Unit (“Unit”) consists of one (1) ordinary share, no par value per share, of East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), one (1) right (“Right”) and one (1) warrant (the “Warrant”). Each holder of a Right is entitled to receive one tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the Company’s completion of an acquisition, share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one-half of one (1/2) of one ordinary share for $11.50 per whole share (subject to adjustment) and may only be exercised for a whole number of ordinary shares. Each Warrant will become exercisable commencing on the later of (a) one year from the date of the final prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering (the “Final Prospectus”) and (b) the Company’s completion of a Business Combination and will expire unless exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, five years after the completion by Company of an initial Business Combination (the “Expiration Date”). The ordinary share, Rights and Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior to the ninetieth (90th) day after the date of the Final Prospectus, unless I-Bankers Securities, Inc., determines that an earlier date is acceptable, subject to certain conditions described in the Final Prospectus. The terms of the Rights are set forth in the Final Prospectus as well as a Rights Agreement, dated as of _______, 2020 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 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. The terms of the Rights are governed by a Rights Agreement, dated as of _______, 2020. The terms of the Warrants are governed by a Warrant Agreement, dated as of _______, 2020, 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 Rights Agreement and the Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, and are available to any Right holder or 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 certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

By      
    SEAL  
  Chief Executive Officer 2020 Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each unitholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM – as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - _____ Custodian ______
TEN ENT – as tenants by the entireties   (Cust)                    (Minor)
JT TEN – as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common  

under Uniform Gifts to Minors and not as tenants in common 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 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED).

 

In each case, as more fully described in the Company’s Final Prospectus, the holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust fund only in the event of the Company’s required redemption upon failure to consummate a business combination or if the holder seeks to redeem its shares upon consummation of such business combination or in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust fund.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

NUMBER    SHARES
   
                   C  

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

ORDINARY SHARES

 

SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

This Certifies that   CUSIP G40981 139
     
     
is the owner of    

 

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE ORDINARY SHARES OF NO PAR VALUE OF

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

The Company will be forced to redeem all of the ordinary shares sold in its initial public offering if it is unable to complete an initial business combination within twelve months (or up to twenty-one months, if extended) from the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated [________ __], 2020.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar.
Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:    
     
     
  SEAL  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2020 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

  

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM – as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT- _____Custodian______
TEN ENT – as tenants by the entireties                                           (Cust)                 (Minor)
JT TEN – as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common Act
 

under Uniform Gifts to Minors

Act ______________

(State)

 

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

 

 

  

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

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 and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Preferred Shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

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)
 
 
 
 
ordinary shares represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
 
Attorney to transfer the said shares 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 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED).  

 

In each case, as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated [________ __], 2020, the holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust fund only in the event of the Company’s required redemption upon failure to consummate a business combination or if the holder seeks to redeem its shares upon consummation of such business combination or in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust fund. 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

NUMBER

________

 

(SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND) 
THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT 
EXERCISED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION
OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR

IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW

    WARRANTS

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

CUSIP G2911D 116

 

WARRANT

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received is the registered holder of a warrant or warrants (the “Warrant”), expiring at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the five year anniversary of the completion by East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), of an acquisition, share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), to purchase one-half (1/2) of one fully paid and non-assessable ordinary share, no par value (“Shares”), of the Company for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant Certificate.  The Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company, commencing on the later of (a) one year from the date of the final prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering and (b) the Company’s completion of a Business Combination, such whole number of Shares of the Company at the price of $11.50 per whole share (subject to adjustment), upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, but only subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent.  In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any warrant exercise. The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the Warrant Price and the number of Shares purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted.  The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant Certificate refers to the price per Share at which Shares may be purchased at the time the Warrant is exercised. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

No fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant.  A warrantholder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares. This means that only an even number of warrants may be exercised at any given time by a warrantholder.

 

Upon any exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full Shares provided for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder hereof or the registered holder’s assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Shares for which the Warrant has not been exercised.

 

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent by the registered holder hereof in person or by 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 and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

 

Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the office or agency 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 in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental charge.

 

 

 

 

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the absolute owner 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 registered holder, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company. This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

  

The Company reserves the right to redeem the Warrant at any time prior to its exercise with a notice of redemption in writing to the holders of record of the Warrant, giving at least 30 days’ notice of such redemption, at any time while the Warrant is exercisable, if the last sale price of the Shares has been at least $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) on each of 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period (the “30-day trading period”) ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of such call is given and if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the Shares underlying the Warrants for each day of the 30-day trading period and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.  The redemption price of the Warrants is to be $0.01 per Warrant.  If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and the Company calls the Warrant for redemption, each holder will then be entitled to exercise his, her or its Warrant prior to the date scheduled for redemption; provided that the Company may require the registered holder who desires to exercise the Warrant, to elect cashless exercise as set forth in the Warrant Agreement, and such Registered Holder must exercise the Warrants on a cashless basis if the Company so requires. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by the end of the date specified in the notice of call shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no further value except for the $0.01 call price.

 

By      
    SEAL  
  Chief Executive Officer 2020 Chief Executive Officer

 

ELECTION TO PURCHASE

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants

 

The undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise ______________ Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants pursuant to the method selected below, and requests that Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of

 

(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
 
 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

 

and be delivered to                                                  

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)

 

and, if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder at the address stated below.

 

PLEASE CHECK ONE METHOD OF PAYMENT:

 

“Cash Exercise” with respect to Warrant Shares; and/or

 

2

 

 

“Cashless Exercise” with respect to Warrant Shares because on the date of this exercise, there is no effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the resale of the Warrant Shares, in which event the Company shall deliver to the registered holder(s) Ordinary Shares pursuant to Section 3.3.2 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

Dated:      
      (SIGNATURE)
       
      (ADDRESS)
       
       
      (TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

  

THE SIGNATURE MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED).

 

ASSIGNMENT

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants

 

For Value Received, _______________________ hereby sell, assign, and transfer unto

 

(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
 
 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

 

and be delivered to                                               

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)

 

______________________ of the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________ Attorney to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:      
      (SIGNATURE)

 

THE SIGNATURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT FORM MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED).

 

 

3

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

NUMBER RIGHTS
______R  

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY

 

RIGHT

 

  SEE REVERSE FOR
  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

CUSIP

 [    ]

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received

 

is the registered holder of a right or rights (the “Right”) to receive one-tenth of one ordinary share, no par value per share (“Ordinary Share”), of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) for each Right evidenced by this Rights Certificate on the Company’s completion of an initial business combination (as defined in the final prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering (“Prospectus”)) upon surrender of this Rights Certificate pursuant to the Rights Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”). In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any Right or issue a fractional Ordinary Share.

 

Upon liquidation of the Company in the event an initial business combination is not consummated during the required period as identified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Right shall expire and be worthless. The holder of a Right shall have no right or interest of any kind in the Company’s trust account (as defined in the Prospectus).

 

Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of the Right Certificate at the office or agency of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Right Agent, a new Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Rights shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Right Certificate, without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental charge. The Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exchange of Rights. The Company reserves the right to deal with any fractional entitlement at the relevant time in any manner (as provided in the Rights Agreement).

 

The Company and the Right Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the absolute owner of this Right Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any conversion hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Right Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Right does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company. This Rights Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

Dated:    
     
  SEAL  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2020 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

 

 

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: 

 

TEN COM – as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - _____ Custodian ______
TEN ENT – as tenants by the entireties   (Cust)                    (Minor)
JT TEN – as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common   under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ______________
      (State)

 

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each securityholder who so requests 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. This certificate and the rights represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Preferred Shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

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) 

  

rights represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

___________________________________________________________________________________Attorney

to transfer the said rights 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 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED).

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.5

 

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

This Warrant Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of ________, 2020 between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company, with offices at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421 (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, with offices at One State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004 (“Warrant Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has received binding commitments (“Subscription Agreements”) from Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company(the “Sponsor”), from anchor investors, Mr. Hua Hao and Mr. Cheng Zhao (“Anchor Investors”), and from I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (the “Representative”), to purchase up to an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) units, each unit (“Unit”) comprised of one (1) Ordinary Share of the Company, no par value (“Ordinary Share”), one right to receive one tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share and one (1) redeemable warrant, each warrant exercisable to purchase one-half (1/2) of one Ordinary Share for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein, and in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 323,750 redeemable warrants (“Private Warrants”) upon consummation of such private placement (the “Private Offering”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (the “Public Offering”) of Units and, in connection therewith, will issue and deliver (i) up to 115,000,000 warrants (“Public Warrants”) to the public investors and (ii) up to 575,000 warrants (the “Representative Warrants”); and

 

WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination (defined below), the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s executive officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as may be required, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into up to an additional 150,000 Units (the “Working Capital Units”), and in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 150,000 warrants (the “Working Capital Warrants”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-[ ] (“Registration Statement”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), of, among other securities, the Public Warrants; and

 

WHEREAS, following consummation of the Public Offering, the Company may issue additional warrants (“Post IPO Warrants” and together with the Public Warrants, Representative Warrants, Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants, the “Warrants”) in connection with, or following the consummation by the Company of, a Business Combination (defined below); 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, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

2. Warrants.

 

2.1. Form of Warrant. Each Warrant shall initially be issued in registered form only. Physical certificates, if any, shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall bear a facsimile of the Company’s seal. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

 

2.2. Uncertificated Warrants. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Warrant, or portion thereof, may be issued as part of, and be represented by, a Unit, Private Unit or Working Capital Unit, and any Warrant may be issued in uncertificated or book-entry form through the Warrant Agent and/or the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”) or other book-entry depositary system, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or by an authorized committee thereof. Any Warrant so issued shall have the same terms, force and effect as a certificated Warrant that has been duly countersigned by the Warrant Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.3. Effect of Countersignature. Except with respect to uncertificated Warrants as described in Section 2.2 above, unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

 

2.4. Registration.

 

2.4.1. Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall maintain books (“Warrant Register”) for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants in book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company.

 

2.4.2. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Public Warrants shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by institutions that have accounts with the Depository (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”). If the Depository subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Public Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding making other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Public Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Public Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depository to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each book-entry Public Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to the Depository definitive certificates in physical form evidencing such Warrants which shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A.

 

2.4.3. Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant shall be registered upon the Warrant Register (“registered holder”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on the Warrant Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

2.5. Detachability of Warrants. The securities comprising the Units will not be separately tradeable until the ninetieth (90th) day after the date hereof unless the Representative informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, but in no event will separate trading of the securities comprising the Units begin until (i) the Company files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised on the date hereof, and (ii) the Company issues a press release and files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC announcing when such separate trading shall begin.

  

2

 

 

2.6. Warrant Attributes.

 

2.6.1 Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants. The Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants but they (i) will be exercisable either for cash or on a cashless basis at the holder’s option pursuant to Section 3.3.1(c), (ii) will not be redeemable by the Company, in either case as long as such warrants are held by the initial holders or their affiliates and permitted transferees (as provided below), (iii) will be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth below and (iv) may be subject to the limitations on exercise set forth in Section 3.3.2. The provisions of this Section 2.6 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative. Prior to the date that is 30 days following the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination (as defined below), the Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants may only be transferred by the holders thereof:

 

  (a) to any persons (including their affiliates and shareholders) participating in the Private Offering, officers, directors, shareholders, employees and members of the Sponsor and its affiliates;
     
  (b) amongst initial holders (as defined in the Registration Statement) or to the Company’s officers, directors and employees;
     
  (c) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, shareholders or members upon its liquidation;
     
  (d) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes;
     
  (e) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death;
     
  (f) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order;
     
  (g) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities;
     
  (h) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Warrants were originally purchased; or
     
  (i) to the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination.

 

2.6.2 Representative Warrants. Subject to Section 6.4, the Representative Warrants shall have the same terms, and be in the same form, as the Public Warrants.

 

2.6.3 Post IPO Warrants. The Post IPO Warrants, when and if issued, shall have the same terms and be in the same form as the Public Warrants except as may be agreed upon by the Company.

  

3. Terms and Exercise of Warrants

 

3.1. Warrant Price. Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent (if in physical), entitle the registered holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of Ordinary Shares stated therein, at the price of $11.50 per whole share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof and in the last sentence of this Section 3.1. The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Agreement refers to the price per share at which Ordinary Shares may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) for a period of not less than 20 business days; provided, however, that the Company shall provide at least 10 business days prior written notice of such reduction to registered holders of the Warrants; provided, further, however, that any such reduction shall be applied consistently to all of the Warrants. 

 

3

 

 

3.2. Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing on the later of the consummation by the Company of a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, contractual arrangements with, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (“Business Combination”) (as described more fully in the Registration Statement) and 12 months from the effective date of the Registration Statement of the Public Offering, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the earlier to occur of (i) five years from the consummation of a Business Combination (ii) the liquidation of the Company, and (iii) the Redemption Date as provided in Section 6.2 of this Agreement (“Expiration Date”); provided, however, that the exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to the satisfaction of any applicable conditions, as set forth in Section 7.4 below; provided further, that for as long as any of the Private Warrants are held by the Representative or its designees or affiliates, such Private Warrants may not be exercised after five years from the effective date of the Registration Statement. Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price in the event of a redemption (as set forth in Section 6 hereunder), each Warrant not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease at the close of business on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Company will provide written notice to registered holders of the Warrants of such extension of not less than 20 days.

 

3.3. Exercise of Warrants.

 

3.3.1. Payment. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent (if applicable), may be exercised by the registered holder thereof by delivering to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust department (i) the Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants to be exercised, or, in the case of a Warrant represented by a book-entry, the Warrants to be exercised on the records of the Depository to an account of the Warrant Agent at the Depository designated for such purposes in writing by the Warrant Agent to the Depository from time to time, (ii) an election to purchase any Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant, properly completed and executed by the Registered Holder on the reverse of the Warrant Certificate or, in the case of a Book-Entry Warrant, properly delivered by the Depository participant in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures, and (iii) by paying in full the Warrant Price for each full Ordinary Share as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the Ordinary Shares and the issuance of such Ordinary Shares, as follows:

 

(a) in lawful money of the United States, in good certified check or wire payable to the Warrant Agent;

 

(b) in the event of redemption pursuant to Section 6 hereof in which the Company’s management has elected to require all holders of Warrants to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by surrendering the Warrants for that number of Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market Value” (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value, provided, however, that no cashless exercise shall be permitted unless the Fair Market Value is higher than the exercise price. Solely for purposes of this Section 3.3.1(b), the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Ordinary Shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrant pursuant to Section 6 hereof; or

 

(c) with respect to any Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants, so long as such Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants are held by the initial holders or their affiliates and permitted transferees (as prescribed in Section 5.6 hereof), by surrendering such Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants for that number of Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “Fair Market Value” by (y) the Fair Market Value; provided, however, that no cashless exercise shall be permitted unless the Fair Market Value is higher than the exercise price. Solely for purposes of this Section 3.3.1(c), the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Ordinary Shares for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the Company’s receipt of the applicable exercise notice; or

 

(d) in the event the registration statement required by Section 7.4 hereof is not then effective and current, then during the period beginning on the 91st day after the closing of the Business Combination and ending upon the effectiveness of such registration statement, and during any other period after such date of effectiveness when the Company shall fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, by surrendering such Warrants for that number of Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “Fair Market Value” by (y) the Fair Market Value; provided, however, that no cashless exercise shall be permitted unless the Fair Market Value is higher than the exercise price. Solely for purposes of this Section 3.3.1(d), the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Ordinary Shares for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the date of exercise. 

 

4

 

 

3.3.2. Issuance of Ordinary Shares. As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price (if any), the Company shall issue to the registered holder of such Warrant a book-entry position or certificate or certificates for the number of full Ordinary Shares to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if such Warrant shall not have been exercised in full, a new book-entry position or countersigned Warrant (as the case may be) for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised. Subject to Section 4.7 of this Agreement, a registered holder of Warrants may exercise its Warrants only for a whole number of Ordinary Shares (i.e., only an even number of Warrants may be exercised at any given time by a registered holder). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Ordinary Shares underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company’s satisfying its obligations under Section 7.4. Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any registered holder in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful. No Warrant shall be exercisable and the Company shall not be obligated to issue Ordinary Shares upon exercise of a Warrant unless the Ordinary Shares issuable upon such Warrant exercise have been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the immediately preceding three sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Warrant, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless, in which case the purchaser of a Unit containing such Public Warrants shall have paid the full purchase price for the Unit solely for the Ordinary Shares underlying such Unit. If, by reason of any exercise of warrants on a “cashless basis”, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole number, the number of shares to be issued to such holder.

 

3.3.3. Valid Issuance. All Ordinary Shares issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.3.4. Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, in the register of members of the Company for Ordinary Shares is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Ordinary Shares on the date on which the Warrant, or book-entry position representing such Warrant, was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate in the case of a certificated Warrant, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the share transfer books of the Company or book-entry system of the Warrant Agent are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such Ordinary Shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the share transfer books or book-entry system are open.

 

3.3.5. Maximum Percentage. A holder of a Warrant may notify the Company in writing in the event it elects to be subject to the provisions contained in this subsection 3.3.5; however, no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this subsection 3.3.5 unless he, she or it makes such election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not affect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates shall include the number of Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude Ordinary Shares that would be issuable upon (x) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of the Warrant beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates and (y) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred shares or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, the holder may rely on the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares as reflected in (1) the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, current report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Commission as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon the written request of the holder of the Warrant, the Company shall, within two (2) business days, confirm orally and in writing to such holder the number of Ordinary Shares then issued and outstanding. In any case, the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of equity securities of the Company by the holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares was reported. By written notice to the Company, the holder of a Warrant may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage applicable to such holder to any other percentage specified in such notice; provided, however, that any such increase shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company.

 

5

 

  

4. Adjustments.

 

4.1. Share Dividends - Split Ups. If after the date hereof, the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares is increased by a share dividend payable in Ordinary Shares, or by a split up of the Ordinary Shares, or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share dividend, split up or similar event, the number of Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion to such increase in issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares. A rights offering to all holders of the Ordinary Shares entitling holders to purchase Ordinary Shares at a price less than the “Fair Market Value” (as defined below) shall be deemed a share dividend of a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the product of (i) the number of Ordinary Shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for the Ordinary Shares) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per Ordinary Share paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the Fair Market Value. For purposes of this subsection 4.1, (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Ordinary Shares, in determining the price payable for the Ordinary Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “Fair Market Value” means the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the Ordinary Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

 

4.2. Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof, the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share split or reclassification of the Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share split, reclassification or similar event, the number of Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares.

 

4.3. Extraordinary Dividends and Subsequent Equity Issuances.

 

4.3.1 If the Company, at any time while the Warrants are issued and outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the Ordinary Shares on account of such Ordinary Shares (or other shares of the Company’s share capital into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described in subsection 4.1 above, (b) Ordinary Cash Dividends (as defined below), (c) to satisfy the conversion rights of the holders of the Ordinary Shares in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of the Ordinary Shares in connection with a vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association pursuant to Regulation 23.11 thereof, (e) as a result of the repurchase of Ordinary Shares by the Company in connection with an initial Business Combination or as otherwise permitted by the Investment Management Trust Agreement between the Company and the Warrant Agent dated of even date herewith or (f) in connection with the Company’s liquidation and the distribution of its assets upon its failure to consummate a Business Combination (any such non-excluded event being referred to herein as an “Extraordinary Dividend”), then the Warrant Price shall be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such Extraordinary Dividend, by the amount of cash and the fair market value (as determined by the Company’s board of directors, in good faith) of any securities or other assets paid on each Ordinary Share in respect of such Extraordinary Dividend. For purposes of this subsection 4.3, “Ordinary Cash Dividends” means any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Ordinary Shares during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in other subsections of this Section 4 and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the Warrant Price or to the number of Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant) does not exceed $0.50 (being 5% of the offering price of the Units in the Offering). 

 

6

 

 

4.3.2 If (i) the Company issues additional Ordinary Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.50 per Ordinary Share, with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Board (and in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by such holder or affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “New Issuance Price”), (ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation thereof (net of redemptions) and (iii) the volume weighted average trading price of the Ordinary Shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates the initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value) is below $9.50 per share, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the New Issuance Price and the Redemption Trigger Price (as defined below) shall be adjusted to equal to [180]% of the higher of the Market Value and the New Issuance Price.

  

4.4. Adjustments in Exercise Price. Whenever the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in Section 4.1 and 4.2 above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.

 

4.5. Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares (other than a change covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is liquidated, the Warrant holders shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the Ordinary Shares of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the Warrant holder would have received if such Warrant holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in Ordinary Shares covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4 and this Section 4.5. The provisions of this Section 4.5 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers.

