As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2021.

Registration No. 333-252878

 

 

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

 

FORM S-1/A

(AMENDMENT NO. 1)

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its constitutional documents)

 

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)

 

6/F Unit B,
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 9086 7042

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

 

Cogency Global lnc.

122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10168

+1 800-221-0102

 

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

 

Copies to:

Lawrence Venick
Giovanni Caruso
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
(212) 407-4000
(212) 407-4990 — Facsimile

Brad L. Shiffman 

Blank Rome LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020 

(212) 885-5000 

(212) 885-5001 — Facsimile 

Jose Santos

Forbes Hare

Qwomar Building

Road Town

Tortola

British Virgin Islands

(284) 494 1890

 

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

 

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

 

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 ☑  Smaller reporting company
    Emerging growth company

 

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

 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each Class of Security being registered   Amount
to be
Registered
    Proposed
maximum
offering
price per
share
    Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price (1)
    Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
Units, each consisting of one Ordinary Share, par value $0.001 per share, and one Redeemable Warrant entitling the holder to receive one Ordinary Share (2)     4,600,000     $ 10.00     $ 46,000,000.00     $ 5,018.60  
Ordinary Shares included as part of the Units(3)     4,600,000                   (4)
Redeemable Warrants included as part of the Units(3)     4,600,000                   (4)
Total                   $ 46,000,000.00     $ 5,018.60 (5)

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o).
(2) Includes Units and Ordinary Shares and Warrants underlying such Units which may be issued on exercise of a 45-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 share splits, share capitalizations or similar transactions.
(4) No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.
(5) Previously paid.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 11, 2021

 

$40,000,000
ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
4,000,000 Units

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited is a blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as a business company with limited liability for the purpose of effecting into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in the gaming and e-commerce sectors in the Greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia regions.

 

This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit that we are offering has a price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share and one redeemable warrant. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Each warrant will become exercisable on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and one year from the date that the registration statement is declared effective, and will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation, as described in this prospectus.

 

We have granted Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”), an underwriter of this offering, a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 600,000 units (over and above the 4,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any. 

 

We will provide the holders of our outstanding ordinary shares that were sold in this offering 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 described below, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding ordinary shares that were sold in this offering, which we refer to as our “public shares” throughout this prospectus, subject to the limitations described herein.

 

We have 15 months (or up to 24 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the above time period, we will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public shareholders, by way of the redemption of their shares and thereafter cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein.

 

Our sponsor, Ace Global Investment Limited, has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 units (or up to 281,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or “private units,” at $10.00 per private unit for a total purchase price of $2,600,000 (or $2,810,000, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. Each private placement unit shall consist of one ordinary share and one private warrant exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our units, ordinary shares or warrants. We have applied to have our units listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “ACBAU” on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless Ladenburg informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our satisfaction of certain conditions. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares, and warrants will be traded on NASDAQ under the symbols “ACBA,” and “ACBAW,” respectively.

 

 

 

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 24 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities. Investors will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

No offer or invitation to subscribe for units may be made to the public in the British Virgin Islands.

 

    Price to Public     Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions (1)
    Proceeds, before
Expenses, to us
 
Per Unit   $ 10.00     $ 0.60     $ 9.40  
Total   $ 40,000,000     $ 2,400,000     $ 37,600,000  

 

 

(1) Includes $0.35 per unit sold, or $1,400,000 (or $1,610,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate, payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions that will be placed in a trust account located in the United States as described herein. The deferred commissions will be released to the underwriters only on completion of an initial business combination, in an amount equal to $0.25 multiplied by the number of public shares sold as part of the units in this offering, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Does not include certain fees and expenses payable (or securities issuable) to the underwriters in connection with this offering. See also “Underwriting” for a description of compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters.

 

Upon consummation of the offering, $10.10 per unit sold to the public in this offering (whether or not the over-allotment option has been exercised in full or part) will be deposited into a United States-based account at Morgan Stanley maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Such amount approximately includes $1,400,000, or $1,610,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, payable to the underwriters as deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released to us until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our liquidation upon our failure to consummate a business combination within the required time period.

 

The underwriters are offering the units for sale on a firm-commitment basis. Delivery of the units will be made on or about __________, 2021.

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

 

Brookline Capital Markets
A Division of Arcadia Securities, LLC

 

The date of this prospectus is _______________, 2021

 

 

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
   
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA 23
   
RISK FACTORS 24
   
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 55
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 58
   
DIVIDEND POLICY 61
   
DILUTION 62
   
CAPITALIZATION 63
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 64
   
PROPOSED BUSINESS 68
   
MANAGEMENT 86
   
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 94
   
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS 96
   
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 99
   
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 113
   
TAXATION 114
   
UNDERWRITING 125
   
LEGAL MATTERS 131
   
EXPERTS 131
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 131
   
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

i

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and the financial statements. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus, references to:

 

  “we,” “us” or “our company” refers to Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited;

 

 

“amended and restated memorandum and articles of association” are to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association;

     
 

“BVI” are to the British Virgin Islands;

     
  “Companies Act” and the “Insolvency Act” are to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 and the Insolvency Act, 2003 of the British Virgin Islands, respectively and in each case as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time;
     
  “initial shareholders” refers to all of our shareholders immediately prior to the date of this prospectus, including all of our officers and directors to the extent they hold such shares;

 

  “insider shares” refers to the 1,150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders prior to this offering (including up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part);

 

 

“letter agreements” refer to the agreements to be executed among us, underwriters, our officers, directors and other initial shareholders on the date that the registration statement is declared effective;

     
  “private units” refer to the units issued in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering;

 

  “private warrants” refer to the warrants underlying the private units;

 

  “US Dollars” and “$” refer to the legal currency of the United States;
     
  “public shares” refer to ordinary share 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) shareholder;
     
  “warrants” or “public warrants” refer to the warrants which are being sold as part of the units in this offering;
     
  “sponsor” refers to Ace Global Investment Limited;

 

  “public shareholders” means the holders of the ordinary shares which are being sold as part of the units in this public offering, or “public shares,” whether they are purchased in the public offering or in the aftermarket, including any of our initial shareholders to the extent that they purchase such public shares (except that our initial shareholders will not have conversion or tender rights with respect to any public shares they own).

1

 

Except as specifically provided otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.

 

All references in this prospectus to our insider shares being forfeited shall take effect as surrenders for no consideration of such shares as a matter of the British Virgin Islands law. All references to the conversion of ordinary shares shall take effect as a redemption of ordinary shares and issuance of the corresponding ordinary shares as a matter of the British Virgin Islands law.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We 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 on November 2, 2020 as a business company with limited liability (meaning that our public shareholders have no liability, as shareholders of our company, for the liabilities of our company over and above the amount paid for their shares). We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic location. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. 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.

 

Industries Overview

 

Our objectives are to generate compelling attractive returns for our shareholders and to enhance value through top line growth and hands on operational improvement for our potential target companies. We believe our management team’s personnel, network and relationships combined with their unique and diversified experiences in investing, operating and transforming businesses will uniquely position them to identify and execute attractive business combination opportunities. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although we intend to capitalize on the management team’s network and focus our search on target businesses operating in the Greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia regions, focusing on the gaming and e-commerce sector.

 

According to Newzoo, a global provider for games market insights and analytics, the global games market is estimated to be worth $189.3 billion in 2021 with 2.8 billion gamers, and will exceed $200 billion by the end of 2023. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated economic downturn, the gaming industry has proven to be resilient. With many seeking to fill their time and finding a way to escape, they are spending more money and time on gaming. In the United States, for the month of December 2020, consumer spending across video games hardware, content and accessories reached a record of $7.7 billion, 25% higher than the previous year.

 

We believe the gaming market has experienced a significant amount of change over the last several years. With the increasing innovation and technological advancements, we believe there are tremendous opportunities within a variety of segments for investments and expansion. Console gaming with a strong customer base of 729 million users was estimated to grow at a rate of 6.8% year on year on to reach $45.2 million in revenue in 2020. Mobile gaming, which is currently the largest segment in the gaming industry, generated $77.2 billion in revenue in 2020 and grew to reach 2.6 billion users in 2020, which is more than one third of the world population. Competitive gaming is also gaining widespread popularity. In fact, the esports market is predicted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 20% from 2021 to 2026, with total esports viewership to grow from 454 million in 2019 to 646 million by 2023. Asia is predicted to drive the majority of this growth as esports viewership increased by 75-100% during the pandemic, with 95% of PC gamers in Southeast Asia playing esports games. According to VentureBeat personal computer or PC gaming will comprise 19% of the global games market and is predicted to have $32.3 billion in profits in 2021.

2

 

Consistent with our management teams’ expertise, we intend to focus on three of the most valuable and profitable markets in this industry: China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Asia-Pacific has the largest market share in the browser gaming industry, accounting for 51% of the global browser games market size as of 2020. China and Japan are consistently ranked as the top two countries leading the gaming market. The Global Games Market Report predicts that China will continue to be the largest market for gaming, with nearly one out of three people in the country gaming on a regular basis. Japan, which is home to some of the largest gaming developers and companies in the world, is predicted to reach 64.9% user penetration rate by 2025. Southeast Asia has also consolidated its place as one of the fastest growing regions for PC online games revenues. It is predicted that the Southeast Asia market will register a CAGR of 8.5% of annual growth from 2020 to 2025.

 

Key economic trends are driving the growth in these areas. Increasing internet penetration rate in many rural areas in China and more people gaining access to digital devices are some of the main growth drivers in the Chinese gaming industry. Southeast Asia is also experiencing high volumes of new internet and mobile users. It is forecasted that Southeast Asia will be the fastest-growing region for online game revenue. Owing to the strong economic growth, there is an increasing middle-class emerging from these countries resulting in more discretionary income to spend on activities like video games. The pace of growth is also expanding in Japan as the Japanese government is planning to expand the countries’ esports industry to help boost the economy by 2025. The ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working with legal experts to create guidelines to promote esports in the country.

 

Similar to the gaming industry, we believe that the e-commerce market has seen an explosive growth over the past few years. According to Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, the retail e-commerce sales worldwide will nearly double from $3.53 trillion in 2019 to $6.54 trillion by 2022. The unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 has stimulated much growth in this sector. A report published by IBM shows that the pandemic has accelerated the shift to online shopping by five years. According to a report by Accenture, it is expected to be a 160% future increase in online shopping amongst new or low frequency shoppers. In another survey conducted by Bazaarvoice Network with 3,000 participants, 41% of the respondents said they were shopping for things they would never normally shop indicating that there are many untapped opportunities to grow in this sector.

 

We expect that the shift to e-commerce will continue to stay after the pandemic is over. According to another consumer research conducted by Accenture between March to August of 2020, the results indicate that attitudes, behaviors and habits formed for retail consumers during the pandemic will remain even after the crisis is over. This suggests that practices such as online shopping will become a permanent trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on consumer behavior making the digital economy a highly attractive market. Asia Pacific region has seen massive growth as it leads the global e-commerce industry with a growth rate of 25% or $2.271 trillion.

 

Shopee, one of the most downloaded e-commerce shopping apps in Asia, received 429.8 million orders in Q1 of 2020, which is a 111.2% increase from the previous year. Facebook reported that the online retail for clothing, accessories and personal care items is expected to annual see growth of 25-30%. The market for online groceries increased three times over the past few months, totaling it to about $350 billion in this region. In addition, 80% of customers surveyed who have been shopping groceries online said they will continue to do so even after the economy has recovered. Bain Company, one of the largest management consulting companies in the world, predicts that shopping online for essentials in Southeast Asia will be a permanent trend. More importantly, the penetration rate in the market is still very low with approximately 600 million potential customers in the region that are still not purchasing online.

 

Japan’s e-commerce market is expected to reach $325.9 billion by 2026. High internet penetration, hi-tech network infrastructure, technologically advanced economy, one language and small geographical size are all contributing factors to the growth and success of the e-commerce market in Japan. China, on the other hand, has the largest e-commerce market in the world. According to Cornell University, over 50% of global transactions that are occurring online are from China.

 

This pace of growth is driven by China’s sophisticated digital mobile payment system with a penetration rate three times of the United States and having more than 850 million internet users. Clothing, electronics, cosmetics/ beauty, food and luxury segments are all expected to grow. With China’s 415 million millennial consumers, e-commerce presents a retail opportunity that can be extremely lucrative. Accoring to GlobalData Analysis for the technology, media and telecoms (TMT) IPO market, during the last three years, 66 e-commerce related inital public offerings have had an average return of 140% as of January 11, 2021. In addition, amongst the ten largest e-commerce initial public offerings that occurred in the past three years, five took place in 2020 even when the pandemic was causing great uncertainty. These figures indicate a growing investment interest in the ecommerce industry. We believe we can capitalize on the potential growth in this sector.

3

 

As the gaming and e-commerce industries are evolving and expanding, we believe there are many attractive opportunities to acquire and merge with rapidly growing companies. With the region’s high growth rate and increased demand for online shopping, our focus will be on China, Japan and Southeast Asia. China, Japan and Southeast Asia are saturated with AI startups, digital innovation and developing of innovative hardware technology. In addition, China has one of the largest mobile subscribers’ bases in the world, providing large potential for more technology use in gaming and online shopping. Given the size, breadth and growth prospects, the gaming and e-commerce industry are well poised for high growth, high demand and attractive returns.

 

Management Operating and Investing Experience

 

Our management team consists of a team of members that have significant experience working and managing in the gaming and e-commerce market in these regions. Our team is led by Mr. Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Nicholas Tan, Chief Financial Officer. See the section titled “Management” for complete information on the experience of our officers and directors.

 

Mr. Wong has had a wide range of experience both in the financial and gaming industries for over a decade. Prior to joining Whiz Partners Inc., a private equity firm in Japan and China, he worked in the financial industry, and gained expertise in mergers and acquisitions as well as investments. During his time at Whiz Partners, he became the Chief Investment Officer of the China Hero Fund, an incubation program to support Chinese developers to create the next blockbuster console game on PlayStation 4. China Hero Fund is an exclusive collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, one of the largest console gaming companies in the world. He personally oversaw the injection of multiple Japanese technology companies in audio middleware, debugging and testing and graphics renderings to improve the quality of games in this program. Through his leadership and management, he successfully executed ongoing China expansion strategies for portfolio gaming companies and ensure their successful game launch, as well as plan the exit strategy maximizing investors’ returns. Having served in multiple financial roles and in the gaming industry, his insights and experience will be invaluable to complete this business combination. Mr. Wong is currently the Vice President of Whiz Partners and the Partner and Chief Investment Officer of the China Hero PJ Fund.

 

Mr. Tan has had extensive experience working in Southeast Asia and Greater China in the gaming and e-commerce market. He was one of the founding team members of Shopee Pte Ltd, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. As Regional Operations Director of Shopee, he set up and oversaw the business operations and product development for Shopee in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia. Shopee was rated as one of the “5 disruptive e-commerce startups” by Tech In Asia and awarded the “Singapore Startup of the Year” in 2015. Shopee was later acquired by Garena, a global online games developer in Singapore, which was later known as Sea Ltd. According to Bloomberg, the company was one of the world’s best-performing large-cap stocks on Wall Street as of August 5, 2020. He later served as the Director of Zhejiang Jianqiao Energy Co. Ltd, an oil and gas company that was responsible for developing the $150 million seminal crude oil terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, and then moving onto becoming the Vice President of China Mall Group. As Vice President, he oversaw the launch of 150,000 msg Home Africa Mall in Johannesburg. Nicholas is currently the partner of East Ocean Capital, an investment holding company that specializes in consumers and healthcare.

 

We believe the technical, operational and financial expertise of our management team will boost our ability to identify, evaluate and source a target company that is ready to go public and their breadth of experience and deep knowledge in the gaming and e-commerce industry will ensure that the soundness of our strategies and quality of execution will be highly successful. We will conduct careful technology and business due diligence to identify and acquire businesses with robust value creation, healthy capacity for cash flow generation, strong company fundamentals, and opportunities for operational improvement. Combined with the huge market potential, we believe we will be able to streamline the target company’s operations, improve its service offerings and product development, and ultimately provide the capital market support needed to guide the company to obtain additional funding required for its continuous growth.

4

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs and will allocate their time to other businesses, and the collective experience of our officers and with blank check companies like ours is not significant. We presently expect each of our employees to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). The past successes of our executive officers and directors do not guarantee that we will successfully consummate an initial business combination. In addition, the members of the management team may not remain with us subsequent to the consummation of a business combination. 

 

As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under the British Virgin Islands law, prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Most of our officers and directors currently have certain pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations.

 

Acquisition Strategy and Investment Criteria

 

Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although we intend to capitalize on the management team’s network and focus our search on target businesses operating in the Greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia regions, focusing on the gaming and e-commerce sector. We will seek to capitalize on the comprehensive industry experience and network of our management team to help us in sourcing, identifying, structuring and consummating the initial business combination. Our selection process will leverage our management team’s broad network of contacts and relationships with various unaffiliated sources including government bodies, investment bankers, investment professionals at private equity firms, other financial sponsors, owners of private businesses, consultants, accounting and legal firms etc. to provide us with a strong pipeline of potential acquisition leads.

 

We have identified the following general criteria and guidelines which we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses.

 

Target companies with significant operations in the gaming or e-commerce sector in Greater China, East Asia and South Asia regions. We intend to leverage our management teams unique expertise and relationships to source a potential target. Based on our management team’s past experience and strong network in Asia, we believe it will be advantageous to focus on finding investment opportunities in this region.

 

Industry leadership and with middle-market growth business. We intend to seek a target that has a leading presence across a sector or has prominent technology or product competences. We will primarily seek to acquire a target company of mid-market range with a total enterprise value of between $150,000,000 and $300,000,000.

 

Current and potential capacity for revenue and earnings growth. We expect to target companies that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of improved production capacity, cost reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions, which could result in an operating leverage for stronger revenue and earnings growth in the future.

 

Strong fundamental target companies that have the potential to improve their performance under our management. We believe our management team’s experience and network of industry contacts can create more opportunities for the target company, enhance their revenue and operational productivities, and potentially generate higher returns for our investors.

 

Resilient Business Model. We intend to select a target that has operating models to respond quickly to sudden changes in the market. In these disruptive times, we believe it is critical for companies to address sustainability concerns so that they can stay afloat and continue to grow even when unexpected challenges occur.

5

 

Experienced and motivated management team. We will seek target businesses with a management team that shows dedication, strategic vision and whose interests and goals are aligned with investors and our management team. We intend to seek to acquire a capable team that has a broad network, seasoned and is here for the long-term.

 

History of Cash Flow Generation. We intend to seek a target which is profitable with stable cash flow coming in.

 

Potential benefit from operating improvement. Consistent with our acquisition strategy, our management team intends to focus on creating shareholder value by improving the efficiency of the company’s operations while implementing strategies to scale revenue organically and or through follow-on acquisitions.

 

Potential benefit from capital markets access. We will assess the public market readiness of the company. We intend to acquire a target company that will benefit from being a public company in the United States and as a result effectively utilize the opportunity for increased access to more sources of capital, enhanced corporate governance and improved public profile.

 

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.

 

Because of regulations in China restricting foreign ownership of businesses in certain industries, we may make use of structures like the ones described in the section below entitled “Alternative structures to comply with regulations in certain Chinese industries” on page 74.

 

We will either (i) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata portion of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (ii) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata portion of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of our proposed business combination or allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we will have the flexibility to avoid a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

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We will have until 15 months from the consummation 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, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination). Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. 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 insiders 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, $396,000, or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $1,188,000 (or $1,366,200 if the underwriters’ over-allotment opinion is exercised in full). The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent 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 insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us or necessary to pay our taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders. In the event of our liquidation and subsequent dissolution and the public warrants will expire and will be worthless.

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within this time period, we will liquidate the trust account and distribute the proceeds held therein to our public shareholders by way of redeeming their shares and dissolve. If we are forced to liquidate, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust account calculated as of the date that is two (2) days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest net of taxes payable). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. In the event of our liquidation and subsequent dissolution, the public warrants will expire and will be worthless.

 

Pursuant to the NASDAQ listing rules, our initial business combination must be with a target business or businesses whose collective fair market value is at least equal to 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for such business combination, although this may entail simultaneous acquisitions of several target businesses. The fair market value of the target business will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). Our board of directors will have broad discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of any prospective target business. The target business or businesses that we acquire may have a collective fair market value substantially in excess of 80% of the trust account balance. We will not be required to comply with the 80% fair market value requirement if we are delisted from NASDAQ. 

 

We are not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party that the target business we select has a fair market value in excess of at least 80% of the balance of the trust account unless our board of directors cannot make such determination on its own. We are also not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party indicating that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view unless the target is affiliated with our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates.

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We currently anticipate structuring our initial business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and 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, only the portion of such target business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test.

 

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 (which we refer to herein as 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.

 

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 as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three year period.  

 

Private Placements

 

In November 2020, we sold 1,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $1.00, or approximately $0.001 per share. In December 2020, we sold 1,149,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $24,999, or approximately $0.022 per share. The insider shares held by our initial shareholders include an aggregate of up to 150,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that our initial shareholders will collectively own 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (without given effect to the sale of the private units and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase units in this offering). None of our initial shareholders has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering.

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The insider shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering. However, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, (A) to vote their insider shares (as well as any public shares acquired in or after this offering) in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would stop our public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to us in connection with a business combination or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their public shares into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with any such vote, (C) not to convert any insider shares (as well as any other shares acquired in or after this offering) 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 shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the insider shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. Additionally, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the insider shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, 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 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. 

 

In addition, our sponsor, has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below. Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, it will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.10 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. The proceeds from the private placement of the private units will be added to the proceeds of this offering and placed in an account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee.

 

The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees. Additionally, because the private units will be issued in a private transaction, our sponsor and its permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the private warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares. Furthermore, our sponsor has agreed (A) to vote the ordinary shares underlying the private units, or “private shares,” in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would stop our public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to us in connection with a business combination or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 24 months, as applicable) unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their public shares in connection with any such vote, (C) not to convert any private shares for cash from the trust account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination or a vote to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the private shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. Our sponsor has also agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units or underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares and provided the transferees agree to the same terms and restrictions as the permitted transferees of the insider shares must agree to, each as described above) until the completion of our initial business combination. 

 

If public units or shares are purchased by any of our directors, officers or initial shareholders, they will be entitled to funds from the trust account to the same extent as any public shareholder upon our liquidation but will not have redemption rights related thereto.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive office is located at 6/F Unit B, Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong and our telephone number is +852 9086 7042.

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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. 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 24 of this prospectus.

 

Securities offered 4,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one ordinary share and one redeemable warrant. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share.
   
Listing of our securities and proposed symbols We anticipate the units, and the ordinary shares and warrants, once they begin separate trading, will be listed on NASDAQ under the symbols “ACBAU,”, “ACBA,” and “ACBAW,” respectively.
   
  Each of the ordinary shares and warrants may trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless the underwriters determine that an earlier date is acceptable (based upon, among other things, its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization and blank check companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular). In no event will the underwriters allow separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering.
   
  Once the ordinary shares 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 separately trading ordinary shares, 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 three 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 Form 8-K or a new Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in the Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if the underwriters has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants prior to the 52th day after the date of this prospectus.

 

Ordinary shares:  
   
Number issued and outstanding before this offering and the private placement 1,150,000 shares (1)
   
Number to be issued and outstanding after this offering and sale of private units 5,260,000 shares (2)

 

 

(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full.

 

(2) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders have been forfeited. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, there will be a total of 6,031,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

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Redeemable Warrants:  
   
Number issued and outstanding before this offering and the private placement 0 warrants
   
Number to be issued and outstanding after this offering and sale of private units 4,260,000 warrants (3)
   
Exercisability Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants for a whole number of shares.

 

(3) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, there will be a total of 4,881,000 warrants, including an aggregate of 281,000 private warrants.

 

Exercise price

$11.50 per share subject to adjustments as described in this prospectus. No public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering 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 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 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 60 days following the consummation of our initial business combination, public 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. 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 day prior to the date of exercise. For example, if a holder held 300 warrants to purchase 300 shares and the fair market value on the date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 70 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 $9.20 per 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 $9.20 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 below will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Value.

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Exercise period The warrants will become exercisable on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and one year from the effective date of this registration statement. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth anniversary of the completion of the initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.
   
Redemption We may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants), 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 per share, as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, rights, issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations, and the like, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading days period ending three business 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 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 well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price per share after the redemption notice is issued and not limit our ability to complete the redemption. 
   
  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 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 whole 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.

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Insider Shares

In November 2020, we sold 1,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $1.00, or approximately $0.001 per share. In December 2020, we sold 1,149,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $24,999, or approximately $0.022 per share. The insider shares held by our initial shareholders include an aggregate of up to 150,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that our initial shareholders will collectively own 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the sale of the private units and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase units in this offering). None of our initial shareholders has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering.

 

The insider shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering. However, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, (A) to vote their insider shares (as well as any public shares acquired in or after this offering) in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would stop our public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to us in connection with a business combination or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their public shares into the right to receive cash from the trust account in connection with any such vote, (C) not to convert any insider shares (as well as any other shares acquired in or after this offering) 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 shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the insider shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. Additionally, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the insider shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, 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 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. 

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Private placement at time of offering

Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below. Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, it will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.10 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. The proceeds from the private placement of the private units will be added to the proceeds of this offering and placed in an account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee.

 

The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees. Additionally, because the private units will be issued in a private transaction, our sponsor and its permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the private warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares. Furthermore, our sponsor has agreed (A) to vote the ordinary shares underlying the private units, or “private shares,” in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would stop our public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to us in connection with a business combination or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their public shares in connection with any such vote, (C) not to convert any private shares for cash from the trust account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination or a vote to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the private shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. Our sponsor has also agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units or underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares and provided the transferees agree to the same terms and restrictions as the permitted transferees of the insider shares must agree to, each as described above) until the completion of our initial business combination.

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Offering proceeds to be held in trust $37,800,000 of the net proceeds of this offering (or $43,650,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), plus $2,600,000 we will receive from the sale of the private units (or $2,810,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), for an aggregate of $40,400,000 (or an aggregate of $46,460,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), or $10.10 per unit sold to the public in this offering (regardless of whether or not the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part) will be placed in a trust account at Morgan Stanley in the United States, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. Such amount includes $1,400,000, or up to $0.35 per unit (or $1,610,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable to the underwriters as deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. Pursuant to the investment management trust agreement that will govern the investment of such funds, the trustee, upon our written instructions, will direct Morgan Stanley to invest the funds as set forth in such written instructions and to custody the funds while invested and until otherwise instructed in accordance with the investment management trust agreement. The remaining $600,000 of net proceeds of this offering will not be held in the trust account.
   
  Except as set forth below, the proceeds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of an initial business combination within the required time period or our entry into liquidation if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. Therefore, unless and until an 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 will 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 a business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account (estimated to initially be $600,000); 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 $600,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans would be repaid out of funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available. 

 

Limited payments to insiders Prior to the consummation of a business combination, there will be no fees, reimbursements or other cash payments paid to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than:

 

  ● repayment at the closing of this offering of an aggregate of approximately $32,839 of loans made by Ace Global Investment Limited;
   
  ● payment of $10,000 per month to Ace Global Investment Limited, for office space and related services, subject to deferral as described herein;

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  ● repayment at the closing of this offering of loans which may be made by our insiders, officers, directors or any of its or their affiliates to finance transaction costs in connection with an initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined; and
   
  ● 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.
   
 

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 any initial shareholder or member of our management team, 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.

 

Conditions to completing our initial business combination

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 value of the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriters’ 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 we are no longer listed on Nasdaq, we will not be required to satisfy the 80% test.

 

If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we may obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm as to the fair market value of the target business. We will complete our initial business combination only if the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. 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% test, provided that in the event that the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses.

 

Potential revisions to agreements with insiders We could seek to amend certain agreements made by our management team disclosed in this prospectus without the approval of shareholders, although we have no intention to do so. For example, restrictions on our executives relating to the voting of securities owned by them, the agreement of our management team to remain with us until the closing of a business combination, the obligation of our management team to not propose certain changes to our organizational documents or the obligation of the management team and its affiliates to not receive any compensation in connection with a business combination could be modified without obtaining shareholder approval. Although shareholders would not be given the opportunity to redeem their shares in connection with such changes, in no event would we be able to modify the redemption or liquidation rights of our shareholders without permitting our shareholders the right to redeem their shares in connection with any such change. We will not agree to any such changes unless we believed that such changes were in the best interests of our shareholders (for example, if such a modification were necessary to complete a business combination).

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Shareholder approval of, or tender offer in connection with, initial business combination

In connection with any proposed initial business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of such initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each public shareholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. If enough shareholders tender their shares so that we are unable to satisfy any applicable closing condition set forth in the definitive agreement related to our initial business combination, or we are unable to maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001, we will not consummate such initial business combination. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction, or whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we will have the flexibility to avoid a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. 

 

  We have determined not to consummate any business combination unless we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation in order to avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. The $5,000,001 net tangible asset value would be determined once a target business is located and we can assess all of the assets and liabilities of the combined company.
   
  However, if we seek to consummate a 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 business combination, the net tangible asset requirement may limit our ability to consummate such a business combination 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 business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all.

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  Our initial shareholders, officers and directors, have agreed (i) to vote their insider shares, private shares and any public shares purchased in or after this offering in favor of any proposed business combination and (ii) not to convert any shares (including the insider shares) in connection with a shareholder vote to approve, or sell their shares to us in any tender offer in connection with, a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction we could need as little as 55,001 of our public shares (or approximately 1.38% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market). None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or ordinary shares in the open market or in private transactions (other than the private units). However, if a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. There is no limit on the number of shares that may be purchased by the insiders. Any purchases would be made in compliance with federal securities laws, including the fact that all material information will be made public prior to such purchase, and no purchases would be made if such 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. 
   
Redemption rights

In connection with a business combination, public shareholders will have the right to convert their shares into an amount equal to (1) the number of public shares being converted by such public holder divided by the total number of public shares multiplied by (2) the amount then in the trust account (initially $10.10 per share), which includes the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions plus a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account less any amounts necessary to pay our taxes. At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may elect to convert their share regardless of whether or not they vote to approve the business combination. 

 

  Whether we elect to effectuate our initial business combination via shareholder vote or tender offer, we may require public shareholders wishing to exercise redemption rights, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender the certificates they are seeking to convert to our transfer agent or to deliver the shares they are seeking to convert to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. 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 converting holder. The foregoing is different from the procedures used by traditional blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many traditional blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the shareholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise its redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for it to deliver its certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an “option window” after the consummation of the business combination during which it could monitor the price of the company’s stock in the market. If the price rose above the conversion price, it could sell its 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 an “option” right surviving past the consummation of the business combination until the converting holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the closing of the shareholder meeting ensures that a holder’s election to convert is irrevocable once the business combination is completed.

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  Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are required to give a minimum of only ten days’ notice for each general meeting. As a result, if we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their redemption rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.
   
  If we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares to comply with specific delivery requirements for conversion described above and such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders.
   
  Please see the risk factors titled “In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require shareholders who wish to convert their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights” and “If we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares to comply with the delivery requirements for conversion, such converting shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.”
   
  Once the shares are converted by the holder, and effectively redeemed by us under the British Virgin Islands law, the transfer agent will then update our Register of Members to reflect all conversions.

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Automatic liquidation if no business combination

As described above, if we fail to consummate a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) from the consummation of this offering, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Act. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination). Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. 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 insiders 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 $396,000, or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. 

   

 

 

The amount in the trust account (including the deferred underwriting compensation) under the Companies Act will be available for distribution under the Companies Act provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business, and the value of the Company’s assets exceed its liabilities. If we are forced to liquidate, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust account calculated as of the date that is two (2) days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest net of taxes payable).
   
  Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as voidable transaction in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.
   
  The holders of the insider shares and private units will not participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to such securities.

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  Our sponsor has contractually agreed pursuant to a written agreement with us that, if we liquidate the trust account prior to the consummation of a business combination, it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. Accordingly, if a claim brought by a target business or vendor did not exceed the amount of funds available to us outside of the trust account, our sponsor would not have any obligation to indemnify such claims as they would be paid from such available funds. However, if a claim exceeded such amounts, the only exceptions to our sponsor’s obligations to pay such claim would be if the party executed an agreement waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind it has in or to any monies held in the trust account. We cannot assure you that our sponsor will be able to satisfy these obligations if he is required to do so. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the per-share redemption price from the trust account, if we liquidate the trust account because we have not completed a business combination within the required time period, and assuming that we do not extend out life beyond 15 months prior to a business combination, will not be less than $10.00. 
   
  We will pay the costs of liquidating the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, our sponsor has contractually agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $18,500) and has contractually agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses. 
   
 

The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions held in the trust account in the event we do not consummate a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering and in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.  

   
Indemnity Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or 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 our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

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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 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 to offerings 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 24 of this prospectus.

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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 are presented.

 

   

December 31, 2020 

 
    Actual     As Adjusted (1)
    (Audited)     (Unaudited)  
Balance Sheet Data:            
Working capital (deficit)   $ (35,806 )   $ 39,609,194  
Total assets   $ 45,000     $ 41,009,194  
Total liabilities   $ 35,806     $ 1,400,000 (2)
Value of ordinary shares subject to possible conversion/tender   $ -     $ 34,609,185  
Shareholders’ equity   $ 9,194     $ 5,000,009  

 

(1) Includes the $2,600,000 we will receive from the sale of the private units.
   
(2)

The “as adjusted” total liabilities represents up to $1,400,000 of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. The actual liabilities of $35,806 at December 31, 2020 represents $32,839 of a related party loan from Ace Global Investment Limited, which will be repaid using the proceeds received from the offering on the date the offering is consummated. The $1,400,000 of deferred underwriting discounts is not due until an initial business combination is consummated, for which we have until 15 months from the closing of this offering to consummate (or up to 24 months if our time to complete a business combination is extended as described herein).

 

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.

 

The “as adjusted” working capital amount includes the $40,400,000 to be held in the trust account, plus $600,000 in cash held outside the trust account, plus $9,194 of net book value at December 31, 2020, and less the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of up to $1,400,000, 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.

 

The “as adjusted” total assets amount includes the $40,400,000 to be held in the trust account, plus $600,000 in cash held outside the trust account, plus $9,194 of net book value at December 31, 2020. If our initial business combination is not consummated, the trust account, less amounts we are permitted to withdraw as described in this prospectus, will be distributed solely to our public shareholders (subject to our obligations under British Virgin Islands law to provide for claims of creditors). The actual deferred offering costs of $1,400,000 will be reclassified as a charge to additional paid-in capital from the gross proceeds in connection with the consummation of the offering. Any additional offering costs will also be charged to additional paid-in capital. 

 

We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the material risks described below, which we believe represent the material risks related to the offering, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks described below.

 

Risks Associated with Our Business

 

We are a newly formed blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and, accordingly, you will not have any basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

 

We are a newly formed blank check company with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to commence operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public offering of our securities. Since we do not have an operating history, you will have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We have not conducted any discussions and we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective acquisition candidates. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest, after the consummation of a business combination.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”

 

As of December 31, 2020, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. The report of our independent registered public accountants on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph stating that our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the consummation of this offering. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our ability to continue as a going concern. Moreover, there is no assurance that we will consummate our initial business combination. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

If we are unable to consummate a business combination, our public shareholders may be forced to wait more than 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) before receiving liquidation distributions.

 

We will have 15 months from the consummation of this offering in which to complete a business combination (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus). We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to such date unless we consummate a business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to convert their shares. Only after the expiration of this full time period will public shareholders be entitled to liquidation distributions if we are unable to complete a business combination. Accordingly, investors’ funds may be unavailable to them until after such date and to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your securities potentially at a loss.

 

Unlike other blank check companies, we may extend the time to complete a business combination by up to nine months without a shareholder vote or your ability to redeem your shares.

 

We will have until 15 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination. However, unlike other similarly structured blank check companies, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to three times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon ten days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $500,000, or up to $575,000 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, for each three month extension (or up to an aggregate of $1,500,000 (or $1,725,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or $0.30 per share if we extend for the full nine months). Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension.

 

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The requirement that we complete an initial business combination within a specific period of time 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.

 

We have 15 months from the consummation of this offering to complete an initial business combination (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus). Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware of this requirement. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete a business combination with any other target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the time limits referenced 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.

 

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

 

Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete a 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 of blank check companies such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules which would, for example, completely restrict the transferability of our securities, restrict the use of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and require us to complete a business combination within 24 months from the closing of the offering. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable, we will be entitled to withdraw amounts from the funds held in the trust account prior to the completion of a business combination and we may have more time to complete an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of this offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison to offerings of blank check companies subject to Rule 419.”

 

We may issue additional ordinary or preferred shares or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our shareholders and likely cause a change in control of our ownership.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association currently authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of a single class each with par value of $0.001. Although we have no commitment as of the date of this offering, we may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares or preferred shares or debt securities, or a combination of thereof, to complete a business combination. The issuance of additional ordinary shares or preferred shares:

 

  may significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in this offering;

 

  may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;

 

  may 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 stock 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, it could result in:

 

  default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a 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;

 

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

 

  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;
     
  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 be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.

 

Since 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 the obligation to convert into cash (or purchase in any tender offer) a significant number of shares from dissenting shareholders, we will be required to seek additional financing. Such 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 a particular business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, if we consummate a business combination, we may require additional 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 a business combination.

 

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share redemption price received by shareholders may be less than $10.10.

 

Our placing of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage and prospective target businesses we negotiate with 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, they may not execute such agreements. Furthermore, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they may seek recourse against the monies held in the trust account. A court may not uphold the validity of such agreements. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public shareholders. If we liquidate the trust account before the completion of a business combination, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us and which have not executed a waiver agreement. However, it may not be able to meet such obligation. Therefore, the per-share redemption price from the trust account in such a situation may be less than $10.10, plus interest, due to such claims.

 

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Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, or if we otherwise enter compulsory or court supervised liquidation, 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. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we may not be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.10 per share.

 

Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will continue in existence only until 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) from the consummation of this offering if a business combination has not been consummated by such time. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination during such time period, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to such process and any liability of our shareholders may extend beyond the date of such distribution. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that third parties, or us under the control of an official liquidator, will not seek to recover from our shareholders amounts owed to them by us.

 

If at any time we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act, 2003 of the British Virgin Islands, as amended, or supplemented (the “Insolvency Act”), we are required to immediately enter insolvent liquidation. In these circumstances, a liquidator will be appointed who will give notice to our 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 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 or she 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 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 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 if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Avoidable 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. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.

 

Our initial shareholders have waived their right to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the initial shares. If we are unable to consummate a transaction within the required time period, upon notice from us, the trustee of the trust account will distribute the amount in our trust account to our public shareholders by way of redemption. Concurrently, we shall pay, or reserve for payment, from funds not held in trust, our liabilities and obligations, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. If there are insufficient funds held outside the trust account for such purpose, Ace Global Investment Limited has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us and which have not executed a waiver agreement. 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. 

 

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Holders of warrants will not have redemption rights 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 redeem the funds held in the trust account, the warrants will expire and holders will not receive any of such proceeds with respect to the warrants or rights.

 

We have no obligation to net cash settle the warrants.

 

In no event will we have any obligation to net cash settle the warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

 

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

 

Except as set forth below, if we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants 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 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. 

 

An investor will only be able to exercise warrants 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 warrants will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise 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. At the time that the warrants become exercisable, we expect to continue to be 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.

 

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

 

If we call our 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 warrants (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 warrants 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.

 

Gaming industry is subject to a variety U.S. and foreign laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing and which could subject our potential target to claims or otherwise harm the target’s business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

 

Gaming industry is subject to a variety of laws in the U.S. and abroad, including but not limited to state and federal laws and foreign laws regarding gaming, consumer protection, electronic marketing, data protection and privacy, competition, taxation, intellectual property, export and national security, which are continuously evolving and developing. The scope and interpretation of the laws that are or may be applicable to the gaming industry are often uncertain and may be conflicting. There is a risk that existing or future laws may be interpreted in a manner that is not consistent with the gaming industry’s current practices, and could have an adverse effect on our target’s business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

  

Since we have not yet selected a particular industry or target business with which to complete a business combination, we are unable to currently ascertain the merits or risks of the industry or business in which we may ultimately operate.

 

While we intend to focus our search for target businesses on specific locations and industries as described in this prospectus, we are not limited to those locations and may consummate a business combination with a company in any location or industry we choose. Accordingly, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we complete a business combination with a company in its development stage, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations of those entities. If we complete a business combination with an entity in an industry characterized by a high level of risk, we may be affected by the currently unascertainable risks of that industry. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular industry or target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a target business.

 

The requirement that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete such a business combination with.

 

Pursuant to the NASDAQ listing rules, the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account and less any interest earned thereon that is released to us for our taxes) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. This restriction may limit the type and number of companies with which we may complete a business combination. If we are unable to locate a target business or businesses that satisfy this fair market value test, we may be forced to liquidate and you will only be entitled to receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account.

 

If NASDAQ delists our securities from trading on its exchange after this offering, we would not be required to satisfy the fair market value requirement described above and could complete a business combination with a target business having a fair market value substantially below 80% of the balance in the trust account.

 

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Our ability to successfully effect a business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following a business combination. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct.

 

Our ability to successfully effect a business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our key personnel, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain with us for the immediate or foreseeable future. In addition, none of our officers are required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, they will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have employment agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our officers. The unexpected loss of the services of our key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.

 

The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place or be hired after consummation of the business combination. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.

 

Our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge regarding the jurisdiction or industry of the target business we may seek to acquire.

 

While we intend to focus our search for target businesses within the locations and industries as described in this prospectus, we may consummate a business combination with a target business in any geographic location or industry we choose. We cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have enough experience or have sufficient knowledge relating to the jurisdiction of the target or its industry to make an informed decision regarding a business combination. If we become aware of a potential business combination outside of the geographic location or industry where our officers and directors have the most experience, our management may retain consultants and advisors with experience in such industries to assist in the evaluation of such business combination and in our determination of whether or not to proceed with such a business combination. However, our management is not required to engage consultants or advisors in any situation. If they do not engage any consultants or advisors to assist them in the evaluation of a particular target business or business combination, our management may not properly analyze the risks attendant with such target business or business combination. Even if our management does engage consultants or advisors to assist in the evaluation of a particular target business or business combination, we cannot assure you that such consultants or advisors will properly analyze the risks attendant with such target business or business combination. As a result, we may enter into a business combination that is not in our shareholders’ best interests.

 

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 a 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 will be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements or other arrangements 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 the company 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.

 

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Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby potentially limiting the amount of time they devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial business combination.

 

Our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs, which could create a conflict of interest when allocating their time between our operations and their other commitments. We presently expect each of our employees to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. All of our officers and directors are engaged in several other business endeavors and are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our affairs. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote more substantial amounts of time to such affairs, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs and could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial business combination. We cannot assure you these conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

 

Our officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations and accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Our officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations to other companies, including other companies that are engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Accordingly, they may participate in transactions and have obligations that may be in conflict or competition with our consummation of our initial business combination. As a result, a potential target business may be presented by our management team to another entity prior to its presentation to us and we may not be afforded the opportunity to engage in a transaction with such target business. For a more detailed description of the pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations of our management team, and the potential conflicts of interest that such obligations may present, see the section titled “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”

 

Our officers’ and directors’ personal and financial interests may influence their motivation in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination.

 

Our officers and directors have waived their right to convert (or sell to us in any tender offer) their insider shares or any other ordinary shares acquired in this offering or thereafter (although none of these insiders have indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or thereafter), or to receive distributions with respect to their insider shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination. Our sponsor, has also waived its right to convert (or sell to us in any tender offer) its private shares or any other ordinary shares acquired in this offering or thereafter (although it has not indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or thereafter), or to receive distributions with respect to their private shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination. Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors may loan funds to us after this offering and may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete 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. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of British Virgin Islands law and we might have a claim against such individuals. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may make against them for such reason. 

 

NASDAQ may delist our securities from trading on its exchange which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

 

We anticipate that our securities will be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, a national securities exchange, upon consummation of this offering. Although, after giving effect to this offering, we expect to meet on a pro forma basis the minimum initial listing standards of NASDAQ, which generally only requires that we meet certain requirements relating to shareholders’ equity, market capitalization, aggregate market value of publicly held shares and distribution requirements, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on NASDAQ in the future or prior to an initial business combination. Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, it is likely that 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. 

 

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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;

 

  reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;

 

  a determination that our ordinary shares are “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.

 

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services.

 

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:

 

  solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, 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 developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination.

 

Alternatively, if we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the 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.

 

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

 

If our 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 or seek to sell their public shares to us in a tender offer, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such conversion, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business transaction. In the event that the business combination involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares 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.

 

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We may be unable to consummate a business combination if a target business requires that we have cash in excess of the minimum amount we are required to have at closing and public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our liquidation to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.

 

A potential target may make it a closing condition to our 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 shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights or sell their shares to us in a tender offer has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate a 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 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 (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) in order to be able to receive a pro rata 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 a pro rata share of the trust account for their shares and suffer an entire loss on your investment.

 

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.

 

We intend to hold a shareholder vote before we consummate our initial business combination. However, if a shareholder vote is not required, for business or legal reasons, we may conduct conversions via a tender offer and not offer our shareholders the opportunity to vote on a proposed business combination. 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.

 

In connection with any meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public shareholder the option to vote in favor of a proposed business combination and still seek conversion of his, her or its public shares, which may make it more likely that we will consummate a business combination.

 

In connection with any meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public shareholder the right to have his, her or its public shares converted to cash (subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this prospectus) regardless of whether such shareholder votes for or against such proposed business combination. Furthermore, we will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and a majority of the issued and outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. Accordingly, public shareholders owning shares sold in this offering may exercise their redemption rights and we could still consummate a proposed business combination so long as a majority of shares voted at the meeting are voted in favor of the proposed business combination. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where shareholders are offered the right to convert their shares only when they vote against a proposed business combination. This is also different than other similarly structured blank check companies where there is a specific number of shares sold in the offering which must not exercise redemption rights for the company to complete a business combination. The lack of such a threshold and the ability to seek conversion while voting in favor of a proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.

 

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In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require shareholders who wish to convert their public shares to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

 

In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, each public shareholder will have the right, regardless of whether it is voting for or against such proposed business combination, to demand that we convert its public shares into a share of the trust account. Such conversion will be effectuated under British Virgin Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as a redemption of the shares, with the redemption price to be paid being the applicable pro rata portion of the monies held in the trust account. We may require public shareholders who wish to convert their public shares in connection with a proposed business combination to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote taken at the shareholder meeting relating to such business combination. In order to obtain a physical share 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 share certificate. It is also our understanding that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System. However, this too may not be the case. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for shareholders to deliver their shares, shareholders who wish to convert may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to convert their shares.

 

Investors may not have sufficient time to comply with the delivery requirements for conversion.

 

Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are required to give a minimum of only ten days’ notice for each general meeting. As a result, if we require public shareholders who wish to convert their public shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with specific delivery requirements for conversion, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their redemption rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.

 

If we require public shareholders who wish to convert their public shares to comply with the delivery requirements for conversion, such converting shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.

 

If we require public shareholders who wish to convert their public shares to comply with specific delivery requirements for conversion described above and such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to convert 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 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 conversion may be able to sell their securities.

 

Because of our limited resources and 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 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. While we believe that there are numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking shareholder approval of a business combination may delay or prevent the consummation of a transaction, a risk a target business may not be willing to accept. Additionally, our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination.

 

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Our initial shareholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

 

Upon consummation of our offering and the private placement, our initial shareholders will collectively own approximately 23.95% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or ordinary shares from persons in the open market or in private transactions (other than the private units). However, if our initial shareholders purchase any units in this offering or if our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates determine in the future to make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions, to the extent permitted by law, in order to assist us in consummating our initial business combination, this would increase their control. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, all of our initial shareholders, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the ordinary shares owned by them immediately before this offering as well as any ordinary shares acquired in this offering or in the aftermarket in favor of such proposed business combination.

 

There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or general meetings to elect directors. Accordingly, shareholders would not have the right to such a meeting or election of directors, unless the holders of not less than 10% of the voting rights of our company request such a meeting. As a result, it is unlikely that there will be an annual general meeting to elect new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your voting rights for up to 24 months. If there is an annual general meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our initial shareholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of a business combination. 

 

Our initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.022 per share, for the insider shares 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 and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to the investors in this offering. Our initial shareholders acquired their insider shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon consummation of this offering, you and the other new investors will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 72.73% or $7.27 per share (the difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $2.73 per share). This is because investors in this offering will be contributing approximately 93.8% of the total amount paid to us for our outstanding securities after this offering but will only own approximately 76.1% of our outstanding securities. Accordingly, the per-share purchase price you will be paying substantially exceeds our per share net tangible book value.

 

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

 

We will be issuing warrants that will result in the issuance of up to 4,000,000 ordinary shares as part of the units offered by this prospectus and private warrants that will result in the issuance of an additional 4,000,000 ordinary shares. The potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares upon exercise of the warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such securities, when converted, will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete the business combination. Accordingly, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business. Additionally, the sale, or even the possibility of sale, of the shares underlying the warrants could have an adverse effect on the market price for our securities or on our ability to obtain future financing. If and to the extent these warrants are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.

 

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If our shareholders exercise their registration rights with respect to their securities, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effect a business combination.

 

Our initial shareholders are entitled to make a demand that we register the resale of their insider shares (1,150,000 ordinary shares, including up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part) at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which their shares may be released from escrow. Additionally, the purchasers of the private units and our initial shareholders, officers and directors are entitled to demand that we register the resale of the 260,000 ordinary shares (or 281,000 ordinary shares if the overallotment is exercised in full) underlying the private units and 260,000 ordinary shares (or 281,000 ordinary shares if the overallotment is exercised in full) underlying the private warrants, and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans or loans to extend our life made to us at any time after we consummate a business combination. The presence of these additional securities trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities. In addition, the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business, as the shareholders of the target business may be discouraged from entering into a business combination with us or will request a higher price for their securities because of the potential effect the exercise of such rights may have on the trading market for our ordinary shares. 

 

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

 

A company that, among other things, is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, trading or holding certain types of securities would be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Since we will invest the proceeds held in the trust account only in United States government treasury bills, notes or bonds having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest solely in United States treasuries, we believe that we will not be considered to be an investment company pursuant to the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

If we are nevertheless deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it more difficult for us to complete a business combination, including:

 

  restrictions on the nature of our investments; and

 

  restrictions on the issuance of securities.

 

In addition, we may have imposed upon us certain burdensome requirements, including:

 

  registration as an investment company;

 

  adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and

 

  reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, compliance policies and procedures and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

 

Compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expense that we have not provided for.

 

We may not seek an opinion from an unaffiliated third party as to the fair market value of the target business we acquire.

 

We are not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party that the target business we select has a fair market value in excess of at least 80% of the balance of the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) unless our board of directors cannot make such determination on its own. We are also not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party indicating that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view unless the target is affiliated with our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, whose collective experience in business evaluations for blank check companies like ours is not significant. Furthermore, our directors may have a conflict of interest in analyzing the transaction due to their personal and financial interests.

 

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We may acquire a target business that is affiliated with our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates.

 

While we do not currently intend to pursue an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates, we are not prohibited from pursuing such a transaction, nor are we prohibited from consummating a business combination where any of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates acquire a minority interest in the target business alongside our acquisition, provided in each case we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party indicating that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. These affiliations could cause our officers or directors to have a conflict of interest in analyzing such transactions due to their personal and financial interests.

 

The determination of the offering price of our units is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for 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 representative of the underwriters. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares 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;

 

  our capital structure;

 

  the per share amount of net proceeds being placed in the trust account;

 

  an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies; 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 we have no historical operations or financial results to compare them to.

 

Because we are incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited.

 

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and certain of our officers and directors are residents of jurisdictions outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or executive officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.

 

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Our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) or the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the Companies Act and common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law, 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 are different from statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, while statutory provisions do exist in British Virgin Islands law for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, shareholders in the British Virgin Islands 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 British Virgin Islands 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.

 

We have been advised by our British Virgin Islands legal counsel that the courts of the British Virgin Islands are 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. 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;

 

  the U.S. judgment 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 management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company. 

 

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Because we must furnish our shareholders with financial statements of the target business prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS as issued by the IASB or reconciled to U.S. GAAP, we may not be able to complete an initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.

 

We will be required to provide historical and pro forma financial statement disclosure relating to our target business to our shareholders. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. The financial statements may also be required to be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the Form 8-K announcing the closing of an initial business combination, which would need to be filed within four business days after closing. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire.

 

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will require substantial financial and management resources and may increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls and may require us to have such system audited by an independent registered public accounting firm. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties and/or shareholder litigation. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports could harm our business. A target business may also not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of 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. Furthermore, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in the implementation of adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our securities.

 

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 company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three-year period exceeds $1.0 billion or revenues exceeds $1.07 billion, or 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, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we are not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and we are exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares less attractive because we may rely on these provisions. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price 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, will not adopt the new or revised standard until the time private companies are required to 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.

 

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An investment in this offering may involve adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

 

An investment in this offering may involve adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, there is a risk that an investor’s entitlement to receive payments in excess of the investor’s initial tax basis in our ordinary shares upon exercise of the investor’s conversion right or upon our liquidation of the trust account will result in constructive income to the investor, which could affect the timing and character of income recognition and result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the investor without the investor’s receipt of cash from us. Furthermore, because there are no authorities that directly address instruments similar to the units we are issuing in this offering, the allocation an investor makes with respect to the purchase price of the unit between the ordinary shares and warrants included in the units could be challenged by the IRS or the courts. See the section titled “Taxation United States Federal Income Taxation” for a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when purchasing, holding or disposing of our securities.

 

We have also not sought a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, as to any U.S. federal income tax consequences described in this prospectus. The IRS may disagree with the descriptions of U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Any such determination could subject an investor or our company to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences that would be different than those described in this prospectus. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities, including the applicability and effect of state, local, or foreign tax laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws.

 

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

 

In general, we will be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of our gross income (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the average value of our assets (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes, without limitation, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in the Section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation – United States Federal Income Taxation – General”) of our securities, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our 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”). Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (or after the end of the start-up period, if later). Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. We urge U.S. Holders to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules.

 

If our management following a 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 a business combination, our management will likely resign from their positions as officers of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. We cannot assure you that management of the target business will 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.

 

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If restrictions on repatriation of earnings from the target business’ home jurisdiction to foreign entities are instituted, our business following a business combination may be materially negatively affected.

 

It is possible that following an initial business combination, the home jurisdiction of the target business may have restrictions on repatriations of earnings or additional restrictions may be imposed in the future. If they were, it could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

 

The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide. We may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors, if the target company’s personnel, vendors and service providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner, or if COVID-19 causes a prolonged economic downturn. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.

 

In addition, our ability to consummate a business combination may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by COVID-19 and other events.

 

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 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 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 the 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. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination transaction with us.

 

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

 

In connection with the successful consummation of our business combination, we may redeem up to that number of ordinary shares that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001. If our 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.

 

If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors 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, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such purchases will not be made if our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates are in possession of any material non-public information that has not been disclosed to the selling shareholder. 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, advisors 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. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, 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) 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, advisors or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our shares on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial business combination.

 

If our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors 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 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, if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or if we seek to amend our certificate of incorporation to affect the substance or timing of our redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if we cannot complete an initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) of the closing of this offering. 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 public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

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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 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

 

The funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described 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 a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (which may be less than $10.10 per share) (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 $10.10 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ overallotment 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 $10.10 per share.

 

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Because we have not selected a 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 have a stated focus on certain target businesses in a specific geographic location as indicated elsewhere in this prospectus, we may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region, but may rely upon our management team’s background. While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we intend to initially focus on those industries or sectors that complement our management team’s background. Except for the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable) 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. In addition, investors will be relying on the business judgment of our board of directors, which will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of a particular target business. An investment in our shares may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.

 

We may seek investment opportunities outside 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 that 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 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.

 

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 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 $10.10 per share or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our 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 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 (excluding any taxes payable) 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, which would be the case if the trading price of our ordinary shares after giving effect to such business combination was less than the per-share trust liquidation value that our shareholders would have received if we had dissolved without consummating our initial business combination.

 

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Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated.

 

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 or even less (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

We may attempt to consummate our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available.

 

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.

 

We 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 or to the extent permitted by law we may acquire interests in a variable interest entity, in which we may have less than a majority of the voting rights in such entity, but in which we are the primary beneficiary. 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.

 

A public shareholder who 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.

 

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

 

We may effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States and if we do, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our business operations and financial results.

 

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

 

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

 

  tariffs and trade barriers;

 

  regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

 

  longer payment cycles than in the United States;

 

  inflation;

 

  economic policies and market conditions;

 

  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

 

  challenges in managing and staffing international operations;

 

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

 

  currency fluctuations;

 

  challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

 

  cultural and language differences;

 

  protection of intellectual property;

 

 

employment regulations;

 

  deterioration of political relations with the United States.

 

We cannot assure you that we would 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 U.S.) 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.

 

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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.

  

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 British Virgin Islands introducing certain economic substance requirements for British Virgin Islands tax resident companies which are engaged in certain “relevant activities.” 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.

 

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.

 

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 we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such company will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

 

If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such company operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this new jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Additionally, if we acquire a company located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside of the United States and some of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under Federal securities laws.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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.

 

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. The economy in Greater China and other Asian Countries differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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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;

 

  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.

 

Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Target Business with its Primary Operation in China

 

As set forth herein, our efforts in identifying a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular country, although we intend to focus on three of the most valuable and profitable markets in this industry: China, Japan and Southeast Asia initially on companies with operations located primarily in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Accordingly, in addition to the risk factors referred above, we have set forth some of the primary risks we have identified in seeking to consummate our initial business combination with a company having its primary operations in the PRC.

 

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As a result of merger and acquisition regulations implemented on September 8, 2006 (amended on June 22, 2009) relating to acquisitions of assets and equity interests of Chinese companies by foreign persons, it is expected that acquisitions will take longer and be subject to economic scrutiny by the PRC government authorities such that we may not be able to complete a transaction.

 

On September 8, 2006, the Ministry of Commerce, together with several other government agencies, promulgated the Regulations on Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Regulations”, including its amendment on June 22, 2009), which implemented a comprehensive set of regulations governing the approval process by which a Chinese company may participate in an acquisition of its assets or its equity interests and by which a Chinese company may obtain public trading of its securities on a securities exchange outside the PRC. Although there was a complex series of regulations in place prior to September 8, 2006 for approval of Chinese enterprises that were administered by a combination of provincial and centralized agencies, the M&A Regulations have largely centralized and expanded the approval process to the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) or its branch offices, the State Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Depending on the structure of the transaction, these M&A Regulations will require the Chinese parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to one or more of the aforementioned agencies, some of which must be made within strict time limits and depending on approvals from one or the other of the aforementioned agencies. The application process has been supplemented to require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the business to be acquired and evaluations of the acquirer which will permit the government to assess the economics of a transaction in addition to the compliance with legal requirements. If obtained, approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed. Also, completed transactions must be reported to the Ministry of Commerce and some of the other agencies within a short period after closing or be subject to an unwinding of the transaction. Therefore, acquisitions in China may not be able to be completed because the terms of the transaction may not satisfy aspects of the approval process and may not be completed, even if approved, if they are not consummated within the time permitted by the approvals granted.

 

Compliance with the PRC Antitrust law may limit our ability to effect our initial business combination.