 

4.6. Notices of Changes in Warrant. Upon every adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5, then, in any such event, the Company shall give written notice to each Warrant holder, at the last address set forth for such holder in the warrant register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.

 

7

 

 

4.7. No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of the Ordinary Shares to be issued to the Warrant holder.

 

4.8. Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an issued and outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed. 

 

4.9. Other Events. In case any event shall occur affecting the Company as to which none of the provisions of preceding subsections of this Section 4 are strictly applicable, but which would require an adjustment to the terms of the Warrants in order to (i) avoid an adverse impact on the Warrants and (ii) effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4, then, in each such case, the Company shall appoint a firm of independent public accountants, investment banking or other appraisal firm of recognized national standing, which shall give its opinion as to whether or not any adjustment to the rights represented by the Warrants is necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4 and, if such firm determines that an adjustment is necessary, the terms of such adjustment; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the Warrants be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4 as a result of any issuance of securities in connection with the Business Combination. The Company shall adjust the terms of the Warrants in a manner that is consistent with any adjustment recommended in such opinion.

 

5. Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.

 

5.1. Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any issued and outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.

 

5.2. Procedure for Surrender of Warrants. Warrants may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the registered holder of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants; provided, however, that in the event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend, the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in exchange therefor until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.

 

5.3. Fractional Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a warrant certificate or book-entry position for a fraction of a warrant.

 

5.4. Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

 

5.5. Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, will supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

 

5.6. Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not register any transfer of Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants until after the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, except for transfers made in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof, on the condition that, in the case of Private Warrants, prior to such registration for transfer, the Warrant Agent shall be presented with written documentation pursuant to which each transferee or the trustee or legal guardian for such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of the Subscription Agreements.

 

8

 

 

6. Redemption.

 

6.1. Redemption. Subject to Section 6.4 hereof, not less than all of the issued and outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon the notice referred to in Section 6.2, at the price of $0.01 per Warrant (“Redemption Price”), provided that the last sales price of the Ordinary Shares has been at least $18.00 per share (subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 4 hereof), on each of twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period (“30-Day Trading Period”) ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given and provided further that there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the issuance of the Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants for each day in the 30-Day Trading Period and continuing each day thereafter until the Redemption Date (defined below). 

 

6.2. Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the event the Company shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date to the registered holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the registered holder received such notice.

 

6.3. Exercise After Notice of Redemption. The Warrants may be exercised, for cash (or on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement) at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the Redemption Date. In the event the Company determines to require all holders of Warrants to exercise their Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to Section 3.3.1(b), the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of Ordinary Shares to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the “Fair Market Value” (within the meaning of Section 3.3.1(b)) in such case. On and after the Redemption Date, the record holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

 

6.4. Exclusion of Certain Warrants. Any of the Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants, Representative Warrants prior to the exercise of the UPO or Post IPO Warrants (if such warrants provide that they are non-redeemable by the Company), shall not be redeemable by the Company as long as such Private Warrants, Working Capital Warrants, Representative Warrants (prior to the exercise of the UPO) or Post IPO Warrants (if such warrants provide that they are non-redeemable by the Company) continue to be held by initial holders and affiliates or their permitted transferees (as prescribed in Section 5.6 hereof). However, once such Private Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Representative Warrants (prior to the exercise of the UPO) are no longer held by the initial holders or their affiliates or permitted transferees, such Private Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Representative Warrants (prior to the exercise of the UPO) shall then be redeemable by the Company pursuant to Section 6 hereof. Upon the exercise of the UPO, the Representative Warrants shall be redeemable by the Company upon the same terms as the Public Warrants. The provisions of this Section 6.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7. Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants.

 

7.1. No Rights as Shareholder. A Warrant does not entitle the registered holder thereof to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

7.2. Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants. If any Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

9

 

 

7.3. Reservation of Ordinary Shares. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all issued and outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement. 

 

7.4. Registration of Ordinary Shares. The Company agrees that as soon as practicable after the closing of a Business Combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC, a new registration statement, for the registration, under the Act, of the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and it shall use its best efforts to take such action as is necessary to qualify for sale, in those states in which the Warrants were initially offered by the Company, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. In either case, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to register such securities under the blue sky laws of the states of residence of the exercising warrant holders to the extent an exemption is not available. If any such registration statement has not been declared effective by the 90-day anniversary following the closing of the Business Combination, holders of the Warrants shall have the right, during the period beginning on the 91st day after the closing of the Business Combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, and during any other period after such date of effectiveness when the Company shall fail to have maintained an effective and current registration statement covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis” as determined in accordance with Section 3.3.1(d). In connection with the cashless exercise of the Public Warrants, the Company shall provide the Warrant Agent with an opinion of counsel for the Company (which shall be an outside law firm with securities law experience) stating that (i) the issuance of Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with this Section 7.4 is not required to be registered under the Act and (ii) the Ordinary Shares issued upon such exercise will be freely tradable under U.S. federal securities laws by anyone who is not an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Act) of the Company and, accordingly, will not be required to bear a restrictive legend. For the avoidance of any doubt, unless and until all of the Warrants have been exercised on a cashless basis, the Company shall continue to be obligated to comply with its registration obligations under the first three sentences of this Section 7.4. The provisions of this Section 7.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

8. Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters.

 

8.1. Payment of Taxes. The Company will from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such shares.

  

8.2. Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent.

 

8.2.1. Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of the Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.

 

10

 

 

8.2.2. Notice of Successor Warrant Agent. In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the Ordinary Shares not later than the effective date of any such appointment. 

 

8.2.3. Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act.

 

8.3. Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent.

 

8.3.1. Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

 

8.3.2. Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.4. Liability of Warrant Agent.

 

8.4.1. Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.4.2. Indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith.

 

8.4.3. Exclusions. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner, method, or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Ordinary Shares will when issued be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.

 

8.5. Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all moneys received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of Ordinary Shares through the exercise of Warrants.

 

11

 

 

8.6. Waiver. The Warrant Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

9. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

9.1. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns. 

 

9.2. Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation
130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Compliance Department

 

with a copy in each case to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, NY 10105

Attn: Barry Grossman, Esq.

 

and

 

Schiff Hardin LLP

901 K Street NW

Suite 300 700

Washington, D.C. 20001

Attn: Ralph V. De Martino, Esq.

 

 and

 

Ogier

Ritter House, 6th Floor

Wickhams Cay II

PO Box 3170

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands, VG1110

Attn: Michael Killourhy

 

and

 

I-Bankers Securities, Inc.

535 5th Ave
New York, NY 10017

Attn: Shelley Leonard, President

 

12

 

 

9.3. Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim.

   

9.4. Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the registered holders of the Warrants and, for the purposes of Sections 2.6, 6.4, 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof, the Representative, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. The Representative shall be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with respect to Sections 2.6, 6.4, 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and the Representative with respect to the Sections 2.6, 6.4, 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof) and their successors and assigns and of the registered holders of the Warrants.

 

9.5. Examination of the Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the registered holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such holder to submit his Warrant for inspection by it.

 

9.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

9.7. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

 

9.8. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any registered holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the registered holders. All other modifications or amendments, including any amendment to increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period, shall require the written consent or vote of the registered holders of a majority of the then issued and outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may lower the Warrant Price or extend the duration of the Exercise Period pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, without the consent of the registered holders. The provisions of this Section 9.8 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

9.9. Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

[signature page follows]

 

13

 

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
    Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
     
  By:  
    Name: Margaret B. Lloyd
    Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature page to Warrant Agreement]

 

 

14

 

 

Exhibit 4.6

 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of [   ], 2020 between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company, with offices at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421 (“Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer& Trust Company, a New York corporation, with offices at One State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004 (“Rights Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has received binding commitments from Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company(the “Sponsor”), from anchor investors, Mr. Hua Hao and Mr. Cheng Zhao (“Anchor Investors”), and from I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (the “Representative”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 323,750 units (or 350,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full by the underwriters), each unit (“Unit”) comprised of one ordinary share, with no par value, of the Company (“Ordinary Share”), one warrant to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share (“Warrant”) and one right to receive one-tenth of one Ordinary Share upon the happening of the triggering event described herein (“Right”), and in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 350,000 Rights as part of such Units upon consummation of such private placement (the “Private Offering”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (“Public Offering”) of Units and, in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to 115,000,000 Rights to the public investors; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association), the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s executive officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as may be required, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into up to an additional 150,000 Units, and in connection therewith, will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 150,000 Rights; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-[   ] (“Registration Statement”), and related Prospectus (“Prospectus”) for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), of, among other securities, the Rights and the Ordinary Shares issuable to the holders of the Rights; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer and exchange of the Rights; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Rights, the terms upon which they shall be issued, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Rights Agent, and the holders of the Rights; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Rights, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Rights Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Rights, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

2. Rights.

 

2.1. Form of Right. Each Right shall be issued in registered form only, shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Company and shall bear a facsimile of the Company’s seal. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Right shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Right before such Right is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

 

 

 

 

2.2. Effect of Countersignature. Unless and until countersigned by the Rights Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Right shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exchanged for Ordinary Shares.

 

2.3. Registration.

 

2.3.1. Right Register. The Rights Agent shall maintain books (“Right Register”) for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Rights. Upon the initial issuance of the Rights, the Rights Agent shall issue and register the Rights in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Rights Agent by the Company.

 

2.3.2. Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Right, the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Right shall be registered upon the Right Register (“registered holder”) as the absolute owner of such Right and of each Right represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on the Right Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent), for the purpose of the exchange thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

2.4. Detachability of Rights. The securities comprising the Units, including the Rights, will not be separately transferable until the earlier to occur of: (i) the 90th day following the date of the Prospectus or (ii) the announcement by the Representative, as representative of the underwriters in the Public Offering, of its intention to allow separate earlier trading, except that in no event will the securities comprising the Units be separately tradeable until the Company files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised by the date thereof and the Company issues a press release and files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC announcing when such separate trading shall begin.

 

3. Terms and Exchange of Rights

 

3.1. Rights. Each Right shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one-tenth of one Ordinary Share upon the happening of an Exchange Event (defined below). No additional consideration shall be paid by a holder of Rights in order to receive his, her or its Ordinary Shares upon an Exchange Event as the purchase price for such Ordinary Shares has been included in the purchase price for the Units. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Rights or issue fractional Ordinary Shares.

 

3.2. Exchange Event. An “Exchange Event” shall occur upon the Company’s consummation of an initial Business Combination (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association).

 

3.3. Exchange of Rights.

 

3.3.1. Issuance of Ordinary Shares. As soon as practicable upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event, the Company shall direct holders of the Rights to return their Rights Certificates to the Rights Agent. Upon receipt of a valid Rights Certificate, the Company shall issue to the registered holder of such Right(s) the number of full Ordinary Shares to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it and issue to such registered holder(s) a certificate or book-entry position for the such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Rights. The Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exchange of Rights. In the event that any holder would otherwise be entitled to any fractional share upon exchange of Rights, at the time of an Exchange Event, the Company will instruct the Right Agent how any such entitlement will be addressed. To the fullest extent permitted by the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association the Company reserves the right to deal with any such fractional entitlement at the relevant time in any manner permitted by the Act and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles, which would include the rounding down of any entitlement to receive Ordinary Shares to the nearest whole share (and in effect extinguishing any fractional entitlement), or the holder being entitled to hold any remaining fractional entitlement (without any share being issued) and to aggregate the same with any future fractional entitlement to receive shares in the Company until the holder is entitled to receive a whole number. Any rounding down and extinguishment may be done with or without any in lieu cash payment or other compensation being made to the holder of the relevant Rights, such that value received on exchange of the Rights may be considered less than the value that the holder would otherwise expect to receive.

 

2

 

 

3.3.2. Valid Issuance. All Ordinary Shares issued upon an Exchange Event in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

3.3.3. Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any such certificate or book-entry position for Ordinary Shares is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date of the Exchange Event, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate or entry of position.

 

3.3.4 Company Not Surviving Following Exchange Event. Upon an Exchange Event in which the Company does not continue as the publicly held reporting entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of Rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of the Ordinary Shares will receive in such transaction, for the number of shares such holder is entitled to pursuant to Section 3.3.1 above. If the Company does not continue as the publicly held reporting entity upon an Exchange Event, each holder of a Right will be required to affirmatively convert his/her or its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of the Exchange Event. In such a case, each holder of a Right will be required to indicate his, her or its election to convert the Rights into underlying shares as well as to return the original certificates evidencing the Rights to the Company.

 

3.5 Duration of Rights. If an Exchange Event does not occur within the time period set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as the same may be amended from time to time, the Rights shall expire and shall be worthless; provided that for as long as any of the Rights sold in the Private Offering are held by the Representative or its designees or affiliates, such Rights may not be exercised after five years from the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

4. Transfer and Exchange of Rights.

 

4.1. Registration of Transfer. The Rights Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Right upon the Right Register, upon surrender of such Right for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Right representing an equal aggregate number of Rights shall be issued and the old Right shall be cancelled by the Rights Agent. The Rights so cancelled shall be delivered by the Rights Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.

 

4.2. Procedure for Surrender of Rights. Rights may be surrendered to the Rights Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Rights Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Rights as requested by the registered holder of the Rights so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Rights; provided, however, that in the event that a Right surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend and the new Rights to be issued will not bear a restrictive legend, the Rights Agent shall not cancel such Right and issue new Rights in exchange therefor until the Rights Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating no restrictive legend is required.

 

4.3. Fractional Rights. The Rights Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a Right Certificate for a fraction of a Right.

 

4.4. Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Rights.

 

3

 

 

4.5. Adjustments to Conversion Ratios. The number of Ordinary Shares that the holders of Rights are entitled to receive as a result of the occurrence of an Exchange Event shall be equitably adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any share split, reverse share split, share dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to the Ordinary Shares occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Exchange Event.

 

4.6. Right Execution and Countersignature. The Rights Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Rights required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4, and the Company, whenever required by the Rights Agent, will supply the Rights Agent with Rights duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

 

5. Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Rights.

 

5.1. No Rights as Shareholder. Until exchange of a Right for Ordinary Shares as provided for herein, a Right does not entitle the registered holder thereof to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

5.2. Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Rights. If any Right is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Rights Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Right, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Right of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Right so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Right shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Right shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

5.3. Reservation of Ordinary Shares. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exchange of all outstanding Rights issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

6. Concerning the Rights Agent and Other Matters.

 

6.1. Payment of Taxes. The Company will from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Rights Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of Ordinary Shares upon the exchange of Rights, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Rights or such Ordinary Shares.

 

6.2. Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Rights Agent.

 

6.2.1. Appointment of Successor Rights Agent. The Rights Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Rights Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Rights Agent in place of the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Rights Agent or by the holder of the Right (who shall, with such notice, submit his, her or its Right for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Right may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Rights Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Rights Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Rights Agent with like effect as if originally named as Rights Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Rights Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Rights Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Rights Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Rights Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Rights Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations. 

 

4

 

 

6.2.2. Notice of Successor Rights Agent. In the event a successor Rights Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Rights Agent and the transfer agent for the Ordinary Shares not later than the effective date of any such appointment.

 

6.2.3. Merger or Consolidation of Rights Agent. Any corporation into which the Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Rights Agent under this Agreement without any further act.

 

6.3. Fees and Expenses of Rights Agent.

 

6.3.1. Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Rights Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Rights Agent hereunder and will reimburse the Rights Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Rights Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

 

6.3.2. Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

6.4. Liability of Rights Agent.

 

6.4.1. Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer and delivered to the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

6.4.2. Indemnity. The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Subject to Section 6.6 below, the Company agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in the execution of this Agreement except as a result of the Rights Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith.

 

6.4.3. Exclusions. The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Right (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right or as to whether any Ordinary Shares will when issued be valid and fully paid and nonassessable. 

 

6.5. Acceptance of Agency. The Rights Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

 

6.6 Waiver. The Rights Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Rights Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

5

 

 

7. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

7.1. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

 

7.2. Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Rights Agent), as follows:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Right or by the Company to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Rights Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Compliance Department

 

with a copy to:

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

Attn: Barry Grossman, Esq

 

and

 

Schiff Hardin LLP

901 K Street NW

Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20001

Attn: Ralph V. De Martino, Esq.

 

 

and

 

Ogier

Ritter House, 6th Floor

Wickhams Cay II

PO Box 3170

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands, VG1110

Attn: Michael Killourhy

 

 and

 

I-Bankers Securities Inc

535 5th Ave.

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Shelley Leonard, President

 

6

 

 

7.3. Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Rights shall be governed in all respects by 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 Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 7.2 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim.

 

7.4. Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the registered holders of the Rights and, for the purposes of Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof, the Representative, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. The Representative shall be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with respect to Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and the Representative with respect to the Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof) and their successors and assigns and of the registered holders of the Rights. The provisions of this Section 7.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.5. Examination of the Right Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Rights Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the registered holder of any Right. The Rights Agent may require any such holder to submit his, her or its Right for inspection by it.

 

7.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

7.7. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

 

7.8 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any registered holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the registered holders. All other modifications or amendments shall require the written consent or vote of the registered holders of a majority of the then outstanding Rights. The provisions of this Section 7.8 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.9 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  
    Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

 

  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Rights Agreement]

 

 

8

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

D +1 284 852 7309
  E  michael.killourhy@ogier.com
   
  Reference: MJK/DNM/175949.1
   
   
  [●] 2020

 

Dear Sirs

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the Company)

 

We have acted as counsel as to British Virgin Islands law to the Company in connection with the Company’s registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), on Form S-1, such registration statement including all amendments or supplements to such form filed with the Commission (the Registration Statement), related to: (i) the offering and sale (the Offering) of up to 11,500,000 units (including up to 1,500,000 units included in the over-allotment option (the Over-Allotment Option) granted to the Underwriters (as defined below)) (each a Unit and together the Units), with each Unit consisting of: one ordinary share of no par value in the Company (each a Share and together the Shares); one redeemable warrant, exercisable on the completion of an initial business combination by the Company or 12 months from the date of the prospectus in respect of the Offering, to purchase one half of one Share (each a Warrant and together the Warrants); and one right (each a Right and together the Rights) to receive one-tenth of a Share at the closing of an initial business combination by the Company, to the underwriters of the Offering (the Underwriters) for whom I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (the Representative) is acting as representative; and (ii) all Shares, Warrants and Rights issued as part of the Units and all Shares underlying those Warrants and Rights comprised in such Units (which together constitute all of the ordinary shares or rights to acquire the same in the Company being registered pursuant to the Registration Statement). This opinion is given in accordance with the terms of the legal matters section of the Registration Statement.

 

1 Documents

 

In preparing this opinion, we have reviewed copies of the following documents:

 

(a) the Registration Statement;

 

(b) (i) the constitutional documents and public records of the Company obtained from the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands on [●] 2020;

 

(ii) the public information revealed from searches (the Court Searches) of the electronic records of the Civil Division and the Commercial Division of the Registry of the High Court and of the Court of Appeal (Virgin Islands) Register, each from 1 January 2000, as maintained on the Judicial Enforcement Management System (JEMS) by the Registry of the High Court of the Virgin Islands on [●] 2020,

 

(each of the searches in (b)(i) and (ii) together and including as both updated on [●], the Public Records);

 

 

 

 

(c) a registered agent’s certificate issued by the Company’s registered agent dated [●] (the Registered Agent’s Certificate);

 

(d) written resolutions of the directors of the Company containing resolutions of the directors of the Company dated [●] ratifying and approving, inter alia, the Registration Statement (Directors’ Resolutions); and

 

(e) written resolutions of the shareholders of the Company containing resolutions of the sole shareholder of the Company dated [●] adopting the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (the Shareholders’ Resolutions and together with the Directors’ Resolutions, the Resolutions).

 

We have not made any enquiries or undertaken any searches concerning, and have not examined any other documents entered into by or affecting the Company or any other person, save for the examinations referred to in paragraph 1 above. In particular, but without limitation, we have not examined any documents referred to within the Registration Statement save as expressly referred to above and our opinion is limited accordingly.

 

2 Assumptions

 

This opinion is given only as to the circumstances existing on the date hereof and as to British Virgin Islands law in force on this date. We have relied on the Registered Agent’s Certificate without further enquiry and upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

(a) all parties to the Registration Statement (other than the Company) have the capacity, power and authority to exercise their rights and perform their obligations under such Registration Statement;

 

(b) the Registration Statement has been or, as the case may be, will be duly authorised by or on behalf of all relevant parties (other than the Company);

 

(c) copies of documents or records provided to us are true copies of the originals which are authentic and complete;

 

(d) all signatures and seals on all documents are genuine and authentic and in particular that any signatures on the documents we have reviewed are the true signatures of the persons authorised to execute the same;

 

(e) the Resolutions remain in full force and effect;

 

(f) the accuracy and completeness of the Registered Agent’s Certificate as at the date hereof; and

 

(g) the information and documents disclosed by the searches of the Public Records was and is accurate, up-to-date and remains unchanged as at the date hereof and there is no information or document which has been delivered for registration by any party (other than the Company), or which is required by the laws of the British Virgin Islands to be delivered for registration by any party (other than the Company), which was not included and available for inspection in the Public Records.