 

The PRC Antitrust Law became effective on August 1, 2008. The government authorities in charge of antitrust matters in China are the Antitrust Commission and other antitrust authorities under the State Council. The PRC Antitrust Law regulates (1) monopoly agreements, including decisions or actions in concert that preclude or impede competition, entered into by business operators; (2) abuse of dominant market position by business operators; and (3) concentration of business operators that may have the effect of precluding or impeding competition. To implement the Antitrust Law, in 2008, the State Council formulated the regulations that require filing of concentration of business operators, pursuant to which concentration of business operators refers to (1) merger with other business operators; (2) gaining control over other business operators through acquisition of equity interest or assets of other business operators; and (3) gaining control over other business operators through exerting influence on other business operators through contracts or other means. In 2009, the Ministry of Commerce, to which the Antitrust Commission is affiliated, promulgated the Measures for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators (amended by the Guidelines for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators in 2014), which set forth the criteria of concentration and the requirement of miscellaneous documents for the purpose of filing. The business combination we contemplate may be considered the concentration of business operators, and to the extent required by the Antitrust Law and the criteria established by the State Council, we must file with the antitrust authority under the PRC State Council prior to conducting the contemplated business combination. If the antitrust authority decides not to further investigate whether the contemplated business combination has the effect of precluding or impeding competition or fails to make a decision within 30 days from receipt of relevant materials, we may proceed to consummate the contemplated business combination. If antitrust authority decides to prohibit the contemplated business combination after further investigation, we must terminate such business combination and would then be forced to either attempt to complete a new business combination if it was prior to 15 wait months from the closing of this offering or we would be required to return any amounts which were held in the trust account to our shareholders. When we evaluate a potential business combination, we will consider the need to comply with the Antitrust Law and other relevant regulations which may limit our ability to effect an acquisition or may result in our modifying or not pursuing a particular transaction.

 

If, due to restrictions on foreign investment in a target business, we have to acquire the business through the use of contractual arrangements and the PRC government determines that such contractual arrangements do not comply with foreign investment regulations, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations in the PRC change or new restrictive or prohibitive regulations come into force in the future, we could be subject to significant penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

 

Because of the above-mentioned industrial restrictions, foreign investors often acquire control of PRC business through the use of contractual arrangements pursuant to which they effectively control the PRC business. There are uncertainties as to whether such contractual arrangements comply with the regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership in certain industries. In addition, even if such arrangements are not in violation of current regulations, such regulations are subject to change in the future and may be broadened to further restrict foreign investments in new industries or new category of assets.

 

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If we or any of our potential future target businesses are found to be in violation of any existing or future local laws or regulations with respect to foreign investment in local entities (for example, if we are deemed to be holding equity interests in certain of our affiliated entities in which direct foreign ownership is prohibited), the relevant regulatory authorities might have the discretion to:

 

revoke the business and operating licenses of the potential future target business;

 

confiscate relevant income and impose fines and other penalties;

 

discontinue or restrict the operations of the potential future target business;

 

require us or potential future target business to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;

 

restrict or prohibit our use of the proceeds of this offering to finance the target businesses and its operations;

 

impose conditions or requirements with which we or potential future target business may not be able to comply; or

 

require us to discontinue a portion or all of our business.

 

The imposition of any of the above penalties could result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business as well as our financial situation and we might be forced to relinquish our interests in operations.

 

If we have to acquire a target business through contractual arrangements with, or which results in, one or more operating businesses in China, such contracts may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of such businesses.

 

The government of the PRC has restricted or limited foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in certain industries. The industry groups that are restricted are wide ranging, including certain aspects of telecommunications, advertising, food production and heavy equipment manufacturers, for example. In addition, there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in “important industries” that may affect the national economic security or having “famous Chinese brand names” or “well established Chinese brand names.” Subject to the review and approval requirements of the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies as discussed elsewhere for acquisitions of assets and companies in the PRC and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted Chinese parties. To the extent such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company which may provide exceptions to the merger and acquisition regulations mentioned above since these types of arrangements typically do not involve a change of equity ownership in PRC operating company. The agreements would be designed to provide our company with the economic benefits of and control over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in the hands of Chinese parties who would be our nominees and, therefore, may exempt the transaction from the merger and acquisition regulations, including the application process required thereunder. However, there has been limited implementation guidance provided with respect to the merger and acquisition regulations. There can be no assurance the relevant government agencies would not apply them to a business combination effected through contractual arrangements. If such an agency determines such an application should have made, consequences may include levying fines, revoking business and other licenses, requiring restructure of ownership or operations and requiring discontinuation of any portion of all of the acquired business. These agreements likely also would provide for increased ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under PRC law and regulation. If we choose to effect our initial business combination that employs the use of these types of control arrangements, we may have difficulty in enforcing our rights. Therefore, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits, accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership. For example, if the target business or any other entity fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend substantial resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under Chinese law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be sufficient to off-set the cost of enforcement and may adversely affect the benefits we expect to receive from the business combination.

 

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Regulations relating to the transfer of state-owned property rights in enterprises may increase the cost of our acquisitions and impose an additional administrative burden on us.

 

The legislation governing the acquisition of a China state-owned company contains stringent governmental regulations. The transfer of state-owned property rights in enterprises must take place through a government approved “state-owned asset exchange,” and the value of the transferred property rights must be evaluated by those Chinese appraisal firms qualified to do “state-owned assets evaluation.” The final price must not be less than 90% of the appraisal price. Additionally, bidding/auction procedures are essential in the event that there is more than one potential transferee. In the case of an acquisition by foreign investors of state-owned enterprises, the acquirer and the seller must make a resettlement plan to properly resettle the employees, and the resettlement plan must be approved by the Employees’ Representative Congress. The seller must pay all unpaid wages and social welfare payments from the existing assets of the target company to the employees. These regulations may adversely effect our ability to acquire a state-owned business or assets.

 

Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination.

 

SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.

 

As such, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the proceeds of this offering to a PRC target company and the use of such proceeds by the PRC target company.

 

In addition, following our initial business combination with a PRC target company, we will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion. In the PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. Currently, FIEs are required to apply to the SAFE for “Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs.” Following our initial business combination, we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a “basic account” and “capital account.” Currency conversion within the scope of the “basic account,” such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However, conversion of currency in the “capital account,” including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE.

 

We cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose further restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use the proceeds of this offering in an initial business combination with a PRC target company and the use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may have outside of the PRC.

 

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Our initial business combination may be subject to national security review by the PRC government and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such business combination or be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities.

 

On February 3, 2011, the PRC government issued a Notice Concerning the Establishment of Security Review Procedure on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or Security Review Regulations, which became effective on March 5, 2011. The Security Review Regulations cover acquisitions by foreign investors of a broad range of PRC enterprises if such acquisitions could result in de facto control by foreign investors and the enterprises are relating to military, national defense, important agriculture products, important energy and natural resources, important infrastructures, important transportation services, key technologies and important equipment manufacturing. The scope of the review includes whether the acquisition will impact the national security, economic and social stability, and the research and development capabilities on key national security related technologies. Foreign investors should submit a security review application to the Department of Commerce for its initial review for contemplated acquisition. If the acquisition is considered to be within the scope of the Security Review Regulations, the Department of Commerce will transfer the application to a joint security review committee within five business days for further review. The joint security review committee, consisting of members from various PRC government agencies, will conduct a general review and seek comments from relevant government agencies. The joint security review committee may initiate a further special review and request the termination or restructuring of the contemplated acquisition if it determines that the acquisition will result in significant national security issue.

 

The Security Review Regulations will potentially subject a large number of mergers and acquisitions transactions by foreign investors in China to an additional layer of regulatory review. Currently, there is significant uncertainty as to the implication of the Security Review Regulations. Neither the Department of Commerce nor other PRC government agencies have issued any detailed rules for the implementation of the Security Review Regulations. If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target company operating in the PRC in any of the sensitive sectors identified above, the transaction will be subject to the Security Review Regulations, and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such acquisition. We may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue.

 

In the event we successfully consummated business combination with a target business with primary operation in PRC, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following consummation of our initial business combination.

 

After we consummate our initial business combination, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current regulations in China would permit our operating company in China to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if our operating company in China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.

 

If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (“SAFE”). We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.

 

On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company, also known as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those which provide for the granting of shares options. For any plans which are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company, after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participated in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to April 6, 2007. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming.

 

Upon consummation of business combination with a target business with primary operations in PRC, we may adopt an equity incentive plan and make shares option grants under the plan to our officers, directors and employees, whom may be PRC citizens and be required to register with SAFE. If it is determined that any of our equity compensation plans are subject to Circular 78, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us and participants of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation would be hindered and our business operations may be adversely affected.

 

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Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.

 

The PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of certain taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by a non-resident enterprise by promulgating and implementing SAT Circular 59 and Circular 698, which became effective in January 2008, and a Circular 7 in replacement of some of the existing rules in Circular 698, which became effective in February 2015.

 

Under Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the equity interests of a PRC “resident enterprise” indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, may be subject to PRC corporate income tax, if the indirect transfer is considered to be an abusive use of company structure without reasonable commercial purposes. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.

 

In February 2015, the SAT issued Circular 7 to replace the rules relating to indirect transfers in Circular 698. Circular 7 has introduced a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, Circular 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. Circular 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC corporate income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise.

 

We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on future private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation, and request our PRC subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject to filing obligations or being taxed, under Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under SAT Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. Although we currently have no plans to pursue any acquisitions in China or elsewhere in the world, we may pursue acquisitions in the future that may involve complex corporate structures. If we are considered a non-resident enterprise under the PRC corporate income tax law and if the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of the transactions under SAT Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. 

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The statements contained in this prospectus that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our 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 “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “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 identify or complete an initial business combination;

 

limited operating history;

 

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

 

potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete a business combination;

 

pool of prospective target businesses;

 

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

 

potential change in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for shares;

 

our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;

 

regulatory or operational risks associated with acquiring a target business;

 

use of proceeds not held in the trust account;

 

financial performance following this offering; or

 

listing or delisting of our securities from NASDAQ or the ability to have our securities listed on NASDAQ following our initial business combination.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

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NOTE 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;

 

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.

 

However, 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 company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and therefore, located and administered from 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 Morgan Stanley 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. Our U.S. agent for service of process is National Corp. However, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or our officers or directors within the United States in a way that will permit a U.S. court to have jurisdiction over us.

 

Our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) or the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the Companies Act and common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law, 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 are different from statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, while statutory provisions do exist in British Virgin Islands law for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, shareholders in the British Virgin Islands 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 British Virgin Islands 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.

 

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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 what the directors believe are 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, 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.

 

We have been advised by our British Virgin Islands legal counsel that the courts of the British Virgin Islands are 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.

 

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, we have been advised by British Virgin Islands Counsel that 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: (i) the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; (ii) the U.S. judgment is final and for a liquidated sum; (iii) the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; (iv) in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; (v) recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and (vi) the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice.

 

In appropriate circumstances, a British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.

 

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.

 

In addition, many of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of United States of America, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located in the aforementioned locations. 

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, in addition to the funds we will receive from the sale of the private units (all of which will be deposited into the trust account), will be as set forth in the following table:

 

    Without
Over-
Allotment
Option
    Over-Allotment
Option
Exercised
 
             
Gross proceeds            
From offering   $ 40,000,000     $ 46,000,000  
From private placement     2,600,000       2,810,000  
Total gross proceeds   $ 42,600,000     $ 48,810,000  
                 
Offering expenses (1)                
Non-contingent underwriting discount (2.5% of gross proceeds from offering, which excludes the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of up to 3.5% of gross proceeds from offering)   $ 1,000,000 (2)   $ 1,150,000 (2)
Initial Trustee’s fee     6,500       6,500  
Legal fees and expenses     300,000       300,000  
NASDAQ listing fee     50,000       50,000  
Printing and engraving expenses     45,000       45,000  
Accounting fees and expenses     40,000       40,000  
FINRA filing fee     7,400       7,400  
SEC registration fee     5,019       5,019  
Miscellaneous expenses     146,081       146,081  
Total offering expenses (not including deferred underwriting discounts and commissions)   $ 1,600,000     $ 1,750,000  
                 
Net proceeds of the offering and private placement                
Held in trust   $ 40,400,000 (3)   $ 46,460,000 (3)
Not held in trust     600,000       600,000  
Total net proceeds (including deferred underwriting discounts and commissions)   $ 41,000,000     $ 47,060,000  
                 
Use of net proceeds not held in trust (4)(5)                
Legal, accounting and other third-party expenses attendant to the search for target businesses and to the due diligence investigation, structuring and negotiation of a business combination   $ 100,000       16.67 %
Due diligence of prospective target businesses by officers, directors and initial shareholders     70,000       11.67 %
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations     40,000       6.67 %
Payment of administrative fee to Ace Global Investment Limited ($10,000 per month for up to 15 months), subject to deferral as described herein     150,000       25.00 %
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance, general corporate purposes, liquidation obligations and reserves     240,000       40.00 %
Total   $ 600,000       100.00 %

 

(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 the funds we borrowed from our sponsor, described below. These funds will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us. If we determine not to proceed with the offering, such amounts would not be repaid.

 

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

 

(3) The funds held in the trust account may, but need not, be used to pay our expenses relating to completing our initial business combination, including deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in an amount of up to 3.5% of the total gross proceeds raised in the offering described below.

 

(4) The amount of proceeds not held in trust will remain constant at $600,000 even if the over-allotment is exercised.

 

(5) These are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of that business combination. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would be deducted from our excess working capital.

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Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 260,000 private units at a price of $10.00 per private unit ($2,600,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor has further agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, it will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.10 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below.

 

$40,400,000, or $46,460,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units will be placed in an account at Morgan Stanley in the United States, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York, as trustee. Pursuant to the investment management trust agreement that will govern the investment of such funds, the trustee, upon our written instructions, will direct Morgan Stanley to invest the funds as set forth in such written instructions and to custody the funds while invested and until otherwise instructed in accordance with the investment management trust agreement. The funds held in trust will be invested only in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 180 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest solely in United States government treasuries, so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our income or other tax obligations, the proceeds will not be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or our liquidation. The proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete a business combination to the extent not used to pay converting shareholders. Any amounts not paid as consideration to the sellers of the target business may be used to finance operations of the target business.

 

The payment to Ace Global Investment Limited of a monthly fee of $10,000 is for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination. This arrangement is being agreed to by Ace Global Investment Limited for our benefit. We believe that the fee charged by Ace Global Investment Limited is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. This arrangement will terminate upon completion of our initial business combination or the distribution of the trust account to our public shareholders. Other than the $10,000 per month fee, no compensation of any kind (including finder’s, consulting or other similar fees) will be paid to any of our existing officers, directors, shareholders, or any of their affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Since the role of present management after a business combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after a business combination.

 

Regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the net proceeds from this offering available to us out of trust for our working capital requirements in searching for a business combination will be approximately $600,000. We intend to use the excess working capital available for miscellaneous expenses such as paying fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business and for director and officer liability insurance premiums, with the balance being held in reserve in the event due diligence, legal, accounting and other expenses of structuring and negotiating business combinations exceed our estimates, as well as for reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by our initial shareholders, officers and directors in connection with activities on our behalf as described above. We will also be entitled to have interest earned on the funds held in the trust account released to us to pay any tax obligations that we may owe. 

 

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The allocation of the net proceeds available to us outside of the trust account, along with the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account available to us (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account), represents our best estimate of the intended uses of these funds. In the event that our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may reallocate some of such proceeds within the above described categories. 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, or the amount of interest available from the trust account is insufficient as a result of the current low interest rate environment, 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 management team, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.

 

We will likely use a substantial portion of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business, to pay holders who wish to convert or sell their shares to us for a portion of the funds held in the trust account and to pay our expenses relating thereto. If the payment of our liabilities, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in an amount up to 3.5% of the total gross proceeds raised in the offering, were to reduce the amount available to us in trust necessary to pay all holders who wish to convert or sell their shares to us for a portion of the funds held in the trust account, we would not be able to consummate such transaction. To the extent that our share capital is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the proceeds held in the trust account which are not used to consummate a business combination, to pay holders who wish to convert their shares into a portion of the funds held in the trust account or pay our expenses relating thereto will be disbursed to the combined company and will, along with any other net proceeds not expended, be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. 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.

 

To the extent we are unable to consummate a business combination, we will pay the costs of liquidating our trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, Ace Global Investment Limited, has agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than $18,500) and has agreed not to seek repayment of such expenses.

 

As of December 31, 2020, Ace Global Investment Limited, had loaned to us an aggregate of $32,839 to be used to pay formation and a portion of the expenses of this offering. The loan is payable without interest on the date on which we consummate our initial public offering. If we determine not to proceed with the offering, such amounts would not be repaid.

 

In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering until completion of an initial business combination, 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. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $600,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. If we do not complete our initial business combination, the loans would be repaid out of funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available. These notes would be in addition to any notes we issued in exchange for the funds necessary to extend our life. 

 

A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account (including interest earned on his, her or its portion of the trust account to the extent not previously released to us to pay our tax obligations) only in the event of (i) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period or (ii) if that public shareholder converts such public shares or sells them to us in a tender offer in each case in connection with a business combination which we consummate or (iii) in connection with an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to the consummation of an initial business combination. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

 

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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 an 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 a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. 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 of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share capitalizations in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share capitalizations immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our initial shareholders’ ownership at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering (excluding ownership of the private units). Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

 

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DILUTION

 

The difference between the public offering price per share, assuming no value is attributed to the redeemable 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 the 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 by the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares.

 

At December 31, 2020, our net tangible book value was a deficit of $35,806 or approximately $0.03 per share. After giving effect to the sale of 4,000,000 (or 4,600,000 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) 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, 2020 would have been $5,000,009 or $2.73 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.76 per share to our insiders and an immediate dilution of 72.73% per share or $7.27 to new investors not exercising their redemption rights. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is $5,000,009 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 insiders) may result in the conversion or tender of up to 3,426,652 shares sold in this offering.

 

The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the redeemable warrants, including the private warrants:

 

Public offering price           $ 10.00  
Net tangible book value before this offering   $ (0.03 )        
Increase attributable to new investors and private sales   $ 2.76          
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering           $ 2.73  
Dilution to new investors           $ 7.27  
Percentage of dilution to new investors             72.73 %

 

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

 

    Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price
 
    Number     Percentage     Amount     Percentage     Per Share  
Initial shareholders (1)     1,000,000       19.0 %   $ 25,000       0.1 %   $ 0.03  
Shares underlying private unit     260,000       4.9 %   $ 2,600,000       6.1 %   $ 10.00  
New investors     4,000,000       76.1 %   $ 40,000,000       93.8 %   $ 10.00  
      5,260,000       100 %   $ 42,625,000       100 %        

 

(1) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders have been forfeited as a result thereof.

 

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

 

Numerator:(1)      
Net tangible book value before this offering   $ (35,806 )
Net proceeds from this offering and private placement of private units     41,000,000  
Plus: Offering cost accrued for and paid in advance, excluded from net tangible book value before this offering     45,000  
Less: Deferred underwriting discounts and commissions     (1,400,000 )(2)
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to conversion/tender     (34,609,185 )
    $ 5,000,009  
         
Denominator:        
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding prior to this offering (1)     1,000,000  
Ordinary shares to be sold in this offering     4,000,000  
Ordinary shares included in the private units     260,000  
Less: Shares subject to conversion/tender     (3,426,652 )
      1,833,348  

 

(1) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholder have been forfeited as a result thereof.
(2) Deferred underwriting discounts and commission of 3.5%.

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization at December 31, 2020 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units and the private units and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:

 

    As at December 31, 2020  
    Actual     As
Adjusted(1)
 
    (Audited)    

(Unaudited)

 
Promissory Note – related party(2)   $ 32,839     $ -  
Deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable     -       1,400,000  
Ordinary shares, $0.001 par value, and 3,426,652 shares are subject to possible conversion/tender     -       34,609,185 (3)
Ordinary shares, $0.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020; 1,833, 348 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 3,426,652 shares subject to possible conversion/tender), as adjusted     1,150       1,833  
Additional paid-in capital     23,850       5,013,981  
Accumulated deficit     (15,806 )     (15,806 )
Total shareholders’ (deficit) / equity     9,194       5,000,009  
Total capitalization   $ 42,033     $ 41,009,194 (4)

 

(1) Includes the $2,600,000 we will receive from the sale of the private units.
(2) As of December 31, 2020, Ace Global Investment Limited had loaned to us an aggregate of $32,839 to be used to pay formation and a portion of the expenses of this offering. The loan is payable without interest on the date on which we consummate our initial public offering.
(3) Derived by taking 3,426,652 shares which may be redeemed, representing the maximum number of shares that may be converted while maintaining at least $5,000,009 in net tangible assets after the offering, multiplied by $10.10.
(4) Derived by adding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable, total shareholders’ equity and the value of ordinary shares subject to possible conversion.

 

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

 

We are a blank check company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on November 2, 2020 with limited liability (meaning our public shareholders have no liability, as shareholders of the Company, for the liabilities of the Company over and above the amount paid for their shares) to serve as a vehicle to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic location. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our securities, debt or a combination of cash, securities and debt, in effecting a business combination. The issuance of additional ordinary shares or preferred shares:

 

may significantly reduce the equity interest of our shareholders;

 

may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;

 

will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and most likely will also 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 securities.

 

Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:

 

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;

 

acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that required the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant 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 additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such 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

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at December 31, 2020, we had no cash. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this uncertainty through this offering are discussed above. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 in December 2020 from the sale of the insider shares and a loan from our sponsor, in an aggregate amount of approximately $32,839 that is more fully described below. We estimate that the net proceeds from (1) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $600,000 and underwriting discounts and commissions of $1,000,000 (or $1,150,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) (not including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions) and (2) the sale of the private units for a purchase price of up to $2,600,000 (or $2,810,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $41,000,000 (or $47,060,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) (including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions). Of this amount, $40,400,000 (or $46,460,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account. The remaining $600,000 (whether or not the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will not be held in the trust account.

 

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto, including deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in an amount up to 3.5% of the total gross proceeds raised in the offering upon consummation of our initial business combination. To the extent that our share capital 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. 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.

 

Over the next 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) (assuming a business combination is not consummated prior thereto), we will be using the funds held outside of the trust account 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. Out of the funds available outside the trust account, we anticipate that we will incur approximately:

 

$100,000 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 a business combination;

 

$70,000 of expenses for the due diligence and investigation of a target business by our officers, directors and initial shareholders;

 

$40,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations; and

 

$150,000 for the payment of the administrative fee to Ace Global Investment Limited (of $10,000 per month for up to 15 months), subject to deferral as described herein; and

 

$240,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses, including director and officer liability insurance premiums.

 

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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, or the amount of interest available to us from the trust account is less than we expect as a result of the current interest rate environment, 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. 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. 

 

Related Party Transactions

 

In November 2020, we sold 1,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $1.00, or approximately $0.001 per share. In December 2020, we sold 1,149,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $24,999, or approximately $0.022 per share.

 

As of December 31, 2020, Ace Global Investment Limited loaned to us an aggregate amount of $32,839, on a non-interest-bearing basis for payment of offering expenses on our behalf. The loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in the trust account.

 

We are obligated, commencing on the date of this prospectus, to pay Ace Global Investment Limited, our sponsor, a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination.

 

Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000). Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, it will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.00 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option.

 

If needed to finance transaction costs in connection with searching for a target business or consummating 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 $600,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. We believe the purchase price of these units will approximate the fair value of such units when issued. However, if it is determined, at the time of issuance, that the fair value of such units exceeds the purchase price, we would record compensation expense for the excess of the fair value of the units on the day of issuance over the purchase price in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 — Compensation — Stock Compensation.

 

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Controls and Procedures

 

We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the 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. 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 may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.

 

Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent auditors to audit and render an opinion on such report when, or if, required by Section 404. The independent auditors may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The net proceeds of this offering, including amounts in the trust account, will be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 180 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 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 such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company”, we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an 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.

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PROPOSED BUSINESS

 

Introduction

We are a newly incorporated blank check company in the British Virgin Islands as a business company with limited liability. Our shareholders have no additional liability for the company’s liabilities over and above the amount paid for their shares. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. Although we reserve the right to pursue opportunities in other industries and regions, the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in the gaming or e-commerce industry in China, Southeast Asia and Japan.

 

The gaming and e-commerce sector are both multi-billion dollars industries that are experiencing significant growth. With many factors fueling their success including widespread usage of mobile phones, increasing internet access, technological advancements and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, both industries have benefited greatly from these unprecedented times and is expected to continue to develop at an astonishing rate. Considering that the gaming and e-commerce industry involves multiple segments, all of which are growing, there is much opportunity to identify a target business combination.

 

Currently, we do not have any specific business combination under consideration or contemplation, and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We are confident that we will be able to find a target business that will meet expectations. We intend to capitalize on the strengths and experiences of our management team to select, acquire and form a business combination that has a competitive advantage in their core business and is positioned to bring in high returns and long-term sustainable growth.

 

Industries Overview

 

Our objectives are to generate compelling attractive returns for our shareholders and to enhance value through top line growth and hands on operational improvement for our potential target companies. We believe our management team’s personnel, network and relationships combined with their unique and diversified experiences in investing, operating and transforming businesses will uniquely position them to identify and execute attractive business combination opportunities. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although we intend to capitalize on the management team’s network and focus our search on target businesses operating in the Greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia regions, focusing on the gaming and e-commerce sector.

 

According to Newzoo, a global provider for games market insights and analytics, the global games market is estimated to be worth $189.3 billion in 2021 with 2.8 billion gamers, and will exceed $200 billion by the end of 2023. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated economic downturn, the gaming industry has proven to be resilient. With many seeking to fill their time and finding a way to escape, they are spending more money and time on gaming. In the United States, for the month of December 2020, consumer spending across video games hardware, content and accessories reached a record of $7.7 billion, 25% higher than the previous year.

 

We believe the gaming market has experienced a significant amount of change over the last several years. With the increasing innovation and technological advancements, we believe there are tremendous opportunities within a variety of segments for investments and expansion. Console gaming with a strong customer base of 729 million users was estimated to grow at a rate of 6.8% year on year on to reach $45.2 million in revenue in 2020. Mobile gaming, which is currently the largest segment in the gaming industry, generated $77.2 billion in revenue in 2020 and grew to reach 2.6 billion users in 2020, which is more than one third of the world population. Competitive gaming is also gaining widespread popularity. In fact, the esports market is predicted to grow at a compounded annoual growth rate, or CAGR, of 20% from 2021 to 2026, with total esports viewership to grow from 454 million in 2019 to 646 million by 2023. Asia is predicted to drive the majority of this growth as esports viewership increased by 75-100% during the pandemic, with 95% of PC gamers in Southeast Asia playing esports games. According to VentureBeat, personal computer or PC gaming will comprise 19% of the global games market and is predicted to have $32.3 billion in profits in 2021.

 

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Consistent with our management teams’ expertise, we intend to focus on three of the most valuable and profitable markets in this industry: China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Asia-Pacific has the largest market share in the browser gaming industry, accounting for 51% of the global browser games market size as of 2020. China and Japan are consistently ranked as the top two countries leading the gaming market. The Global Games Market Report predicts that China will continue to be the largest market for gaming, with nearly one out of three people in the country gaming on a regular basis. Japan, which is home to some of the largest gaming developers and companies in the world, is predicted to reach 64.9% user penetration rate by 2025. Southeast Asia has also consolidated its place as one of the fastest growing regions for PC online games revenues. It is predicted that the Southeast Asia market will register a CAGR of 8.5% of annual growth from 2020 to 2025.

 

Key economic trends are driving the growth in these areas. Increasing internet penetration rate in many rural areas in China and more people gaining access to digital devices are some of the main growth drivers in the Chinese gaming industry. Southeast Asia is also experiencing high volumes of new internet and mobile users. It is forecasted that Southeast Asia will be the fastest-growing region for online game revenue. Owing to the strong economic growth, there is an increasing middle-class emerging from these countries resulting in more discretionary income to spend on activities like video games. The pace of growth is also expanding in Japan as the Japanese government is planning to expand the countries’ esports industry to help boost the economy by 2025. The ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working with legal experts to create guidelines to promote esports in the country.

 

Similar to the gaming industry, we believe that the e-commerce market has seen an explosive growth over the past few years. According to Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, the retail e-commerce sales worldwide will nearly double from $3.53 trillion in 2019 to $6.54 trillion by 2022. The unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 has stimulated much growth in this sector. A report published by IBM shows that the pandemic has accelerated the shift to online shopping by five years. According to a report by Accenture, it is expected to be a 160% future increase in online shopping amongst new or low frequency shoppers. In another survey conducted by Bazaarvoice Network with 3,000 participants, 41% of the respondents said they were shopping for things they would never normally shop indicating that there are many untapped opportunities to grow in this sector.

 

We expect that the shift to e-commerce will continue to stay after the pandemic is over. According to another consumer research conducted by Accenture between March to August of 2020, the results indicate that attitudes, behaviors and habits formed for retail consumers during the pandemic will remain even after the crisis is over. This suggests that practices such as online shopping will become a permanent trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on consumer behavior making the digital economy a highly attractive market. Asia Pacific region has seen massive growth as it leads the global e-commerce industry with a growth rate of 25% or $2.271 trillion.

 

Shopee, one of the most downloaded e-commerce shopping apps in Asia, received 429.8 million orders in Q1 of 2020, which is a 111.2% increase from the previous year. Facebook reported that the online retail for clothing, accessories and personal care items is expected to see annual growth of 25-30%. The market for online groceries increased three times over the past few months, totaling it to about $350 billion in this region. In addition, 80% of customers surveyed who have been shopping groceries online said they will continue to do so even after the economy has recovered. Bain Company, one of the largest management consulting companies in the world, predicts that shopping online for essentials in Southeast Asia will be a permanent trend. More importantly, the penetration rate in the market is still very low with approximately 600 million potential customers in the region that are still not purchasing online.

 

Japan’s e-commerce market is expected to reach $325.9 billion by 2026. High internet penetration, hi-tech network infrastructure, technologically advanced economy, one language and small geographical size are all contributing factors to the growth and success of the e-commerce market in Japan. China, on the other hand, has the largest e-commerce market in the world. According to Cornell University, over 50% of global transactions that are occurring online are from China.