 

2

 

 

 

3 Opinion

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications expressed below, we are of the opinion that:

 

(a) The Company is a company duly incorporated with limited liability under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. It is a separate legal entity and is subject to suit in its own name.

 

(b) The Company has the capacity and power to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under and as described in the Registration Statement.

 

(c) The Shares included in the Units to be offered and sold by the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement have been duly authorised for issue and, when issued by the Company against payment in full of the consideration therefor in accordance with the terms set out in the Registration Statement and the terms in the underwriting agreement referred to within the Registration Statement and duly registered in the Company’s register of members, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(d) Any Shares which are to be issued pursuant to the Warrants, in each case when the Warrants are exercisable under the terms of the warrant agreement referred to within the Registration Statement, have been duly authorised for issue and, when issued by the Company in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement as referred to in the Registration Statement, and duly registered in the Company’s register of members, will be, subject to payment of the exercise price therefor under the terms of the Warrants, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(e) Any Shares which are to be issued pursuant to the Rights, in each case when the rights are exchangeable under the terms of the rights agreement as described in the Registration Statement, have been duly authorised for issue and, when issued by the Company in accordance with the terms of that same rights agreement, and duly registered in the Company’s register of members, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(f) The performance of the Company’s obligations under the Registration Statement do not and will not conflict with or result in any breach of:

 

(i) the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company; or

 

(ii) any law of the British Virgin Islands applicable to the Company.

 

(g) There were no actions pending against the Company based on our search of each of the Civil Index Book and the Commercial Book maintained by the British Virgin Islands High Court Registry.

 

(h) On the basis of our searches conducted at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and the Court Searches, no currently valid order or resolution for the winding-up of the Company and no current notice of appointment of a receiver in the British Virgin Islands over the Company, or any of its assets, appears on the records maintained in respect of the Company. It is a requirement under section 118 of the Insolvency Act 2003 that notice of appointment of a receiver be registered with the Registry of Corporate Affairs, however, it should be noted that failure to file a notice of appointment of a receiver does not invalidate the receivership but gives rise to penalties on the part of the receiver.

 

3

 

 

 

4 Limitations

 

We offer no opinion:

 

(a) in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the British Virgin Islands (and we have not made any investigation into such laws);

 

(b) in relation to any representation or warranty made or given by the Company in the Registration Statement; or

 

(c) as to the commerciality of the transactions envisaged in the Registration Statement or, save as expressly stated in this opinion, whether the Registration Statement and the transaction envisaged therein achieve the commercial, tax, legal, regulatory or other aims of the parties to the Registration Statement.

 

5 Governing Law and Reliance

 

(a) This opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands and is limited to the matters expressly stated herein. This opinion is confined to and given on the basis of the laws and practice in the British Virgin Islands at the date hereof.

 

(b) We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the legal matters and taxation sections of the Registration Statement. In the giving of our consent, we do not thereby admit 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 thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

Ogier

 

 

 

4

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

 

January 16, 2020

  

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

 

Re: Registration Statement of East Stone Acquisition Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as United States counsel to East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”) in connection with the registration by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of (i) up to 115,000,000 units of the Company, including the underwriters’ over-allotment option (collectively the “Public Units”), with each Public Unit consisting of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one right (the “Public Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share and one redeemable warrant of the Company to purchase one-half (1/2) of one Ordinary Share (the “Public Warrant”) upon the consummation of an initial business combination; (ii) up to 575,000 Warrants (“Representative’s Warrants”), which the Company will issue to I-Bankers Securities Inc., as representative of the underwriters (the “Representative”), and its designees, with each one redeemable warrant of the Company to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination; and (iii) up to 86,250 Ordinary Shares (“Representative’s Shares”), which the Company will issue to the Representative, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 initially filed by the Company with the Commission on January 16, 2020 (File No. 333-[ ]) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”). This opinion is being given in accordance with the Legal Matters section of the Registration Statement, as it pertains to the portions of New York law set forth below.

 

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 and employees of the Company.

 

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. Public Units. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and when the offering is completed as contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Public Units will be legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; and (d) we express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Warrant Agreement or Rights Agreement.

 

2. Public Warrants. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act and when the Public Warrants underlying the Public Units are issued, delivered and paid for as part of the Public Units, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Public Warrants will be legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (d) we express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Warrant Agreement; and (e) we have assumed the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the Ordinary Shares.

 

 

 

 

3. Public Rights. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act and when the Public Rights underlying the Public Units are issued, delivered, and paid for as part of the Public Units, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, such Public Rights will be legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; and (d) we express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Rights Agreement.

 

5. Representative’s Shares. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act, when the Representative’s Shares are delivered to and paid for by the Representative, Representative’s Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6. Representative’s Warrants. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act, when the Representative’s Warrants are delivered to and paid for by the Representative, the Representative’s Warrants will be legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the Federal and state securities laws; (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (d) we express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Warrant Agreement; and (e) we have assumed the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the Ordinary Shares.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this letter which might be construed to the contrary, our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof and as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion after the effective date of the Registration Statement should the law be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise. Where our opinions expressed herein refer to events to occur at a future date, we have assumed that there will have been no changes in the relevant law or facts between the date hereof and such future date. Our opinions expressed herein are limited to the matters expressly stated herein and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. Not in limitation of the foregoing, we are not rendering any opinion as to the compliance with any other federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your 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. This opinion is given as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we are under no duty to update the opinions contained herein. 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP  
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

______________, 2020

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

I-Bankers Securities Inc

535 5th Ave

Suite 423

 

  Re: Initial Public Offering

 

Gentlemen:

 

This letter is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) entered into by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and I-Bankers Securities Inc., as Representative (the “Representative”) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto (the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each comprised of one ordinary share, no par value, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”) and one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share upon the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination (the “Right”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 17 hereof.

 

In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the IPO, and in recognition of the benefit that such IPO will confer upon the undersigned as a shareholder or officer or director of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees with the Company as follows:

 

1.  If the Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination (as defined below), the undersigned will vote all Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by him, her or it, whether acquired before, in or after the IPO, or whether such Ordinary Shares are underlying the Private Units, in favor of such Business Combination.

 

2.   (a) In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as the same may be amended from time to time, the undersigned shall take all reasonable steps to (i) cause the Trust Fund to be liquidated and distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) cause the Company to liquidate as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b) The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or, with respect to his, her or its Insider Shares or Private Units, to any distribution of, the Trust Fund. The undersigned hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that there will be no distribution from the Trust Fund with respect to any Warrants, which will terminate on the Company’s liquidation.

 

(c) In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Fund, Double Ventures Holdings Limited (“Sponsor”) 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 to or contracted for the Company, or by any target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Fund to below $10.00 per IPO Share; provided that such indemnity shall not apply if such vendor or other person executes a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities.

 

 

 

 

3. (a) The Initial Shareholders agree that they shall not Transfer any Insider Shares: (x) with respect to 50% of its Insider Shares, until the earlier of (i) six (6) months after the date of the consummation of the Business Combination or (ii) the date on which the closing price of the Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after the Business Combination; and (y) with respect to the remaining 50% of their Insider Shares, six (6) months after the date of the consummation of the Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to the Business Combination, the Company consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property.

 

(b) The Sponsor and Anchor Investors agree that they shall not effectuate any Transfer of securities issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Units or their underlying securities until 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 3(a) and (b), Transfers of the Insider Shares, securities issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Units or their underlying securities, and that are held by the Sponsor, any Insider or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 3(c)), are permitted: (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and shareholders) participating in the private placement of the Private Units, officers, directors, shareholders, employees and members of the Sponsor and its affiliates, (2) amongst insiders or to the Company’s officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, shareholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the applicable securities were originally purchased or (9) to the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, in each case (except for clause 9) where the transferee agrees to the terms of this letter agreement and by the same agreements entered into by the Sponsor with respect to such securities.

 

4.  [Intentionally Omitted].

 

5.  In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned directors and officers of the Company agree 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 a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the undersigned directors and officers might have.

 

6.  The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that prior to entering into a Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with any Insiders of the Company or their affiliates, such transaction must be approved by a majority of the Company’s disinterested independent directors and the Company must obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or independent accounting firm that such Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view.

 

7.  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 or other cash payment for services rendered prior to, or in order to effectuate, the consummation of the Business Combination; provided that the Company shall be allowed to (i) repay working capital loans made by the undersigned or its affiliates to the Company in cash upon consummation of the Business Combination or, at the undersigned’s discretion, with respect to up to an aggregate of $1,500,000 of working capital loans from all lenders, by converting such loans into Private Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, as more fully described in the Registration Statement, (ii) repay non-interest bearing loans and advances in an aggregate amount of $[166,621] made to the Company by the Initial Shareholders to cover the IPO expenses, (iii) pay $10,000 per month to an affiliate of the Company’s executive officers for office space and related services, and (iv) reimburse the undersigned and any affiliate of the undersigned for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating a Business Combination.

 

2

 

 

8.  Neither any undersigned officer or director, any member of the family of any undersigned officer or director, nor any affiliate of any undersigned officer or director will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in the event any undersigned officer or director, any member of the family of any undersigned officer or director or any affiliate of any undersigned officer or director originates a Business Combination.

 

9.  The undersigned officers and directors agree to be the officers and directors of the Company until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company or such officer or director is officially replaced by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned officers’ and directors’ biographical information previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the officers’ and directors’ biography 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 “Securities Act”). Each of the undersigned officers’ and directors’ FINRA Questionnaire previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects.

 

10. Each of the undersigned represents and warrants that:

 

(a) He, she or it has never had a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state or foreign insolvency law been filed by or against (i) him, her or it, or any partnership in which he, she or it was a general partner at or within two years before the time of filing; or (ii) (to the extent the undersigned is an individual) any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;

 

(b) He, she or it has never had a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer been appointed by a court for his or her business or property, or any such partnership;

 

(c) He, she, or it has never been convicted of fraud in a civil or criminal proceeding;

 

(d) He, she, or it has never been convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and minor offenses);

 

(e) He, she, or it has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining or otherwise limiting him from (i) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity; or (ii) engaging in any type of business practice; or (iii) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities or federal commodities laws;

 

(f) He, she, or it has never been the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days his, her or its right to engage in any activity described in 8(e)(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(g) He, she or it has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any federal, state, or foreign securities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

(h) He, she or it has never been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the CFTC to have violated any federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

 

3

 

 

(i) He, she or it has never been the subject of, or a party to, any federal, state, or foreign judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (i) any federal ,state or foreign securities or commodities law or regulation, (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and desist order, or removal or prohibition order or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity;

 

(j) He, she or it has never been the subject of, or party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, or any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member;

 

(k) He, she or it has never been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment advisor or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

(l) He, she or it was never subject to a final order of a state or foreign securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state or foreign authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state or foreign insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal or foreign banking agency; the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or the National Credit Union Administration that is based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct;

 

(m) He, she or it has never been subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, that, at the time of such sale, restrained or enjoined him from engaging or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice: (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the SEC or any foreign regulatory agency with similar functions; or (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;

 

(n) He, she or it has never been subject to any order of the SEC or any foreign regulatory agency with similar functions that orders him to cease and desist from committing or causing a future violation of: (i) any scienter-based anti-fraud provision of the foreign or federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), or any other rule or regulation thereunder; or (ii) Section 5 of the Securities Act;

 

(o) He, she or it has never been named as an underwriter in any registration statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the SEC that was the subject of a refusal order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption, or is, currently, the subject of an investigation or proceeding to determine whether a stop order or suspension order should be issued;

 

(p) He, she or it has never been subject to a United States Postal Service false representation order, or is currently subject to a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by the United States Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations;

 

(q) He, she or it is not subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency of officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); an appropriate federal banking agency; the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or the National Credit Union Administration that bars the undersigned from: (i) association with an entity regulated by such commission, authority, agency or officer; (ii) engaging in the business of securities, insurance or banking; or (iii) engaging in savings association or credit union activities;

 

4

 

 

(r) He, she or it is not subject to an order of the SEC entered pursuant to section 15(b) or 15B(c) of the Exchange Act or section 203(e) or 203(f) of the Advisers Act that: (i) suspends or revokes the undersigned’s registration as a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer or investment adviser; (ii) places limitations on the activities, functions or operations of, or imposes civil money penalties on, such person; or (iii) bars the undersigned from being associated with any entity or from participating in the offering of any penny stock; and

 

(s) He, she or it has never been suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from association with a member of, a securities self-regulatory organization (e.g., a registered national securities exchange or a registered national or affiliated securities association) for any act or omission to act constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade.

 

11.  The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which he, she or it is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to hold the position/title in the Company indicated in the Registration Statement (if applicable).

 

12. The undersigned hereby waives his, her or its right to exercise redemption rights (in connection with a Business Combination) with respect to any Ordinary Shares owned or to be owned by the undersigned directly or indirectly, whether purchased prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket, or whether such Ordinary Shares are underlying the Private Units, and agrees that he, she or it will not seek redemption with respect to or otherwise sell, such shares in connection with any vote to approve a Business Combination with respect thereto.

 

13. The undersigned hereby agrees to not propose an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association with respect to the Company’s pre-Business Combination activities prior to the consummation of a Business Combination that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the IPO Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

14.  In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination and must liquidate and its remaining net assets are insufficient to complete such liquidation, the Sponsor agrees to advance such funds necessary to complete such liquidation and agrees not to seek repayment for such expenses.

 

15.  Each officer of the Company agrees not to become involved with another publicly listed blank check company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act prior to us announcing an agreement to acquire our initial Business Combination, or the expiration of the period for us to announce and/or complete our initial Business Combination.

 

16.  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 Ellenoff Grossman & Schole 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.

 

5

 

 

17. As used herein, (i) “Anchor Investors” shall mean Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao; (ii) a “Business Combination” shall mean a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements with, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities; (iii) “Initial Shareholders” shall mean the Sponsor, Navy Sail International Limited and any of the officers and directors that hold founder shares of the Company; (iv) “Insiders” shall mean all officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the IPO; (v) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares of the Company acquired by an Insider prior to the IPO; (vi) “IPO Shares” shall mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vii) “Permitted Transferees” shall mean any transferee that received securities of the Company upon a Transfer in compliance with Section 3(c) herein; (viii)“Private Units” shall mean (x) the Units purchased in the private placement taking place simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s IPO and (y) additional Units that will be purchased in a private placement upon the full or partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option for the Company’s IPO; (ix) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with respect to the IPO; (x) “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b); and (xi) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s IPO will be deposited.

 

18.  Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this letter agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission.

 

19.  No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This letter agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and any successors and assigns thereof.

 

20.  The undersigned acknowledges and understands that the Underwriters and the Company will rely upon the agreements, representations and warranties set forth herein in proceeding with the IPO.

 

21.  This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This letter agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by the Company and each officer or director that is the subject of any such change, amendment modification or waiver.

 

[signature page follows]

 

6

 

  DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED
     
  By:  
    Name: Charlie Chunyi Hao
    Title:  Director
     
  NAVY SAIL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
   
  By:
    Name: Charlie Chunyi Hao
    Title:  Director
     
   
  Hua Mao
     
   
  Cheng Zhao
     
   
  Sherman Xiaoma Lu
   
   
  Charlie Chunyi Hao
   
   
  Sanjay Prasad
   
   
  Yuning Yao
   
   
  Yanan Zhao
   
   
  Richard Hong Yan

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

By:     
  Name: Sherman Xiaoma Lu  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to the Insider Letter]

 

 

7

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is made as of _____________, 2020 by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York limited liability trust company (“Trustee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, No. 333-[ ] (“Registration Statement”) for its initial public offering of securities (“IPO”) has been declared effective as of the date hereof (“Effective Date”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement); and

 

WHEREAS, I-Bankers Securities Inc. (“I-Bankers”) is acting as the representative of the underwriters in the IPO pursuant to an underwriting agreement between the Company and I-Bankers, as representative of the underwriters (“Underwriting Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company initially has 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (the “Initial Period”) to consummate an initial business combination (as described in the Registration Statement, a “Business Combination”); and

 

WHEREAS, if a Business Combination is not consummated within the Initial Period, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Sponsor”) may extend such period up to two times, each by a three-month period, up to a maximum of 21 months in the aggregate, by depositing $1,000,000 (or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, plus any amount eventually deposited on account of any Extension) into the Trust Account no later than the 15 month anniversary of the IPO or the 18 month anniversary of the IPO (each, an “Applicable Deadline”) for each three month extension (each, an “Extension”) for up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full); and

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the IPO, the Sponsor, individuals Hua Mao and Cheng Zhao, and I-Bankers, and/or their respective designees (collectively, the “Private Purchasers”) will be purchasing an aggregate of 323,750 (or 350,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) (“Private Units”) from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $3,237,500 (or $3,500,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and 

 

WHEREAS, as described in the Registration Statement, and in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, $100,000,000 of the net proceeds of the IPO and sale of the Private Units ($115,000,000 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 for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, no par value per share (“Ordinary Shares”), issued in the IPO as hereinafter provided (the amounts to be delivered to the Trustee, including any amount deposited in connection with any Extension, will be referred to herein as the “Property”; the shareholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public Shareholders,” and the Public Shareholders 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 in a segregated trust account (“Trust Account”) established by the Trustee at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. located in the United States and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is satisfactory to the Company;

 

(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

 

 

 

(c) In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), having a maturity of 185 days or less, and/or in any open ended investment company registered under the Investment Company Act that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder and the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration; 

 

(d) Collect and receive, when due, all principal, interest or other income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;

 

(e) Promptly notify the Company and I-Bankers of all communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company; 

 

(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company in connection with the Company’s preparation of its tax returns;

 

(g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so;

 

(h) Render to the Company monthly written statements of the activities of and amounts in the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;

 

(i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly after 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 A or Exhibit B, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board and Secretary or Assistant Secretary, affirmed by counsel for the Company and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of any taxes payable and up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses, if applicable, it being understood that the Trustee has no obligation to monitor or question the Company’s position that an allocation has been made for taxes payable), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein; provided, however, that in the event that a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee by the last date set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Last Date”), the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B hereto and the Property in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of any taxes payable and less up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses, if applicable), shall be distributed to the Public Shareholders as of the Last Date;

 

(j) Upon receipt of an Amendment Notification Letter (defined below), distribute to Public Shareholders who exercised their redemption rights in connection with an Amendment (defined below) an amount equal to the pro rata share of the Property relating to the shares for which such Public Shareholders have exercised redemption rights in connection with such Amendment; and

 

(k)  Upon receipt of an extension letter (“Extension Letter”) substantially similar to Exhibit F hereto at least five days prior to the Applicable Deadline, signed on behalf of the Company by one of the Company’s executive officers and affirmed by counsel for the Company, and receipt of the dollar amount specified in the Extension Letter on or prior to the Applicable Deadline, to follow the instructions set forth in the Extension Letter. 

 

2. Limited Distributions of Income from Trust Account.

 

(a) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C, the Trustee shall distribute to the Company the amount of interest income earned on the Trust Account requested by the Company to cover any tax obligation owed by the Company.

 

2

 

 

(b) Upon written request from the Company following the Last Date, which may be given in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D, signed on behalf of the Company by one of the Company’s executive officers, the Trustee shall distribute to the Company up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) of interest income earned on the Property and requested by the Company to cover expenses directly related to the Company’s liquidation (i.e., only those expenses incurred after the Last Date attributable to the Company’s liquidation); provided, however, that the Company will not be allowed to withdraw interest income earned on the trust account pursuant to this Section 2(b) unless there are sufficient funds available to pay the Company’s tax obligations on such interest income or otherwise then due at that time.

 

(c) The limited distributions referred to in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) above shall be made only from income collected on the Property. Except as provided in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) above, no other distributions from the Trust Account shall be permitted except in accordance with Section 1(i) or 1(j) hereof.

 

(d) The Company shall provide I-Bankers with a copy of any Termination Letters and/or any other correspondence that it issues to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after such issuance. 

 

3. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with respect to its duties under paragraphs 1(i), 1(j), 1(k), 2(a) and 2(b) 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 any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 7(g) of this Agreement, 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 claim, potential claim, 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, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;

 

(c) Pay the Trustee an initial acceptance fee and an annual fee as set forth on Schedule A hereto, which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees and further agreed that any fees owed to the Trustee shall be deducted by the Trustee from the disbursements made to the Company pursuant to Section 1(i) solely in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination. Otherwise, fees and disbursements shall be paid by the Company from other funds held outside the Trust Account. The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and first year’s fee at the consummation of the IPO and thereafter on the anniversary of the Effective Date;

 

(d) In connection with any vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding a Business Combination, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a firm regularly engaged in the business of tabulating shareholder votes verifying the vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding such Business Combination;

 

(e) In the event that the Company directs the Trustee to commence liquidation of the Trust Account pursuant to Section 1(i), the Company agrees that it will not direct the Trustee to make any payments that are not specifically authorized by this Agreement;

 

3

 

 

(f) If the Company seeks to amend any provisions of its Memorandum and Articles of Association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity (including the substance and time within which the Company has to complete a Business Combination) (in each case, an “Amendment”), the Company will provide the Trustee with a letter (an “Amendment Notification Letter”) in the form of Exhibit E providing instructions for the distribution of funds to Public Shareholders who exercise their redemption option in connection with such Amendment;

 

(g) If applicable, issue a press release at least three days prior to the Applicable Deadline announcing that, at least five days prior to the Applicable Deadline, the Company received notice from the Sponsor that the Sponsor intends to extend the Applicable Deadline; and

 

(h) Promptly following the Applicable Deadline, disclose whether or not the term the Company has to consummate a Business Combination has been extended.

 

4. 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 paragraphs 1 and 2 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 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 paragraph 1(c);

 

(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;

 

(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;

 

(f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, except for its gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee), 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 and with reasonable care 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; and

 

(h) File local, state and/or Federal tax returns or information returns with any taxing authority on behalf of the Trust Account and payee statements with the Company documenting the taxes, if any, payable by the Company or the Trust Account, relating to the income earned on the Property.

 

(i) Pay any taxes on behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly understood that the Property, other than accrued interest to the extent otherwise provided by this Agreement, shall not be used to pay any such taxes and that such taxes, if any, shall be paid by the Company from funds not held in the Trust Account or released to it under Section 2(a) hereof).

 

4

 

 

(j) Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein.

 

(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve Company requests for distributions pursuant to Section 1(i), 1(j), 2(a) or 2(b) above.

 

5.               Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 3(b) or Section 3(c) hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account 

 

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 during which time the Trustee shall act in accordance with this Agreement. 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 any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or

 

(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1(i) hereof, and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Paragraph 3(b).

 

7. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including account names, account numbers and all other identifying information relating to a beneficiary, beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the wire.

 

(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, applicable to contracts wholly performed within the borders of such states and 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 original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument. The Company hereby appoints, without power of revocation, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, Fax No.: (212) 370-7889, Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq., as their respective agent to accept and acknowledge on its behalf service of any and all process which may be served in any arbitration, action, proceeding or counterclaim in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this Agreement.

 

5

 

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except for Sections 1(i), 1 (j), 1(k), 2(a) and 2(c) (which may not be modified, amended or deleted without the affirmative vote of at least 65% of the then outstanding Ordinary Shares attending and voting on such amendment at the relevant meeting; provided that no such amendment will affect any Public Shareholder who has otherwise indicated his election to redeem his, her or its Ordinary Shares in connection with a shareholder vote sought to amend this Agreement to extend to the time he, she or its would be entitled to a return of his pro rata amount in the Trust Account), this Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or modification may be made without the prior written consent of I-Bankers. As to any claim, cross-claim or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement, each party waives the right to trial by jury. The Trustee may require from Company counsel an opinion as to the propriety of any proposed amendment.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) 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

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Conzalez

Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com

Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com

 

if to the Company, to:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation
130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

in either case with a copy to:

 

I-Bankers Securities Inc

535 5th Ave,

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Shelley Leonard, President

 

and 

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

and

 

Schiff Hardin LLP

901 K Street NW

Suite 300 700

Washington, D.C. 20001

Attn: Ralph V. De Martino, Esq. 

 

6

 

 

(f) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior consent of the Company.

 

(g) 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. In the event that the Trustee has a claim against the Company under this Agreement, the Trustee will pursue such claim solely against the Company and not against the Property held in the Trust Account.

 

(h) This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

 

(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

(j) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges that I-Bankers, on behalf of the several underwriters, is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

7

 

 

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: Francis E. Wolf Jr.
    Title: Vice President

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  
    Name: Sherman Xiaoma Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Investment Management Trust Agreement]

 

8

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Fee Item   Time and method of payment   Amount  
Initial one-time acceptance fee   Trust agreement negotiation, completion of Know Your Customer review, account set-up, and initial closing of IPO by wire transfer, set up and monitoring of the required principal crediting beginning year 2.   $ 3,500  
             
Trusteeship annual fee   First year, initial closing of IPO by wire transfer; thereafter on the anniversary of the effective date of the IPO by wire transfer or check   $ 10,000  
             
Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Section 2   Deduction by Trustee from accumulated income following disbursement made to Company under Section 2   $ 250  
             
Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Sections 1(i) and 1(j)   Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Sections 1(i) and 1(j)     Prevailing rates   

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer

&Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

  Re: Trust Account No. – [_____] Termination Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ______________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement (“Business Agreement”) with __________________ (“Target Business”) to consummate a business combination with Target Business (“Business Combination”) on or about [insert date]. The Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in advance of the actual date (or such shorter time as you may agree) of the consummation of the Business Combination (“Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate the Trust Account investments on __________ and to transfer the proceeds to the above-referenced account at JP Morgan Chase Bank 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. It is acknowledged and agreed that while the funds are on deposit in the trust account awaiting distribution, neither I-Bankers nor the Company will earn any interest or dividends.

 

On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that the Business Combination has been consummated, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) [an affidavit] [a certificate] of __________________, which verifies the vote of the Company’s shareholders in connection with the Business Combination if a vote is held and (b) a written instruction from the Company with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account (“Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the counsel’s letter and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

 

In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the notice. 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  

 

And  
AGREED TO AND  
ACKNOWLEDGED BY  
   
I-BANKERS SECURITIES INC.  

 

By:    

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer

&Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

  Re: Trust Account No. [insert no.]___ - Termination Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of __________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a Business Combination with a Target Company within the time frame specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as described in the Company’s prospectus relating to its IPO. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate all the Trust Account investments on ______________ and to transfer the total proceeds to the Trust Operating Account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA to await distribution to the Public Shareholders. The Company has selected ____________, 20__ as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Shareholders will entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. It is acknowledged that no interest will be earned by the Company on the liquidation proceeds while on deposit in the Trust Operating Account. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and in your separate capacity as Paying Agent, to distribute said funds directly to the Public Shareholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  

 

cc: I-Bankers Securities Inc.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer

&Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor 

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

  Re: Trust Account No. [insert no.]___

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraph 2(a) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ____________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $_______ of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. The Company needs such funds to pay for its tax obligations. 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]

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  

 

cc: I-Bankers Securities Inc.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer &Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account No. [______]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ___________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $[       ] of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof, which does not exceed, in the aggregate with all such prior disbursements pursuant to Section 2(b), if any, the maximum amount set forth in Section 2(b). The Company needs such funds to pay its expenses relating to its liquidation. 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,  
   
EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION  

 

By:    

 

cc: I-Bankers Securities Inc.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer

&Trust Company

One State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account No. [______] - Amendment Notification Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of ___________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”). Capitalized words used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.

 

Pursuant to Sections 1(j) and 3(f) of the Trust Agreement, this is to advise you that the Company has sought an Amendment. Accordingly, in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate a sufficient portion of the Trust Account on [       ] in order to transfer $_____ of the proceeds of the Trust to the Trust Operating Account at [JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA] for distribution to the shareholders that have requested redemption of their shares in connection with such Amendment.

 

[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]  

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  

 

cc: I-Bankers Securities Inc.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street Plaza, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

  Re: Trust Account No. [   ] Extension Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(k) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of ____________, 20__ (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company is extending the time available in order to consummate a Business Combination with the Target Businesses for an additional three (3) months, from _______ to _________ (the “Extension”).

 

This Extension Letter shall serve as the notice required with respect to Extension prior to the Applicable Deadline. Capitalized words 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 deposit $_____, which will be wired to you, into the Trust Account upon receipt. These funds should be invested in [__________________________] or [the same manner as the funds currently on deposit in the Trust Account].

 

This is the ____ of up to three Extension Letters that the Company is permitted to deliver to you pursuant to the Trust Agreement. 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

  By:  
  Name:   
  Title:  

 

cc: I-Bankers Securities Inc.  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

_____________, 2020

 

East Stone Capital Limited

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu

 

Re: Administrative Support Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter agreement by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”), on the one hand, and East Stone Capital Limited (“East Stone”) on the other hand, dated as of the date hereof, will confirm our agreement that, commencing on the date the securities of the Company are first listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Listing Date”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 and prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”) and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an initial business combination or the Company’s liquidation (in each case as described in the Registration Statement) (such earlier date hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”):

 

(i) East Stone shall make available, or cause to be made available, to the Company, at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421 (or any successor location provided by East Stone), certain office space, administrative support, and employees of East Stone as may be reasonably required by the Company from time to time, including in connection with due diligence and related services in connection with the Company’s search for a target company. In exchange therefor, the Company shall pay East Stone the sum of $10,000 per month on the Listing Date and continuing monthly thereafter until the Termination Date, up to a maximum of $120,000 in the aggregate; provided, that no salaries or fees will be paid from this monthly amount to members of the Company’s management team; and

 

(ii) East Stone hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title, interest, causes of action and claims of any kind as a result of, or arising out of, this letter agreement (each, a “Claim”) in or to, and any and all right to seek payment of any amounts due to it out of, the trust account established for the benefit of the public stockholders of the Company and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited (the “Trust Account”) as a result of, or arising out of, this letter agreement, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have in the future, which Claim would reduce, encumber or otherwise adversely affect the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account, and further agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction of any Claim against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

This letter agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.

 

No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its choice of law principles.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
    Name: Sherman Xiaoma Lu
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

 

EAST STONE CAPITAL LIMITED

 

By:     
Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu  
Title:  Managing Director  

 

[Signature Page to Administrative Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

Vistra Corporate Services Centre Wickhams Cay II

Road Town

Tortola

British Virgin Islands

 

22 October 2018

 

Navy Sail International Limited

A1202 Investment Plaza, No. 27 Finance Street

Xicheng District, Beijing 100033, China

 

Double Ventures Holdings Limited

A1202 Investment Plaza, No. 27 Finance Street

Xicheng District, Beijing 100033, China

 

Mr. Chunyi Hao

A1202 Investment Plaza, No. 27 Finance Street

Xicheng District, Beijing 100033, China

 

RE: Securities Purchase Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”), is pleased to accept the offers of Navy Sail International Limited (“NSIL”) and Double Ventures Holdings Limited (“DVHL”), both British Virgin Islands business company, and Mr. Chunyi Hao, a natural person (“CH”) (together the “Subscribers” or “you”), to purchase a total of 1,437,500 ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of no par value per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), up to 187,500 of which are subject to complete or partial forfeiture by CH if the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of units (“Units”) do not fully exercise their over- allotment option (the “Over-allotment Option”). The terms (this “Agreement”) on which the Company is willing to sell the Shares to the Subscriber, and the Company and the Subscribers’ agreements regarding such Shares, are as follows:

 

1. Purchase of Shares.

 

For the sum of $25,000 (pro-rated between the Subscribers) (the “Purchase Price”), which the Company acknowledges receiving in cash, the Company hereby sells and issues the Shares to the Subscribers, and the Subscribers hereby purchase the Shares from the Company, for a purchase price of approximately $0.017 per Share, as follows:

 

NSIL will purchase and be issued with 625,000 Shares;

 

DVHL will purchase and be issued with 625,000 Shares; and

 

CH will purchase and be issued with 187,500 Shares,

 

on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the case of CH, subject to the forfeiture provisions at Section 3 hereof. Concurrently with the Subscribers’ execution of this Agreement, the Company shall, at its option, deliver to each Subscriber a certificate registered in the Subscriber’s name representing the Shares (each an “Original Certificate”) purchased by that Subscriber or effect such delivery in book-entry form. All references in this Agreement to shares of the Company being forfeited shall take effect as surrenders for no consideration of such shares as a matter of British Virgin Islands law.

 

 

 

 

2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

 

2.1 Subscribers’ Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Company to issue the Shares to the Subscribers, each Subscriber hereby severally represents and warrants to the Company and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

2.1.1 No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Subscriber understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of the Shares.

 

2.1.2 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Subscriber of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) in the case of NSIL and DVHL only, the formation and governing documents of that Subscriber, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Subscriber is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Subscriber is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Subscriber is subject.

 

2.1.3 Organization and Authority. In the case of NSIL and DVHL, each is a British Virgin Islands business company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.1.4 Enforceability. Upon execution and delivery by the Subscriber, this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of that Subscriber, enforceable against that Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2.1.5 Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. The Subscriber is: (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Shares to be purchased by that Subscriber and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of its investment in those Shares for an indefinite period of time because those Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act (as defined below) and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Subscriber is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect the Subscriber’s own interests. The Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Shares purchased by it are sold pursuant to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (ii) an exemption from registration available with respect to such sale. The Subscriber is able to bear the economic risks of an investment in the Shares purchased by it and to afford a complete loss of Subscriber’s investment in those Shares.

 

2.1.6 Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Subscriber has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, Subscriber has relied solely on Subscriber’s own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon Subscriber’s own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. Subscriber understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and Subscriber has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.1.7 Private Offering. The Subscriber represents that it is (a) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or (b) not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act. Subscriber acknowledges the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “Accredited Investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act or similar exemptions under state law or to a non-U.S. Person under Regulation S. Accordingly, the Shares purchased by that Subscriber will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, and therefore may not be offered, pledged or sold by that Subscriber, directly or indirectly, in the United States without registration under United States federal and state securities laws or an exemption therefrom and Subscriber understands the certificates representing the Shares will contain a legend in respect of such restrictions. The Subscriber did not decide to enter into the Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act or as a result of any “directed selling efforts” within the meaning of Rule 902 under Regulation S.

 

2

 

 

2.1.8 Investment Purposes. The Subscriber is purchasing its Shares solely for investment purposes, for the Subscriber’s own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof. The Subscriber did not decide to enter into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act.

 

2.1.9 Restrictions on Transfer; Shell Company. The Subscriber understands the Shares being purchased by that Subscriber are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act. Such Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future the Subscriber decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Subscriber’s Shares, such Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S (Rule 901 through 905), (B) pursuant to a registration under the Securities Act, or (C) pursuant to an available exemption from registration. Subscriber agrees that if any transfer of its Shares or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, Subscriber may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or an exemption, the Subscriber agrees not to resell its Shares. Subscriber further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company and Rule 144 may not be available to the Subscriber for the resale of its Shares until one year following the consummation of a business combination despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

2.1.10 No Governmental Consents. No governmental, administrative or other third party consents or approvals are required, necessary or appropriate on the part of Subscriber in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.2 Company’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Subscribers to purchase the Shares, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Subscribers and agrees with the Subscribers as follows:

 

2.2.1 Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a British Virgin Islands business company and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operating results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.2.2 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject.

 

2.2.3 Title to Shares. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof, and registration on the register of members of the Company, the Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof each Subscriber will have or receive good title to the Shares issued to it, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (a) transfer restrictions hereunder and under the other agreements to which the Shares may be subject, (b) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (c) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of that Subscriber.

 

2.2.4 No Adverse Actions. There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened against or affecting the Company which: (i) seek to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) question the validity or legality of any transactions or seeks to recover damages or to obtain other relief in connection with any transactions.

 

3

 

 

3. Forfeiture of Shares.

 

3.1 Partial or No Exercise of the Over-allotment Option. In the event the Over-allotment Option granted to the underwriters of the IPO is not exercised in full, CH acknowledges and agrees that he (and, if applicable, any transferee of any of the Shares purchased and issued to CH hereunder) shall forfeit any and all rights to such number of the Shares purchased and issued to CH hereunder (up to an aggregate of all of the 187,500 Shares so purchased and issued and pro rata based upon the percentage of the Over-allotment Option exercised) such that immediately following such forfeiture, the Subscribers (and any such transferees of CH) will own together, in total, an aggregate number of Shares (not including Ordinary Shares underlying any private placement units or warrants (whether comprised in any such units or standing alone) that may be issued to any of the Subscribers upon exercise of any warrants or any securities or rights purchased by Subscriber in the IPO or in the aftermarket) equal to 20% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares immediately following the IPO.

 

3.2 Termination of Rights as Shareholder. If any of the Shares are forfeited in accordance with this Section 3, then after such time CH (or any successor in interest), shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such forfeited Shares, and the Company shall take such action as is appropriate to redeem and cancel such forfeited Shares, which may include by way of the compulsory redemption and cancellation of such Shares for nil consideration. In addition, CH hereby irrevocably grants the Company a limited power of attorney for the purpose of effectuating the foregoing and agrees to take any and all action reasonably requested by the Company necessary to effect any adjustment in this Section 3 (including any such redemption as is referred to herein above).

 

3.3 Share Certificates. In the event an adjustment to any Original Certificate held by CH (or any successor), if any, is required pursuant to this Section 3, then such Original Certificate shall be returned to the Company or its designated agent as soon as practicable upon its receipt of notice from the Company advising of such adjustment, following which a new certificate (the “New Certificate”), if any, shall be issued in such amount representing the adjusted number of Shares held by the CH (or any successor). The New Certificate, if any, shall be returned to CH (or any successor) as soon as practicable. Any such adjustment for any uncertificated securities held by CH (or any successor) shall be made in book-entry form.

 

4. Waiver of Liquidation Distributions; Redemption Rights.

 

In connection with the Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement, each Subscriber hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions by the Company from the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), in the event of a liquidation of the Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete an initial business combination. For purposes of clarity, in the event the Subscriber purchases securities in the IPO or in the aftermarket, any Ordinary Shares so purchased shall be eligible to receive any liquidating distributions by the Company. However, in no event will the Subscriber have the right to redeem any Ordinary Shares held by it into funds held in the Trust Account upon the successful completion of an initial business combination.

 

5. Restrictions on Transfer.

 

5.1 Securities Law Restrictions. In addition to any restrictions to be contained in that certain letter agreement (commonly known as an “Insider Letter”) dated on or prior to the closing of the IPO by and between the Subscribers and the Company, each Subscriber agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Shares held by it unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Shares proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company has received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable state securities laws.

 

4

 

 

5.2 Lock-up. Each Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares held by that Subscriber will be subject to lock-up provisions (the “Lock-up”) contained in the Insider Letter. Pursuant to the Insider Letter, each Subscriber will agree (subject to certain exceptions) not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (i) 50% of the Shares so held until the earlier to occur of: (A) six months after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination or (B) the date on which the last sale price of the Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after the Company’s initial business combination and (ii) the remaining 50% of the Shares until six months after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aforesaid restrictions shall lapse if, subsequent to the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination, the Company consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property.

 

5.3 Restrictive Legends. All certificates representing the Shares shall have endorsed thereon legends substantially as follows:

 

“THESE SECURITIES (i) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) [TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) PURSUANT TO THE RESALE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN RULE 905 OF REGULATIONS S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D)] PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A LOCKUP AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP.”

 

5.4 Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of the declaration of a share dividend, the declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Shares, a spin-off, a share split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject to this Section 5 or into which such Shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to this Section 5 and Section 3. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number of Ordinary Shares subject to this Section 5 and Section 3.

 

5.5 Registration Rights. Each Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares being purchased by that Subscriber are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or they are registered pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be entered into with the Company prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

6. Other Agreements.

 

6.1 Further Assurances. Each Subscriber agrees to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

 

5

 

  

6.2 Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by this Agreement shall be: (i) in writing and delivered personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party and (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.

 

6.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with that certain Insider Letter to be entered into between Subscribers and the Company and the Registration Rights Agreement, each substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the Subscribers and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

6.4 Modifications and Amendments. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement executed by all parties hereto.

 

6.5 Waivers and Consents. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions. No such waiver or consent shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent.

 

6.6 Assignment. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

6.7 Benefit. All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

6.8 Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands applicable to contracts wholly performed within the borders of that territory, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

6.9 Severability. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement shall be unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent that such court deems it reasonable and enforceable, and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force

and effect.

 

6.10 No Waiver of Rights, Powers and Remedies. No failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the parties hereto, shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or remedy of such party. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement by a party hereto, nor any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any such right, power or remedy, shall preclude such party from any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The election of any remedy by a party hereto shall not constitute a waiver of the right of such party to pursue other available remedies. No notice to or demand on a party not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such notice or demand to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving such notice or demand to any other or further action in any circumstances without such notice or demand.

 

6

 

 

6.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the parties hereto in this Agreement or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument provided for or contemplated hereby, shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and any investigations made by or on behalf of the parties.