 

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This pace of growth is driven by China’s sophisticated digital mobile payment system with a penetration rate three times of the United States and having more than 850 million internet users. Clothing, electronics, cosmetics/ beauty, food and luxury segments are all expected to grow. With China’s 415 million millennial consumers, e-commerce presents a retail opportunity that can be extremely lucrative. Accoring to GlobalData Analysis for the technology, media and telecoms IPO market, during the last three years, 66 e-commerce related initial public offerings have had an average return of 140% as of January 11, 2021. In addition, amongst the ten largest e-commerce initial public offerings that occurred in the past three years, five took place in 2020 even when the pandemic was causing great uncertainty. These figures indicate a growing investment interest in the e-commerce industry. We believe we can captialize on the potential growth in this sector.

 

As the gaming and e-commerce industries are evolving and expanding, we believe there are many attractive opportunities to acquire and merge with rapidly growing companies. With the region’s high growth rate and increased demand for online shopping, our focus will be on China, Japan and Southeast Asia. China, Japan and Southeast Asia are saturated with AI startups, digital innovation and developing of innovative hardware technology. In addition, China has one of the largest mobile subscribers’ bases in the world, providing large potential for more technology use in gaming and online shopping. Given the size, breadth and growth prospects, the gaming and e-commerce industry are well poised for high growth, high demand and attractive returns.

 

Management Operating and Investing Experience

 

Our management team consists of a team of members that have significant experience working and managing in the gaming and e-commerce market in these regions. Our team is led by Mr. Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Nicholas Tan, Chief Financial Officer. See the section titled “Management” for complete information on the experience of our officers and directors.

 

Mr. Wong has had a wide range of experience both in the financial and gaming industries for over a decade. Prior to joining Whiz Partners Inc., a private equity firm in Japan and China, he worked in the financial industry, and gained expertise in mergers and acquisitions as well as investments. During his time at Whiz Partners, he became the Chief Investment Officer of the China Hero Fund, an incubation program to support Chinese developers to create the next blockbuster console game on PlayStation 4. China Hero Fund is an exclusive collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, one of the largest console gaming companies in the world. He personally oversaw the injection of multiple Japanese technology companies in audio middleware, debugging and testing and graphics renderings to improve the quality of games in this program. Through his leadership and management, he successfully executed ongoing China expansion strategies for portfolio gaming companies and ensure their successful game launch, as well as plan the exit strategy maximizing investors’ returns. Having served in multiple financial roles and in the gaming industry, his insights and experience will be invaluable to complete this business combination. Mr. Wong is currently the Vice President of Whiz Partners and the Partner and Chief Investment Officer of the China Hero PJ Fund.

 

Mr. Tan has had extensive experience working in Southeast Asia and Greater China in the gaming and e-commerce market. He was one of the founding team members of Shopee Pte Ltd, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. As Regional Operations Director of Shopee, he set up and oversaw the business operations and product development for Shopee in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia. Shopee was rated as one of the “5 disruptive e-commerce startups ” by Tech In Asia and awarded the “Singapore Startup of the Year” in 2015. Shopee was later acquired by Garena, a global online games developer in Singapore, which was later known as Sea Ltd. According to Bloomberg, the company was one of the world’s best-performing large-cap stocks on Wall Street as of August 5, 2020. He later served as the Director of Zhejiang Jianqiao Energy Co. Ltd, an oil and gas company that was responsible for developing the $150 million seminal crude oil terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, and then moving onto becoming the Vice President of China Mall Group. As Vice President, he oversaw the launch of 150,000 msg Home Africa Mall in Johannesburg. Nicholas is currently the partner of East Ocean Capital, an investment holding company that specializes in consumers and healthcare.

 

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We believe the technical, operational and financial expertise of our management team will boost our ability to identify, evaluate and source a target company that is ready to go public and their breadth of experience and deep knowledge in the gaming and e-commerce industry will ensure that the soundness of our strategies and quality of execution will be highly successful. We will conduct careful technology and business due diligence to identify and acquire businesses with robust value creation, healthy capacity for cash flow generation, strong company fundamentals, and opportunities for operational improvement. Combined with the huge market potential, we believe we will be able to streamline the target company’s operations, improve its service offerings and product development, and ultimately provide the capital market support as needed to guide the company to obtain additional funding required for its continuous growth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs as they would allocate certain portion of their time for other businesses, and the collective experience of our officers and with blank check companies like ours is not significant. We presently expect each of our employees to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). The past successes of our executive officers and directors do not guarantee that we will successfully consummate an initial business combination. In addition, the members of the management team may not remain with us subsequent to the consummation of a business combination. 

 

As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under the British Virgin Islands law, prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Most of our officers and directors currently have certain pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations.

 

Acquisition Strategy and Investment Criteria

 

Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although we intend to capitalize on the management team’s network and focus our search on target businesses operating in the Greater China, Japan and Southeast Asia regions, focusing on the gaming and e-commerce sector. We will seek to capitalize on the comprehensive industry experience and network of our management team to help us in sourcing, identifying, structuring and consummating the initial business combination. Our selection process will leverage our management team’s broad network of contacts and relationships with various unaffiliated sources including government bodies, investment bankers, investment professionals at private equity firms, other financial sponsors, owners of private businesses, consultants, accounting and legal firms etc. to provide us with a strong pipeline of potential acquisition leads.

 

We have identified the following general criteria and guidelines which we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses.

 

Target companies with significant operations in the gaming or e-commerce sector in Greater China, East Asia and South Asia regions. We intend to leverage our management team’s unique expertise and relationships to source a potential target. Based on our management team’s past experience and strong network in Asia, we believe it will be advantageous to focus on finding investment opportunities in this region.

 

Industry leadership and with middle-market growth business. We intend to seek a target company that has a leading presence across a sector or has prominent technology or product competences. We will primarily seek to acquire a target company of mid-market range with a total enterprise value of between $150,000,000 and $300,000,000.

 

Current and potential capacity for revenue and earnings growth. We expect to target companies that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of improved production capacity, cost reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions, which could result in an operating leverage for stronger revenue and earnings growth in the future.

 

Strong fundamental target companies that have the potential to improve their performance under our management. We believe our management team’s experience and network of industry contacts can create more opportunities for the target company, enhance their revenue and operational productivities, and potentially generate higher returns for our investors.

 

Resilient Business Model. We intend to select a target that has operating models to respond quickly to sudden changes in the market. In these disruptive times, it is critical for companies to address sustainability concerns so that they can stay afloat and continue to grow even when unexpected challenges occur.

 

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Experienced and motivated management team. We will seek target businesses with a management team that shows dedication, strategic vision and whose interests and goals are aligned with investors and our management team. We intend to seek to acquire a capable team that has a broad network, seasoned and is here for the long-term.

 

History of Cash Flow Generation. We intend to seek a target company which is profitable with stable cash flow coming in.

 

Potential benefit from operating improvement. Consistent with our acquisition strategy, our management team intends to focus on creating shareholder value by improving the efficiency of the company’s operations while implementing strategies to scale revenue organically and or through follow-on acquisitions.

 

Potential benefit from capital markets access. We will assess the public market readiness of the target company. We intend to acquire a target company that will benefit from being a public company in the United States and as a result effectively utilize the opportunity for increased access to more sources of capital, enhanced corporate governance and improved public profile.

 

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.

 

Our Competitive Advantages

 

Status as a Publicly Listed Company

 

We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to prospective target businesses. As a publicly listed company, we will offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering. We believe that target businesses will favor this alternative, which we believe is less expensive, while offering greater certainty of execution than the traditional initial public offering. During an initial public offering, there are typically expenses incurred in marketing, which would be costlier than a business combination with us. Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is approved by our shareholders (if applicable) and the transaction is consummated, 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 that could prevent the offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would have greater access to capital and additional means of creating management incentives that are better aligned with shareholders’ interests than it would as a private company. It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented management staffs.

 

Strong Financial Position and Flexibility

 

With the funds held in our trust account, we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to complete our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use an efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. 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.

 

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Effecting a Business Combination

 

General

 

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of private units, our share capital, debt or a combination of these in effecting a business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the private placement of private units are intended to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination as described in this prospectus, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific purposes. Accordingly, investors in this offering are investing without first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. A business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares, while avoiding what it may deem to be adverse consequences of undertaking a public offering itself. These include time delays, significant expense, loss of voting control and compliance with various U.S. Federal and state securities laws. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.

 

We Have Not Identified a Target Business

 

To date, we have not selected any target business on which to concentrate our search for a business combination. None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders and other affiliates has engaged in discussions on our behalf with representatives of other companies regarding the possibility of a potential merger, share exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with us, nor have we, nor any of our agents or affiliates, been approached by any candidates (or representatives of any candidates) with respect to a possible business combination with our company.

 

Subject to the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect a business combination with a company or an entity in its early stage of development or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business and operations of early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

 

Sources of Target Businesses

 

We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings which will not commence until after the completion of this offering. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their respective affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will any of our existing officers, directors, special advisors or initial shareholders, 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 consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction). If we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our officers, directors or initial shareholders, we will do so only if we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. However, as of the date of this prospectus, there is no affiliated entity that we consider a business combination target.

 

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Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination

 

Subject to the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses.

 

We believe such factors will be important in evaluating prospective target businesses, regardless of the location or industry in which such target business operates. However, this list is not intended to be exhaustive. Furthermore, we may decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.

 

Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. 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.

 

Alternative structures to comply with regulations in certain Chinese industries

 

We may need to adopt alternative structures in the event that we elect to acquire a target company in certain Chinese industries. The Chinese government has restricted or limited direct foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in a wide variety of industries, including certain aspects of telecommunications, advertising, food production, airline, and heavy equipment manufacturers. The Chinese government may apply these restrictions in other industries in the future. In addition, there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in “important industries” that may affect the national economic security or having “famous Chinese brand names” or “well established Chinese brand names.” Subject to the review requirements of the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies as discussed elsewhere for acquisitions of assets and companies in China and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted Chinese parties which could, for example, result in a structure where, in exchange for our payment of the acquisition consideration, the target business would be majority or wholly owned by Chinese residents whom we designate, and the target business would continue to hold the requisite licenses necessary to operate its business. To the extent such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company. The agreements would be designed to secure for us economic benefits and to assume risk of losses and control over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in the hands of Chinese parties.

 

For example, these contracts could result in a structure where, in exchange for our payment of the acquisition consideration: (i) the target company would be majority owned by Chinese residents whom would be likely designated by us and the target company would continue to hold the requisite licenses for the target business and (ii) we would establish a new subsidiary in China which would provide technology, technical support, consulting and related services to the target company in exchange for fees, which would transfer to us substantially all of the economic benefits of ownership of the target company.

 

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These contractual arrangements would be designed to provide the following:

 

Our exercise of effective control over the target company;

 

We will assume economic benefits and risk of losses of the target company that are substantially similar to full ownership;

 

The shareholders of the target company would grant us a pledged interest in all of the issued and outstanding interests of the target company, including the right to vote such shares, as security for the performance of the target company’s obligations under the contractual arrangements;

 

The shareholders of the target company would grant us an irrevocable proxy for the maximum period permitted by law, to vote the shareholders’ shares in the target company in such manner and for or against such proposals as we may determine; and

 

We, or our designee, would have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the target company owned by the Chinese residents whom we designate, or all or part of the assets of the target company, in each case when and to the extent permitted by Chinese regulations.

 

While we cannot predict the terms of any such contract that we will be able to negotiate, at a minimum, any contractual arrangement would need to provide us with effective control over the target’s operations and management either directly through board control or through affirmative and/or negative covenants and veto rights with respect to matters such as entry into material agreements, management changes and issuance of debt or equity securities, among other potential control provisions. We have not, however, established specific provisions which must be in an agreement in order to meet the definition of business combination.

 

These agreements likely also would provide for increased ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under Chinese law and regulation. If we choose to effect our initial business combination that employs the use of these types of control arrangements, we may have difficulty in enforcing our rights. Therefore, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits, accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership through a merger or shares exchange. For example, if the target business or any other entity fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend substantial resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under Chinese law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be sufficient to off-set the cost of enforcement and may adversely affect the benefits we expect to receive from the business combination.

 

While we believe under such contractual arrangement, we will be considered the primary beneficiary and be able to consolidate financial results of the target company in our consolidated financial statements. In the event that in the future generally accepted accounting policies in the United States and the SEC accounting regulations change and we are deemed not to be the primary beneficiary by controlling the target company through such contractual arrangement, we would not be able to consolidate line by line the target company’s financial results in our consolidated financial statements.

 

Moreover, we expect that the contractual arrangements upon which we would be relying would be governed by Chinese law and would be the only basis of providing resolution of disputes which may arise through either arbitration or litigation in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with Chinese law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with Chinese legal procedures. Uncertainties in the Chinese legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert the effective level of control over the target business.

 

We have not selected any target business or target industry on which to concentrate our search for our initial business combination and we are, therefore, unable to determine at this time what form an acquisition of a target business will take.

 

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Fair Market Value of Target Business

 

Pursuant to NASDAQ listing rules, the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although we may acquire a target business whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. We currently anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure a business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and 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, only 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, assuming that we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on NASDAQ. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund-raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target business will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold. 

 

We will not be required to comply with the 80% fair market value requirement if we are delisted from NASDAQ. If NASDAQ delists our securities from trading on its exchange after this offering, we would not be required to satisfy the fair market value requirement described above and could complete a business combination with a target business having a fair market value substantially below 80% of the balance in the trust account.

 

Lack of Business Diversification

 

Our business combination must be with a target business or businesses that collectively satisfy the minimum valuation standard at the time of such acquisition, as discussed above, although this process may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

 

subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and

 

result in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

 

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

 

Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’ Management

 

Although we intend to scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of the target business’ management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full-time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination 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 them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.

 

Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.

 

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

 

In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction, or whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we have the flexibility to avoid a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. 

 

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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 converted or sold to us) 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. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait 15 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.

 

Our initial shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction we could need as little as 55,001 of our public shares (or approximately 1.38% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised and the initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market).

 

None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units or ordinary shares in this offering or from persons in the open market or in private transactions (other than the private units). However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. 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.

 

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, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination). Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. 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 insiders 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 $396,000, or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.10 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent 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 insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. Any notes issued pursuant to these loans would be in addition to any notes issued pursuant to working capital loans made to us. 

 

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Conversion/Tender Rights

 

At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. The redemption rights will be effected under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and British Virgin Islands law as redemptions. If we hold a meeting to approve an initial business combination, a holder will always have the ability to vote against a proposed business combination and not seek conversion of his shares.

 

Alternatively, if we engage in a tender offer, each public shareholder will be provided the opportunity to sell his public shares to us in such tender offer. The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their public shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.

 

Our initial shareholders, officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to this offering or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket.

 

We may also require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent 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, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. Once the shares are converted by the holder, and effectively redeemed by us under British Virgin Islands law, the transfer agent will then update our Register of Members to reflect all conversions. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time our proxy statement is mailed through the vote on the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his redemption rights. Under our amended and restated 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. As a result, if we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their redemption rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.

 

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 converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.

 

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Any request to convert or tender such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion or tender and subsequently decides prior to the vote on the business combination or the expiration of the tender offer not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).

 

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

 

Automatic Liquidation of Trust Account if No Business Combination

 

If we do not complete a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) from the consummation of this offering, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Act. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination). Public shareholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. 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 insiders 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 $396,000, or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.10 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent 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 insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay our taxes, then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders. In the event of our liquidation and subsequent dissolution, the public warrants will expire and will be worthless. 

 

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The amount in the trust account will be treated as funds distributable under the Companies Act provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are forced to liquidate the trust account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust account calculated as of the date that is two (2) days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest net of taxes payable). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.

 

Each of our initial shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed to waive its rights to participate in any liquidation of our trust account or other assets with respect to the insider shares and private units and to vote their insider shares, private shares in favor of any dissolution and plan of distribution which we submit to a vote of shareholders. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless.

 

If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and 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 initial per-share redemption price from the trust account would be $10.10. 

 

The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would be prior to the claims of our public shareholders. Although we will seek to have all vendors, including lenders for money borrowed, prospective target businesses or other entities we engage 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 a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refused to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, we would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to us if we chose not to engage such third party and evaluate if such engagement would be in the best interest of our shareholders if such third party refused to waive such claims. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refused 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 provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. In any event, our management would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and would only enter into an agreement with a third party that did not execute a waiver if management believed that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. 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.

 

Ace Global Investment Limited, has agreed that, if we liquidate the trust account prior to the consummation of a business combination, it will be liable to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such debts or obligations do not reduce the amounts in the trust account and only if such parties have not executed a waiver agreement. However, we cannot assure you that it will be able to satisfy those obligations if it is required to do so. Accordingly, the actual per-share redemption price could be less than $10.10 due to claims of creditors. Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which 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. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00 per share. 

 

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Competition

 

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.

 

The following also may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:

 

our obligation to seek shareholder approval of a business combination or obtain the necessary financial information to be sent to shareholders in connection with such business combination may delay or prevent the completion of a transaction;

 

our obligation to redeem public shares held by our public shareholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination;

 

NASDAQ may require us to file a new listing application and meet its initial listing requirements to maintain the listing of our securities following a business combination;

 

our outstanding warrants and the potential future dilution they represent;

 

our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions to the underwriters upon consummation of our initial business combination;

 

our obligation to either repay or issue units upon conversion of up to $600,000 of working capital loans that may be made to us by our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates;

 

our obligation to register the resale of the insider shares, as well as the private units (and underlying securities) and any securities issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates upon conversion of working capital loans; and

 

the impact on the target business’ assets as a result of unknown liabilities under the securities laws or otherwise depending on developments involving us prior to the consummation of a business combination.

 

Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.

 

If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.

 

Facilities

 

We maintain our principal executive office at 6/F Unit B, Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong. The cost for this space is provided to us by Ace Global Investment Limited, as part of the $10,000 per month payment we make to it for office space and related services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

 

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Employees

 

We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, they will spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs) than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.

 

Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements

 

We have registered our units, ordinary shares, and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual report 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 any proxy solicitation sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, the financial information included in the proxy solicitation materials will need to be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. The financial statements may also be required to be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the Form 8-K announcing the closing of an initial business combination, which would need to be filed within four business days thereafter. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have the necessary financial information. To the extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business.

 

We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act beginning for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

 

We are an emerging growth company as defined in 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. We will remain such for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three-year period or our total revenues exceed $1.07 billion or 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, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we have elected, under Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act, to 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.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such, and we and our officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 15 months preceding the date of this prospectus.

 

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Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419

 

The following table compares and contrasts the terms of our offering and the terms of an offering of blank check companies under Rule 419 promulgated by the SEC assuming that the gross proceeds, underwriting discounts and underwriting expenses for the Rule 419 offering are the same as this offering and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the terms of a Rule 419 offering will apply to this offering because we will be listed on a national securities exchange, we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,001 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.

 

    Terms of the Offering   Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Escrow of offering proceeds   $40,400,000 (or $46,460,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net offering proceeds and proceeds from the sale of the private units will be deposited into a trust account in the United States, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, acting as trustee.   $34,560,000 of the offering proceeds would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account.
         
Investment of net proceeds   The $40,400,000 (or $46,460,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net offering proceeds and proceeds from the sale of the private units held in trust will only be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest solely in United States government treasuries.   Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States.
         
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business   The initial target business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in our trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. We will not be required to comply with the 80% fair market value requirement if we are delisted from NASDAQ.    We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.
         
Trading of securities issued   The units may commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless the underwriters inform us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization and blank check companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), 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 securities 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 completion of a business combination 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.

 

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Election to remain an investor  

We will either (1) give our shareholders the opportunity to vote on the business combination or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us in a tender offer for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account less taxes payable. If we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination, we will send each shareholder a proxy statement containing information required by the SEC. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we must provide at least 10 days advance notice of any meeting of shareholders. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether to exercise their rights to convert their shares into cash at such a meeting or to remain an investor in our company. Alternatively, if we do not hold a meeting and instead conduct a tender offer, we will conduct such tender offer in accordance with the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as we would have included in a proxy statement. The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.

  A prospectus containing information 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 the post-effective amendment, to decide whether he or she elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his or her investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account would automatically be returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all of the deposited funds in the escrow account must be returned to all investors and none of the securities will be issued.
         
Business combination deadline   Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we do not complete an initial business combination within 15 months from the consummation of this offering (or up to 24 months as described elsewhere herein), it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution.   If an acquisition has not been consummated within 24 months after the effective date of the initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account would be returned to investors.
         
Interest earned on the funds in the trust account   There can be released to us, from time to time any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we may need to pay our tax obligations. The remaining interest earned on the funds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our entry into liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.   All interest earned on the funds in the trust account will be held in trust for the benefit of public shareholders until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.
         
Release of funds   Except for interest earned on the funds held 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 of the completion of a business combination (in which case, the proceeds released to us will be net of the funds used to pay converting or tendering shareholders, as the trustee will directly send the appropriate portion of the amount held in trust to the converting or tendering shareholders at the time of the business combination) and the liquidation of our trust account upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.   The proceeds held in the escrow account would not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Our current directors and executive officers, their ages and positions are as follows:

 

Name   Age    Position
Eugene Wong   33   Director, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan   31   Chief Financial Officer
Robert Morris   32   Independent Director
Yan Xu   38   Independent Director
Leslie Chow   37   Independent Director

 

Below is a summary of the business experience of each our executive officers and directors:

 

Eugene Wong. Mr. Eugene Wong has been our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board since our inception. Mr. Wong joined Whiz Partners Inc. in May 2013 and is currently the managing director of Whiz Partners Asia and the partner and chief investment officer of the China Hero PJ Fund. Mr. Wong has a wide range of experience both in the financial and gaming industry for over a decade. During his time at Whiz Partners, he became chief investment officer of the China Hero Fund, an incubation program to support Chinese developers to create the next blockbuster console game on the PlayStation platform. China Hero Fund is an exclusive collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, one of the largest console gaming companies in the world. During his time at Whiz Partners Asia, he also personally oversaw the injection of multiple Japanese technology companies in audio middleware, debugging and testing and graphics renderings into the China market to improve the quality of games. Prior to his role at Whiz Partners, he spent two years as a merger and acquisitions analyst at CDC Software Inc. (NASDAQ: CDCS) from August 2009 to May 2011, where he worked closely with the senior management team to conduct financial analysis, due diligence and deal structuring. He then spent one year as an investment analyst at World Bank Group from August 2012 to May 2013, where he gained experience in market analysis and creating valuations to identify favorable investment opportunities. Mr. Wong obtained his Master of Business Administration degree from the MIT Sloan-Tsinghua Program at Tsinghua University in May 2013, and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in University of Chicago in July 2009.

 

Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan. Mr. Nicholas Tan has been our Chief Financial Officer since inception. Mr. Tan has had a wide range of experience in management and operating roles in e-commerce, consulting, consumer retail and energy production companies. He has been a partner at East Ocean Capital, an investment holding company focused on consumer, education and healthcare sectors since June 2015. Beginning from February 2018, Mr. Tan is also a director of the board of Zhejiang Jianqiao Energy Co. Ltd, and is responsible for the development of the $150 million seminal crude oil terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. From January 2016 to January 2018, he was the vice president of China Mall Group, South Africa’s largest group of Chinese malls. He oversaw the launch of 150,000 msg Home Africa mall in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to this role, he was one of the co-founders of Shopee, one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia. As the regional operations director of Shopee, he managed the business operations and product development across Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Shopee was later acquired by Sea Group. Mr. Tan also worked as an associate consultant at Bain & Company, specializing in consumer retail and private equity from January 2013 to April 2015. In 2012, he also served as a policy analyst at the Ministry of Health, PRC, where he advised on nationwide health policies and helped author multiple research papers published in leading medical journals. Mr. Tan obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology at Harvard University.

 

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Robert Morris. Mr. Morris has served as a Director since our inception. Mr. Morris has had over a decade of experience working in the banking and investment industries with experience in trading convertible bonds. He is currently a portfolio manager at Oasis Management, a private investment fund management company with $1.2 billion of assets under management. From June 2010 to October 2016, he worked at UBS Investment Bank in both London and Hong Kong. He spent the first 2 years in London where he was a convertible bond trader focused in the technology, telecoms, and real estate market. In June 2012, he moved to UBS’s Hong Kong office where he specialized in high yield credit, distressed convertible bonds, and trading special situation convertibles. He also helped advise bankers and capital market groups on looking for optimal solutions to refinance under difficult financial situations. In 2013, he was promoted to be the associate director where he managed risk management, marketing making and proprietary trading in pan-Asian convertible bonds. Mr. Morris graduated from London School of Economics with a Bachelor’s in Economics with 1st class honors in 2009. After which, he obtained his CFA license.

 

Yan Xu. Ms. Xu has served as a Director since our inception Ms. Xu has had over 6 years of experience working in the Chinese gaming market and in a variety of industries in the Japanese market. She has also worked closely with top executives in PRC companies. Since February 2014, Ms. Xu has served as the head of the Japanese division for Whiz Partners Asia Ltd where she worked closely with Japanese companies to help identify potential Chinese partners to expand their business operations. She has also been the vice president of the China Hero Fund project, one of the first funds created to support game developers in China since 2016. This project was a collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, one of the largest gaming companies in the world. Throughout the process, she worked closely with Sony to conduct due diligence and screen potential candidates. She was also responsible for post-investment tracking of the funds’ invested projects where she worked closely with co-GP Haikun Capital (a subsidiary of Haiyan Group) to track the financial progress, monitor development, launch milestones etc. Prior to her role, she worked as the assistant to the chief executive officer for Blue Ridge China, where she was responsible for post-investment tracking. Between 2008 to 2011, she worked at SinoCom Software Group Ltd. as secretary to the Third Division and Team Leader of the Translation Department. Ms. Xu also spent 3 years working at Neusoft Group Co. Ltd as secretary of business software division and team leader of translation department. She graduated from Dalian University of Foreign Studies with a Bachelors in Japanese in July 2003, and from Jilin University with a minor in law in July 2005.

 

Leslie Chow. Mr. Chow has served as our Director since our inception. Mr. Chow specializes in helping companies based in China and the Asia Pacific region to publicly list in US, Hong Kong and Australia equity markets as well as providing financial consulting services. He has been the co-founder ZHEN, a blockchain app for art authentication since July 2020 and chief financial officer of Phase Scientific International Limited, a biotech startup that specializes in improving performance of point-of-care and lab-based diagnostics since August 2019. He has also been an independent non-executive director for Golden Power Group Holdings (HKex:3919) since July 2015. Prior to these roles, he worked at Takung Art Co., Ltd, first as a consultant and then as chief financial officer where he managed and controlled all financial related activities for the company from August 2015 to August 2019. From April 2009 to August 2015, he was a partner at Albeck Financial Services where he managed the Asia-Pacific office focusing on companies that want to be publicly listed and also offering financial consultation in merger and acquisitions transactions, valuation of financial instruments, financial statements, cross-border equity and GAAP. From 2005-2009, he was a senior auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP where he facilitated multinational audit engagements in internal control procedures and reporting. He graduated from University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting in 2005. He has also obtained his CPA license and passed the CFA level 2 examination.

 

Executive Officer and Director Compensation

 

Other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee paid to the sponsor, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, has been paid or will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. However, such 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. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors and audit committee, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.

 

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After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company. All these fees will be 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, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined by a compensation committee constituted solely of Independent Directors.

 

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

 

Director Independence

 

NASDAQ requires that a majority of our board must be composed of “Independent Directors.” Currently, Robert Morris, Yan Xu and Leslie Chow would each be considered an “Independent Director” under the NASDAQ listing rules, 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. Our Independent Directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only Independent Directors are present.

 

We will only enter into a business combination if it is approved by a majority of our Independent Directors. Additionally, we will only enter into transactions with our officers and directors and their respective affiliates that are on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Any related-party transactions must also be approved by our audit committee and a majority of disinterested Independent Directors.

 

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. Effective as of the date of this prospectus, we have established an audit committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Robert Morris, Yan Xu and Leslie Chow, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Leslie Chow is the Chairperson of the audit committee. The audit committee’s duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:

 

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;

 

discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;

 

discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;

 

monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;

 

verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;

 

reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;

 

inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

 

pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;

 

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appointing or replacing the independent auditor;

 

determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;

 

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and

 

approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.

 

Financial Experts on Audit Committee

 

The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of Independent Directors” who are “financially literate” as defined under NASDAQ listing standards. NASDAQ listing standards define “financially literate” as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.

 

In addition, we must certify to NASDAQ that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. The board of directors has determined that Leslie Chow is qualified as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Nominating Committee

 

Effective as of the date of this prospectus, we have established a nominating committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Robert Morris, Yan Xu and Leslie Chow, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Robert Morris is the Chairperson of the nominating committee. The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The nominating committee considers persons identified by its members, management, shareholders, investment bankers and others.

 

Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees

 

The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the Nominating Committee Charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:

 

should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;

 

should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and

 

should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.

 

The nominating committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The 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 memorandum and articles of association. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

Effective as of the date of this prospectus, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Robert Morris, Yan Xu and Leslie Chow, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Yan Xu is the Chairperson of the compensation committee. The compensation committee’s duties, which are specified in our Compensation Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:

 

reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer’s based on such evaluation;

 

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

 

reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

if required, 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.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.

 

Code of Ethics

 

Upon consummation of this offering, we will adopt a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

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

 

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

 

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 our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management has pre-existing fiduciary duties and contractual obligations and may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

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Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by our company.

 

The insider shares owned by our officers and directors will be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed and subject to certain other limitations. Additionally, our officers and directors will not receive distributions from the trust account with respect to any of their insider shares if we do not complete a business combination. Furthermore, our initial shareholders have agreed that the private units will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors may loan funds to us after this offering and may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete an initial business combination. For the foregoing reasons, the personal and financial interests of our directors and executive officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, completing a business combination in a timely manner and securing the release of their shares.

 

Under British Virgin Islands law, directors owe the following fiduciary duties:

 

(i) duty to act in good faith in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;

 

(ii) duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral 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;

 

(iii) 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;

 

(iv) directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion;

 

(v) duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and

 

(vi) duty to exercise independent judgment.

 

In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience which that director has.

 

As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.

 

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. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when our board evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. We cannot assure you that any of the above-mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Furthermore, most of our officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary obligations to other businesses of which they are officers or directors. To the extent they identify business opportunities which may be suitable for the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations, our officers and directors will honor those fiduciary obligations. Accordingly, it is possible they may not present opportunities to us that otherwise may be attractive to us unless the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations and any successors to such entities have declined to accept such opportunities.

 

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In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has contractually agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, until the earliest of a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have.

 

The following table summarizes the other relevant pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors:

 

Name of Individual   Name of Affiliated Company   Affiliation   Priority/Preference relative to
Ace Global Business
Acquisition Limited
             
Eugene Wong   Whiz Partners Asia Ltd.   Managing Director & Partner   Whiz Partners Asia Ltd.
             
Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan   East Ocean Capital   Partner   East Ocean Capital
             

Robert Morris Yan Xu

  Oasis Management
Whiz Partners Asia Ltd.
  Portfolio Manager
Vice President
  Oasis Management
Whiz Partners Asia Ltd.
             
Leslie Chow   Phase Scientific International Limited   Chief Financial Officer   Phase Scientific International Limited

 

In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective insider shares and private shares in favor of any proposed business combination. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to those ordinary shares acquired by them prior to this offering. If they purchase ordinary shares in this offering or in the open market, however, they would be entitled to participate in any liquidation distribution in respect of such shares but have agreed not to convert such shares (or sell their shares in any tender offer) in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination or an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to pre-business combination activity.

 

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

 

To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate our initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or initial shareholders, unless we have obtained (i) an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view and (ii) the approval of a majority of our disinterested and Independent Directors (if we have any at that time). Furthermore, in no event will any of our initial shareholders, officers, directors, special advisors or their respective affiliates be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other similar compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination.

 

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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 what the person believes is in 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, 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.

 

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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 (assuming none of the individuals listed purchase units in this offering), by:

 

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares;

 

each of our officers and directors; and

 

all of 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 of beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants or conversion of rights as the warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus and the rights are not convertible within sixty days of the date of this prospectus.

 

    Prior to Offering     After Offering(2)  
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)   Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
    Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Ordinary
Shares
    Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
    Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
Ordinary
Shares
 
Ace Global Investment Limited (3)     1,065,000       92.61 %     1,186,087       22.55 %
Eugene Wong     20,000       1.74 %     17,391       0.33 %
Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan     20,000       1.74 %     17,391       0.33 %
Robert Morris     15,000       1.30 %     13,043       0.25 %
Yan Xu     15,000       1.30 %     13,043       0.25 %
Leslie Chow     15,000       1.30 %     13,043       0.25 %
All directors and executive officers (five individuals) as a group     85,000       7.39 %     73,913       1.41 %
All initial shareholders (six individuals) as a group     1,150,000       100 %     1,260,000       23.95 %

 

* Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is c/o Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, 6/F Unit B, Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.
(2) Assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option and includes 260,000 ordinary shares in the private placement, therefore, an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders are forfeited.
(3) Joyce Yuen Wah Chan owns and controls, Ace Global Investment Limited, our sponsor.

 

Immediately after this offering, our initial shareholders will beneficially own approximately 23.95% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming none of them purchase any units offered by this prospectus). None of our initial shareholders, officers and directors has indicated to us that he intends to purchase securities in this offering. Because of the ownership block held by our initial shareholders, such individuals may be able to effectively exercise control over all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of our initial business combination.

 

If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of the over-allotment option, our initial shareholders will have up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture as required by British Virgin Islands law. Our initial shareholders will be required to have redeemed by us only a number of shares necessary to maintain their collective 20% ownership interest in our ordinary shares (excluding the private units) after giving effect to the offering and the exercise, if any, of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

All of the insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the date of this prospectus will be placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, 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 liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property. Up to 150,000 of the insider shares may also be released from escrow earlier than this date for forfeiture and cancellation if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full as described above. 

 

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During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (i) for transfers to our officers, directors or their respective affiliates (including for transfers to an entity’s members upon its liquidation), (ii) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (vi) by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (vii) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause (vii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement, but will retain all other rights as our shareholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their ordinary shares and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in ordinary shares, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate the trust account, none of our initial shareholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their insider shares.

 

Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below. Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, they will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.10 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering except the private warrants 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. Additionally, because the private units will be issued in a private transaction, the holders of the private warrants and their transferees will be allowed to exercise such warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares. Furthermore, our sponsor has agreed (A) to vote the ordinary shares underlying the private units, or “private shares,” in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would stop our public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to us in connection with a business combination or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their public shares in connection with any such vote, (C) not to convert any private shares for cash from the trust account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve our proposed initial business combination or a vote to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (D) that the private shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. The purchasers of the private units have also agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units or underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares) until the completion of our initial business combination.

 

In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, 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 $600,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities 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 a business combination, the loans will not be repaid.

 

Our sponsor and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters,” as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws.

 

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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

 

In November 2020, we sold 1,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $1.00, or approximately $0.001 per share. In December 2020, we sold 1,149,000 insider shares to our initial shareholder for a purchase price of $24,999, or approximately $0.022 per share.

 

If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of their over-allotment option, our initial shareholders have agreed that up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares in proportion to the portion of the over-allotment option that was not exercised are subject to forfeiture and would be immediately cancelled.

 

If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased (including pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or decreased, a share capitalizations or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our initial shareholder’s ownership at a percentage of the number of shares to be sold in this offering.

 

Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 260,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below. Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters, they will purchase from us at a price of $10.00 per private unit an additional number of private units (up to a maximum of 21,000 private units) pro rata with the amount of the over-allotment option exercised so that at least $10.10 per share sold to the public in this offering is held in trust regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full or part. These additional private units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. The purchase price for the private units being purchased by our sponsor will be delivered to Loeb & Loeb LLP, our counsel in connection with this offering, who will also be acting solely as escrow agent in connection with the private sale of such units, at least 24 hours prior to the date of this prospectus to hold in a non-interest bearing account until we consummate this offering. Loeb & Loeb LLP will deposit the purchase price into the trust account simultaneously with the consummation of the offering. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering except as otherwise described in this prospectus. The purchasers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units or the underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares) until the completion of our initial business combination. 

 

In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial shareholders, officers and directors and their respective 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 $600,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities 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 a business combination, the loans would be repaid out of funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available.

 

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The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private units (and all underlying securities) and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans or loans to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private units or securities issued in payment of working capital loans or loans to extend our life made to us can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

As of December 31, 2020, our sponsor had loaned us an aggregate of $32,839 to be used to pay formation expenses and a portion of the expenses of this offering. The loan is payable without interest on the date on which we consummate our initial public offering. We intend to repay this loan from the proceeds of this offering not being placed in the trust account. If we determine not to proceed with the offering, such amounts would not be repaid.

 

Ace Global Investment Limited, a company owned by our insider, has agreed that, commencing on the date of this prospectus through the earlier of our consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation, it will make available to us certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative support, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay $10,000 per month for these services. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination. We believe that the fee charged by Ace Global Investment Limited is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person.

 

Other than the fees described above, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to any of our initial shareholders, officers or directors who owned our ordinary shares prior to this offering, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).

 

We will reimburse our officers and directors for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. 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 any initial shareholder 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.

 

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions, including the payment of any compensation, will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors (to the extent we have any) or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested “independent” directors (or, if there are no “independent” directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

 

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Related Party Policy

 

Our Code of Ethics, which we will adopt upon consummation of this offering, will require us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the board of directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

 

We also require each of our directors and executive officers to annually complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

 

Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties. Additionally, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

 

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

 

To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our initial shareholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will any of our existing officers, directors or initial shareholders, 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 consummation of a business combination.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

General

 

We are a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as a BVI business company (company number 2047055) 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 currently authorized to issue a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of a single class, each with par value of $0.001. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,150,000 ordinary shares are issued and outstanding, held by our initial shareholders. No preferred shares are issued or outstanding. 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 and one redeemable warrant. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share. Each redeemable warrant has an exercise price $11.50 per share and shall expire on the five-year anniversary of the consummation of the initial business combination.

 

The ordinary shares and warrants will begin to trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless the underwriters determine that an earlier date is acceptable (based upon, among other things, its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular). In no event will the underwriters allow separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering.

 

We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet promptly upon the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we receive 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 Form 8-K, or a new Form 8-K, to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, an amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K information indicating when separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants has commenced.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

Our shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, all of our initial shareholders, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective ordinary shares owned by them immediately prior to this offering and any shares purchased in this offering or following this offering in the open market in favor of the proposed business combination.

 

We will proceed with the business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of such business combination and a majority of the ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. At least five days’ notice must be given for each general meeting (although we will provide whatever minimum number of days are required under Federal securities laws). Shareholders may vote at meetings in person or by proxy.

 

The members of our board of directors serve until the next annual general meeting. 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 eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.

 

Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we do not consummate a business combination by 15 months (or up to 24 months if we have extended the period of time as described in this prospectus) from the consummation of this offering, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their rights to share in any distribution from the trust account with respect to their insider shares upon our winding up, liquidation and subsequent dissolution.

 

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Our shareholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that public shareholders have the right to have their public shares converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account if they vote on the proposed business combination and the business combination is completed. Public shareholders who convert their public shares into their portion of the trust account still have the right to exercise the redeemable warrants that they received as part of the units.

 

Register of Members

 

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.

 

Redeemable Warrants

 

No warrants are currently outstanding. Each redeemable warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and one (1) year from the effective date of this registration statement. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares. However, except as set forth below, no warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering 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 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within 90 days from the consummation of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act provided that such exemption is available. 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 effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

 

We may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the private warrants), 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 share splits, share capitalizations, rights, issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations, and the like, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading days period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders (the “Force-Call Provision”), 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-days trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.

 

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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 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 whole 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 volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares for the 20 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 capitalizations, 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, 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 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 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.

 

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Warrant holders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their warrants such that an electing warrant holder (and his, her or its affiliates) would not be able to exercise their warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder (and his, her or its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person who acquires a warrant with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of our company, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, immediately upon such acquisition will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the underlying ordinary shares and not be able to take advantage of this provision.

 

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 (as a result of a subsequent share capitalizations payable in ordinary shares, or by a split up of the ordinary shares or other similar event), we will, upon exercise, round up or down to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.

 

Contractual Arrangements with respect to the Private Warrants

 

We have agreed that so long as the private warrants are still held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates, we will not redeem such warrants and we will allow the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis (even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective). However, once any of the foregoing warrants are transferred from the initial purchasers or their affiliates, these arrangements will no longer apply. Additionally, the representative of the underwriters has agreed that it will not be permitted to exercise any warrants underlying the purchase option to be issued to it and/or its designees upon consummation of this offering after the five year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Furthermore, because the private warrants will be issued in a private transaction, the holders and their transferees will be allowed to exercise the private warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares.

 

Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a 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 a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a 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.

 

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, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

 

Listing of our Securities

 

There is presently no public market for our units, ordinary shares or warrants. We have applied to have the units, and the ordinary shares and warrants once they begin separate trading, listed on NASDAQ under the symbols “ACBAU,” “ACBA,” and “ACBAW,” respectively. Although, after giving effect to this offering, we meet on a pro forma basis the minimum initial listing standards of NASDAQ, which generally only requires that we meet certain requirements relating to shareholders’ equity, market capitalization, aggregate market value of publicly held shares and distribution requirements, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on NASDAQ as we might not meet certain continued listing standards.

 

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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS

 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated 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 the procedure for mergers and similar arrangements in the British Virgin Islands also follows.

 

We cannot predict whether British Virgin Islands courts would reach the same conclusions based on a particular set of facts as U.S. courts would be expected to reach. Therefore, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction, which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the Companies Act together with the provisions of our amended and restated 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 designated in the articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association provide that our board may designate such time and place.   Held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors
         
●  May be held within or without the British Virgin Islands   ●  May be held within or without Delaware
         
●  Notice:   ●  Notice:
         
  Whenever shareholders are required to take action at a meeting, written notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting.     Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
             
  A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail or electronic form as designated in our amended and restated articles of association.     Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
             
  Our amended and restated articles of association provide for notice of not less than 10 days before the meeting.        
             
Shareholders’ Voting Rights
         
●  Any action required to be taken by meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote if permitted by the articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association provide for such consent in writing.   Any action required to be taken by meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote
         
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy if permitted by the articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association permit such proxies.   Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
         
Quorum is as designated in the articles of association. Quorum in our amended and restated articles of association is shareholders representing not less than one-half of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on resolutions of members to be considered at the meeting.   For stock corporations, certificate of incorporation or by-laws may specify the number to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.

 

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●  The memorandum and articles of association may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting.   ●  The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting.
         
●  Under our amended and restated 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.      
         
●  Changes in the rights of shareholders as set forth in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require approval of at least 50% of the shareholders.      
         
Directors
 
●  Board must consist of at least one director. Our articles of association provide that there shall be no less than two directors.   Board must consist of at least one member.
         
●  Maximum number of directors can be changed by an amendment to the articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association do not provide for a maximum number.   ●  Number of board members shall be fixed by the by-laws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment of the certificate.
         
●  If the board is authorized to change the number of directors actually appointed, provided that the number still falls within the maximum and the minimum number of directors as set out in the articles of association, it can do so provided that it complies with the procedure set out in the articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association permit our board to appoint additional directors.      

 

Fiduciary Duties
 
●  In summary, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:   ●  Directors and officers must act in good faith, with the care of a prudent person, and in the best interest of the corporation as a whole.
         
  o Duty to act honestly and in good faith in what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;   ●  Directors and officers must refrain from self-dealing, usurping corporate opportunities and receiving improper personal benefits.
           
  Duty to exercise powers for a proper purpose for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral 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.”

 

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  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.

     
           
  Directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion;      
           
  Duty to exercise powers fairly as between different groups of shareholders;      
           
  Duty not to put himself in a position of conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and      
           
  Duty to exercise independent judgment.      
           
●  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.      
         
● 

Pursuant to the Companies Act and 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:

(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.

     
         
●  As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of his position. However, in some instances a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.      

 

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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 are not 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:      
         
   

(a) whether the shareholder is acting in good faith;

(b) whether a derivative action is in the interests of the company, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters;

(c) whether the action is likely to succeed;

(d) the costs of the proceedings in relation to the relief likely to be obtained; and

(e) whether another alternative remedy to the derivative action is available.

  ●  Shareholders of a Delaware corporation that redeemed their shares, or whose shares were cancelled in connection with dissolution, would not be able to bring a derivative action against the corporation after the shares have been redeemed or cancelled.

 

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Material Differences in British Virgin Islands and Delaware Law

 

Certain Differences in Corporate Law

 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated 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 the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements. 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 British Virgin Islands 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 British Virgin Islands company or British Virgin Islands 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 British Virgin Islands company or British Virgin Islands 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 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.

 

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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 amended and restated 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 (if such shares have been created and authorized for issue by the Company) 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. 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. Under our amended and restated 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 amended and restated 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. At any meeting of our directors, each director, by his or her presence, 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.

 

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 except that, as stated in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, no agent shall be given any power or authority to amend the memorandum or the articles of association 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. The resolution of directors appointing the agent 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 the agent.

 

Indemnification of Directors. Our 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 what the person believed were in 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. 

 

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Directors and Conflicts of Interest. As noted in the table above, pursuant to the Companies Act and the company’s amended and restated 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, 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.

 

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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 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 amended and restated 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, the Nasdaq Capital Market or any other stock exchange on which our securities are listed.

 

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Dividends. Subject to the Companies Act and our amended and restated 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 amended and restated 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

 

Untraceable Shareholders. Under our amended and restated 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or contractually agreed, 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 y and in accordance with the rules of the relevant exchange, or in any other form which our directors may approve.

 

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 certificates 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 amended and restated 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 amended and restated 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.

 

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Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

As set forth in our amended and restated memorandum of association, the objects for which we 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains 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 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment. Our initial shareholders, who will beneficially own 23.95% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Prior to our initial business combination, if we seek to amend any provisions of our amended and restated 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. We and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect the substance and timing of our obligation to redeem our public shares if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any insider shares and any public shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to our initial business combination.

 

Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that:

 

  if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months as applicable) from the closing of this offering, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), 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 amended and restated 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; and

 

  we must (1) seek shareholder approval of such initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose pursuant to a proxy statement meeting the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer, the documents for which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and

 

  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 enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA that such our initial business combination is fair to our shareholders 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 amended and restated 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.

 

Anti-Money Laundering — British Virgin Islands

 

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.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Immediately after this offering, we will have 5,260,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, or 6,031,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, the 4,000,000 shares sold in this offering, or 4,600,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining shares are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. All of those shares will not be transferable except in limited circumstances described elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Rule 144

 

Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or 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 a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

  1% of the number of ordinary shares then issued and outstanding, which will equal 52,600 shares immediately after this offering (or 60,310 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and

 

  the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 are also limited 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

 

Historically, the SEC staff had taken the position that Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by companies that are, or previously were, blank check companies, like us. The SEC has codified and expanded this position in the amendments discussed above by prohibiting the use of Rule 144 for resale of securities issued by any shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or any issuer that has been at any time previously a shell company.

 

The SEC has provided an important exception to this prohibition, however, 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 Form 8-K reports; and

 

  at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

 

As a result, it is likely that pursuant to Rule 144, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their insider shares freely without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination assuming they are not an affiliate of ours at that time.

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private units (and underlying securities) and any securities issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to us, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private units (and underlying securities) and securities issued in payment of working capital loans (or underlying securities) or loans to extend our life (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

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TAXATION

 

The following summary of the material British Virgin Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, ordinary shares and warrants to acquire our ordinary shares, sometimes referred to, individually or collectively, in this 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 our Company or our security holders who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands.

 

Our company and all distributions, interest and other amounts paid by our 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 our 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 our 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 our company and all instruments relating to other transactions relating to the business of our 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 our company or our security holders.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

General

 

This section is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax provisions relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities (each consisting of one ordinary share and one redeemable warrant to purchase one ordinary share) issued pursuant to this offering by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). This section does not address any aspect of U.S. federal gift or estate tax, Medicare contribution tax laws, or the state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in our securities, nor does it provide any actual representations as to any tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our securities.

 

Because the components of a unit are separable at the option of the holder within a short period of time after the date of this prospectus, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying ordinary share and warrant components of the unit, as the case may be. As a result, the discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to actual holders of ordinary shares and warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying ordinary shares and warrants that comprise the units).

 

The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of our securities that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  an individual citizen or resident of the United States as determined for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

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  a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

  an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

  a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a beneficial owner of our securities is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition ownership and disposition of our securities applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders.”

 

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.

 

This discussion assumes that the ordinary shares and warrants will trade separately and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that purchase units pursuant to this offering and that own and hold our securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:

 

  financial institutions or financial services entities;

 

  broker-dealers;

 

  taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code;

 

  tax-exempt entities;

 

  governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

 

  insurance companies;

 

  regulated investment companies;

 

  real estate investment trusts;
     
  persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

  expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

  persons that actually or constructively own 5 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;

 

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  persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction;

 

  persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

  controlled foreign corporations; or

 

  passive foreign investment companies.

 

This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, Medicare contribution tax laws, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or, except as discussed herein, any tax reporting obligations of a holder of our securities. Additionally, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our securities 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. In addition, this discussion assumes that a holder will own a sufficient number of warrants such that upon conversion of the warrants into ordinary shares, the holder will acquire only a whole number of ordinary shares and will not forfeit any fractional securities.

 

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the descriptions herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.

 

THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ACTUAL REPRESENTATIONS AS TO ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES AND WE HAVE NOT OBTAINED ANY OPINION OF COUNSEL WITH RESPECT TO SUCH TAX CONSEQUENCES. AS A RESULT, 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 (INCLUDING ANY NON-INCOME TAX LAWS) AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.

 

Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit 

 

There is no authority 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. Each unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one ordinary share, one warrant to acquire one ordinary share. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit generally must allocate the purchase price of a unit among the ordinary share and one warrant based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. The price allocated to each ordinary share and warrant generally will be the holder’s tax basis in such share or warrant, as the case may be. 

 

The foregoing treatment of our ordinary shares, 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 or the components thereof) and regarding an allocation of the purchase price among the components of a unit. The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units (and the components thereof) and any allocations of the purchase price of a unit as described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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U.S. Holders

 

Tax Reporting Transfers of Property

 

Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes will be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult with its own tax advisor regarding this reporting obligation.

 

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 distribution of cash or other property (other than certain distributions of the Company’s shares or rights to acquire the Company’s shares) paid on our ordinary shares to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). 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. 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation owning at least 10 percent of our shares by vote and value, a dividend received by such a U.S. Holder on a share of our stock may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction with respect to the U.S. source portion of such dividends, if any. Such corporate U.S. Holders must have owned such shares for over 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the ex-dividend date. The Code also provides a dividends-received deduction for a dividend received from a “specified 10-percent owned foreign corporation” by a U.S. corporation that is a 10% U.S. Shareholder (i.e., any U.S. person that owns directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of the Company) with respect to the foreign-source portion of such dividend. However, the deduction for the foreign-source portion of dividends received by specified 10-percent owned foreign corporations is generally disallowed in its entirety if the common share with respect to which the dividend is paid is owned by such corporate U.S. Holder for less than 366 days during the 731-day period beginning on the date which is 365 days before the date on which the common share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, dividends may be subject to the lower applicable long-term capital gains tax rate (see “— Taxation on the Disposition of Securities” below) if our ordinary shares are readily tradeable on an established securities market in the United States, we are not a PFIC at the time the dividend was paid or in the previous year, and certain other requirements are met. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any cash dividends paid with respect to our 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 and treated 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 constructive distributions. 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 Securities

 

Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our securities (which, in general, would include a redemption of ordinary shares, as discussed below, and our liquidation and subsequent dissolution in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required time), and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) sum of the amount realized of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the ordinary securities or warrants are held as part of the units at the time of disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the ordinary shares or warrants based on the then fair market values of the ordinary shares and warrants constituting the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the securities so disposed.

 

A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its securities generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated the holder’s ordinary shares and/or warrants, as described above under “—Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced, in the case of an ordinary share, by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.  

 

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The regular U.S. federal income tax rate on capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally is the same as the regular U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary income, except that 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 reduced rates. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the securities exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period of the ordinary shares for this purpose. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations. U.S. Holders who recognize losses with respect to a disposition of our securities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of such losses.

 

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the PFIC rules described below, if a U.S. Holder converts ordinary shares into the right to receive cash pursuant to a redemption transaction or sells its ordinary shares to us pursuant to a tender offer or other open market transaction, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such, redemption or sale generally will be treated as a redemption and will be subject to the following rules. If the redemption or sale 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 Securities” above. If the redemption or sale 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 under “Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares” above. Whether 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 by the U.S. Holder as a result of owning warrants) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption or sale. 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 warrants. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our issued and 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 issued and outstanding voting and ordinary shares actually and constructively owned by such holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to our initial business combination the ordinary shares may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our 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 redeemed and such holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives, in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain 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 any such redemption or sale of any ordinary shares.

 

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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 should also be aware that substantially contemporaneous dispositions or acquisitions of our shares that are part of a plan viewed as an integrated transaction with the redemption may be taken into account in determining whether any of the tests described above are satisfied.

 

Certain U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own five percent (or if our ordinary shares are not then publicly traded, 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.

 

Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below and except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of an ordinary share from the exercise of one warrant for cash. An ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of one warrant for cash generally will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s initial investment in the warrant (that is, the portion of the U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrant, as described above under “Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”), increased by the exercise price of the warrant. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary share received 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 warrants are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a realization event (i.e., not a transaction in which gain or loss is realized) or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares received would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the ordinary shares received would include the holding period of the 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 a number of warrants with a fair market value equal to the exercise price for the number of warrants deemed exercised. For this purpose, the number of warrants deemed exercised would be equal to the amount needed to receive on exercise the number of ordinary shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise. In this situation, the U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the ordinary shares received in respect of the warrants deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants deemed surrendered. Such gain or loss would be long-term or short-term depending on the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the warrants. In this case, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the fair market value of the ordinary shares received in respect of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants deemed exercised. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares would commence on the date of exercise of the warrants or the day following the date of exercise of the warrants, in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant. There may also be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences, except that a U.S. Holder’s gain or loss would be short-term. Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, including when a U.S. Holder’s holding period would commence with respect to an ordinary share received, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise of the warrants.

 

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Unearned Income Medicare Tax

 

Under current tax law, U.S. Holders that are individual, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income, including, among other things, dividends on, and gains from the sale or other disposition of, our securities, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Under current regulations, in the absence of a special election, such unearned income generally would not include income inclusions under the qualified election fund (“QEF”) rules discussed below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” but would include distributions of earnings and profits from a QEF. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition or our securities.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of such foreign corporation, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. In addition, 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, among other items, dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of assets giving rise to passive income.

 

Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income, if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us is uncertain. After the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the start-up exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (and, in the case of the startup exception to our current taxable year, perhaps until after the end of our two taxable years following our startup 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 securities and, in the case of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) such ordinary shares, a QEF election along with a deemed sale (or purging) election, or a “mark-to-market” election, each as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to:

 

  any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of our securities; 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 our securities during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for our securities).

 

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 our securities;

 

  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;

 

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  the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and

 

  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 by making a timely QEF election (or a QEF election along with a purging election). Pursuant to the QEF election, a U.S. Holder generally will be required 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 if we are treated as a PFIC for that taxable year. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.

 

It is not entirely clear how various aspects of the PFIC rules apply to the unexercised warrants. However, a U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants. 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 under the PFIC rules. 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 in its ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the warrants and will also have a new holding period in such ordinary shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.

 

The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders 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 U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election, but there is no assurance that we will timely provide such required information. Additionally, 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.

 

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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. As discussed above, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders of a QEF generally 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 adjusted 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. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.

 

Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that we are a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held our securities 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 of our taxable years that end 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 files on a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return (including extensions) a QEF election and a purging election to recognize under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code any gain that the U.S. Holder would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder had sold our shares for their fair market value on the “qualification date.” The qualification date is the first day of our tax year in which we qualify as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The purging election can only be made if such U.S. Holder held our shares on the qualification date. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will increase the adjusted tax basis in our shares by the amount of the gain recognized and will also have a new holding period in the shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.

 

Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable shares, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its ordinary shares as long as such shares continue to be treated as marketable shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income for each year that we are treated as a PFIC 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. These amounts of ordinary income would not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. 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 adjusted tax 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 in a taxable year in which we are treated as a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income. Special tax rules may also apply if a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for a taxable year after the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) its ordinary shares and for which we are treated as a PFIC. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to our warrants.

 

The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the NASDAQ Capital Market, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares ceased to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders 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.

 

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If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders of our shares 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. A mark-to-market election generally would not be available with respect to such lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.

 

A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is or has been made) with such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return and provide such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our securities should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our securities under their particular circumstances.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our units, Class A ordinary shares or warrants that is for United States federal income tax purposes”

 

a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates)
     
a foreign corporation; or
     
an estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder;

 

but generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of our securities.

 

Dividends (including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to our securities 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 or maintained in the United States).

 

In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our securities unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or 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 that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States) generally will be subject to regular 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, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our ordinary shares within the United States to a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances. In addition, certain information concerning a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its securities and whether any gain or loss with respect to such securities in long-term or short-term may be required to be reported to the IRS, and certain holders may be required to file an IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) to report their interest in our securities.

 

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. Specified foreign financial assets generally include any financial account maintained with a non-U.S. financial institution and should also include the ordinary shares and warrants if they are not held in an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes may be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our ordinary shares and warrants.

 

Moreover, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 24%, generally will apply to dividends paid on our securities to a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient), in each case who:

 

  fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

 

  is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or

 

  fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

 

A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

 

We will withhold all taxes required to be withheld by law from any amounts otherwise payable to any holder of our securities, including tax withholding required by the backup withholding rules. 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.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Ladenburg is acting as representative, the following respective numbers of units:

 

Underwriter   Number of
Units
 
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.        
Brookline Capital Markets        
Total     4,000,000  

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the units in the offering if any are purchased, other than those units covered by the over-allotment option described below.

 

We have granted to the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to 600,000 additional units at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be exercised only to cover any over-allotments of units.

 

The underwriters propose to offer the units initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to selling group members at that price less a selling concession of $__ per unit. The underwriters and the selling group members may allow a discount of $__ per unit on sales to other broker/dealers. After the initial public offering the underwriters may change the public offering price and concession and discount to broker/dealers.

 

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 underwriters of their over-allotment option.

    Per Unit     Without
Over-allotment
    With
Over-allotment
 
Public offering price   $ 10.00     $ 40,000,000     $ 46,000,000  
Discount(1)   $ 0.60     $ 2,400,000     $ 2,760,000  
Proceeds before expenses(2)   $ 9.40     $ 37,600,000     $ 43,240,000  

 

(1) Such amount includes up to $1,400,000, or $0.35 per unit sold in this offering and not redeemed right before our initial business combination, payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting discounts and commissions upon completion of a business combination.
(2) The offering expenses are estimated at approximately $600,000.

 

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters up to $100,000 (the “Expense Cap”) for certain of the underwriters’ expenses relating to the offering, including filing fees (including SEC filing fees), costs and expenses (including third party expenses and disbursements) incurred in registering the offering, FINRA filing fees, transfer taxes, all fees related to transfer and warrant agent and registrar fees, cost of the underwriters’ counsel, background checks and other expenses incurred by the underwriters related to the offering. We have paid the underwriters $40,000 of the Expense Cap to be used to pay a retainer for the underwriters’ counsel and the cost of the background checks, which will be reimbursed to us to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g).

 

No discounts or commissions will be paid on the sale of the private units.

 

The representative has informed us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.