 

6.12 No Broker or Finder. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other that no broker, finder or other financial consultant has acted on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to create any liability on the other. Each of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify and save the other harmless from any claim or demand for commission or other compensation by any broker, finder, financial consultant or similar agent claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of such party and to bear the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against any such claim.

 

6.13 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

6.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

6.15 Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender or the neuter as the case may be, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

6.16 Mutual Drafting. This Agreement is the joint product of the Subscriber and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

 

7. Voting and Tender of Shares.

 

Each Subscriber agrees to vote the Shares held by it in favor of an initial business combination that the Company negotiates and submits for approval to the Company’s shareholders and shall not seek redemption with respect to any of the Shares. Additionally, each Subscriber agrees not to tender any Shares held by it in connection with a tender offer presented to the Company’s shareholders in connection with an initial business combination negotiated by the Company.

 

8. Indemnification.

 

Each party shall indemnify the other against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

7

 

 

If the foregoing accurately sets forth our understanding and agreement, please sign the enclosed copy of the Agreement and return it to us.

  

  Very truly yours,
   
  East Stone Acquisition Corporation
     
  By: /s/ Xiaoma Lu
    Name: Xiaoma Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed this  
     
  22   October 2018  
   
By:    
     
Navy Sail International Limited  
     
By: /s/ Chunyi Hao  
Name:    
Title:    
     
Double Ventures Holdings Limited  
     
By: /s/ Chunyi Hao  
Name:    
Title:    
     
Mr. Chunyi Hao  
   
By: /s/ Chunyi Hao  
Name:     

 

[Signature page to Subscription Agreement]

 

 

8

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [  ], 2020, by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421, and Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell on a private placement basis (the “Offering”) an aggregate of up to 323,750 units (or 350,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option in connection with the Company’s IPO is exercised in full) (the “Insider Units”) of the Company, each Insider Unit comprised of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase one-half of one ordinary share (the “Warrant Shares”) to be governed by the Warrant Agreement (defined herein), and one right (the “Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share (the “Right Shares”) to be governed by the Rights Agreement (defined herein), for an aggregate purchase price of $3,232,750 ($3,500,000 with full over-allotment), or $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Insider Units and the Company wishes to accept such subscription.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Subscribe

 

1.1. Purchase and Issuance of the Insider Units. For the aggregate sum of $1,670,000 (the “Purchase Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2) 167,000 Insider Units at $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

1.2. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Offering shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105 simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,000,000 units consisting of Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights (the “Closing Date”).

 

1.3. Delivery of the Purchase Price. The Purchase Price is currently held in an account at Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”). At least one business day prior to the effective date of the Company’s registration statement relating to the IPO (“Registration Statement”), the Purchaser agrees to deliver the Purchase Price by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars to CST, which is hereby irrevocably authorized to deposit such funds on the Closing Date to the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, managed pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and CST and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”). If the IPO is not consummated within 14 days of the date the Purchase Price is delivered to CST, the Purchase Price shall be returned to the Purchaser by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars, without interest or deduction.

 

1.4. Delivery of Unit Certificate. Upon the Closing Date after delivery of the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1.3, the Purchaser shall become irrevocably entitled to receive a unit certificate representing the Units purchased hereunder. 

 

 

 

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

 

The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

2.1. No Government Recommendation or Approval. It understands that no United States federal or state agency or similar agency of any other country has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company, the Offering, the Units, the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, the Rights, the Rights Shares or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units (excluding the Warrant Shares and the Rights Shares, the “Unit Shares” and, collectively with the Units, Warrants, Rights, Warrant Shares and Right Shares, the “Securities”).

 

2.2. Organization.  It is a company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.3. Private Offering. It is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or it is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act. It acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “Accredited Investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law or a non-U.S. Person under Regulation S.

 

2.4. Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the Purchaser’s organizational documents, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Purchaser is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.

 

2.6. No Legal Advice from Company. It acknowledges it has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto with its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Company made in this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto, it is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

 

2.7. Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, it has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, it has relied solely on its own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon its own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. It understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and it has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.8. Reliance on Representations and Warranties. It understands the Units are being offered and sold to it in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions.

 

2

 

 

2.9. No Advertisements. It is not subscribing for the Units as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting.

 

2.10. Legend. It acknowledges and agrees the certificates evidencing the Units, the Shares, the Warrants and the Rights shall bear a restrictive legend (the “Legend”), in form and substance as set forth in Section 4 hereof, prohibiting the offer, sale, pledge or transfer of the securities, except (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement covering these securities under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to any other exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such laws which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is available.

 

2.11. Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. It is (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Securities and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of this investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time because the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. It has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. It has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.

 

2.12. Investment Purposes. It is purchasing the Securities solely for investment purposes, for its own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof and it has no present arrangement to sell the interest in the Securities to or through any person or entity.

 

2.13. Restrictions on Transfer. It acknowledges and understands the Units are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future, it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. It agrees that if any transfer of its Securities or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, it may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, it agrees it will not resell the Securities. It further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not be available to it for the resale of the Securities until the one year anniversary following consummation of the initial Business Combination (defined below) of the Company, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

 

3.1. Valid Issuance of Share Capital. The total number of all classes of share capital which the Company has authority to issue is (i) an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares. As of the date hereof, the Company has issued 2,875,000 Ordinary Shares (of which 375,000 Ordinary Shares are subject to forfeiture as described in the Registration Statement related to the IPO) and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. All of the issued share capital of the Company has been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.2. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the warrant agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (“Warrant Agreement”), the rights agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Rights Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as the case may be, each of the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On the date of issuance of the Units, the Rights Shares and the Warrant Shares shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Warrant Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Right Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and pursuant to the insider letter to be entered into on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Insider Letter”) and (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws. 

 

3

 

 

3.3. Organization and Qualification. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a British Virgin Islands business company and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

3.4. Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or shareholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes, and upon the execution and delivery thereof, the Warrants and Warrant Agreement, and the Rights and Rights Agreement, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy.

 

3.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not (i) result in a violation of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) conflict with any law statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject. Other than any federal, state or foreign securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed pursuant thereto, the Company is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units or Warrants in accordance with the terms hereof.

  

4. Legends

 

4.1. Legend. The Company will issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares, and when issued, the Warrant Shares and the Rights Shares, purchased by the Purchaser, in the name of the Purchaser. The Securities will bear the following Legend and appropriate “stop transfer” instructions:

 

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) PURSUANT TO THE RESALE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN RULE 905 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

4

 

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH THEREIN.”

 

4.2. Purchaser’s Compliance. Nothing in this Section 4 shall affect in any way the Purchaser’s obligations and agreements to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of the Securities.

 

4.3. Company’s Refusal to Register Transfer of the Securities. The Company shall refuse to register any transfer of the Securities, if in the sole judgment of the Company such purported transfer would not be made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

4.4. Registration Rights. The Purchaser will be entitled to certain registration rights which will be governed by a registration rights agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”) to be entered into with the Company on or prior to the closing of the IPO.

 

5. Lockup

 

The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, the Unit Shares, the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares shall not be transferable, saleable or assignable until thirty (30) days after the consummation of an acquisition, share exchange, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), except to permitted transferees (as defined in the Insider Letter).

 

6. Securities Laws Restrictions

 

The Purchaser agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Securities unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Securities proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction complies with the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable state securities laws.

 

7. Waiver of Distributions from Trust Account

 

In connection with the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions from the Trust Account.

  

8. Rescission Right Waiver and Indemnification

 

8.1. Rescission Waiver. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act requires there be no general solicitation of purchasers of the Units. In this regard, if the Offering were deemed to be a general solicitation with respect to the Units, the offer and sale of such Units may not be exempt from registration and, if not, the Purchaser may have a right to rescind its purchase of the Units. In order to facilitate the completion of the Offering and in order to protect the Company, its shareholders and the Trust Account from claims that may adversely affect the Company or the interests of its shareholders, the Purchaser hereby agrees to waive, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any claims, right to sue or rights in law or arbitration, as the case may be, to seek rescission of its purchase of the Units as a result of the issuance of the Units being deemed to be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees this waiver is being made in order to induce the Company to sell the Units to the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees the foregoing waiver of rescission rights shall apply to any and all known or unknown actions, causes of action, suits, claims or proceedings (collectively, Claims”) and related losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, whether compensatory, consequential or exemplary, and expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees and disbursements and all other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any Claims, whether pending or threatened, in connection with any present or future actual or asserted right to rescind the purchase of the Units hereunder or relating to the purchase of the Units and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5

 

  

8.2. No Recourse Against Trust Account. The Purchaser agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever in connection with its purchase of the Units or any Claim that may arise now or in the future.

 

8.3. Section 8 Waiver. The Purchaser agrees that to the extent any waiver of rights under this Section 8 is ineffective as a matter of law, the Purchaser has offered such waiver for the benefit of the Company as an equitable right that shall survive any statutory disqualification or bar that applies to a legal right. The Purchaser acknowledges the receipt and sufficiency of consideration received from the Company hereunder in this regard.

 

9. Terms of the Unit

 

The Units shall be substantially identical to the Units offered in the IPO as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, except the Units: (i) will be subject to the transfer restrictions described herein, and (ii) are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of the Units is registered under the Securities Act.

 

10. Governing Law; JurisdictionWaiver of Jury Trial

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands for agreements made and to be wholly performed within such territory. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11. Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment

 

11.1. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person other than by the Purchaser, without the prior consent of the Company, to one or more persons agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof. Upon such assignment by a Purchaser, the assignee(s) shall become Purchaser hereunder and have the rights and obligations provided for herein to the extent of such assignment.

 

11.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature.

 

11.3. Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

11.4. Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

  

12. Notices; Indemnity

 

12.1 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth herein or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by overnight courier, or (c) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service, or (iii) if sent by certified mail, on the fifth business day following the day such mailing is made.

 

6

 

 

12.2 Indemnification. Except as set forth in Section 8, each party shall indemnify the other party against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

 

13. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

14. Survival; Severability

 

14.1. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the Closing until one (1) year following the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

14.2. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

 

15. Headings

 

The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

16. Construction

 

The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

7

 

 

This subscription is accepted by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
  Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed this

___________ day of _____, 2020

 

DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED 

 

By:    
Name:  Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Title: Director  

 

[Signature Page for Unit Subscription Agreement]

 

 

8

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [  ], 2020, by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421, and I-Bankers Securities Inc. (the “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell on a private placement basis (the “Offering”) an aggregate of up to up to 323,750 units (or 350,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option in connection with the IPO is exercised in full) (the “Initial Units”) of the Company, each Initial Unit comprised of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase one-half of one ordinary share (the “Warrant Shares”) to be governed by the Warrant Agreement (defined herein) and one Right (the “Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share (the “Right Shares”) to be governed by the Rights Agreement (defined herein) for an aggregate purchase price of up to $3,232,750 ($3,500,000 with full over-allotment), or $10.00 per Initial Unit.

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Initial Units and the Company wishes to accept such subscription.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Subscribe

 

1.1. Purchase and Issuance of the Initial Units. For the aggregate sum of $487,500 (the “Initial Purchase Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2) 48,750 Initial Units at $10.00 per Initial Unit.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Units (“Additional Units” and together with the Initial Units, the “Units”) at $10.00 per Additional Unit for a purchase price of $262,500 (the “Additional Purchase Price” and together with the Initial Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”). The purchase and issuance of the Additional Units shall occur only in the event that the underwriters’ 30-day over-allotment option (“Over-Allotment Option”) in the Offering is exercised in full or part. The total number of Additional Units to be purchased hereunder shall be in the same proportion as the amount of the Over-Allotment Option that is exercised. Each purchase of Additional Units shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of any portion of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

1.2. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Offering shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105 simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,000,000 units consisting of Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights, and the consummation of the exercise of all or any portion of the Over-Allotment Option (each a “Closing Date”) pursuant to the Company’s registration statement thereto (“Registration Statement”).

 

1.3. Delivery of the Purchase Price. Concurrently with the closing of the IPO or the Over-Allotment Option, if any, the Purchaser agrees to deliver the Initial Purchase Price or Additional Purchase Price, as the case may be, by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), which is hereby irrevocably authorized to deposit such funds on the applicable Closing Date to the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, managed pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and CST and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”).

 

 

 

 

1.4. Delivery of Unit Certificate. Upon the applicable Closing Date after delivery of the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1.3, the Purchaser shall become irrevocably entitled to receive a unit certificate representing the Units purchased hereunder. 

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

 

The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

2.1. No Government Recommendation or Approval. It understands that no United States federal or state agency or similar agency of any other country has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company, the Offering, the Units, the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, the Rights Shares or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units (excluding the Warrant Shares and the Rights Shares, the “Unit Shares” and, collectively with the Units, Warrants, Rights, Warrant Shares and Right Shares, the “Securities”).

 

2.2. Organization.  It is a company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.3. Private Offering. It is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) under the Securities Act. It acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “Accredited Investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law.

 

2.4. Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the Purchaser’s organizational documents, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Purchaser is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.

 

2.6. No Legal Advice from Company. It acknowledges it has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto with its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Company made in this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto, it is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

 

2.7. Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, it has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, it has relied solely on its own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon its own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. It understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and it has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.8. Reliance on Representations and Warranties. It understands the Units are being offered and sold to it in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions.

 

2

 

 

2.9. No Advertisements. It is not subscribing for the Units as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting.

 

2.10. Legend. It acknowledges and agrees the certificates evidencing the Units, the Shares, the Warrants and the Rights shall bear a restrictive legend (the “Legend”), in form and substance as set forth in Section 4 hereof, prohibiting the offer, sale, pledge or transfer of the securities, except (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement covering these securities under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to any other exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such laws which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is available.

 

2.11. Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. It is (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Securities and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of this investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time because the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. It has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. It has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.

 

2.12. Investment Purposes. It is purchasing the Securities solely for investment purposes, for its own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof and it has no present arrangement to sell the interest in the Securities to or through any person or entity.

 

2.13. Restrictions on Transfer. It acknowledges and understands the Units are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future, it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. It agrees that if any transfer of its Securities or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, it may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, it agrees it will not resell the Securities. It further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not be available to it for the resale of the Securities until the one year anniversary following consummation of the initial Business Combination (defined below) of the Company, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

 

3.1. Valid Issuance of Share Capital. The total number of all classes of share capital which the Company has authority to issue is (i) an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares. As of the date hereof, the Company has issued 2,875,000 Ordinary Shares (of which 375,000 Ordinary Shares are subject to forfeiture as described in the Registration Statement related to the IPO) and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. All of the issued share capital of the Company has been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3

 

 

3.2. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof, the warrant agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (“Warrant Agreement”), the rights agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Rights Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as the case may be, each of the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On the date of issuance of the Units, the Rights Shares and the Warrant Shares shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the Warrant Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Warrant Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Right Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and pursuant to the insider letter to be entered into on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Insider Letter”) and (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws. 

 

3.3. Organization and Qualification. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a British Virgin Islands business company and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

3.4. Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or shareholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes, and upon the execution and delivery thereof, the Warrants and Warrant Agreement, and the Rights and Rights Agreement, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy.

 

3.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not (i) result in a violation of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) conflict with any law statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject. Other than any federal, state or foreign securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed pursuant thereto, the Company is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units or Warrants or Rigths in accordance with the terms hereof.

  

4. Legends

 

4.1. Legend. The Company will issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares, and when issued, the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares, purchased by the Purchaser, in the name of the Purchaser. The Securities will bear the following Legend and appropriate “stop transfer” instructions:

 

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (C) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

4

 

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND I-BANKERS SECURITIES INC. AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH THEREIN.”

 

4.2. Purchaser’s Compliance. Nothing in this Section 4 shall affect in any way the Purchaser’s obligations and agreements to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of the Securities.

 

4.3. Company’s Refusal to Register Transfer of the Securities. The Company shall refuse to register any transfer of the Securities, if in the sole judgment of the Company such purported transfer would not be made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

4.4. Registration Rights. The Purchaser will be entitled to certain registration rights which will be governed by a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) to be entered into with the Company on or prior to the closing of the IPO ; provided, however, that the Purchaser may not exercise its demand and “piggy back” registration rights pursuant to such Registration Rights Agreement after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the Registration Statement, respectively, and the Purchaser may not exercise its demand registration rights thereunder more than one time..

 

5. Lockup

 

The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, the Unit Shares, the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares shall not be transferable, saleable or assignable until thirty (30) days after the consummation of an acquisition, share exchange, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and shareholders) participating in the Offering, officers, directors, shareholders, employees and members of the initial holders of the Units and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial holders or to the Company’s officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, shareholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the applicable securities were originally purchased or (9) to the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (each of (1) through (9), a “permitted transferee”), in each case (except for clause 9) where the transferee agrees to the terms of this agreement and by the same agreements entered into by the initial holder of such securities with respect to such securities. The Securities will be deemed compensation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and will therefore be subject to lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement or commencement of sales of the Offering, subject to certain limited exceptions, pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of the FINRA Manual. Accordingly, the Securities may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for 180 days immediately following the effective date of the Registration Statement except to any underwriter or selected dealer participating in the Offering and the bona fide officers, partners or affiliates of the Purchaser and any such participating underwriter or selected dealer nor may they be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person during such 180-day period. The term “permitted transferees” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Registration Statement.

 

6. Securities Laws Restrictions

 

The Purchaser agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Securities unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Securities proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction complies with the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable state securities laws.

 

5

 

 

7. Waiver of Distributions from Trust Account

 

In connection with the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions from the Trust Account.

  

8. Rescission Right Waiver and Indemnification

 

8.1. Rescission Waiver. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act requires there be no general solicitation of purchasers of the Units. In this regard, if the Offering were deemed to be a general solicitation with respect to the Units, the offer and sale of such Units may not be exempt from registration and, if not, the Purchaser may have a right to rescind its purchase of the Units. In order to facilitate the completion of the Offering and in order to protect the Company, its shareholders and the Trust Account from claims that may adversely affect the Company or the interests of its shareholders, the Purchaser hereby agrees to waive, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any claims, right to sue or rights in law or arbitration, as the case may be, to seek rescission of its purchase of the Units as a result of the issuance of the Units being deemed to be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees this waiver is being made in order to induce the Company to sell the Units to the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees the foregoing waiver of rescission rights shall apply to any and all known or unknown actions, causes of action, suits, claims or proceedings (collectively, Claims”) and related losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, whether compensatory, consequential or exemplary, and expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees and disbursements and all other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any Claims, whether pending or threatened, in connection with any present or future actual or asserted right to rescind the purchase of the Units hereunder or relating to the purchase of the Units and the transactions contemplated hereby.

  

8.2. No Recourse Against Trust Account. The Purchaser agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever in connection with its purchase of the Units or any Claim that may arise now or in the future.

 

8.3. Section 8 Waiver. The Purchaser agrees that to the extent any waiver of rights under this Section 8 is ineffective as a matter of law, the Purchaser has offered such waiver for the benefit of the Company as an equitable right that shall survive any statutory disqualification or bar that applies to a legal right. The Purchaser acknowledges the receipt and sufficiency of consideration received from the Company hereunder in this regard.

 

9. Terms of the Unit

 

The Units shall be substantially identical to the Units offered in the IPO as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, except the Units: (i) will be subject to the transfer restrictions described herein, and (ii) are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of the Units is registered under the Securities Act.

 

10. Governing Law; JurisdictionWaiver of Jury Trial

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands for agreements made and to be wholly performed within such territory. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11. Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment

 

11.1. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person other than by the Purchaser, without the prior consent of the Company, to one or more persons agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof. Upon such assignment by a Purchaser, the assignee(s) shall become Purchaser hereunder and have the rights and obligations provided for herein to the extent of such assignment.

 

6

 

 

11.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature.

 

11.3. Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

11.4. Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

  

12. Notices; Indemnity

 

12.1 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth herein or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by overnight courier, or (c) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service, or (iii) if sent by certified mail, on the fifth business day following the day such mailing is made.

 

12.2 Indemnification. Except as set forth in Section 8, each party shall indemnify the other party against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

 

13. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

14. Survival; Severability

 

14.1. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the Closing until one (1) year following the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

14.2. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

 

15. Headings

 

The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

16. Construction

 

The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

7

 

 

This subscription is accepted by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
  Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed this

___________ day of _______, 2020

 

I-BANKERS SECURITIES INC. 

 

By:    
Name:  [                 ]  
Title: Partner and Head of Investment Banking  

 

[Signature Page for Unit Subscription Agreement]

 

 

8

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [ ], 2020, by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421, and Hua Mao (the “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell on a private placement basis (the “Offering”) an aggregate of up to 323,750 units (or 350,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option in connection with the Company’s IPO is exercised in full) (the “Insider Units”) of the Company, each Insider Unit comprised of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase one-half and one ordinary share (the “Warrant Shares”) to be governed by the Warrant Agreement (defined herein), and one right (the “Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share (the “Right Shares”) to be governed by the Rights Agreement (defined herein), for an aggregate purchase price of $3,232,750 ($3,500,000 with full over-allotment), or $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Insider Units and the Company wishes to accept such subscription.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Subscribe

 

1.1. Purchase and Issuance of the Insider Units. For the aggregate sum of $480,000 (the “Purchase Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2) 48,000 Insider Units at $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

1.2. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Offering shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105 simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,000,000 units consisting of Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights (the “Closing Date”).

 

1.3. Delivery of the Purchase Price. The Purchase Price is currently held in an account at Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”). At least one business day prior to the effective date of the Company’s registration statement relating to the IPO (“Registration Statement”), the Purchaser agrees to deliver the Purchase Price by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars to CST, which is hereby irrevocably authorized to deposit such funds on the Closing Date to the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, managed pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and CST and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”). If the IPO is not consummated within 14 days of the date the Purchase Price is delivered to CST, the Purchase Price shall be returned to the Purchaser by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars, without interest or deduction.

 

1.4. Delivery of Unit Certificate. Upon the Closing Date after delivery of the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1.3, the Purchaser shall become irrevocably entitled to receive a unit certificate representing the Units purchased hereunder. 

 

 

 

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

 

The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

2.1. No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or similar agency of any other country has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company, the Offering, the Units, the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, the Rights, the Right Shares or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units (excluding the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares, the “Unit Shares” and, collectively with the Units, Warrants, Rights, Warrant Shares, and Right Shares, the “Securities”).

 

2.2. Residency and Agency. The Purchaser is a resident of the state or the country set forth on the signature page hereto and is not acquiring the Securities as a nominee or agent or otherwise for any other person.

 

2.3. Private Offering. The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Purchaser is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “Accredited Investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law or a non-U.S. Person under Regulation S.

 

2.4. Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or (ii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Purchaser is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.

 

2.6. No Legal Advice from Company. The Purchaser acknowledges the Purchaser has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto with the Purchaser’s own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Company made in this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto, the Purchaser is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

 

2.7. Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, the Purchaser has relied solely on the Purchaser’s own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon the Purchaser’s own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. The Purchaser understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and the Purchaser has not relied on any other representations or information in making the Purchaser’s investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.8. Reliance on Representations and Warranties. The Purchaser understands the Units are being offered and sold to the Purchaser in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions.

 

2.9. No Advertisements. The Purchaser is not subscribing for the Units as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting.

 

2

 

 

2.10. Legend. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees the certificates evidencing the Units, the Shares, the Warrants  and the Rights shall bear a restrictive legend (the “Legend”), in form and substance as set forth in Section 4 hereof, prohibiting the offer, sale, pledge or transfer of the securities, except (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement covering these securities under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to any other exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such laws which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is available.

 

2.11. Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. The Purchaser is (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Securities and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of this investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time because the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect the Purchaser’s own interests. The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect the Purchaser’s own interests.

 

2.12. Investment Purposes. The Purchaser is purchasing the Securities solely for investment purposes, for the Purchaser’s own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof and the Purchaser has no present arrangement to sell the interest in the Securities to or through any person or entity.

 

2.13. Restrictions on Transfer. The Purchaser acknowledges and understands the Units are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future, the Purchaser decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. The Purchaser agrees that if any transfer of the Securities or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, the Purchaser may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, the Purchaser agrees the Purchaser will not resell the Securities. The Purchaser further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not be available to the Purchaser for the resale of the Securities until the one year anniversary following consummation of the initial Business Combination (defined below) of the Company, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

 

3.1. Valid Issuance of Share Capital. The total number of all classes of share capital which the Company has authority to issue is (i) an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares. As of the date hereof, the Company has issued 2,875,000 Ordinary Shares (of which 375,000 Ordinary Shares are subject to forfeiture as described in the Registration Statement related to the IPO) and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. All of the issued share capital of the Company has been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.2. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the warrant agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (“Warrant Agreement”), the rights agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Rights Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as the case may be, each of the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On the date of issuance of the Units, the Right Shares and the Warrant Shares shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Warrant Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Right Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and pursuant to the insider letter to be entered into on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Insider Letter”) and (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws.

 

3

 

 

3.3. Organization and Qualification. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a British Virgin Islands business company and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

3.4. Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or shareholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes, and upon the execution and delivery thereof, the Warrants and Warrant Agreement, and the Rights and Rights Agreement, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy.

 

3.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not (i) result in a violation of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) conflict with any law statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject. Other than any federal, state or foreign securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed pursuant thereto, the Company is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue the Units, the Warrants or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units or Warrants in accordance with the terms hereof.

  

4. Legends

 

4.1. Legend. The Company will issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares, and when issued, the Warrant Shares and Right Shares, purchased by the Purchaser, in the name of the Purchaser. The Securities will bear the following Legend and appropriate “stop transfer” instructions:

 

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) PURSUANT TO THE RESALE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN RULE 905 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

4

 

  

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND HUA MAO AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH THEREIN.”

 

4.2. Purchaser’s Compliance. Nothing in this Section 4 shall affect in any way the Purchaser’s obligations and agreements to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of the Securities.

 

4.3. Company’s Refusal to Register Transfer of the Securities. The Company shall refuse to register any transfer of the Securities, if in the sole judgment of the Company such purported transfer would not be made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

4.4. Registration Rights. The Purchaser will be entitled to certain registration rights which will be governed by a registration rights agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”) to be entered into with the Company on or prior to the closing of the IPO.

 

5. Lockup

 

The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, the Unit Shares, the Warrant Shares and Right Shares shall not be transferable, saleable or assignable until thirty (30) days after the consummation of an acquisition, share exchange, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), except to permitted transferees (as defined in the Insider Letter).

 

6. Securities Laws Restrictions

 

The Purchaser agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Securities unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Securities proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction complies with the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable state securities laws.

 

7. Waiver of Distributions from Trust Account

 

In connection with the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions from the Trust Account.

  

8. Rescission Right Waiver and Indemnification

 

8.1. Rescission Waiver. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act requires there be no general solicitation of purchasers of the Units. In this regard, if the Offering were deemed to be a general solicitation with respect to the Units, the offer and sale of such Units may not be exempt from registration and, if not, the Purchaser may have a right to rescind its purchase of the Units. In order to facilitate the completion of the Offering and in order to protect the Company, its shareholders and the Trust Account from claims that may adversely affect the Company or the interests of its shareholders, the Purchaser hereby agrees to waive, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any claims, right to sue or rights in law or arbitration, as the case may be, to seek rescission of its purchase of the Units as a result of the issuance of the Units being deemed to be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees this waiver is being made in order to induce the Company to sell the Units to the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees the foregoing waiver of rescission rights shall apply to any and all known or unknown actions, causes of action, suits, claims or proceedings (collectively, Claims”) and related losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, whether compensatory, consequential or exemplary, and expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees and disbursements and all other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any Claims, whether pending or threatened, in connection with any present or future actual or asserted right to rescind the purchase of the Units hereunder or relating to the purchase of the Units and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5

 

  

8.2. No Recourse Against Trust Account. The Purchaser agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever in connection with the Purchaser’s purchase of the Units or any Claim that may arise now or in the future.

 

8.3. Section 8 Waiver. The Purchaser agrees that to the extent any waiver of rights under this Section 8 is ineffective as a matter of law, the Purchaser has offered such waiver for the benefit of the Company as an equitable right that shall survive any statutory disqualification or bar that applies to a legal right. The Purchaser acknowledges the receipt and sufficiency of consideration received from the Company hereunder in this regard.

 

9. Terms of the Unit

 

The Units shall be substantially identical to the Units offered in the IPO as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, except the Units: (i) will be subject to the transfer restrictions described herein, and (ii) are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of the Units is registered under the Securities Act.

 

10. Governing Law; JurisdictionWaiver of Jury Trial

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Vrigin Islands for agreements made and to be wholly performed within such territory. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11. Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment

 

11.1. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person other than by the Purchaser, without the prior consent of the Company, to one or more persons agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof. Upon such assignment by a Purchaser, the assignee(s) shall become Purchaser hereunder and have the rights and obligations provided for herein to the extent of such assignment.

 

11.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature.

 

11.3. Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

11.4. Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

  

12. Notices; Indemnity

 

12.1 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth herein or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by overnight courier, or (c) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service, or (iii) if sent by certified mail, on the fifth business day following the day such mailing is made.

 

6

 

 

12.2 Indemnification. Except as set forth in Section 8, each party shall indemnify the other party against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

 

13. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

14. Survival; Severability

 

14.1. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the Closing until one (1) year following the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

14.2. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

 

15. Headings

 

The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

16. Construction

 

The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

  

7

 

  

This subscription is accepted by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
  Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed this

___________ day of _____, 2020

 

HUA MAO, a resident of ___________

 

   

 

[Signature Page for Unit Subscription Agreement]

 

 

8

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [ ], 2020, by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 130 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421, and Cheng Zhao (the “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell on a private placement basis (the “Offering”) an aggregate of up to 323,750 units (or 350,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option in connection with the Company’s IPO is exercised in full) (the “Insider Units”) of the Company, each Insider Unit comprised of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase one-half of one ordinary share (the “Warrant Shares”) to be governed by the Warrant Agreement (defined herein), and one right (the “Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Ordinary Share (the “Right Shares”) to be governed by the Rights Agreement (defined herein), for an aggregate purchase price of $3,232,750 ($3,500,000 with full over-allotment) or $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Insider Units and the Company wishes to accept such subscription.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Subscribe

 

1.1. Purchase and Issuance of the Insider Units. For the aggregate sum of $600,000 (the “Purchase Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2) 60,000 Insider Units at $10.00 per Insider Unit.

 

1.2. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Offering shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105 simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,000,000 units consisting of Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights (the “Closing Date”).

 

1.3. Delivery of the Purchase Price. The Purchase Price is currently held in an account at Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”). At least one business day prior to the effective date of the Company’s registration statement relating to the IPO (“Registration Statement”), the Purchaser agrees to deliver the Purchase Price by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars to CST, which is hereby irrevocably authorized to deposit such funds on the Closing Date to the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, managed pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and CST and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”). If the IPO is not consummated within 14 days of the date the Purchase Price is delivered to CST, the Purchase Price shall be returned to the Purchaser by certified bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds denominated in United States Dollars, without interest or deduction.

 

1.4. Delivery of Unit Certificate. Upon the Closing Date after delivery of the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1.3, the Purchaser shall become irrevocably entitled to receive a unit certificate representing the Units purchased hereunder. 

 

 

 

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

 

The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

2.1. No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or similar agency of any other country has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company, the Offering, the Units, the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, the Rights, the Right Shares or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units (excluding the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares, the “Unit Shares” and, collectively with the Units, Warrants, Rights, Warrant Shares and Rights Shares, the “Securities”).

 

2.2. Residency and Agency. The Purchaser is a resident of the state or the country set forth on the signature page hereto and is not acquiring the Securities as a nominee or agent or otherwise for any other person.

 

2.3. Private Offering. The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Purchaser is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “Accredited Investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law or a non-U.S. Person under Regulation S.

 

2.4. Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

2.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or (ii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Purchaser is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.

 

2.6. No Legal Advice from Company. The Purchaser acknowledges the Purchaser has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto with the Purchaser’s own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Company made in this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto, the Purchaser is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

 

2.7. Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, the Purchaser has relied solely on the Purchaser’s own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon the Purchaser’s own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. The Purchaser understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and the Purchaser has not relied on any other representations or information in making the Purchaser’s investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or its prospects.

 

2.8. Reliance on Representations and Warranties. The Purchaser understands the Units are being offered and sold to the Purchaser in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions.

 

2.9. No Advertisements. The Purchaser is not subscribing for the Units as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting.

 

2

 

 

2.10. Legend. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees the certificates evidencing the Units, the Shares, the Warrants  and the Rights shall bear a restrictive legend (the “Legend”), in form and substance as set forth in Section 4 hereof, prohibiting the offer, sale, pledge or transfer of the securities, except (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement covering these securities under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to any other exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such laws which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is available.

 

2.11. Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. The Purchaser is (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Securities and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of this investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time because the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect the Purchaser’s own interests. The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect the Purchaser’s own interests.

 

2.12. Investment Purposes. The Purchaser is purchasing the Securities solely for investment purposes, for the Purchaser’s own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof and the Purchaser has no present arrangement to sell the interest in the Securities to or through any person or entity.

 

2.13. Restrictions on Transfer. The Purchaser acknowledges and understands the Units are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future, the Purchaser decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. The Purchaser agrees that if any transfer of the Securities or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, the Purchaser may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, the Purchaser agrees the Purchaser will not resell the Securities. The Purchaser further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not be available to the Purchaser for the resale of the Securities until the one year anniversary following consummation of the initial Business Combination (defined below) of the Company, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

 

3.1. Valid Issuance of Share Capital. The total number of all classes of share capital which the Company has authority to issue is (i) an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares. As of the date hereof, the Company has issued 2,875,000 Ordinary Shares (of which 375,000 Ordinary Shares are subject to forfeiture as described in the Registration Statement related to the IPO) and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. All of the issued share capital of the Company has been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.2. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the warrant agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (“Warrant Agreement”), the rights agreement to be entered into with CST on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Rights Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as the case may be, each of the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On the date of issuance of the Units, the Rights Shares and the Warrant Shares shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Warrant Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Purchaser will have or receive good title to the Right Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and pursuant to the insider letter to be entered into on or prior to the closing of the IPO (the “Insider Letter”) and (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws.

 

3

 

 

3.3. Organization and Qualification. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a British Virgin Islands business company and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

3.4. Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or shareholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes, and upon the execution and delivery thereof, the Warrants and Warrant Agreement, and the Rights and Rights Agreement, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy.

 

3.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not (i) result in a violation of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) conflict with any law statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject. Other than any federal, state or foreign securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed pursuant thereto, the Company is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, or the Ordinary Shares underlying the Units or Warrants in accordance with the terms hereof.

  

4. Legends

 

4.1. Legend. The Company will issue the Units, the Warrants, the Rights and the Unit Shares, and when issued, the Warrant Shares and Right Shares, purchased by the Purchaser, in the name of the Purchaser. The Securities will bear the following Legend and appropriate “stop transfer” instructions:

 

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) PURSUANT TO THE RESALE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN RULE 905 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

  

4

 

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND CHENG ZHAO AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH THEREIN.”

 

4.2. Purchaser’s Compliance. Nothing in this Section 4 shall affect in any way the Purchaser’s obligations and agreements to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of the Securities.

 

4.3. Company’s Refusal to Register Transfer of the Securities. The Company shall refuse to register any transfer of the Securities, if in the sole judgment of the Company such purported transfer would not be made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

4.4. Registration Rights. The Purchaser will be entitled to certain registration rights which will be governed by a registration rights agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”) to be entered into with the Company on or prior to the closing of the IPO.

 

5. Lockup

 

The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Units, the Warrants, the Rights, the Unit Shares, the Warrant Shares and the Right Shares shall not be transferable, saleable or assignable until thirty (30) days after the consummation of an acquisition, share exchange, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, or any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), except to permitted transferees (as defined in the Insider Letter).

 

6. Securities Laws Restrictions

 

The Purchaser agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Securities unless, prior thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Securities proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction complies with the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable state securities laws.

 

7. Waiver of Distributions from Trust Account

 

In connection with the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions from the Trust Account.

  

8. Rescission Right Waiver and Indemnification

 

8.1. Rescission Waiver. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act requires there be no general solicitation of purchasers of the Units. In this regard, if the Offering were deemed to be a general solicitation with respect to the Units, the offer and sale of such Units may not be exempt from registration and, if not, the Purchaser may have a right to rescind its purchase of the Units. In order to facilitate the completion of the Offering and in order to protect the Company, its shareholders and the Trust Account from claims that may adversely affect the Company or the interests of its shareholders, the Purchaser hereby agrees to waive, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any claims, right to sue or rights in law or arbitration, as the case may be, to seek rescission of its purchase of the Units as a result of the issuance of the Units being deemed to be in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees this waiver is being made in order to induce the Company to sell the Units to the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees the foregoing waiver of rescission rights shall apply to any and all known or unknown actions, causes of action, suits, claims or proceedings (collectively, Claims”) and related losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, whether compensatory, consequential or exemplary, and expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees and disbursements and all other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any Claims, whether pending or threatened, in connection with any present or future actual or asserted right to rescind the purchase of the Units hereunder or relating to the purchase of the Units and the transactions contemplated hereby.

  

5

 

 

8.2. No Recourse Against Trust Account. The Purchaser agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever in connection with the Purchaser’s purchase of the Units or any Claim that may arise now or in the future.

 

8.3. Section 8 Waiver. The Purchaser agrees that to the extent any waiver of rights under this Section 8 is ineffective as a matter of law, the Purchaser has offered such waiver for the benefit of the Company as an equitable right that shall survive any statutory disqualification or bar that applies to a legal right. The Purchaser acknowledges the receipt and sufficiency of consideration received from the Company hereunder in this regard.

 

9. Terms of the Unit

 

The Units shall be substantially identical to the Units offered in the IPO as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, except the Units: (i) will be subject to the transfer restrictions described herein, and (ii) are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of the Units is registered under the Securities Act.

 

10. Governing Law; JurisdictionWaiver of Jury Trial

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Vrigin Islands for agreements made and to be wholly performed within such territory. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11. Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment

 

11.1. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person other than by the Purchaser, without the prior consent of the Company, to one or more persons agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof. Upon such assignment by a Purchaser, the assignee(s) shall become Purchaser hereunder and have the rights and obligations provided for herein to the extent of such assignment.

 

11.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature.

 

11.3. Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

11.4. Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

  

12. Notices; Indemnity

 

12.1 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth herein or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by overnight courier, or (c) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service, or (iii) if sent by certified mail, on the fifth business day following the day such mailing is made.

 

6

 

 

12.2 Indemnification. Except as set forth in Section 8, each party shall indemnify the other party against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

 

13. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

14. Survival; Severability

 

14.1. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the Closing until one (1) year following the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

14.2. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.

 

15. Headings

 

The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

16. Construction

 

The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

  

7

 

 

This subscription is accepted by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By:  
  Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed this

___________ day of _____, 2020

 

CHENG ZHAO, a resident of _______

 

   

    

[Signature Page for Unit Subscription Agreement]

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [ ], 2020, by and among East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), the undersigned parties listed under Investors on the signature page hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”). and any other holder of Registrable Securities (as defined below) which becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

WHEREAS, the Investors currently holds all of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company issued prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Initial Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, the Investors are privately purchasing 323,750 Units simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Initial Private Units”), and the Investors will purchase up to an aggregate of 26,250 additional Units (together with the Initial Private Units, the “Private Units”) in the event the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering exercise the over-allotment option in full or in part; 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 certain securities of the Company.

 

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:

 

AAA” is defined in Section 6.11.

 

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Business Combination” means an acquisition, share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement or other similar business combination with the Company and one or more businesses or entities.

 

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 S-3” is defined in Section 2.2.4.

 

Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3. 

 

 

 

 

Initial Shares” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Initial Private Units” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement. 

 

Investor” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” is defined in Section 2.1.4.

 

Notices” is defined in Section 6.3.

 

Ordinary Shares” means the Ordinary Shares of the Company, no par value.

 

Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.

 

Private Units” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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 Initial Shares, (ii) all of the Private Units, (iii) all of the Working Capital Units, (iii) all Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any Warrants or Rights included in the Private Units or Working Capital Units, (iv) all Warrants and Rights included in the Private Units or Working Capital Units and (v) any warrants, share capital 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 Initial Shares, Private Units (and underlying Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights) and Working Capital Units (and underlying Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Rights). 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 freely saleable under Rule 144 without volume or other restrictions or limitations.  

 

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 equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-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).

 

Rights” means the rights of the Company underlying the Units, each entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth of one ordinary share on the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

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.

 

Sponsor” means Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company.

 

Investor Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

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

 

 

Units” means the units of the Company, each comprised of one ordinary share, one Right and one Warrant.

 

Warrants” means the warrants of the Company underlying the Units, each to purchase one half of one Ordinary Share.

 

Working Capital Units” means any Units held by the Sponsor, officers or directors of the Company or their affiliates which may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to the Company.