 

We, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Ladenburg for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, any units, warrants, ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares; provided, however, that we may (1) issue and sell the private placement units, (2) issue and sell the additional units to cover our underwriters’ over-allotment option (if any), (3) register with the SEC pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, the resale of the private placement units and the underlying securities and the insider shares, and (4) issue securities in connection with our initial business combination. Ladenburg, in its sole discretion, may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

 

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Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell 50% of its insider 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 share splits, share 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 insider 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 (except as described herein under “Principal Shareholders”). Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor with respect to any insider shares.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

 

We expect our units to be listed on the NASDAQ, under the symbol “ACBAU” and, once the ordinary shares and warrants begin separate trading, to have our ordinary shares and warrants listed on the NASDAQ under the symbols “ACBA” and “ACBAW,” respectively.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units was determined by negotiations between us and the representative.

 

The determination of our per unit offering price was more arbitrary than would typically be the case if we were an operating company. Among the factors considered in determining initial public offering price were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, ordinary shares or warrants will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our units, ordinary shares or warrants will develop and continue after this offering.

 

If we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months (or up to 24 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering, the trustee and the underwriters have agreed that: (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest net of taxes payable thereon, then in the trust account; and (ii) that the deferred underwriters’ discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, together with any accrued interest thereon (which interest shall be net of taxes payable) to the public shareholders.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

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Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of units in excess of the number of units the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of units over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of units that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of units involved is greater than the number of units in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing units in the open market.

 

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the units in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of units to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more units than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Penalty bids permit the representative to 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.

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units. As a result the price of our units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

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 introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such 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 any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of a business combination.

 

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates, including in connection with acting in an advisory capacity or as a potential financing source in conjunction with our potential acquisition of a company. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

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A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representative may agree to allocate a number of units to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

 

The units are offered for sale in those jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make such offers.

 

Each of the underwriters has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver any of the units directly or indirectly, or distribute this prospectus or any other offering material relating to the units, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof and that will not impose any obligations on us except as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

 

We do not currently intend to register as a broker/dealer, merge with or acquire a registered broker/dealer, or otherwise become a member of FINRA. However, in the event that we acquire a FINRA member or an entity affiliated with a FINRA member in the future, we have confirmed for the underwriters that FINRA Rule 5121 would apply.

 

European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each Underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of units to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of units to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time,

 

(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the manager for any such offer; or

 

(d) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of units to the public” in relation to any units in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the units, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State;

 

Notice to Investors in the United Kingdom

 

Each of the underwriters severally represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

 

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling with Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which section 21 of FSMA does not apply to the company; and

 

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(b) it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the units in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;

 

Notice to Residents of Japan

 

The underwriters will not offer or sell any of our units directly or indirectly in Japan or to, or for the benefit of any Japanese person or to others, for re-offering or re-sale directly or indirectly in Japan or to any Japanese person, except in each case pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and any other applicable laws and regulations of Japan. For purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese person” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan;

 

Notice to Residents of Hong Kong

 

The underwriters and each of their affiliates have not (i) offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, our units other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32 of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance or (ii) issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere any advertisement, invitation or document relating to our units which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to our securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance. The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice;

 

Notice to Residents of Singapore

 

This prospectus or any other offering material relating to our units has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the units will be offered in Singapore pursuant to exemptions under Section 274 and Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “Securities and Futures Act”). Accordingly our units may not be offered or sold, or be the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our units be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor or other person specified in Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, (b) to a sophisticated investor, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the Securities and Futures Act;

 

Notice to Residents of Germany

 

Each person who is in possession of this prospectus is aware of the fact that no German sales prospectus (Verkaufsprospekt) within the meaning of the Securities Sales Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz, the “Act”) of the Federal Republic of Germany has been or will be published with respect to our units. In particular, each underwriter has represented that it has not engaged and has agreed that it will not engage in a public offering in (offentliches Angebot) within the meaning of the Act with respect to any of our units otherwise than in accordance with the Act and all other applicable legal and regulatory requirements;

 

129

 

 

Notice to Residents of France

 

The units are being issued and sold outside the Republic of France and that, in connection with their initial distribution, it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any units to the public in the Republic of France, and that it has not distributed and will not distribute or cause to be distributed to the public in the Republic of France this prospectus or any other offering material relating to the units, and that such offers, sales and distributions have been and will be made in the Republic of France only to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) in accordance with Article L.411-2 of the Monetary and Financial Code and decrét no. 98-880 dated 1st October, 1998; and

 

Notice to Residents of the Netherlands

 

Our units may not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered in or from the Netherlands as part of their initial distribution or at any time thereafter, directly or indirectly, other than to, individuals or legal entities situated in The Netherlands who or which trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a business or profession (which includes banks, securities intermediaries (including dealers and brokers), insurance companies, pension funds, collective investment institution, central governments, large international and supranational organizations, other institutional investors and other parties, including treasury departments of commercial enterprises, which as an ancillary activity regularly invest in securities; hereinafter, “Professional Investors”), provided that in the offer, prospectus and in any other documents or advertisements in which a forthcoming offering of our units is publicly announced (whether electronically or otherwise) in The Netherlands it is stated that such offer is and will be exclusively made to such Professional Investors. Individual or legal entities who are not Professional Investors may not participate in the offering of our units, and this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our units may not be considered an offer or the prospect of an offer to sell or exchange our units.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Cayman Islands

 

No invitation, whether directly or indirectly may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for our shares.

 

Notice to Canadian Residents

 

Resale Restrictions

 

The distribution of units in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the units in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.

 

Representations of Canadian Purchasers

 

By purchasing units in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the units without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106 — Prospectus Exemptions,

 

the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 — Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations,

 

130

 

 

where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

 

the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 — Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

 

Statutory Rights of Action

 

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Enforcement of Legal Rights

 

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

 

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

 

Canadian purchasers of units should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the units in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the units for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP is acting as United States counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act and will pass on the validity of the warrants offered in the prospectus. Legal matters as to British Virgin Islands’ law, as well as the validity of the issuance of the ordinary shares offered in this prospectus, will be passed upon for us by Forbes Hare. Blank Rome LLC is acting as counsel for the underwriters in this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from November 2, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Friedman LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report, thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as an experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, which includes exhibits, schedules and amendments, under the Securities Act, with respect to this offering of our securities. Although this prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, contains all material information included in the registration statement, parts of the registration statement have been omitted as permitted by rules and regulations of the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits for further information about us, our securities and this offering. The registration statement and its exhibits, as well as our other reports filed with the SEC, can be inspected and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov which contains the Form S-1 and other reports, proxy and information statements and information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

 

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ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   F-2
Balance Sheet    F-3
Statement of Operations   F-4
Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity   F-5
Statement of Cash Flows   F-6
Notes to Financial Statements   F-7

 

F-1

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from November 2, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 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 December 31, 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from November 2, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Explanatory Paragraph — Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, its business plan is dependent on the completion of a financing and the Company’s cash and working capital as of December 31, 2020 are not sufficient to complete its planned activities. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/Friedman LLP

Friedman LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

New York, NY

February 8, 2021

F-2

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET

 

    December 31,
2020
 
ASSETS      
Deferred offering costs   $ 45,000  
         
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 45,000  
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accrued expenses   $ 2,967  
Advances from a related party     32,839  
         
Total current liabilities     35,806  
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES     35,806  
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Shareholders’ equity:        
Ordinary shares, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding (1)     1,150  
Additional paid-in capital     23,850  
Accumulated deficit     (15,806 )
         
Total shareholders’ equity     9,194  
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 45,000  

 

(1) Includes up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-3

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION I LIMITED

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

    Period from November 2,
2020
(inception) through December 31,
2020
 
       
Formation and operating costs   $ (15,806 )
         
NET LOSS   $ (15,806 )
         
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1)     1,000,000  
         
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.02 )

 

(1) Excludes up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-4

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION I LIMITED

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

    Ordinary shares     Additional           Total  
    No. of
shares
    Amount     paid-in
capital
    Accumulated
deficit
    shareholders’
equity
 
                               
Balance as of November 2, 2020 (inception)     -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                         
Issuance of ordinary shares to founder (1)     1,150,000       1,150       23,850       -       25,000  
                                         
Net loss for the period     -       -       -       (15,806 )     (15,806 )
                                         
Balance as of December 31, 2020     1,150,000     $ 1,150     $ 23,850     $ (15,806 )   $ 9,194  

 

(1) Includes up to an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-5

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION I LIMITED

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

    Period from
November 2,
2020
(inception) through December 31,
2020
 
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss   $ (15,806 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accrued expenses     2,967  
         
Net cash used in operating activities     (12,839 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares     25,000  
Proceeds from a related party     12,839  
Payment of offering costs     (25,000 )
         
Net cash provided by financing activities     12,839  
         
NET CHANGE IN CASH     -  
         
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD     -  
         
CASH, END OF PERIOD   $ -  
         
Non-cash investing and financing activities        
Deferred offering costs paid by a related party   $ 20,000  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-6

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION I LIMITED

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”))

 

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS BACKGROUND

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company” or “we”, “us” and “our”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated on November 2, 2020, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (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 opportunities in the artificial intelligence and any other related technology innovations market in North America.

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through December 31, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed public offering as described below. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of 4,000,000 units (“Units”) (or 4,600,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per Unit, which is discussed in Note 3 (the “Proposed Public Offering”), and the sale of 260,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit in a private placement to Ace Global Investment Limited (the “Sponsor”) (or 281,000 Units if the overallotment is exercised in full) to the Sponsors (the “Private Units”). The Company intends to list the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering and the Private Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination. NASDAQ rules provide that the Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (as defined below) (less any deferred underwriting commissions and interest released to pay taxes payable) at the time of the signing a definitive agreement in connection with a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that at least $10.10 per Unit, or $40,400,000 in the aggregate (or $46,460,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering and the Private Units 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 180 days or less, or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s shareholders, 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 shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (initially $10.10 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). The per-share amount to be distributed to shareholders who redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 6). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The ordinary shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

F-7

 

 

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, if the Company seeks shareholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a shareholder vote is not required and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, offer such redemption pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination.

 

The Company’s initial shareholders (the “initial shareholders”) have agreed (a) to vote their insider shares, the ordinary shares included in the Private Units (the “Private Shares”) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination, (b) not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association that would stop the public shareholders from converting or selling their shares to the Company in connection with a Business Combination or affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (defined below) unless the Company provides dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to convert their Public Shares into the right to receive cash from the Trust Account in connection with any such vote; (c) not to convert any insider shares and Private Units (including underlying securities) (as well as any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering) into the right to receive cash from the Trust Account in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a Business Combination (or sell any shares in a tender offer in connection with a Business Combination) or a vote to amend the provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association relating to shareholders’ rights of pre-Business Combination activity and (d) that the insider shares and Private Units (including underlying securities) shall not participate in any liquidating distributions upon winding up if a Business Combination is not consummated. However, the initial shareholders will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering if the Company fails to complete its Business Combination.

 

The Company will have 15 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering to consummate a Business Combination. However, if the Company anticipates that it may not be able to consummate a Business Combination within 15 months, the Company may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a Business Combination) (the “Combination Period”). In order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate a Business Combination, the initial shareholders or their affiliates or designees must deposit into the Trust Account $396,000 or, $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the applicable deadline.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned (net of taxes payable), 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. The underwriters have agreed to waive its rights to the deferred underwriting commission held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than $10.10.

 

F-8

 

 

The sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below $10.10 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 the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

Going concern consideration

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had working capital deficit of $35,806. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The management’s plan in addressing this uncertainty is through the Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise capital or to consummate a business combination will be successful within the Combination Period. The Sponsor has agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate amount of $600,000 to be used, in part, for transaction costs incurred in connection with the Proposed Public Offering (the “Promissory Note”).The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of presentation

 

These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Emerging growth company

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

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

 

F-9

 

 

Use of estimates

 

In preparing these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management makes 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 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, Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Deferred offering costs

 

Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other expenses 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 incurred, will be charged to operations.

 

Income taxes

 

Income taxes are determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

ASC 740 prescribes a comprehensive model for how companies should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in their financial statements uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under ASC 740, tax positions must initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. The Company’s management determined that the British Virgin Islands is the Company’s major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

 

The Company may be subject to potential examination by foreign taxing authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with foreign tax laws.

 

The Company’s tax provision is zero for the period from November 2, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

 

The Company is considered to be an exempted British Virgin Islands Company, and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the British Virgin Islands or the United States.

 

Net loss per share

 

Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 150,000 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 6). At December 31, 2020, 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 share is the same as basic loss per share for the periods presented.

 

F-10

 

 

Related parties

 

Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.

 

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. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

 

Fair value of financial instrument

 

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 – PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING

 

The Proposed Public Offering calls for the Company to offer for sale up to 4,000,000 ordinary Units at a proposed offering price of $10.00 per Unit (plus up to an additional 600,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any). Each Unit will consist of one ordinary share and one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share.

 

NOTE 4 – PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

The Sponsors have committed to purchase an aggregate of 260,000 private units (or 281,000 Private Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) at $10.00 per Private Unit (for a total purchase price of $2,600,000 or $2,810,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full), in each case, in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering). Each Private Unit consists of one Private Share and one redeemable warrant (each, a “Private Warrant”). Each Private Warrant is exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Units will be added to the net proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Units will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Warrants will expire worthless.

 

F-11

 

 

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Insider Shares

 

In November 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,000Insider shares to the initial shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $1.

 

In December 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,149,000 additional insider shares to the initial shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of $24,999.

 

Advances from a Related Party

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a temporary advance of $32,839 from a related party for the payment of costs related to the Proposed Public Offering. The balance is unsecured, interest-free and has no fixed terms of repayment.

 

Administrative Services Agreement

 

The Company is obligated, commencing from January 1, 2021, to pay Ace Global Investment Limited a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services. This agreement will terminate upon completion of the Company’s business combination or the liquidation of the trust account to public shareholders.

 

NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Ordinary shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 ordinary shares at par $0.001. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share.

 

As of December 31, 2020, 1,150,000 Ordinary Shares were issued and outstanding, of which 150,000 ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full, so that the initial shareholders will own 20% of the issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (excluding the sale of the Private Units and assuming the initial shareholders do not purchase any Units in the Proposed Public Offering).

 

Warrants 

 

The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 15 months from the closing of this Proposed Public 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 the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act provided that such exemption is available. 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 after the completion of the business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. 

 

The Company may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the Private Warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 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,

 

F-12

 

 

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 days period ending on the third trading 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 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 Private Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Public 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 will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Warrants 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.

 

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 share 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 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of the insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the Private Units (and all underlying securities) and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this Proposed Public Offering. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the Private Units (and underlying securities) and securities issued in payment of Working Capital Loans (or underlying securities) or loans to extend our life can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the Company consummates a Business Combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

F-13

 

 

Underwriter Agreement

 

The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 600,000 Units (over and above 4,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of 2.5% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, or $1,000,000 (or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full). In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, or $1,400,000 (or up to $1,610,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) until the closing of the Business Combination. The deferred fee can be paid in cash, stock or a combination of both (at the underwriters’ discretion). Any stock issued as a part of the deferred fee will be issued to the underwriters at the value per share in the Company’s Trust Account, subject to any additional increases in the amount in trust per the Company’s trust extensions. Stock to be issued to the underwriters will have unlimited piggyback registration rights and the same rights afforded other holders of the Company’s common stock.

 

NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to February 3, 2021 the date that the financial statements were available to be issued. Other than as described in these financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

F-14

 

 

Until ____, 2021, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the 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.

 

$40,000,000

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

4,000,000 Units

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

 

Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities LLC

 

____________, 2021

 

 

 

 

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:

 

Initial Trustees’ fee   $ 6,500 (1)
SEC Registration Fee     5,019  
FINRA filing fee     7,400  
Accounting fees and expenses     40,000  
NASDAQ listing fees     50,000  
Printing and engraving expenses     45,000  
Legal fees and expenses     300,000  
Miscellaneous     146,081 (2)
Total   $ 600,000  

 

(1) In addition to the initial acceptance fee that is charged by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee, the registrant will be required to pay to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company $45,000 for acting as trustee, as transfer agent of the registrant’s ordinary shares, as warrant agent for the registrant’s warrants, as rights agent for the registrant’s rights, and as escrow agent.

 

(2) This amount represents additional expenses that may be incurred by the Company in connection with the offering over and above those specifically listed above, including distribution and mailing costs.

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association will provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect.

 

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.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

During the past three years, we sold the following ordinary shares without registration under the Securities Act:

 

 

As of December 31, 2020, an aggregate of 1,150,000 shares were sold to certain of our initial shareholders, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as the “insider shares,” for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.022 per share, in connection with the Company’s organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

  In addition, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 260,000 private units from the Company on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. Our sponsor has also agreed that if the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters in full or in part, they will purchase from the Company at a price of $10.00 per private unit up to an additional 21,000 private units. These issuances will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

II-1

 

 

No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales. 

 

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.*
3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.*
4.1   Specimen Unit Certificate.*
4.2   Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate.*
4.3   Specimen Warrant Certificate.*
4.4   Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.*
5.1   Opinion of Forbes Hare*
5.2   Opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP.*
10.1   Form of Letter Agreement among the Registrant, Underwriters and the Company’s officers, directors and shareholders.*
10.2   Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.*
10.3   Form of Escrow Agreement between the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Initial Shareholders.*
10.4   Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and the Initial Shareholders and Underwriters.*
10.5   Form of Subscription Agreement among the Registrant, the Initial Shareholders, Underwriters.*
10.6   Administrative Support Agreement by and between the Registration and Ace Global Investment Limited.*
10.7   Form of Subscription Agreement by and among the Registrant and Initial Shareholders.*
14   Form of Code of Ethics.*
23.1   Consent of Friedman LLP.*
23.2   Consent of Forbes Hare (included in Exhibit 5.1).*
23.3   Consent of Loeb & Loeb LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).*
24   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
99.1   Form of Audit Committee Charter.*
99.2   Form of Nominating Committee Charter.*
99.3   Form of Compensation Committee Charter.*

 

* Filed herewith.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

  (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  i. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

II-2

 

 

  iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  (4) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

  (5) That for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

II-3

 

 

  (b) The undersigned hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

  (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

  (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

II-4

 

 

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 Hong Kong SAR, China, on the 11th day of March, 2021.

 

  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
     
  By: /s/ Eugene Wong
  Name:  Eugene Wong
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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/ Eugene Wong   Chief Executive Officer   March 11, 2021
Eugene Wong   (Principal executive officer) and Director    
         
/s/ Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan   Chief Financial Officer   March 11, 2021
Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan   (Principal financial and accounting officer)    
         
/s/ Robert Morris   Independent Director   March 11, 2021
/s/ Robert Morris        
         
/s/ Yan Xu   Independent Director   March 11, 2021
/s/ Yan Xu        
         
/s/ Leslie Chow   Independent Director   March 11, 2021
/s/ Leslie Chow        

 

II-5

 

 

AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited has signed this registration statement in the City of New York, on March 11, 2021.

 

  AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
   
  Cogency Global Inc.
     
  By: /s/  Colleen A. De Vries                       
  Name:  Colleen A. De Vries
  Title: Sr. Vice President of Cogency

 

 

II-6

 

Exhibit 1.1

 

4,000,000 Units

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

________ ,2021

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
640 Fifth Avenue, 4th floor
New York, New York 10019
As Representative of the Underwriters named on Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Island business company (“Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “you”, “Ladenburg”, or as the “Representative”) and with the other underwriters named on Schedule A hereto for which you are acting as representative (the Representative and the other Underwriters being collectively referred to herein as the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”), as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Securities.

 

1.1 Firm Securities.

 

1.1.1 Purchase of Firm Units. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell, severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of 4,000,000 units (the “Firm Units”) of the Company at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $9.75 per Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A, attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions and the Deferred Underwriting Commission described in 1.4 below) of $9.75 per Firm Unit. The Firm Units (and the Option Units (as hereinafter defined), if any) are to be offered initially to the public (the “Offering”) at the offering price of $10.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and one-half of one redeemable warrant (the “Warrant(s)”), each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock. The Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until the earlier of the 52nd day after the date that the Registration Statement (as defined below) becomes effective (the “Effective Date”) or the announcement by the Company of the Representative’s decision to allow earlier trading, subject, however, to the Company filing a Current Report on Form 8-K (“Form 8-K”) with the Commission (as defined below) containing an audited balanced sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the Offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin; provided that no fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Firm Units and only whole Warrants will trade or be exercisable. In no event will the Company allow separate trading until (i) the preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the filing of such audited balance sheet with the Commission (as herein defined) on a Form 8-K or similar form by the Company which includes such balance sheet and (ii) the issuance of a press release announcing when such separate trading shall begin. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share during the period commencing 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination (as defined below), and terminating on the five (5) year anniversary of the closing of a Business Combination. As used herein, the term “Business Combination” shall mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. The Company has the right to redeem the Warrants upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice at a price of $0.01 per Warrant at any time after the Warrants become exercisable; so long as the last sales price of the Common Stock has been at least $18.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period commencing after the Warrants become exercisable and ending on the third (3rd) Business Day prior to the day on which notice is given (“Force-Call Redemption”). As used herein, the term “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

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1.1.2 Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the second (2nd) Business Day following the Effective Date of the Registration Statement (or the third (3rd) Business Day following the Effective Date, if the Registration Statement is declared effective on or after 4:00 p.m.) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The closing of the public offering contemplated by this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Closing” and the hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.” Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds. $40,000,000 ($46,000,000 if the Over-allotment Option (as defined in Section 1.2) is exercised in full), or $10.00 per Unit, of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units and from the Private Placement (as defined in Section 1.4) shall be deposited in the trust account established by the Company for the benefit of the public stockholders as described in the Registration Statement (the “Trust Account”) pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”). The funds deposited in the Trust Account shall include an aggregate of $0.35 per Unit ($1,400,000 for $1,610,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) payable to the Representative as Deferred Underwriting Commission in accordance with Section 1.4 hereof. The remaining proceeds (less commissions and actual expense payments or other fees payable pursuant to this Agreement and payment of the Deferred Underwriting Commission) shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units for delivery, at least one (1) full Business Day prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.

 

1.2 Over-Allotment Option.

 

1.2.1 Option Units. For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and not jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 600,000 units from the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 600,000 units shall be identical in all respects to the Firm Units and are hereinafter referred to as “Option Units.” The Firm Units and the Option Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Units,” and the Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Public Securities.” The purchase price to be paid for the Option Units (net of discounts and commissions and the Deferred Underwriting Commission) will be $9.75 per Option Unit. The Option Units are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price of $10.00 per Option Unit.

 

1.2.2 Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Units within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date. The Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units prior to the exercise of the Overallotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail, facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units, which will not be later than five (5) Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at such other place or in such other manner as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Units does not occur on the Closing Date, the date and time of the closing for such Option Units will be as set forth in the notice (hereinafter the “Option Closing Date”). Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Units specified in such notice.

 

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1.2.3 Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Option Units shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York time, on the Option Closing Date or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. Payment for the Option Units shall be made at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, by deposit of the sum of $9.75 per Option Unit in the Trust Account pursuant to the Trust Agreement upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Units (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The Option Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to the Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent not less than one (1) full Business Day prior to such Closing Date or Option Closing Date. The amount to be deposited in the Trust Account will $0.35 per Unit (up to $1,610,000), payable to the Representative as Deferred Underwriting Commission in accordance with Section 1.4 hereof.

 

1.3 Private Placement. Simultaneously with the Closing, the Sponsor (as defined in Section 2.24.2 hereof) shall purchase from the Company, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.2 hereof) an aggregate of 260,000 units (the “Placement Units”), or 281,000 if the Overallotment Option is exercised in full, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Placement Unit in a private placement (the “Private Placement”). The Placement Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Placement Units (the “Placement Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Placement Securities.” Each Placement Unit shall be identical to the Units sold in the Offering except that the Placement Warrants shall be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis by the Company so long as the Placement Warrants continue to be held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees (as described in the Insider Letter (as defined in Section 2.24.1 hereof) and the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22 hereof)). There will be no placement agent in the Private Placement and no party shall be entitled to a placement fee or expense allowance from the sale of the Placement Securities.

 

1.4 Deferred Underwriting Commission. The Underwriters agree that 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Firm Units ($1,400,000) and 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Option Units (up to $1,610,000), if any (collectively, the “Deferred Underwriting Commission”), will be deposited and held in the Trust Account and payable directly from the Trust Account, without accrued interest, to the Representative upon consummation of the Company's initial Business Combination. In the event that the Company is unable to consummate a Business Combination and CST, as the trustee of the Trust Account (in this context, the “Trustee”), commences liquidation of the Trust Account as provided in the Trust Agreement, the Representative agrees that: (i) all rights or claims to the Deferred Underwriting Commission shall be forfeited; and (ii) the Deferred Underwriting Commission, together with all other amounts on deposit in the Trust Account, shall be distributed on a pro-rata basis among the Public Stockholders.

 

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2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:

 

2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.

 

2.1.1 Pursuant to the Act. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[●]), including any related preliminary prospectus (the “Preliminary Prospectus”, including any prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement), for the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Regulations”) of the Commission under the Act. The conditions for use of Form S-1 to register the Offering under the Act, as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form, have been satisfied in all material respects. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Registration Statement,” and the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final prospectus containing information permitted to be omitted at the time of effectiveness by Rule 430A of the Regulations filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Time of Sale”, as used in the Act, means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement. If the Company has filed, or is required pursuant to the terms hereof to file, a registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act registering the Securities (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), then, unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Other than a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, which, if filed, becomes effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. All of the Public Securities have been registered under the Act pursuant to the Registration Statement or, if any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed, will be duly registered under the Securities Act with the filing of such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof. If, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Company or the Representative has determined that at the Time of Sale the Prospectus included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a statement of material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and have agreed to provide an opportunity to purchasers of the Units to terminate their old purchase contracts and enter into new purchase contracts, the Prospectus will be deemed to include any additional information available to purchasers at the time of entry into the first such new purchase contract.

 

2.1.2 Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 001-[●]) |providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the Units, Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act will be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

2.2 No Stop Orders, Etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

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2.3 Disclosures in Registration Statement.

 

2.3.1 10b-5Representation. At the time the Registration Statement became effective, upon the filing or first use (within the meaning of the Regulations) of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained or will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and did or will in all material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations. Neither the Registration Statement nor any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on their respective dates, did or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. When any Preliminary Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations), such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto complied or will have been corrected in the Prospectus to comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not contain an 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. It is understood the following identified statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting” constitute, for the purposes of this Agreement, information furnished by the Representative with respect to the Underwriters: (i) the table of underwriters in the first paragraph of “Underwriting”, (ii) the second sentence of the third paragraph of the “Underwriting”, (iii) the eleventh paragraph of the “Underwriting” section, the bullets following such paragraph and the twelfth paragraph of the “Underwriting” section and (iv) the Underwriting subsection “Selling Restrictions.”

 

2.3.2 Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or attached as an exhibit thereto, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) 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 none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a material violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

 

2.3.3 Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company since the date of the Company’s formation, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement.

 

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2.3.4 Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the effects of Federal, state and local regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated fairly summarize, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, such effects and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

 

2.4 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.

 

2.4.1 No Material Adverse Change. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus or specifically stated therein, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) no member of the Company’s board of directors or management has resigned from any position with the Company and (iv) no event or occurrence has taken place which materially impairs, or would likely materially impair, with the passage of time, the ability of the members of the Company’s board of directors or management to act in their capacities with the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

2.4.2 Recent Securities Transactions, Etc. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its share capital.

 

2.5 Independent Accountants. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, Friedman LLP (“Friedman”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity, the “PCAOB”). To the best of the Company’s knowledge, Friedman is duly registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. Friedman has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.6 Financial Statements; Statistical Data.

 

2.6.1 Financial Statements. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X which have not been included as so required.

 

2.6.2 Statistical Data. The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

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2.7 Authorized Capital; Options, Etc. The Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be, duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted share capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date of the Prospectus and on the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

 

2.8 Valid Issuance of Securities, Etc.

 

2.8.1 Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company (including, without limitation, the Representative Shares) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The Public Securities conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, the offers and sales of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of Common Stock, exempt from such registration requirements.

 

2.8.2 Securities Sold. The Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate actions required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities have been duly and validly taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be.

 

2.8.3 Placement Securities. The Placement Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Placement Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate actions required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Placement Securities have been duly and validly taken. When issued, the Placement Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the exercise price therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, and such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under federal and state securities laws; and (iii) 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. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Warrants have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Placement Warrants, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders.

 

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2.8.4 No Integration. Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which are required to be “integrated” pursuant to the Act or the Regulations with the offer and sale of the Public Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

2.9 Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.

 

2.10 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), the Subscription Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.2 hereof) and the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24.3 hereof) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) 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.

 

2.11 No Conflicts, Etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; result in any violation of the provisions of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business

 

2.12 No Defaults; Violations. No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any material agreement, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or businesses, except for such violations which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its memorandum and articles of association.

 

2.13 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

 

2.13.1 Conduct of Business. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business for the purposes described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. To the Company’s knowledge, the disclosures in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state and local regulation on the Offering and the Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. Since its formation, the Company has conducted no business and has incurred no liabilities other than in connection with and in furtherance of the Offering.

 

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2.13.2 Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

 

2.14 D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers and directors and provided to the Underwriters is true and correct and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by the Sponsor and each officer or director, to become inaccurate and incorrect.

 

2.15 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Sponsor, which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Questionnaires, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

2.16 Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its country of organization and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

2.17 No Contemplation of a Business Combination. Prior to the date hereof, neither the Company, its officers and directors nor the Sponsor had, and as of the Closing, the Company and such officers and directors and Initial Stockholder will not have had: (i) any specific Business Combination under consideration or contemplation; or (ii) any substantive interactions or discussions with any target business regarding a possible Business Combination.

 

2.18 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.

 

2.18.1 Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or the Sponsor with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Sponsor that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

2.18.2 The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than payments to the Representative.

 

2.18.3 Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, no officer, director, or beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s securities (whether debt or equity, registered or unregistered, regardless of the time acquired or the source from which derived) (any such individual or entity, a “Company Affiliate”) is a member, a person associated, or affiliated with a member of FINRA.