 

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 the Company consummates a Business Combination, the holders of a majority-in-interest of such Private Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares), Working Capital Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares) or other Registrable Securities, as the case may be, held by the Investors, officers or directors of the Company or their affiliates, or the transferees of the Investors, may make a written demand for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Private Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares), Working Capital Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares) or other Registrable Securities, as the case may be (a “Demand Registration”). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify, in writing, all holders of Registrable Securities of the demand within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of such demand, and each holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to include all or a portion of his, her or its Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such holder including Registrable Securities in such registration, including the holder(s) making the initial demand, a “Demanding Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, 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 Sections 2.1.4 and 3.5 and the provisos set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Demand Registrations under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of all Registrable Securities. 

 

2.1.2 Effective Registration. A registration will not count as a Demand Registration unless and until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission 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 another Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a Demand Registration or is terminated, which termination may be effected, following a stop order or injunction, by notice to the Company from at least a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders.

 

2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. If a majority-in-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 public 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 underwritten offering and the inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in such underwritten offering to the extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwritten offering 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. 

 

3

 

 

2.1.4 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten public offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that 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 securities 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 securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), 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 Registrable Securities that each such holder has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of Registrable Securities held by each such holder (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the other securities registrable pursuant to the terms of the Unit Purchase Option issued to the representative of the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering, or its designees, in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (the “Unit Purchase Option” and such registrable securities, the “Option Securities”) as to which “piggy-back” registration has been requested by the holders thereof, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities have not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities 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 Securities. 

 

2.1.5 Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any underwritten offering 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 provided for in Section 2.1.  Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Demand Registration as provided in Section 3.3.  

 

2.2 Piggy-Back Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, 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 share 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 of such Registration Statement, 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 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 by holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All 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 participating in such Piggy-Back registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares that the Company desires to sell, taken together with Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested under this Section 2.2, and the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then the Company shall include in any such registration: 

 

a) If the registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, comprised of Registrable Securities, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the applicable written contractual piggy-back registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

 

b) If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of holders of Option Securities, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other securities for the account of the demanding persons, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Registrable Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the terms hereof, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and

 

c)  If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons other than either the holders of Registrable Securities or of Option Securities, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively the Ordinary Shares or other securities comprised of Registrable Securities and Option Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Unit Purchase Option, as applicable, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.   

 

5

 

 

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 (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of such 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. 

 

2.2.4 Registrations on Form S-3. The holders of Registrable Securities may at any time and from time to time, request in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all of such Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration which may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an underwritten offering. 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 or other securities of the Company, if any, 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 2.2.4: (i) if Form S-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 2.2.4 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.  

 

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 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 use its best efforts to, as expeditiously as possible 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 effective and use its best efforts to keep it 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 of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement a certificate signed by the President or Chairman 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 request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders. 

 

6

 

 

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 reasonably requested by the majority-in-interest of the holders with Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement, and as 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 or such securities have been withdrawn or until such time as the Registrable Securities cease to be Registrable Securities as defined by the Agreement. 

 

3.1.4 Notification. After the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, any prospectus related thereto or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or prospectus, 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 take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional information; and (v) the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement or prospectus so that, after such amendment is filed or prospectus delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such Registration Statement or prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading, and the Company shall 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 reasonably 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 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.

 

7

 

 

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. 

 

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. In the case of any underwritten offering or if reasonably requested by any participant in any other offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall obtain opinions of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of a registration pursuant to this Agreement, addressed to the holders participating in such registration, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to such registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as such holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. In the case of any underwritten offering or if reasonably requested by any participant in any other offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall obtain a “cold comfort” letters from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an underwritten public offering pursuant to this Agreement, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. 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.

 

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, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder. 

 

3.1.11   Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated or, if no such similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.   

 

3.1.12   Road Show. If the registration involves the registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any underwritten offering. 

 

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 (v), or, in the case of a resale registration on Form S-3 pursuant to Section 2.2.4 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 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.

 

8

 

 

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 S-3 effected pursuant to Section 2.2.4, 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, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities (including as required by Section 3.1.11); (vi) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees; (vii) 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); (viii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration; and (ix) 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 in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities included in such offering for each such holder.

 

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 each Investor 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.

 

9

 

 

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 selling holder and each other person, if any, who controls another selling holder 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, but only 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 other selling holder or 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 in such offering giving rise to such liability.

 

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, materially 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 advice 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 or insufficient 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. 

 

4.4.3 The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in Section 4.4.1 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 selling 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 any 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. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to (A) whether the Company has filed (i) all reports and other materials required to be filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K and (ii) current “Form 10 information” (within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act) with the Commission reflecting the Company’s status as an entity that is no longer an issuer described in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and (B) the first date that the Company filed “Form 10 information” (within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act) with the Commission.   

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1   Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than the holders of the Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any of the Company’s share capital for sale or to include the Company’s share capital in any registration filed by the Company for the sale of share capital 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, to 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.  Any additional holder of Registrable Securities may become party to this Agreement by executing and delivering a joinder to the Company and the Investors in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

 

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:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation
130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

Attn: Barry Grossman, Esq.

 

To the Investors, to the addresses set forth below the Investors’ names on Exhibit A hereto.

 

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 that is 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. 

 

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 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. 

 

12

 

 

6.11  Governing Law. In connection with Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the substantive law of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree that any action, proceeding or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be resolved through final and biding arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration shall be brought before the AAA International Center for Dispute Resolution’s offices in New York City, New York, will be conducted in English and will be decided by a panel of three arbitrators selected from the AAA Commercial Disputes Panel and that the arbitrator panel’s decision shall be final and enforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the party from whom enforcement is sought. The cost of such arbitrators and arbitration services, together with the prevailing party’s legal fees and expenses, shall be borne by the non-prevailing party or as otherwise directed by the arbitrators. The Company hereby appoints, without power of revocation, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Fax No.: (212) 370-7889, Attn: Barry Grossman, Esq., as their respective agent to accept and acknowledge on its behalf service of any and all process which may be served in any arbitration, action, proceeding or counterclaim in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this Agreement.

 

6.12  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]

 

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.

 

  COMPANY:
       
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
       
  By:  
    Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  INVESTORS:
       
  DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED
       
  By:  
    Name:  Chunyi (Charlie) Hao
    Title: Director

 

  HUA MAO
       
  By:  
    Name:  Hua Mao

 

  CHENG ZHAO
       
  By:  
    Name:  Cheng Zhao

 

  I-BANKERS SECURITIES, INC.
       
  By:
    Name:
    Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

13

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name   Address
Double Ventures Holdings Limited   [  ]
Hua Mao   [  ]
Cheng Zhao   [  ]
I-Bankers Securities, Inc.   [  ]

 

 

14

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of ________, 2020, by and between East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company organized with limited liability (the “Company”), and  _____________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as officers and/or directors or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among publicly traded corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Memorandum and Articles of Association (as amended, the “Articles of Association”) of the Company provide that the Company may indemnify the directors, officers, key employees and advisers of the Company, in accordance with the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 (“Companies Law”). Accordingly, the Articles of Association and the Companies Law permit contracts to be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights; and

 

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future; and

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of Association and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer and/or director or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of [   ], 2020 between the Company and Indemnitee pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the Underwriters in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1. SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his resignation.

 

2. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement:

 

2.1. References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, advisor, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

2.2. The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.

 

2.3.  A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

2.3.1. Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below), other than Double Ventures Holdings Limited or any of its affiliates, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under any other part of this definition;

 

2.3.2. Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

2.3.3. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of an acquisition, share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement or other similar business combination with the Company and one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) no Person (excluding (a) any corporation resulting from such Business Combination, (b) Double Ventures Holdings Limited or (c) any of Double Ventures Holdings Limited’s affiliates) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination;

 

2

 

 

2.3.4. Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or

 

2.3.5. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

2.4. “BVI Court” means the High Court of the British Virgin Islands.

 

2.5. “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

2.6. “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

2.7. “Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

2.8. “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

  

2.9. “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses, in each case reasonably incurred in connection with, or as a result of, prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a deponent or a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

2.10. “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

2.11. References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

2.12. “New York Court” shall mean the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of the State of New York.

 

2.13. The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.

 

2.14. The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative nature (whether formal or informal), including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee, advisor, or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

2.15. The term “Registration Statement” shall mean the Company’s initial registration statement, as amended, on Form S-1, No. 333-[ ] for its initial public offering of securities.

 

2.16. The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

 

2.17. The term “Trust Account” shall mean the gross proceeds of the initial public offering of securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and sale of units by the Company deposited into a trust account for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, no par value, sold in the Company’s initial public offering.

 

3.  INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) (collectively, “Losses”) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

4

 

 

4.  INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Losses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Losses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the BVI Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.

 

5.  INDEMNIFICATION FOR A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Losses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Losses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Losses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was not successful. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

6.  INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

 

7.  ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for the Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Losses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

 

8.  CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY.

 

8.1. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Losses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

5

 

 

8.2. Without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, the Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

8.3. The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

9.  EXCLUSIONS. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity provision or otherwise;

 

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

 

(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14.5 and 14.6 hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

10. ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM.

 

10.1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Articles of Association, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10.1 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

10.2. The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

10.3. The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

6

 

 

11. PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

 

11.1. Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement.

 

11.2. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12.1 of this Agreement.

 

12. PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

 

12.1. A determination, if required by applicable law and/or the Articles of Association, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board or (ii) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Losses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

12.2. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12.2. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the BVI Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the BVI Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12.1 hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

7

 

 

12.3. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and Losses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

13. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.

 

13.1. In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11.2 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

13.2. If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

13.3. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

13.4. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, officers, trustee, managing members or general partner of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner or managing member or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

13.5. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

8

 

 

14. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.

 

14.1. In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12.1 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the New York Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of the Companies Law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

14.2. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advances of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advances of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

 

14.3. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

14.4. The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

14.5. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee (i) to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles of Association now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).

 

14.6. Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the rate of five per cent per annum for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Losses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

9

 

  

15. SECURITY. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary except for Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

 

16. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; CONDITION PRECEDENT AND WAIVER.

 

16.1. The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Articles of Association, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or the Articles of Association or of any provision hereof or thereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement or the Articles of Association in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles of Association or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

16.2. The Companies Law and the Articles of Association permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the Companies Law, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.

 

16.3. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

16.4. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. 

  

10

 

 

16.5. The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.

 

17. DURATION OF AGREEMENT. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.

 

18. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

19. ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.

 

19.1. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.

 

19.2. Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of Association of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

19.3. The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of Expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives. 

  

19.4. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

11

 

 

19.5. The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a Court of competent jurisdiction and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

20. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

21. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and received for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on such delivery, (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed, or (iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, upon transmission, without receipt of confirmation that such transmission has been received:

 

(a)    If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.

 

(b)   If to the Company, to:

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

130 Worthen Road

Lexington, MA 02421

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Chief Executive Officer

 

or to any other address or number as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.

 

22. APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the New York Court; (b) consent to submit to the jurisdiction of the New York Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the New York Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the New York Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial.

 

23. IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

12

 

  

24. MISCELLANEOUS. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

25. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

 

26. ADDITIONAL ACTS. If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

27. WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT.

 

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall become obligated to indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement only to the extent there are funds available outside the Trust Account to the Company for such purposes as described in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the Trust Account, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates an initial business combination.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

13

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

  

  By:  
    Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Chief Executive Officer 

  

  INDEMNITEE

 

     
     
  Name:  
     
  Address:  
     
     
     
     

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE (“NOTE”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE THEREOF UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.  

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal Amount:  Up to $300,000  Dated as of June 22, 2019
  New York, New York

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company and blank check company (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of Navy Sail International Limited or its registered assigns or successors in interest (the “Payee”), or order, the principal sum of up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below.  All payments on this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by the Maker to such account as the Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

 

1. Principal. The principal balance of this Note shall be payable by the Maker on the earlier of: (i) March 31, 2020, or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities. The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.

 

2. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

3. Drawdown Requests. Maker and Payee agree that Maker may request up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) for costs reasonably related to Maker’s initial public offering of its securities. The principal of this Note may be drawn down from time to time prior to the earlier of: (i) March 31, 2020, or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities, upon written request from Maker to Payee (each, a “Drawdown Request”). Each Drawdown Request must state the amount to be drawn down, and must not be an amount less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) unless agreed upon by Maker and Payee. Payee shall fund each Drawdown Request no later than five (5) business days after receipt of a Drawdown Request; provided, however, that the maximum amount of drawdowns collectively under this Note is Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000). Once an amount is drawn down under this Note, it shall not be available for future Drawdown Requests even if prepaid. No fees, payments or other amounts shall be due to Payee in connection with, or as a result of, any Drawdown Request by Maker. It is acknowledged that the Company may have received amounts in respect of drawdowns under this Note prior to the date hereof, and it is agreed that all such sums were received as drawdowns of principal hereunder in anticipation of the execution of this Note.

 

4. Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees, then to the payment in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.

 

5. Events of Default. The following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):

 

(a) Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by Maker to pay the principal amount due pursuant to this Note within five (5) business days of the date specified above.

 

(b) Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

(c) Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days.

 

6. Remedies.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a) hereof, Payee may, by written notice to Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding. 

 

(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 5(b) and 5(c), the unpaid principal balance of this Note, and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, in all cases without any action on the part of Payee.

 

7. Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note, all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to Maker by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment; and Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof or any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by Payee.

 

8. Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to Maker or affecting Maker’s liability hereunder.

 

9. Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by this Note shall be made in writing and delivered: (i) personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party or (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.

 

10. Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

11. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

2

 

 

 

12. Trust Waiver.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Payee hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in or to any distribution of or from the trust account to be established in which the proceeds of the initial public offering (the “IPO”) to be conducted by the Maker (including the deferred underwriters discounts and commissions) and the proceeds of the sale of the warrants to be issued in a private placement to occur prior to the closing of the IPO are to be deposited, as described in greater detail in the registration statement and prospectus to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the IPO, and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

13. Amendment; Waiver.  Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of the Maker and the Payee.

 

14. Assignment. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

3

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed as deed by the undersigned on the day and year first above written.

  

  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
  By: /s/ Xiaoma Lu
    Name: Xiaoma Lu
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

4

 

Exhibit 14

 

CODE OF ETHICS

OF

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

1. Introduction

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) has adopted this code of ethics (this “Code”), as amended from time to time by the Board and which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company, to:

 

  · promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

  · promote the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as in other public communications made by or on behalf of the Company;

 

  · promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

  · deter wrongdoing; and

 

  · require prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, this Code.

    

This Code may be amended or modified by the Board. In this Code, references to the “Company” means East Stone Acquisition Corporation and, in appropriate context, the Company’s subsidiaries, if any.

        

2. Honest, Ethical and Fair Conduct

 

Each person owes a duty to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest, fair and candid. Deceit, dishonesty and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity. Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage.

 

Each person must:

 

  · Act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of the Company’s information where required or when in the Company’s interests;

 

  · Observe all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations of the cities, states and countries in which we operate;

 

  · Comply with the requirements of applicable accounting and auditing standards, as well as Company policies, in order to maintain a high standard of accuracy and completeness in the Company’s financial records and other business-related information and data;

 

  · Adhere to a high standard of business ethics and not seek competitive advantage through unlawful or unethical business practices (including, but not limited to, stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s consent or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies);

 

  · Deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, employees and independent contractors;;

 

  · Refrain from taking advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice;

 

1 

 

  

  · Protect the assets of the Company and ensure their proper use;
     
  · Until the earliest of (i) the Company’s initial business combination (as such is defined in the Company’s initial registration statement filed with the SEC), (ii) the Company’s liquidation, or (iii) such time as such person ceases to be an officer or director of the Company, to first present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations such officer or director may have; and

 

  · Avoid conflicts of interest, wherever possible, except as may be allowed under guidelines or resolutions approved by the Board (or the appropriate committee of the Board) or as disclosed in the Company’s public filings with the SEC. Anything that would be a conflict for a person subject to this Code also will be a conflict for a member of his or her immediate family or any other close relative. Examples of conflict of interest situations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

· any significant ownership interest in any supplier or customer;

 

· any consulting or employment relationship with any supplier or customer;

 

· the receipt of any money, non-nominal gifts or excessive entertainment from any entity with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings;

 

· selling anything to the Company or buying anything from the Company, except on the same terms and conditions as comparable officers or directors are permitted to so purchase or sell;

 

· any other financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the Company; and

 

· any other circumstance, event, relationship or situation in which the personal interest of a person subject to this Code interferes — or even appears to interfere — with the interests of the Company as a whole.

 

3. Disclosure

 

The Company strives to ensure that the contents of and the disclosures in the reports and documents that the Company files with the SEC and other public communications shall be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable in accordance with applicable disclosure standards, including standards of materiality, where appropriate. Each person must:

 

  · not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company’s independent registered public accountants, governmental regulators, self-regulating organizations and other governmental officials, as appropriate; and

 

  · in relation to his or her area of responsibility, properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness.

      

In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (or persons performing similar functions), and each other person that typically is involved in the financial reporting of the Company must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.

 

Each person must promptly bring to the attention of the Chairman of the Board any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal and/or disclosure controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or (b) any fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.

 

2 

 

  

4. Compliance

 

It is the Company’s obligation and policy to comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. All directors, officers and employees of the Company are expected to understand, respect and comply with all of the laws, regulations, policies and procedures that apply to them in their positions with the Company. Employees are responsible for talking to their supervisors to determine which laws, regulations and Company policies apply to their position and what training is necessary to understand and comply with them. These are steps to keep in mind:

 

  Make sure you have all the facts.

 

  Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it seem unethical or improper?

 

  Clarify your responsibility and role.

 

  Discuss the problem with your supervisor.

 

  You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation.

 

Directors, officers and employees are directed to specific policies and procedures available to persons they supervise.

 

5. Reporting and Accountability

     

The Board is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any person who becomes aware of any existing or potential breach of this Code is required to notify the Chairman of the Board promptly. Failure to do so is, in and of itself, a breach of this Code.

 

Specifically, each person must:

 

  · Notify the Chairman of the Board promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code.

 

  · Not retaliate against any other person for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith.

 

The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on this Code:

 

  · The Board will take all appropriate action to investigate any breaches reported to it.

 

  · Upon determination by the Board that a breach has occurred, the Board (by majority decision) will take or authorize such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Company’s General Counsel, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the SEC or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

 

No person following the above procedure shall, as a result of following such procedure, be subject by the Company or any officer or employee thereof to discharge, demotion suspension, threat, harassment or, in any manner, discrimination against such person in terms and conditions of employment.

 

6. Waivers and Amendments

     

Any waiver (defined below) or an implicit waiver (defined below) from a provision of this Code for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions or any amendment (as defined below) to this Code is required to be disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.  In lieu of filing a current report on Form 8-K to report any such waivers or amendments, the Company may provide such information on a website, in the event that it establishes one in the future, and if it keeps such information on the website for at least 12 months and discloses the website address as well as any intention to provide such disclosures in this manner in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

3 

 

  

A “waiver” means the approval by the Company’s Board of a material departure from a provision of this Code. An “implicit waiver” means the Company’s failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of this Code that has been made known to an executive officer of the Company. An “amendment” means any amendment to this Code other than minor technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments hereto.

 

All persons should note that it is not the Company’s intention to grant or to permit waivers from the requirements of this Code. The Company expects full compliance with this Code.

  

7. Corporate Opportunity

 

Directors, officers and employees are prohibited from (a) taking for themselves personally opportunities that properly belong to the Company or are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position; (b) using corporate property, information or position for personal gain; and (c) subject to pre-existing fiduciary obligations, competing with the Company; provided, however, such prohibition will not extend to potential corporate opportunities reviewed by, and rejected as unsuitable for the Company by, the independent or disinterested members of the Board.  Directors, officers and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.

 

8. Insider Information and Securities Trading

 

The Company’s directors, officers or employees who have access to material, non-public information are not permitted to use that information for security trading purposes or for any purpose unrelated to the Company's business. It is also against the law to trade or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision based on inside company information. For example, using non-public information to buy or sell the Company securities, options in the Company securities or the securities of any Company supplier, customer, competitor or potential business targets is prohibited. The consequences of insider trading violations can be severe. These rules also apply to the use of material, nonpublic information about other companies (including, for example, our customers, competitors, potential business partners and potential business targets). In addition to officers, directors or employees, these rules apply to such person’s spouse, children, parents and siblings, as well as any other family members living in such person’s home.

 

9. Financial Statements and Other Records

 

All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must both conform to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.

 

Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the Board or the Company’s counsel.

 

10. Improper Influence on Conduct of Audits

 

No director or officer, or any other person acting under the direction thereof, shall directly or indirectly take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence any public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the financial statements of the Company or take any action that such person knows or should know that if successful could result in rendering the Company's financial statements materially misleading. Any person who believes such improper influence is being exerted should report such action to such person’s supervisor, or if that is impractical under the circumstances, to any of the Company’s directors.