 

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2.18.4 No Company Affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any member of FINRA (other than securities purchased on the open market).

 

2.18.5 No Company Affiliate has made a subordinated loan to any member of FINRA.

 

2.18.6 No proceeds from the sale of the Public Securities (excluding underwriting compensation) or the Placement Securities will be paid to any FINRA member, or any persons associated or affiliated with a member of FINRA, except as specifically authorized herein and in the Subscription Agreement.

 

2.18.7 The Company has not issued any warrants or other securities, or granted any options, directly or indirectly to anyone who is a potential underwriter in the Offering or a related person (as defined by FINRA rules) of such an underwriter within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement.

 

2.18.8 No person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement has any relationship or affiliation or association with any member of FINRA.

 

2.18.9 No FINRA member intending to participate in the Offering has a conflict of interest with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a member of FINRA and its associated persons, parent or affiliates in the aggregate beneficially own 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or 10% or more of the Company’s preferred equity. “Members participating in the Offering” include managing agents, syndicate group members and all dealers that are members of FINRA.

 

2.18.10 Except with respect to the Representative in connection with the Offering, the Company has not entered into any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any consulting agreement or any other type of agreement) during the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement, which arrangement or agreement provides for the receipt of any item of value and/or the transfer of any warrants, options, or other securities from the Company to a FINRA member, any person associated with a member (as defined by FINRA rules), any potential underwriters in the Offering and any related persons.

 

2.19 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor the Initial Stockholder or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that: (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding; (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus; or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

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2.20 Patriot Act. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer, director or Initial Stockholder has violated: (i) the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended; (ii) the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended; or (iii) the Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, and/or the rules and regulations promulgated under any such law, or any successor law.

 

2.21 Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to the Representative’s counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

 

2.22 Warrant Agreement. The Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants and the Placement Warrants with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement”).

 

2.23 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

2.24 Agreements With Officers, Directors and Initial Stockholder.

 

2.24.1 Insider Letters. The Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable agreements (except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or non-compete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) 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) annexed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (the “Insider Letter”), pursuant to which each of the officers, directors and Initial Stockholder of the Company agree to certain matters.

 

2.24.2 Subscription Agreement. Brookline Capital Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”) has executed and delivered a subscription agreement, the form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which such stockholder, among other things, agreed to purchase an aggregate of up to 281,000 Placement Units in the Private Placement (assuming the Overallotment Option is exercised in full). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, all of the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Units will be deposited by the Company in the Trust Account in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement prior to the Closing.

 

2.24.3 Registration Rights Agreement. The Company and the Sponsor have entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) substantially in the form annexed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, whereby the parties will be entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their securities, as set forth in such Registration Rights Agreement and described more fully in the Registration Statement.

 

2.25 Investment Management Trust Agreement. The Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

2.26 Covenants Not to Compete. To the Company’s knowledge, the officers and directors of the Company are not subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect its ability to be an employee, officer or director of the Company.

 

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2.27 Investments. No more than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”)) of the Company’s total assets consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after taxes is derived from, securities other than “Government Securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act).

 

2.28 Subsidiaries. The Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.

 

2.29 Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the one hand, and any director, officer, stockholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the other hand, which is required by the Act, the Exchange Act or the Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus which is not so described and described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus. The Company has not extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or officer of the Company.

 

2.30 No Influence. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, the Firm Units to any person or entity with the intention of unlawfully influencing: (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or such affiliate; or (ii) a journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any such affiliate.

 

2.31 Trading of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market. As of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, the Public Securities will have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and no proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would effect, and no event or circumstance has occurred as of the Effective Date which is reasonably likely to effect, the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

2.32 Definition of “Knowledge”. As used in this Agreement, the term “knowledge of the Company” (or similar language) shall mean the knowledge of the officers and directors of the Company who are named in the Prospectus, with the assumption that such officers and directors shall have made reasonable and diligent inquiry of the matters presented.

 

3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

 

3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

 

3.2 Federal Securities Laws.

 

3.2.1 Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company will use all reasonable efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary during such period to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

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3.2.2 Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.

 

3.2.3 Exchange Act Registration. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the provisions of the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Units, Common Stock and Warrants prior to the Business Combination without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

3.2.4 Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance. As soon as it is legally required to do so, the Company shall take all actions necessary to obtain and thereafter maintain material compliance with each applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and related or similar rules and regulations promulgated by any other governmental or self-regulatory entity or agency with jurisdiction over the Company.

 

3.2.5 Blue Sky Filing. Unless the Public Securities are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange, the Company, at its expense, will endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with the Representative, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate, provided that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected, the Company will, unless the Representative agrees that such action is not at the time necessary or advisable, use all reasonable efforts to file and make such statements or reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

3.2.6 Delivery to Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents as such Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to the Representative two original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of certified experts.

 

3.3 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative. The Company will use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

 

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3.4 Review of Financial Statements. Until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier date upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement or filing of quarterly financial information, if any.

 

3.5 Affiliated Transactions.

 

3.5.1 Business Combinations. The Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which is affiliated with the Sponsor or an officer or director of the Company unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating the Business Combination is fair to the Company’s stockholders from a financial perspective.

 

3.5.2 Administrative Services. The Company has entered into an administrative services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Ace Global Investment Limited in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement pursuant to which such entity will make available to the Company general and administrative services including office space, utilities, receptionist and secretarial support for the Company’s use for $10,000 per month.

 

3.5.3 Compensation. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement or as set forth in this Section 3.5, the Company shall not pay any officer, director or stockholder, or any of their affiliates, any fees or compensation from the Company, for services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with, the Offering or the consummation of a Business Combination.

 

3.6 Secondary Market Trading. In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange, the Company will (i) apply to be included in Mergent, Inc. Manual for a period of five (5) years from the consummation of a Business Combination, (ii) take such commercially reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain a secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s securities in such jurisdictions and (iii) take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption in such other states as may be requested by the Representative; provided that no qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign entity doing business in such jurisdiction.

 

3.7 Financial Public Relations Firm. Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a term to be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative.

 

3.8 Reports to the Representative.

 

3.8.1 Periodic Reports, Etc. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company will furnish to the Representative and its counsel copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities, and promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company; (iv) five (5) copies of each Registration Statement; and (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Representative shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative and its counsel in connection with the Representative’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to this section. Transfer Sheets. For a period of five (5) years following the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company shall retain a transfer and warrant agent acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”). In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange, the Company will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is an acceptable Transfer Agent to the Representative.

 

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3.8.2 Trading Reports. If the Public Securities are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (or any successor trading market) or a market operated by the OTC Market Group Inc. (or similar publisher of quotations), then during such time the Company shall provide to the Representative, at its expense, such reports published by the OTC Bulletin Board or the OTC Market Group Inc. relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request. In addition to the requirements of the preceding sentence, if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, the Company, at its expense, shall provide Ladenburg a subscription to the Company’s weekly Depository Transfer Company Security Position Reports.

 

3.9 Disqualification of Form S-1. For a period equal to seven (7) years from the date hereof, the Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1 (or other appropriate form) for the registration of the Warrants under the Act.

 

3.10 Payment of Expenses. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the Company’s legal and accounting fees and disbursements; (ii) the costs of preparing, printing, mailing (including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) and delivering the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and final Prospectus contained therein and amendments thereto, post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to the Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters; (iii) the printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, the Common Stock and Warrants included in the Units and the Representative’s Purchase Option, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iv) if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange, the qualification of the Public Securities under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws specified by Representative, including the costs of printing and mailing the “Preliminary Blue Sky Memorandum,” and all amendments and supplements thereto, and fees and disbursements for counsel of Representative’s choice retained for such purpose; (v) filing fees (including SEC filing fees), costs and expenses (including third party expenses and disbursements) incurred in registering the Offering; (vi) filing fees incurred in registering the Offering with FINRA (including counsel fees of up to $15,000); (vii) fees and disbursements of the registrar and transfer, warrant and rights agent; (viii) the Company’s expenses associated with “due diligence” meetings arranged by the Representative up to $10,000 (none of which will be received or paid on behalf of an “underwriter and related person” as such term is defined in Rule 5110 of FINRA’s Rules); (ix) all costs and expenses associated with “road show” meetings; (x) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s directors, director nominees and executive officers; (xi) the costs and expenses of the i-Deal system up to $10,000; (xii) the fees and expenses of the Underwriters’ counsel and (xiii) all other reasonable costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 3.10.1. The Representative may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any, the fees and expenses set forth above to be paid by the Company to the Representative and others, as agreed to by the Company in writing; provided, however, that such fees and expenses deducted from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company shall not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate (including counsel fees referred to in clauses (vi) and (x) above) less a credit for $40,000 advance premium previously paid by the Company to their Underwriters; provided that the Expense cap no way limits or impairs the indemnification or contribution provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any advances received by the Underwriters will be reimbursed to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1)(a). If the Offering is not consummated for any reason whatsoever, except as a result of the Representative’s or any Underwriter’s breach or default with respect to any of its obligations described in this Agreement, then the Company shall reimburse the Representative for its out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the Representative, including, without limitation, its legal fees.

 

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3.11 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

 

3.12 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth (15th) full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.

 

3.13 Notice to FINRA.

 

3.13.1 Business Combination. In the event any person or entity (regardless of any FINRA affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services, the Company will provide the following to FINRA and the Representative prior to the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete details of all services and copies of agreements governing such services; and (ii)justification as to why the person or entity providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered an “underwriter and related person” (as such term is defined in Rule 5110 of FINRA’s Rules) with respect to the Offering. The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential arrangement will be made in any proxy or tender offer statement which the Company files in connection with the Business Combination.

 

3.13.2 Broker/Dealer. In the event the Company intends to register as a broker/dealer, merge with or acquire a registered broker/dealer, or otherwise become a member of FINRA, it shall promptly notify FINRA.

 

3.14 Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or stockholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.

 

3.15 Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

3.16 Accountants. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain Friedman or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Representative.

 

3.17 Form 8-K. The Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (the “Audited Financial Statements”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement, as well as the proceeds from the exercise of the Over-Allotment if such exercise has occurred on the date of the Prospectus. Within four (4) Business Days of the Closing Date, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Audited Financial Statements.

 

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3.18 FINRA. The Company shall advise FINRA if it is aware that any 5% or greater stockholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public Securities.

 

3.19 Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the provisions of this

 

3.20 Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been done to the reasonable satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriters.

 

3.21 Investment Company. The Company shall cause the proceeds of the Offering to be held in the Trust Account to be invested only in “government securities” with specific maturity dates or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act as set forth in the Trust Agreement and disclosed in the Prospectus. The Company will otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading securities.

 

3.22 Business Combination Announcement. Within four (4) Business Days following the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the Company shall cause an announcement (“Business Combination Announcement”) to be issued by a press release service announcing the consummation of the Business Combination and indicating that the Representative was one of the co-managing underwriters in the Offering and also indicating the name and location of any other financial advisors engaged by the Company as a merger and acquisitions advisor. The Company shall supply the Representative with a draft of the Business Combination Announcement and provide the Representative with a reasonable advance opportunity to comment thereon. The Company will not issue the Business Combination Announcement without the final approval of the Representative, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

3.23 Press Releases. The Company agrees that it will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without Ladenburg’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), for a period of twenty-five (25) days after the Effective Date.

 

3.24 Electronic Prospectus. The Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Representative, at its expense, within one (1) Business Day from the Effective Date, an Electronic Prospectus to be used by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering. As used herein, the term “Electronic Prospectus” means a form of prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that may be transmitted electronically by the other Underwriters to offerees and purchasers of the Units for at least the period during which a Prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Act; (ii) it shall disclose the same information as the paper prospectus and prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate; and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that will allow recipients thereof to store and have continuously ready access to the prospectus at any future time, without charge to such recipients (other than any fee charged for subscription to the Internet as a whole and for on-line time). The Company hereby confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR or otherwise with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative within the period when a prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus.

 

3.25 Reservation of Shares. The Company will reserve and keep available that maximum number of its authorized but unissued securities which are issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Warrants outstanding from time to time.

 

3.26 Private Placement Proceeds. Simultaneously with the Closing, the Company shall deposit all of the proceeds from the Private Placement in the Trust Account and shall provide the Representative with evidence of the same.

 

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3.27 Financial Printer. The Company shall retain a financial printer, reasonably acceptable to the Representative, for the purpose of facilitating the Company’s EDGAR filings and the printing of the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.

 

3.28 Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until the Public Securities are no longer registered under the Exchange Act.

 

3.29 Payment of Deferred Underwriting Commission on Business Combination. Upon the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination, the Company agrees that it will cause the Trustee to pay the Deferred Underwriting Commission directly from the Trust Account to the Representative, in accordance with Section 1.4

 

4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units, as provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:

 

4.1 Regulatory Matters.

 

4.1.1 Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representative, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Blank Rome LLP (“Blank Rome”).

 

4.1.2 FINRA Clearance. By the Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.

 

4.1.3 No Commission Stop Order. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, the Commission has not issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any part thereof, and has not instituted or threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

4.1.4 No Blue Sky Stop Orders. No order suspending the sale of the Units in any jurisdiction designated by the Representative pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, if any, shall have been issued on either the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be contemplated.

 

4.1.5 The Nasdaq Capital Market. By the Effective Date, the Securities shall have been approved for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

4.2 Company Counsel Matters.

 

4.2.1 Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb”), counsel to the Company and Forbes Hase (“Forbes”), British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company, each dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and the other Underwriters and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative. Each opinion of counsel shall further include a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (except as otherwise set forth in such opinion), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them to believe that either the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the date of such opinion contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and related notes and schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus). Each opinion of counsel shall state that such counsel is not opining as to the Placement Securities with respect to any rights to rescind or the effect any exercise of such rights will have on any other securities of the Company or on the Offering, and the opinion of Forbes shall include statements to the effect that it may be relied upon by Blank Rome in any opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

 

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4.2.2 Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On each Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of Loeb and Forbes, dated each Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Representative, confirming as of each Option Closing Date, the statements made by Loeb and Forbes in its opinion delivered on the Closing Date.

 

4.2.3 Reliance. In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The opinion of counsel for the Company and any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

 

4.3 Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a letter, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including the nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in clause (iii) below) to the Representative from Friedman dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:

 

4.3.1 Confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations;

 

4.3.2 Stating that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations thereunder;

 

4.3.3 Stating that, on the basis of limited procedures which included a reading of the latest available minutes of the stockholders and board of directors and the various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers and other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, nothing has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that: (a) at a date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any change in the share capital or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease in the stockholders’ equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the December 31, 2020 balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or, if there was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease; and (c) during the period from December 31, 2020 (balance sheet date) to a specified date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any decrease in net earnings or net earnings per share of Common Stock, in each case as compared with the Statement of Operations for the period from November 2, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or, if there was any such decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;

 

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4.3.4 Stating they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages of earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus in each case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement; and

 

4.3.5 Statements as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

4.4 Officers’ Certificates.

 

4.4.1 Officers’ Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Representative will have received such other and further certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

4.4.2 Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, certifying: (i) that the memorandum and articles of association of the Company are true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions relating to the Offering are in full force and effect and have not been modified; all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; (iv) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Nasdaq Stock Market; and (v) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.

 

4.5 No Material Changes

 

Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development that is likely to result in a material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or the Initial Stockholder before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.

 

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4.6 Delivery of Agreements. On the Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, all of the Insider Letters, the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

5. Indemnification.

 

5.1 Indemnification of Underwriters.

 

5.1.1 General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each dealer selected by the Representative that participates in the offer and sale of the Units (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal, state or local statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or at common law or otherwise or under the laws, rules and regulation of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in: (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); or (ii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “Application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Units under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.2 hereof. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus.

 

5.1.2 Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter or Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such Controlling Person unless: (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action within reasonable time under the circumstances; (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action; or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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5.2 Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such Application, which furnished written information, it is expressly agreed, consists solely of the information described in the last sentence of Section 2.3.1. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.

 

5.3 Contribution.

 

5.3.1 Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case in which: (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5 makes a claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case; or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters or the Company, as applicable.

 

5.3.2 Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“Contributing Party”), notify the Contributing Party of the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the Contributing Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a Contributing Party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen (15) days, the Contributing Party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other Contributing Party similarly notified. Any such Contributing Party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such Contributing Party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.

 

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6. Default by an Underwriter.

 

6.1 Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the Over-allotment Option is exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.

 

6.2 Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. In the event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative may in its discretion arrange for itself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Company and the Representative to purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 3.10 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however, that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

6.3 Postponement of Closing Date. In the event the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to, or to supplement, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, that in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.

 

7. Additional Covenants.

 

7.1 Additional Shares or Options. The Company hereby agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it shall not issue any shares of Common Stock or any options or other securities convertible into shares of Common Stock, or any class of shares which participate in any manner in the Trust Account or which vote as a class with the shares of Common Stock on a Business Combination.

 

7.2 Trust Account Waiver Acknowledgments. The Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation of any operating business or businesses which the Company seeks to acquire (each, a “Target Business”) unless and until such Target Business acknowledges in writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) it has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $40,000,000 for the benefit of the public stockholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate such Target Business for purposes of consummating a Business Combination with it, such Target Business agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies of the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Company further agrees that it will use all reasonable efforts, prior to obtaining the services of any vendor, to obtain a written acknowledgment from such vendor, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) such vendor has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $40,000,000 for the benefit of the public stockholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, such vendor agrees that it does not have any Claim and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The foregoing letters shall substantially be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and B, respectively. Furthermore, each officer and director of the Company shall execute a waiver letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

 

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7.3 Insider Letters. The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would cause a breach of any of the Insider Letters executed among the Initial Stockholder, the officers and directors of the Company, and the Company or the Subscription Agreement and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider Letters or the Subscription Agreement without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.4 Tender Offer Documents, Proxy Materials and Other Information. The Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with copies of all tender offer documents or proxy information and all related material filed with the Commission in connection with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission. In addition, the Company shall furnish any other State in which the Offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such State.

 

7.5 Rule 419. The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, including, but not limited to, using its best efforts to prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a “penny stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such period.

 

8. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. Except as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, and such representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and the Company, including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any Controlling Person, and shall survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Units to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

9. Effective Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof.

 

9.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.

 

9.2 Termination. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date: (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the Representative’s opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Stock Market or on the OTC Bulletin Board (or successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a war or an initiation or increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units; or (vii) if any of the Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached; or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such material adverse change in general market conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof, as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Units.

 

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9.3 Expenses. In the event this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, except as a result of the Representative’s or any Underwriters’ breach or default with respect to any of its material obligations pursuant to this Agreement, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Representative related to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.10 hereof.

 

9.4 Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way affected by such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

 

10. Miscellaneous.

 

10.1 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or reputable overnight courier or delivered by facsimile transmission (with printed confirmation of receipt) and confirmed, or by electronic transmission via PDF, and shall be deemed given when so mailed, delivered, or faxed or transmitted (or if mailed, three days after such mailing):

 

If to the Representative:

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
640 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attn.: Steven Kaplan
Email: skaplan@ladenburg.com
Fax: (212) 409-2169

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Representative):

 

Blank Rome LLP
1271 Avenue of the America
New York, New York 10010
Attn: Brad L. Shiffman, Esq.
Email: bshiffman@blankrome.com
Fax: (212) 885-5001

 

If to the Company:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
c/o Cogency Global Inc.
122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10168
Attn:
Email:

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Company):

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attn: Email:
Fax:

 

25 

 

 

10.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.3 Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

10.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

10.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the Controlling Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained.

 

10.6 Governing Law, Venue, etc.

 

10.6.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory hereto): (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; (ii) waives any objection which such party may have or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding; and irrevocably and exclusively consents to the jurisdiction of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

10.6.2 Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory hereto) further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company or any such individual mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company or any such individual in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Representative mailed by certified mail to the Representative’s addresses shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the Representative, in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

10.6.3 THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.

 

10.6.4 The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party (ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.

 

26 

 

 

10.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by fax or email/.pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

10.8 Waiver, Etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

 

10.9 No Fiduciary Relationship. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the Offering. The Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the Offering, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions, and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company regarding such transactions, including but not limited to any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

27 

 

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

 

Very truly yours,

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED  
   
By:                   
Name:    
Title:    

 

Agreed to and accepted on the date first above written.

 

LADENBURG THALMANN &
CO. INC., as Representative of the several Underwriters
 
   
By:                    
Name:    
Title:    

 

28 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

4,000,000 Units

 

Underwriter   Number of Firm Units to be Purchased
     

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

 

   
Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities LLC    
     
TOTAL   4,000,000

  

sch.A

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Target Business Letter

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), dated __________, 2021 (the “Prospectus”).

 

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $40,000,000 for the benefit of the “public stockholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate the undersigned for purposes of consummating a business combination or other form of acquisition with it, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Print Name of Target Business

 

Authorized Signature of Target Business

 

Ex.A

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Vendor Letter

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), dated __________, 2021 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $40,000,000 for the benefit of the “public stockholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to use the products or services of the undersigned, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Print Name of Vendor

 

Authorized Signature of Vendor

 

Ex.B

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Director/Officer Letter

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned officer or director of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges that the Company has established the “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $40,000,000 for the benefit of the “public stockholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

The undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it 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 account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, such waiver shall not apply to any shares acquired by the undersigned in the public market.

 

Print Name of Officer/Director

 

Signature of Officer/Director

 

 

Ex.C

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004

(the “Act”)

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

(the “Company”)

 

1. NAME

 

The name of the Company is Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited.

 

2. COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

The Company is a company limited by shares. The liability of each member is limited to:

 

(i) the amount from time to time unpaid on such member’s shares;

 

(ii) any liability expressly provided for in the Memorandum or the Articles; and

 

(iii) any liability to repay a distribution pursuant to section 58(1) of the Act.

 

3. REGISTERED OFFICE

 

The first registered office of the Company was situate at Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110 British Virgin Islands. Thereafter, the registered office may be situated at such other place as the directors or members may from time to time determine. The current registered office of the Company is situated at, Clarence Thomas Building, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.

 

4. REGISTERED AGENT

 

The first registered agent of the Company was Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands. Thereafter, the directors or members may from time to time change the Registered Agent. The current registered agent is FH Corporate Services Ltd. of P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.

 

5. GENERAL OBJECTS AND POWERS

 

Subject to Regulation 6 below, the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Act as amended from time to time, or any other law of the British Virgin Islands.

 

6. AUTHORISED SHARES

 

6.1. The Company is authorised to issue a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of one class with a par value of US$0.001.

 

6.2. The directors or members may from time to time increase or reduce the maximum number of shares the Company is authorised to issue, by amendment to this Memorandum in accordance with the provisions below.

 

 

Page 2

 

7. SHARE RIGHTS

 

7.1. Each share in the Company confers on the holder:

 

(i) the right to one vote on any Resolution of the Members;

 

(ii) the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company in accordance with the Act; and

 

(iii) the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company.

 

7.2. The Company may redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any of the Shares subject to Regulation 6 of the Articles.

 

8. VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

If at any time the shares are divided into different classes, the rights attached to any class may only be varied, whether or not the Company is in liquidation, with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than 50% of the issued shares of that class and the holders of not less than 50% of the issued shares of any other class of shares which may be affected by such variation.

 

9. RIGHTS NOT VARIED BY THE ISSUE OF SHARES PARI PASSU

 

The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class 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.

 

10. REGISTERED SHARES ONLY

 

Shares in the Company may only be issued as registered shares and the Company is not authorised to issue bearer shares. Registered shares may not be exchanged for bearer shares or converted to bearer shares.

 

11. AMENDMENTS TO MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

 

The Company may, by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members, amend the Memorandum and Articles, save that no amendment may be made by a Resolution of Directors:

 

(i) to restrict the rights or powers of the voting members to amend the Memorandum or Articles;

 

(ii) to change the percentage of voting members required to pass a resolution to amend the Memorandum or Articles; or

 

(iii) in circumstances where the Memorandum or Articles may only be amended by the voting members.

 

 

Page 3

 

12. INTERPRETATION

 

In the Memorandum and Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:

 

“Act” means the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004;

 

“Articles” means the Company’s articles of association as attached to this Memorandum, as amended and/or restated from time to time;

 

“Auditor” means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Company (if any);

 

“Business Combination” means a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination, with one or more businesses or entities (the “target business”), which 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 Company’s trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Business Combination unless the Company is not then listed on the Designated Stock Exchange at the time of such Business Combination in which case the Company will not be required to comply with the 80% fair market value requirement;

 

“Designated Stock Exchange” means any national securities exchange in the United States of America on which Public Shares of the Company may be listed for trading, including the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, the NYSE MKT LLC or The New York Stock Exchange LLC;

 

“Directors” means the directors for the time being of the Company;

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority of the United States of America;

 

“IPO” means the Company’s initial public offering of securities;

 

“Member” means a Shareholder;

 

“Memorandum” means this, the Company’s memorandum of association, as amended and/or restated from time to time;

 

“Person” includes individuals, corporations, trusts, the estates of deceased individuals, partnerships and unincorporated associations of persons;

 

“Register of Directors” means the register of directors of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Act;

 

“Register of Members” means the register of members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Act;

 

“Registered Agent” means the Company’s registered agent, from time to time;

 

 

Page 4

 

“Registrar” means the Registrar of Corporate Affairs appointed under section 229 of the Act;

 

“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC in connection with the IPO;

 

“Relevant System” means a system utilised for the purposes of holding and transferring shares of the Company;

 

“Resolution of Directors” means a resolution of the directors passed either at a meeting of directors, or by way of a written resolution, in either case in accordance with the provisions of the Articles;

 

“Resolution of Members” means a resolution of the members passed either at a meeting of members, or by way of a written resolution, in either case in accordance with the provisions of the Articles;

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

“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;

 

“Shareholder” means a Person whose name is entered in the register of members as the holder of one or more Shares or fractional Shares;

 

“Treasury Share” means a Share that was previously issued but was repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled.

 

12.1. In the Memorandum and Articles:

 

(1) reference to a provision of law is a reference to that provision as extended, applied, amended or re-enacted and includes any subordinate legislation;

 

(2) the headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of the Memorandum or Articles;

 

(3) words and expressions defined in the Act shall have the same meaning and, unless otherwise required by the context, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and references to persons shall include corporations and all entities capable of having a legal existence;

 

(4) reference to a thing being “written” or “in writing” includes all forms of writing, including all electronic records which satisfy the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2001;

 

(5) reference to a thing being “signed” or to a person’s “signature” shall include reference to an electronic signature which satisfies the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2001, and reference to the Company’s “seal” shall include reference to an electronic seal which satisfies the Electronic Transactions Act, 2001.

 

 

Page 5

 

 

 

NAME, ADDRESS AND DESCRIPTION OF INCORPORATOR

 

 

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited, of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purposes of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign this Memorandum of Association the 2nd Day of November 2020.

 

Incorporator

 

   

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

 

 

 

TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004

 

(the “Act”)

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

(the “Company”)

 

1. SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

1.1. Form of Share Certificate

 

Each share certificate issued by the Company shall be signed by a director of the Company or under the common seal of the Company (which the Registered Agent is authorised to affix to such certificate) with or without the signature of a director or officer of the Company or by such other person who has been duly authorised by a Resolution of Directors.

 

1.2. Member Entitled to Certificate

 

The directors shall determine whether and in what circumstances share certificates and certificates in respect of any other security issued by the Company shall be issued. Each member is entitled, without charge, to one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the member’s name, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate and delivery of a share certificate to one of several joint members or to one of the members’ duly authorised agents will be sufficient delivery to all.

 

1.3. Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate

 

If the directors are satisfied that a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they shall, on production to them of the share certificate and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:

 

(1) order the share certificate to be cancelled; and

 

(2) issue a replacement share certificate.

 

1.4. Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate

 

If the directors receive proof satisfactory to them that a share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement share certificate shall be issued to the person entitled to that share certificate upon request and the receipt by the directors of such indemnity as they may reasonably require.

 

1.5. Recognition of Trusts

 

Except as required by law, and notwithstanding that a share certificate may refer to a member holding shares “as trustee” or similar expression, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company shall not be bound by or compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any interest in any fractional part of a share or (except as required by law or these Articles) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the member.

 

 

Page 2

 

2. ISSUE OF SHARES

 

2.1. Directors Authorised

 

Subject to the Act, the provisions, if any, in the Memorandum (and to any direction that may be given by the Company in general meeting) and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority and the rights of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and any issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.

 

2.2. Non Cash Consideration

 

The consideration for the issue of shares of the Company may take any form acceptable to the directors, including money, a promissory note, or other written obligation to contribute money or property, real property, personal property (including goodwill and know-how), services rendered or a contract for future services. Before issuing shares for a consideration other than money, the directors shall pass a Resolution of Directors stating:

 

(1) the amount to be credited for the issue of the shares;

 

(2) that, in their opinion, the present cash value of the non-money consideration and the money consideration, if any for the issue is not less than the amount to be credited for the issue of shares.

 

2.3. Brokerage

 

The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.

 

2.4. Share Purchase Warrants and Rights

 

Subject to the Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.

 

3. REGISTER OF MEMBERS

 

The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the original Register of Members at such place as the Directors may from time to time determine and, in the absence of any such determination, the original Register of Members shall be kept either at the office of the Registered Agent or the office of the Company’s transfer agent. The entry in the Register of Members of a person as the holder of shares shall be prima facie evidence of the title of the member to those shares.

 

 

Page 3

 

4. SHARE TRANSFERS

 

4.1. Registering Transfers

 

Shares in the Company shall be transferred by a written instrument of transfer sent to the Company, signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee. The instrument of transfer shall also be signed by the transferee if registration as a holder of the shares imposes a liability to the Company on the transferee. The transfer of a registered share is effective when the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Memorandum and Articles, shares in the Company may be transferred by means of a Relevant System and the operator of the Relevant System (and any other person necessary to ensure the Relevant System is effective to transfer shares) shall act as agent of the members for the purposes of the transfer of any shares transferred by means of the Relevant System.