 

4 

 

  

Types of conduct that could constitute improper influence include, but are not limited to, directly or indirectly:

 

  · Offering or paying bribes or other financial incentives, including future employment or contracts for non-audit services;
  · Providing an auditor with an inaccurate or misleading legal analysis;
  · Threatening to cancel or canceling existing non-audit or audit engagements if the auditor objects to the Company’s accounting;
  · Seeking to have a partner removed from the audit engagement because the partner objects to the Company’s accounting;
  · Blackmailing; and
  · Making physical threats.

  

11. Anti-Corruption Laws

 

The Company complies with the anti-corruption laws of the countries in which it does business, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Directors, officers and employees will not directly or indirectly give anything of value to government officials, including employees of state-owned enterprises or foreign political candidates. These requirements apply both to Company employees and agents, such as third party sales representatives, no matter where they are doing business. If you are authorized to engage agents, you are responsible for ensuring they are reputable and for obtaining a written agreement to uphold the Company’s standards in this area.

 

12. Violations

 

Violation of this Code is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Such action is in addition to any civil or criminal liability which might be imposed by any court or regulatory agency.

 

13. Other Policies and Procedures

 

Any other policy or procedure set out by the Company in writing or made generally known to employees, officers or directors of the Company prior to the date hereof or hereafter are separate requirements and remain in full force and effect.

 

14. Inquiries

 

All inquiries and questions in relation to this Code or its applicability to particular people or situations should be addressed to the Company’s Secretary, or such other compliance officer as shall be designated from time to time by the Company.

 

5 

 

  

PROVISIONS FOR

DIRECTORS

 

(a) Standard of Skill and Care

 

The Company's directors are required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.

 

In exercising his/her powers as a director, a director shall exercise those powers for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to the Company acting, in a manner which contravenes the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 or the Company’s memorandum and articles of association.

 

In discharging these powers, the Company's directors must exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the same circumstances taking into account, but without limitation:

 

(i) the nature of the Company;

 

(ii) the nature of the decision; and

 

(iii) the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him/her.

 

(b) Conflicts of Interest

 

Unless a transaction is between a director and the Company, or in the ordinary course of business, a director shall, immediately after becoming aware of the fact that he or she has a conflict of interest in a transaction entered into, or to be entered into, by the Company, disclose the interest to the Board.

 

The implication of not doing so is to render such transaction voidable, unless:

 

(i) the material facts of the conflict of interest of the director in the transaction are known by the Company's shareholders entitled to vote at a shareholder meeting and the transaction is approved or ratified by a shareholder resolution; or

 

(ii) the Company received fair value for the transaction.

 

Where a director fails to disclose a conflict of interest, that director commits an offense under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and is liable on conviction to a fine of US$10,000.

 

6 

 

  

PROVISIONS FOR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS

 

The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and all senior financial officers, including the Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer, are bound by the provisions set forth therein relating to ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and compliance with law.  In addition to the Code, the CEO and senior financial officers are subject to the following additional specific policies:

 

1.           Act with honesty and integrity, avoiding actual or apparent conflicts between personal, private interests and the interests of the Company, including receiving improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

 

2.           Disclose to the CEO and the Board of Directors of the Company any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest.

 

3.           Perform responsibilities with a view to causing periodic reports and documents filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission and all other public communications made by the Company to contain information that is accurate, complete, fair, objective, relevant, timely and understandable, including full review of all annual and quarterly reports.

 

4.           Comply with laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments applicable to the Company and with the rules and regulations of private and public regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

5.           Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting or omitting material facts or allowing independent judgment to be compromised or subordinated.

 

6.           Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of performance of his or her responsibilities except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to disclose any such information; not use confidential information acquired in the course of performing his or her responsibilities for personal advantage.

 

7.           Share knowledge and maintain skills important and relevant to the needs of the Company, its shareholders and other constituencies and the general public.

 

8.           Proactively promote ethical behavior among subordinates and peers in his or her work environment and community.

 

9.           Use and control all corporate assets and resources employed by or entrusted to him or her in a responsible manner.

 

10.         Not use corporate information, corporate assets, corporate opportunities or his or her position with the Company for personal gain; not compete directly or indirectly with the Company.

 

11.         Comply in all respects with the Company’s Code.

 

12.         Advance the Company’s legitimate interests when the opportunity arises.

 

The Board will investigate any reported violations and will oversee an appropriate response, including corrective action and preventative measures.  Any officer who violates this Code will face appropriate, case specific disciplinary action, which may include demotion or discharge.

  

Any request for a waiver of any provision of this Code must be in writing and addressed to the Chairman of the Board.  Any waiver of this Code will be disclosed promptly on Form 8-K or any other means approved by the SEC.

 

It is the policy of the Company that each officer covered by this Code shall acknowledge and certify to the foregoing annually and file a copy of such certification with the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

7 

 


OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

 

I have read and understand the foregoing Code.  I hereby certify that I am in compliance with the foregoing Code and I will comply with the Code in the future.  I understand that any violation of the Code will subject me to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include demotion or discharge.

 

Dated: [                      ], 2020    
     
    Name: [               ]
    Title: [                 ]

 

8 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1, of our report dated January 16, 2020, relating to the balance sheet of East Stone Acquisition Corporation as of June 30, 2019, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from August 9, 2018 (inception) through June 30, 2019, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC  
   
New York, New York  
January 16, 2020  

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

1. STATUS

 

The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”).

 

2. PURPOSE

 

The Committee is appointed by the Board for the primary purposes of:

 

· Performing the Board’s oversight responsibilities as they relate to the Company’s accounting policies and internal controls, financial reporting practices and legal and regulatory compliance, including, among other things:

 

· the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

· the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

· review of the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and

 

· the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and the Company’s independent auditors;

 

· Maintaining, through regularly scheduled meetings, a line of communication between the Board and the Company’s financial management, internal auditors and independent auditors, and

 

· Preparing the report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement, as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules.

 

3. COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

The Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall be comprised of three or more Directors (as determined from time to time by the Board), each of whom shall meet the independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and all other applicable laws.

 

Each member of the Committee shall be financially literate and at least one member of the Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities, as each such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by the SEC.

 

1 

 

 

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Committee will:

 

1. Review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” with management and the independent auditors. In connection with such review, the Committee will:

 

· Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 380 (as may be modified or supplemented) and the matters in the written disclosures required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence;

 

· Review significant changes in accounting or auditing policies;

 

· Review with the independent auditors any problems or difficulties encountered in the course of their audit, including any change in the scope of the planned audit work and any restrictions placed on the scope of such work and management’s response to such problems or difficulties;

 

· Review with the independent auditors, management and the senior internal auditing executive the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls, and any significant findings and recommendations with respect to such controls;

 

· Review reports required to be submitted by the independent auditor concerning: (a) all critical accounting policies and practices used; (b) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of such alternatives, and the accounting treatment preferred by the independent auditors; and (c) any other material written communications with management;

 

· Review (a) major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; and (b) analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analysis of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements and the effects of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company; and

 

· Discuss policies and procedures concerning earnings press releases and review the type and presentation of information to be included in earnings press releases (paying particular attention to any use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

 

2. Review and discuss the quarterly financial statements and the Company’s disclosures provided in periodic quarterly reports including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” with management, the senior internal auditing executive and the independent auditor, such review to include taking those actions, if applicable, listed in item 1 under this section 4.

 

2 

 

  

3. Oversee the external audit coverage. The Company’s independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the Committee, which has the direct authority and responsibility to appoint, retain, compensate, terminate, select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors. In connection with its oversight of the external audit coverage, the Committee will have authority to:

 

· Appoint and replace (subject to shareholder approval, if deemed advisable by the Board) the independent auditors;

 

· Approve the engagement letter and the fees to be paid to the independent auditors;

 

· Pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company and the related fees for such services other than prohibited nonauditing services as promulgated under rules and regulations of the SEC (subject to the inadvertent de minimus exceptions set forth in the Act and the SEC rules);

 

· Monitor and obtain confirmation and assurance as to the independent auditors’ independence, including ensuring that they submit on a periodic basis (not less than annually) to the Committee a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company. The Committee is responsible for actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors and for taking appropriate action in response to the independent auditors’ report to satisfy itself of their independence;

 

· At least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditors describing: the firm’s internal quality-control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and to assess the independent auditors’ independence, all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company;

 

· Meet with the independent auditors prior to the annual audit to discuss planning and staffing of the audit;

 

· Review and evaluate the performance of the independent auditors, as the basis for a decision to reappoint or replace the independent auditors;

 

· Set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors, including but not limited to, as required by all applicable laws and listing rules; and

 

· Assure regular rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner by setting clear policies for audit partner rotation and by having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit, as required by the Act, and consider whether rotation of the independent auditor is required to ensure independence.

 

4. Oversee internal audit coverage. In connection with its oversight responsibilities, the Committee will:

 

· Review the appointment or replacement of the senior internal auditing executive;

 

· Review, in consultation with management, the independent auditors and the senior internal auditing executive, the plan and scope of internal audit activities;

 

· Review internal audit activities, budget and staffing; and

 

· Review significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditing department and management’s responses to such reports.

 

5. Review, with the independent auditors and the senior internal auditing executive, the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls, and any significant findings and recommendations with respect to such controls.

 

6. Resolve any differences in financial reporting between management and the independent auditors.

 

3 

 

  

7. Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

8. Discuss policies and guidelines to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is undertaken.

 

9. Meet periodically and at least four times per year with management to review and assess the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the manner in which such risks are being monitored and controlled.

 

10. Meet periodically (not less than annually) in separate executive session with each of the chief financial officer, the senior internal auditing executive, and the independent auditors.

 

11. Review and approve all “related party transactions” requiring disclosure under SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404, in accordance with the policy set forth in Section 6 below.

 

12. Review periodically with the Company’s management, independent auditors and outside legal counsel (i) legal and regulatory matters which may have a material effect on the financial statements, and (ii) corporate compliance policies or codes of conduct, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

 

13. As it determines necessary to carry out its duties, engage and obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other advisers.

 

14. Report regularly to the Board with respect to Committee activities.

 

15. Prepare the report of the Committee required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the proxy statement for each annual meeting.

 

16. Review and reassess annually the adequacy of this Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board.

 

17. Monitor compliance, on a regularly scheduled basis, with the terms of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Offering”) and, if any noncompliance is identified, promptly take all action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise cause the Company to come into compliance with the terms of the Offering.

 

18. Inquire and discuss with management the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

19. Determine the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work.

 

20. Review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to Double Ventures Holdings Limited, or the Company’s officers or directors and their and the Company’s respective affiliates.

 

21. Evaluate the Committee’s own performance and report that it has done so to the Board.

 

4 

 

   

5. PROCEDURES

 

1. Action.

 

A majority of the members of the entire Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Committee shall act on the affirmative vote a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Without a meeting, the Committee may act by unanimous written consent of all members. However, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and non-audit services, provided the decision is reported to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

2. Fees.

 

The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of compensation: (a) to outside legal, accounting or other advisors employed by the Committee; and (b) for ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

3. Limitations.

 

While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with GAAP. This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditors.

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS POLICY

 

1. Definitions.

 

A “Related Party Transaction” is any transaction directly or indirectly involving any Related Party that would need to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Under Item 404(a), the Company is required to disclose any transaction occurring since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, involving the Company where the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related Party Transaction” also includes any material amendment or modification to an existing Related Party Transaction.

 

“Related Party” means any of the following:

 

· a director (which term when used herein includes any director nominee);

 

· an executive officer;

 

· a person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's ordinary shares (a “5% shareholder”); or

 

· a person known by the Company to be an immediate family member of any of the foregoing.

 

“Immediate family member” means a child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of such director, executive officer, nominee for director or beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee for director or beneficial owner.

 

2. Identification of Potential Related Party Transactions.

 

Related Party Transactions will be brought to management's and the Board's attention in a number of ways. Each of the Company’s directors and executive officers shall inform the Chairman of the Committee of any potential Related Party Transactions. In addition, each such director and executive officer shall complete a questionnaire on an annual basis designed to elicit information about any potential Related Party Transactions.

 

Any potential Related Party Transactions that are brought to the Committee’s attention shall be analyzed by the Committee, in consultation with outside counsel or members of management, as appropriate, to determine whether the transaction or relationship does, in fact, constitute a Related Party Transaction requiring compliance with this Policy.

 

5 

 

  

3. Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions.

 

At each of its meetings, the Committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing or proposed Related Party Transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the Company has already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction, and the benefits to the Company and to the relevant Related Party. In determining whether to approve a Related Party Transaction, the Committee shall consider, among other factors, the following factors to the extent relevant to the Related Party Transaction:

 

· whether the terms of the Related Party Transaction are fair to the Company and on the same basis as would apply if the transaction did not involve a Related Party;

 

· whether there are business reasons for the Company to enter into the Related Party Transaction;

 

· whether the Related Party Transaction would impair the independence of an outside director;

 

· whether the Related Party Transaction would present an improper conflict of interests for any director or executive officer of the Company, taking into account the size of the transaction, the overall financial position of the director, executive officer or Related Party, the direct or indirect nature of the director's, executive officer's or Related Party's interest in the transaction and the ongoing nature of any proposed relationship, and any other factors the Committee deems relevant; and

 

· any pre-existing contractual obligations.

 

Any member of the Committee who has an interest in the transaction under discussion shall abstain from voting on the approval of the Related Party Transaction, but may, if so requested by the Chairman of the Committee, participate in some or all of the Committee's discussions of the Related Party Transaction. Upon completion of its review of the transaction, the Committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the Related Party Transaction.

 

A Related Party Transaction entered into without pre-approval of the Committee shall not be deemed to violate this Policy, or be invalid or unenforceable, so long as the transaction is brought to the Committee as promptly as reasonably practical after it is entered into or after it becomes reasonably apparent that the transaction is covered by this Policy.

 

A Related Party Transaction entered into prior to the effective date of this Charter shall not be required to be reapproved by the Committee.

 

 7. DISCLOSURE

 

If required by the rules of the SEC or any of any exchange or national listing market system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, this Charter, as amended from time to time, shall be made available to the public on the Company’s website or filed with the SEC.

 

6 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

The following Compensation Committee Charter (the “Charter”) was adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”).

 

1.       Members. The Board shall appoint the members of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee shall be comprised of at least two directors of the Board, and must be comprised solely of “independent” directors of the Board who shall also satisfy such other criteria imposed on members of the Committee pursuant to the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market or such other national securities exchange which the Company’s securities are then listed (the “Principal Market”), any other applicable laws or regulations, and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. The term “independent director” means a director who (i) meets the definition of “independence” under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Principal Market, (ii) is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (c) is an “outside director” under the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Each appointed member of the Committee may be removed by the Board at any time, with or without cause. Unless the Board elects a Chair of the Committee, the Committee shall elect a Chair by majority vote. Each Committee member shall have one vote.

 

2.        Purpose. In addition to such other duties as may be assigned to the Committee by the Board from time to time, the purpose of the Committee is to represent and assist the Board in (a) discharging its responsibilities for approving and evaluating the officer compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company, (b) reviewing and recommending to the Board regarding compensation to be provided to the Company’s employees and directors, and (c) implementing and administering the equity compensation plans of the Company. The Committee shall ensure that the Company’s compensation programs are competitive, designed to attract and retain highly qualified directors, officers and employees, encourage high performance, promote accountability and assure that employee interests are aligned with the interests of the Company’s shareholders.

 

3.       Duties and Responsibilities. The Committee shall, among its duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board, and in addition to any duties and responsibilities imparted to the Committee by the SEC or any applicable Principal Market or any other applicable laws or regulations:

 

  (a)       Determine, in executive session at which the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) is not present, the compensation for the Company’s CEO or President, if such person is acting as the CEO.

 

  (b)       Review and determine the compensation of the executive officers of the Company other than the CEO based upon the recommendation of the CEO and such other customary factors that the Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

 

  (c)       Recommend awards and/or bonuses to be granted to executive officers of the Company under the Company’s equity plans and other compensation or benefit plans or policies as approved by the Board or the Committee.

 

  (d)       Approve the overall amount or percentage of plan and/or bonus awards to be granted to all Company employees and delegate to the Company’s executive management the right and power to specifically grant such awards to each Company employee within the aggregate limits and parameters set by the Committee.

 

  (e)       Review and evaluate the performance of the CEO and the other executive officers of the Company;

 

  (f)       Review and approve the design of other benefit plans pertaining to executives and employees of the Company.

 

1 

 

  

  (g)       Prepare and approve such reports on compensation as are necessary for filing with the SEC and other government bodies, including in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

  (h)       Review, recommend to the Board, and administer all plans that require “disinterested administration” under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  (i)       Approve the amendment or modification of any compensation or benefit plan pertaining to executives or employees of the Company that does not require shareholder approval.

 

  (j)       Review and recommend to the Board the adoption of or changes to the compensation of the Company’s independent directors.

 

  (k)       Retain (at the Company’s expense) compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors, and obtain assistance from members of management, in each case, as the Committee deems appropriate in the exercise of its authority.

 

  (l)       Make reports and recommendations to the Board within the scope of its functions and advise the officers of the Company regarding various personnel matters as may be raised with the Committee.

 

  (m)       Approve all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for the Company’s executive officers and employees.

 

  (n)       Review the form, terms and provisions of employment and similar agreements with the Company’s executive officers and any amendments thereto.

 

  (o)       To the extent the same has been adopted, review, at least annually, the compensation philosophy of the Company.

 

The powers and responsibilities delegated by the Board to the Committee in this Charter or otherwise shall be exercised and carried out by the Committee as it deems appropriate without requirement of Board approval, and any decision made by the Committee (including any decision to exercise or refrain from exercising any of the powers delegated to the Committee hereunder) shall be at the Committee’s sole discretion. While acting within the scope of the powers and responsibilities delegated to it, the Committee shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Committee shall have the power to determine which matters are within the scope of the powers and responsibilities delegated to it. To the extent that the Company’s securities are not listed or quoted on a Principal Market, the Committee shall determine which of the aforementioned duties and responsibilities it shall undertake or shall be applicable to the Committee.

 

4.        Meetings; Reports. The Committee will meet as often as it deems necessary or appropriate (but no less than annually), in its judgment, either in person or telephonically, and at such times and places as the Committee members determine. The majority of the members of the Committee constitutes a quorum and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Committee. Minutes will be kept of each meeting of the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall report to the Board following meetings of the Committee and as otherwise requested by the Chairman of the Board. The Committee shall also make reports and recommendations to the Board within the scope of its functions.

 

5.       Advisors. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel and other adviser retained by the Committee. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, legal counsel or any other adviser retained by the Committee.

 

2 

 

  

Before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the Committee shall consider the independence of each such adviser by taking into account the following factors and any other factors required by the Principal Market or the SEC and corresponding rules that may be amended from time to time, including any exceptions permitted by such rules:

 

  (i) the provision of other services to the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser (the “Advisory Firm”);

 

  (ii) the amount of fees received from the Company by the Advisory Firm, as a percentage of the total revenue of the Advisory Firm;

 

  (iii) the policies and procedures of the Advisory Firm or other advisors that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;

 

  (iv) any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisors with a member of the Committee;

 

  (v) any stock of the Company owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisors; and

 

  (vi) any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisors or the Advisory Firm.

 

6.       Review of Charter. The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes thereto to the Board.

 

7.       Self Assessment. The Committee will annually evaluate the Committee’s own performance and report that it has done so to the Board.

 

8.       Delegation by Committee. The Committee may delegate authority consistent with this Charter to one or more Committee members or subcommittees comprised of one or more Committee members when appropriate. Any such member, members or subcommittee shall be subject to this Charter.  The decisions of any such member, members or subcommittees to which authority is delegated under this paragraph shall be presented to the full Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

9.       Amendment. Any amendment or other modification of this Charter shall be made and approved by the full Board.

 

10.       Disclosure of Charter. If required by the rules of the SEC or any Principal Market, this Charter, as amended from time to time, shall be made available to the public on the Company’s website or filed with the SEC.

 

3 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

CONSENT OF Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a Director Nominee in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) and any and all amendments thereto, registering securities for issuance in the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Dated: January 13, 2020

 

  /s/  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

CONSENT OF Sanjay Prasad

 

As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a Director Nominee in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) and any and all amendments thereto, registering securities for issuance in the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Dated: January 13, 2020

 

  /s/ Sanjay Prasad
  Sanjay Prasad

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

CONSENT OF MICHAEL CASHEL

 

As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a Director Nominee in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) and any and all amendments thereto, registering securities for issuance in the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Dated: January 14, 2020

 

  /s/ Michael Cashel
  Michael Cashel

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

CONSENT OF William Zielke

 

As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a Director Nominee in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of East Stone Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) and any and all amendments thereto, registering securities for issuance in the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Dated: January 13, 2020

 

  /s/ William Zielke
  William Zielke