 

4.2. Refusal to Recognise a Transfer

 

Subject to the Memorandum, these Articles and the Act, the Company shall, on receipt of an instrument of transfer, enter the name of the transferee of the share in the Register of Members unless the directors resolve to refuse or delay the registration of the transfer in which case the directors’ reasons to refuse or delay registration shall be specified by resolution. Where the directors pass such a resolution, the Company shall send to the transferor and the transferee a notice of the refusal or delay.

 

5. TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

5.1. Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Trustees

 

Subject to the Act, the executor or administrator of a deceased member, the guardian of an incompetent member or the trustee of a bankrupt member shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to his share but they shall not be entitled to exercise any rights as a member of the Company until the Company has received the notice required hereunder.

 

5.2. Evidence of Entitlement

 

The production to the Company of any document which is evidence of a grant of probate of the will, or grant of letters of administration of the estate, or confirmation of the appointment of an executor (or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction) of a deceased member, or of the appointment of a guardian (or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction) of an incompetent member, or the appointment of a trustee (or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction) of a bankrupt member, or any other reasonable evidence of the applicant’s legal and/or beneficial ownership of shares, shall be accepted by the Company even if the deceased, incompetent or bankrupt member is domiciled outside the British Virgin Islands if the document is issued by a foreign court which had competent jurisdiction in the matter. For the purposes of establishing whether or not a foreign court had competent jurisdiction in such a matter the directors may obtain appropriate legal advice. The directors may also require an indemnity to be given by the executor, administrator, guardian or trustee in bankruptcy.

 

 

Page 4

 

5.3. Sole Member

 

Subject to the Act in the event of the death, incompetence or bankruptcy of any member or members of the Company as a consequence of which the Company no longer has any directors or members, then upon production of the documentation required in these Articles for transmission of shares and such other documentation which is reasonable evidence of the applicant being entitled to:

 

(1) a grant of probate of the deceased’s will, or grant of letters of administration of the deceased’s estate, or confirmation of the appointment as executor or administrator (as the case may be, or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction), of a deceased member’s estate;

 

(2) the appointment of a guardian (or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction) of an incompetent member;

 

(3) the appointment as trustee (or analogous position in the relevant jurisdiction) of a bankrupt member; or

 

(4) upon production of any other reasonable evidence of the applicant’s beneficial ownership of, or entitlement to the shares,

 

to the Registered Agent together with (if requested by the Registered Agent) a notarised copy of the share certificate(s) of the deceased, incompetent or bankrupt member, an indemnity in favour of the Registered Agent and/or appropriate legal advice in respect of any document issued by a foreign court, then the administrator, executor, guardian or trustee in bankruptcy (as the case may be) notwithstanding that their name has not been entered into the Register of Members, may upon receipt of a written resolution of the applicant, endorsed with written approval of the Registered Agent, be appointed as a director and/or entered in the Register of Members as the legal and/or beneficial owner of the shares.

 

5.4. Application Deemed to be Transfer

 

Any person becoming entitled by operation of law or otherwise to a share or shares in consequence of the death, incompetence or bankruptcy of any member may be registered as a member upon such evidence being produced as may reasonably be required by the directors. An application by any such person to be registered as a member shall for all purposes be deemed to be a transfer of shares of the deceased, incompetent or bankrupt member and the directors shall treat it as such.

 

5.5. Alternate Holder

 

Any person who has become entitled to a share or shares in consequence of the death, incompetence or bankruptcy of any member may, instead of being registered himself, request in writing that some person to be named by him be registered as the transferee of such share or shares and such request shall likewise be treated as if it were a transfer.

 

5.6. Competence

 

What amounts to incompetence on the part of a person is a matter to be determined by the court having regard to all the relevant evidence and the circumstances of the case.

 

 

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6. ACQUISITION OF OWN SHARES

 

6.1. The directors may, on behalf of the Company, subject to the written consent of all the members whose shares are to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company’s own shares for such consideration as the directors consider fit, and either cancel or hold such shares as treasury shares. Shares may be purchased or otherwise acquired in exchange for newly issued shares in the Company.

 

6.2. The Company may acquire its own fully paid share or shares for no consideration by way of surrender of the share or shares to the Company by the Shareholder holding the share or shares. Any surrender of a share or shares under this Article shall be in writing and signed by the Shareholder.

 

6.3. On any redemption of a share in accordance with these Articles the directors shall have the power to divide in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and appropriate such assets in satisfaction or part satisfaction of the redemption price.

 

6.4. Sections 60 and 61 of the Act shall not apply to the Company.

 

7. TREASURY SHARES

 

7.1. Shares may only be held as treasury shares by the Company to the extent that the number of treasury shares does not exceed 50% of the shares of that class previously issued by the Company, excluding shares that have been cancelled.

 

7.2. The directors may dispose of any shares held as treasury shares on such terms and conditions as they may from time to time determine.

 

7.3. Where and for so long as shares are held by the Company as treasury shares, all rights and obligations attaching to such shares are suspended and shall not be exercised by or against the Company.

 

8. FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

The Company may, at any time after the due date for payment, serve on a member who has not paid in full for shares registered in the name of that member, a written notice of call (“Notice of Call”) specifying a date for payment to be made. The Notice of Call shall name a further date not earlier than the expiration of 14 days from the date of service of the Notice of Call on or before which the payment required by the Notice of Call 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 of Call the shares, or any of them, in respect of which payment is not made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

Where a written Notice of Call has been issued and the requirements of the Notice of Call have not been complied with, the directors may, at any time before tender of payment, forfeit and cancel the shares to which the Notice of Call relates. The Company is under no obligation to refund any monies to the member whose shares have been cancelled pursuant to this Article and that member shall be discharged from any further obligation to the Company.

 

Where insiders shares (as the term is used in the Registration Statement) are forfeited such forfeit shall be effected as a surrender of the shares to the Company for no consideration.

 

 

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9. MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

9.1. Calling of Meetings of Members

 

The directors may call a meeting of members at such times and in such manner and location as the directors consider necessary or desirable and they shall call such a meeting upon the written request of members entitled to exercise at least thirty (30) percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested.

 

For the purpose of determining the members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, or members entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of members for any other purpose, the directors may, after any applicable notice has been given by advertisement in an appointed newspaper or any other newspaper or by any other means in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange, provide that the register of members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty days.

 

In lieu of, or apart from, closing the register of members, the directors may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the members or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the members entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of members for any other purpose.

 

If the register of members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of members or members entitled to receive payment of a dividend or other distribution, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the resolution of the directors resolving to pay such dividend or other distribution is passed, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of members. When a determination of members entitled to vote at any meeting of members has been made as provided in this Regulation, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

9.2. Notice for Meetings

 

The Company shall provide a minimum of ten (10) days notice specifying at least the date, time, location and general nature of the business of any meeting of members to each member entitled to attend the meeting and to each director of the Company.

 

9.3. Record Date for Notice

 

The record date for the purpose of determining members entitled to notice of any meeting of members shall be 5 p.m. on the day on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

9.4. Record Date for Voting

 

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining members entitled to vote at any meeting of members. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than one month. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

 

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9.5. Waiver of Notice

 

Notwithstanding Article 9.2, a meeting of members held in contravention of the requirement to give notice is valid if members holding a ninety (90) percent majority of:

 

(1) the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting; or

 

(2) the votes of each class or series of shares where members are entitled to vote thereon as a class or series,

 

have waived notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a member at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute waiver on his part (unless such member objects in writing before or at the meeting).

 

9.6. Failure to Give Notice

 

The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to a member or the fact that a member has not received a notice that has been properly given, shall not invalidate the meeting.

 

10. PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

10.1. Requirement of Quorum

 

No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of members unless a quorum of members entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.

 

10.2. Quorum

 

The quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of members shall consist of the holder or holders present in person or by proxy entitled to exercise at least fifty (50) percent of the voting rights of shares of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class or series thereon and the same proportion of the votes of the remaining shares entitled to vote thereon. A member shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of members if:

 

(1) he or his proxy participates by telephone or other electronic means; and

 

(2) all members and proxies participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

10.3. Lack of Quorum

 

If, within half an hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of members, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

10.4. Other Persons May Attend

 

The directors, the president (if any), the secretary (if any), any lawyer for the Company, and any other persons invited by the directors are entitled to attend any meeting of members, but if any of those persons does attend a meeting of members, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a member or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

 

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10.5. Chairman

 

The following individual is entitled to preside as chairman at a meeting of members (the “Chairman”):

 

(1) the chair of the board, if any; or

 

(2) if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any.

 

10.6. Selection of Alternate Chairman

 

If, at any meeting of members, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as Chairman, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present may choose one of their number to be Chairman or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the members entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.

 

10.7. Adjournments

 

The Chairman may, and if so directed by the meeting by Resolution of Members shall, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

10.8. Notice of Adjourned Meeting

 

It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of members except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.

 

10.9. Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll

 

Subject to the Act, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded:

 

(1) by the Chairman; or

 

(2) by any member or members present in person or by proxy and holding in aggregate not less than one tenth of the total voting shares issued and entitled to vote on the resolution.

 

10.10. Declaration of Result

 

Unless a poll is demanded, a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect made in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.

 

 

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10.11. Casting Vote

 

In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place, or at which a poll is demanded, shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

10.12. Manner of Taking Poll

 

If a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of members:

 

(1) the poll must be taken, subject to Article 10.13, in the manner, at the time and at the place that the Chairman directs;

 

(2) the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded; and

 

(3) the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.

 

10.13. Demand for Poll on Adjournment

 

A poll demanded at a meeting of members on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.

 

10.14. Chairman Must Resolve Dispute

 

In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the Chairman must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.

 

10.15. Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting

 

The demand for a poll at a meeting of members does not, unless the Chairman so rules, prevent the continuation of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.

 

10.16. Retention of Ballots and Proxies

 

The Company must, for at least three months after a meeting of members, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any member or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company may destroy such ballots and proxies.

 

11. VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

11.1. Number of Votes by Member or by Shares

 

Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares, on a show of hands every member present in person and every person representing a member by proxy shall, at a member’s meeting, each have one vote and on a poll every member and every person representing a member by proxy shall have one vote for each share of which he or the person represented by proxy is the holder.

 

 

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11.2. Votes by Joint Holders

 

Where shares are registered in the names of joint owners:

 

(1) each registered owner may be present in person or by a proxy at a meeting of members and may speak as a member;

 

(2) if only one of them is present in person or by proxy, he may vote on behalf of all of them; and

 

(3) if two or more are present in person or by proxy, they must vote as one. If more than one joint owner votes in person or by proxy at any meeting of members of by written resolution, the vote of the joint owner whose name appears first among such voting joint holders on the Register of Members shall alone be counted.

 

11.3. Representative of a Corporate Member

 

Any corporation or other form of corporate legal entity which is a member may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of members of the Company, and:

 

(1) for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must:

 

(a) be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, within the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or

 

(b) be provided, at the meeting, to the Chairman or to a person designated by the Chairman;

 

(2) if a representative is appointed under this Article 11.3:

 

(a) the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a member who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and

 

(b) the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a member present in person at the meeting.

 

Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

11.4. Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity

 

A person who is not a member may vote at a meeting of members, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the Chairman, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a member who is entitled to vote at the meeting. Two or more legal personal representatives of a member in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 11.2, deemed to be joint members.

 

 

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11.5. Appointment of Proxy Holders

 

Every member of the Company, including a corporation that is a member entitled to vote at a meeting of members of the Company may, by proxy, appoint a proxy holder to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.

 

11.6. Deposit of Proxy

 

A proxy for a meeting of members must:

 

(1) be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, within the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or

 

(2) unless the notice provides otherwise, be provided, at the meeting, to the Chairman or to a person designated by the Chairman of the meeting.

 

A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

11.7. Validity of Proxy Vote

 

A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the member giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:

 

(1) at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(2) by the Chairman, before the vote is taken.

 

11.8. Form of Proxy

 

A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the Chairman:

 

INSERT NAME OF COMPANY

 

(the “Company”)

 

The undersigned, being a member of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of members of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.

 

Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy is given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the member):

 

     
    Signed [month, day, year]
     
    [Signature of member]
     
    [Name of member—printed]

 

 

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11.9. Revocation of Proxy

 

Subject to Article 11.10, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is:

 

(1) received at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(2) provided, at the meeting, to the Chairman.

 

11.10. Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed

 

An instrument referred to in Article 11.9 must be signed as follows:

 

(1) if the member for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the member or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy; or

 

(2) if the member for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 11.3.

 

11.11. Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote

 

The Chairman may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.

 

11.12. Written Resolution

 

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 or by telex, telegram, cable, facsimile or other written electronic communication, without the need for any notice, by the holders of in excess of 50 per cent of the votes entitled to vote, but if any such resolution is adopted otherwise than by the unanimous written consent of all members, a copy of such Resolution of Members shall as soon as reasonably practicable be sent to all members not consenting to such Resolution of Members. The consent may be in the form of counterparts in like form each counterpart being signed by one or more members.

 

11.13. Untraceable Shareholders

 

The Company is 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) the Company has 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, the Company caused an advertisement to be published in newspapers, giving notice of its intention to sell such 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 the Company, and when the Company receives these net proceeds the Company shall become indebted to the former shareholder for an amount equal to such net proceeds.

 

 

Page 13

 

To give effect to any sale of shares under this Article 11.13, the board may authorise some person to transfer the shares in question and may enter the name of the transferee in respect of the transferred shares in the Register of Members even if no share certificate has been lodged for such shares and may issue a new certificate to the transferee. An instrument of transfer executed by that person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the shares. The buyer of such share shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase monies, nor shall his or her title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.

 

The Company shall account to the member or other person entitled to the share for the net proceeds of a sale under Article 11.13 by carrying all monies relating to such sale to a separate account. The Company shall be deemed to be a debtor to, and not a trustee for, such member or other person in respect of such monies. Monies carried to such separate account may either be employed in the business of the Company or invested in such investments as the board may think fit. No interest shall be payable to such member or other person in respect of such monies and the Company does not have to account for any money earned on them.

 

12. APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

12.1. First Directors

 

The first directors shall be appointed by the Registered Agent. If, before the Company has any members, a sole director, or all the directors appointed by the Registered Agent die, or cease to exist (as the case may be), the Registered Agent may appoint one or more persons as directors of the Company.

 

12.2. Subsequent Directors

 

Subject to Article 12.1, directors of the Company may be appointed by Resolution of Members on such terms as the members may determine or in the circumstance set out in below by Resolution of Directors on such terms as the directors may determine. Sections 114(2) and 114(3) of the Act shall not apply to the Company provided that the minimum number of directors shall be two.

 

The directors may by Resolution of Directors appoint a replacement director to fill a casual vacancy arising on the resignation, disqualification or death of a director. Such 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].

 

Subject to Article 12.1 directors of the Company may not be removed by Resolution of Members prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

 

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12.3. Term of Directorship

 

Each director continues to hold office until:

 

(1) his death;

 

(2) his resignation;

 

(3) his disqualification to act as a director under section 111 of the Act;

 

(4) the effective date of his removal by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members; or

 

(5) his retirement.

 

At every annual general meeting of the Company each director shall retire from office and may offer himself for re-appointment by the members.

 

12.4. Position of Retiring Director

 

A director who retires at an annual general meeting (whether by rotation or otherwise) may, if willing to act, be re-appointed. If he is not re-appointed or deemed to have been re-appointed pursuant to Article 12.5, he shall retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his place or, if it does not do so, until the end of the meeting.

 

12.5. Deemed Re-Appointment of Directors

 

If:

 

(a) at the annual general meeting in any year any resolution or resolutions for the appointment or re-appointment of the persons eligible for appointment or re-appointment as Directors are put to the meeting and lost; and

 

(b) at the end of that meeting the number of Directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 12.2

 

All retiring directors who stood for re-appointment at that meeting (“Retiring Directors”) shall be deemed to have been re-appointed as directors and shall remain in office but the Retiring Directors may only act for the purpose of convening general meetings of the Company and perform such duties as are essential to maintain the Company as a going concern, and not for any other purpose.

 

The Retiring Directors shall convene a general meeting as soon as reasonably practicable following the meeting referred to in Article 12.5(a) and they shall retire from office at that meeting. If at the end of any meeting convened under this Article the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 12.2, the provisions of this Article shall also apply to that meeting.

 

12.6. Qualification of Directors

 

The following are disqualified for appointment as a director:

 

(1) an individual who is under 18 years of age;

 

(2) a person who is a disqualified person within the meaning of section 260(4) of the Insolvency Act, 2003;

 

(3) a person who is a restricted person within the meaning of section 409 of the Insolvency Act, 2003.

 

A director shall not require a share qualification, but nevertheless shall be entitled to attend and speak at any meeting of the directors and meeting of the members and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the Company.

 

 

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12.7. Consent to be a Director

 

A person shall not be appointed as a director or alternate director or nominated as a reserve director unless he has consented in writing to be a director or alternate director or to be nominated as a reserve director.

 

12.8. Remuneration of Directors

 

The remuneration of directors (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) in respect of services rendered or to be rendered in any capacity to the Company (including to any company in which the Company may be interested) shall be fixed by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members. The directors may also be paid such travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the directors, or any committee of the directors, or meetings of the members, or in connection with the business of the Company as shall be approved by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members.

 

13. ALTERNATE AND RESERVE DIRECTORS

 

13.1. Appointment of Alternate Director

 

Any director (an “appointer”) may appoint any person who is not disqualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to exercise the appointer’s powers and to carry out the appointer’s responsibilities, in relation to the taking of decisions by the directors in the absence of the appointer. The appointment and the termination of the appointment of an alternate director shall be in writing and written notice of the appointment or termination shall be given by the appointer to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable. The termination of the appointment of an alternate director does not take effect until written notice of the termination has been given to the Company.

 

13.2. Rights and Powers of Alternate Director

 

An alternate director has the same rights as the appointer in relation to any directors’ meeting and any written resolution circulated for written consent. An alternate director has no power to appoint an alternate, whether of the appointer or of the alternate director and does not act as an agent of or for the appointer.

 

13.3. Termination of Appointment of Alternate Director

 

An appointer may at any time, terminate the appointment of an alternate director appointed by him.

 

The appointment of an alternate director ceases when:

 

(1) his or her appointer ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed;

 

(2) the alternate director dies;

 

(3) the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company;

 

(4) the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director pursuant to the Act; or

 

(5) his or her appointer revokes the appointment of the alternate director.

 

 

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13.4. Appointment of Reserve Director

 

Where the Company only has one member who is an individual and that member is also the sole director of the Company, that sole member/director may, by instrument in writing, nominate a person who is not disqualified from being a director of the Company under section 111(1) of the Act as a reserve director of the Company to act in the place of the sole director in the event of his death. The nomination of a person as a reserve director of the Company ceases to have effect if:

 

(1) before the death of the sole member/director who nominated him:

 

(a) he resigns as a reserve director, or

 

(b) the sole member/director revokes the nomination in writing; or

 

(2) the sole member/director who nominated him ceases to be the sole member/director of the Company for any reason other than his death.

 

14. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

14.1. Powers of Management

 

The business of the Company shall be managed by, or be under the direction or supervision of, the directors who may pay all expenses incurred preliminary to and in connection with the formation and registration of the Company and may exercise all such powers of the Company necessary for managing and for directing and supervising the business and affairs of the Company as are not by the Act or by the Memorandum and Articles required to be exercised by the members, subject to any delegation of such powers as may be authorised by the Memorandum and Articles and permitted by the Act and to such requirements as may be prescribed by Resolution of Members.

 

14.2. Remaining director’s power to act

 

If the number of directors shall have been fixed at two or more persons and by reason of vacancies having occurred in the board there shall be only one continuing director, he shall be authorised to act alone only for the purpose of appointing another director.

 

14.3. Delegation to committees, directors and officers

 

The board of directors may entrust to and confer upon any director or officer any of the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of such powers. Subject to the provisions of Section 110 of the Act, the directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the directors or the provisions of the Act.

 

 

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14.4. Limits on powers of delegation to committees

 

The directors have no power to delegate the following powers to a committee of directors:

 

(1) to amend the Memorandum or Articles;

 

(2) to designate committees of directors;

 

(3) to delegate powers to committees of directors;

 

(4) to appoint or remove directors;

 

(5) to appoint or remove an agent;

 

(6) to approve a plan or merger, consolidation or arrangement;

 

(7) to make a declaration of solvency for the purposes of section 198(1) of the Act or approve a liquidation plan; or

 

(8) to make a determination under section 57(1) of the Act that the Company will, immediately after a proposed distribution, satisfy the solvency test.

 

14.5. Agents

 

The directors may appoint any person, including a person who is a director, to be an agent of the Company. Subject to Article 14.6, an agent of the Company has such powers and authority of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the common seal of the Company, as are set out in the Resolution of Directors appointing the agent. The directors may at any time remove an agent and may revoke or vary a power conferred on him.

 

14.6. Limits on powers of delegation to agents

 

The directors have no power to delegate the following powers to an agent of the Company:

 

(1) to amend the Memorandum or Articles;

 

(2) to change the registered office or Registered Agent;

 

(3) to designate committees of directors;

 

(4) to delegate powers to committees of directors;

 

(5) to appoint or remove directors;

 

(6) to appoint or remove an agent;

 

(7) to fix emoluments of directors;

 

(8) to approve a plan or merger, consolidation or arrangement;

 

(9) to make a declaration of solvency for the purposes of section 198(1) of the Act or approve a liquidation plan; or

 

(10) to make a determination under section 57(1) of the Act that the Company will, immediately after a proposed distribution, satisfy the solvency test; or

 

(11) to authorise the Company to continue as a company incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands.

 

 

Page 18

 

14.7. Appointment of Attorney of Company

 

The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney appoint any person, company, firm or body of persons to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles or the Act) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors think fit.

 

14.8. Execution of Documents

 

All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be, in such manner as the directors shall from time to time by Resolution of Directors determine.

 

14.9. Disposition of Assets

 

For the purposes of section 175 of the Act (Disposition of assets), the directors may by Resolution of Directors determine that any sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition is in the usual or regular course of the business carried on by the Company and such determination is, in the absence of fraud, conclusive.

 

14.10. Duty to act in the best interests of the Company

 

A director, in exercising his powers or performing his duties, shall act honestly and in good faith and in what the director believes to be in the best interest of the Company.

 

14.11. Duty to act in the best interests of the Company’s parent

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing Article, if the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary, a director may, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, act in a manner which he believes is in the best interests of the Company’s parent (as defined in the Act) even though it may not be in the best interests of the Company.

 

14.12. Duty to exercise powers for a proper purpose

 

A director shall exercise his powers as a director for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to the Company acting, in a manner that contravenes the Act or the Memorandum or Articles.

 

14.13. Standard of Care

 

A director, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the same circumstances taking into account, but without limitation:

 

(1) the nature of the Company;

 

(2) the nature of the decision; and

 

(3) the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him.

 

 

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14.14. Reliance

 

A director, when exercising his powers or performing his duties as a director, is entitled to rely upon the Register of Members and upon books, records, financial statements and other information prepared or supplied, and on professional or expert advice given, by:

 

(1) an employee of the Company whom the director believes on reasonable grounds to be reliable and competent in relation to the matters concerned;

 

(2) a professional adviser or expert in relation to matters which the director believes on reasonable grounds to be within the person’s professional or expert competence; and

 

(3) any other director, or committee of directors upon which the director did not serve, in relation to matters within the director’s or committee’s designated authority,

 

provided that the director (a) acts in good faith; (b) makes proper inquiry where the need for the inquiry is indicated by the circumstances; and (c) has no knowledge that his reliance on the Register of Members or the books, records, financial statements and other information or expert advice is not warranted.

 

14.15. The Company may appoint a voluntary liquidator by Resolution of Directors provided that the Members pass a Resolution of Members approving the liquidation plan or by Resolution of Members.

 

15. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS

 

15.1. Self Interested Transactions

 

No director shall be disqualified from his office for contracting with the Company either as a vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any director shall be in any way interested be voided, nor shall any director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement, by reason of such director holding that office or by reason of the fiduciary relationship thereby established, provided the procedure in Article 15.2 below is followed.

 

15.2. Disclosure of Self Interest

 

A director of the 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 such interest to the board of directors. Any such disclosure shall not be effective unless brought to the attention of every director on the board.

 

15.3. Exemption for Ordinary Course of Business

 

A director of the Company is not required to comply with Article 15.2 above if:

 

(a) the transaction or proposed transaction is between the director and the Company; and

 

(b) the transaction or proposed transaction is in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and on usual terms and conditions.

 

15.4. Nature of Disclosure

 

For the purposes of Article 15.2 above, a disclosure to the board to the effect that a director is a member, director, officer or trustee of another named company or other person 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 company or person, is a sufficient disclosure of interest in relation to that transaction.

 

 

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15.5. Failure to Disclose does not Invalidate Transaction

 

Subject to Section 125(1) of the Act, the failure by a director to comply with Article 15.2 does not affect the validity of a transaction entered into by the director or the Company.

 

15.6. Interested Director Counted in Quorum

 

A director who is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company may:

 

(1) vote on a matter relating to the transaction;

 

(2) 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

 

(3) sign a document on behalf of the Company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction.

 

15.7. Director Holding Other Office in the Company

 

A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in conjunction with his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.

 

15.8. Professional Services by Director or Officer

 

Subject to the Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.

 

15.9. Director or Officer in Other Corporations

 

A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise be interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a member or otherwise, and, subject to the Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.

 

16. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

16.1. Meetings of Directors

 

The directors may meet together (either within or outside the British Virgin Islands) for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit.

 

16.2. Voting at Meetings

 

Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.

 

 

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16.3. Chair of Meetings

 

The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:

 

(1) the chair of the board, if any;

 

(2) in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or

 

(3) any other director chosen by the directors if:

 

(a) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;

 

(b) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or

 

(c) the chair of the board and the president, if a director, have advised the secretary, if any, or any other director, that they will not be present at the meeting.

 

16.4. Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium

 

A director shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of directors if:

 

(1) he participates by telephone or other electronic means; and

 

(2) all directors participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

16.5. Calling of Meetings

 

A director may, and the secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director shall, call a meeting of the directors at any time.

 

16.6. Notice of Meetings

 

A minimum of three (3) days notice of each meeting of the directors shall be given to each of the directors and the alternate directors by any method set out in Article 21.1 or orally or by telephone. Such notice shall specify the place, date, time and general nature of the business of the meeting.

 

16.7. Waiver of Notice of Meetings

 

Notwithstanding Article 16.6, a meeting of directors held in contravention of Article 16.6 is valid if a majority of directors entitled to vote at the meeting have waived the notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a director at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute waiver on his part.

 

16.8. Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice

 

The inadvertent failure to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director or alternate director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.

 

16.9. Quorum

 

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors is that a majority of the directors must be present. At any meeting of the directors, each director, by his or her presence, is entitled to one vote. Questions arising at a meeting of the 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.

 

 

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16.10. Consent Resolutions in Writing

 

Any 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 committee of directors consented to in writing or by telex, telegram, cable, facsimile or other electronic communication by all of the directors or by all of the members of the committee, as the case maybe, without the need for notice. Such resolution may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one resolution in writing. A resolution passed in that manner is effective on the date stated in the resolution or on the latest date stated on any counterpart.

 

17. OFFICERS

 

17.1. Directors May Appoint Officers

 

The directors may, by Resolution of Directors, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.

 

17.2. Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers

 

The directors may, for each officer:

 

(1) determine the functions and duties of the officer;

 

(2) entrust to and confer on the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and

 

(3) revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.

 

17.3. Qualifications

 

One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as the managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.

 

17.4. Remuneration and Terms of Appointment

 

All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors think fit. The officers shall remain in office until removed from office by the directors, whether or not a successor is appointed.

 

17.5. Corporate Officer

 

Any officer (including any director) who is a body corporate may appoint any person as its duly authorised representative for the purpose of representing it and of transacting any of the business of the officers.

 

 

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18. INDEMNIFICATION

 

Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Company may 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:

 

(1) 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;

 

(2) 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,

 

provided that the person acted honestly and in good faith and in what he believed to be in the best interests of the Company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

19. DISTRIBUTIONS

 

19.1. Distributions Subject to Special Rights

 

The provisions of this Article 19 are subject to the rights, if any, of members holding shares with special rights as to distributions.

 

19.2. Declaration of Distributions

 

Subject to the Act, the directors may, by Resolution of Directors, authorise a distribution by the Company to members at such times and of such an amounts, as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately after the distribution the value of the Company’s assets will exceed the Company’s liabilities, and the Company is able to pay its debts as they fall due.

 

19.3. Notice of Distribution

 

Notice of any distribution that may have been declared shall be given to each member pursuant to Article 21 and all distributions unclaimed for three years after having been declared may be forfeited by the directors for the benefit of the Company.

 

19.4. Record Date

 

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining those members entitled to receive payment of a distribution. The record date must not precede the date on which the distribution is to be paid by more than one month. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the distribution.

 

19.5. Manner of Paying Distribution

 

A resolution declaring a distribution may direct payment of the distribution wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, or in any one or more of those ways.

 

19.6. Setting Aside Profits

 

The directors may, before recommending any distribution, set aside out of the profits of the company such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at their discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the directors may from time to time think fit.

 

 

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19.7. When Distribution Payable

 

Any distribution may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.

 

19.8. Distribution to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares

 

All distributions of shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.

 

19.9. Receipt by Joint Members

 

If several persons are joint members of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any distribution, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.

 

19.10. Distribution Bears No Interest

 

No distribution bears interest against the Company.

 

19.11. Fractional Distribution

 

If a distribution to which a member is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the distribution, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the distribution and that payment represents full payment of the distribution.

 

19.12. Payment of Distribution

 

Any dividend or other distribution payable in cash in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the address of the member, or in the case of joint members, to the address of the joint member who is first named on the Register of Members, or to the person and to the address the member or joint members may direct in writing. The mailing of such cheque will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque, discharge all liability for the distribution unless such cheque is not paid on presentation.

 

20. DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

20.1. Company Records and Underlying Documentation

 

The Company shall keep (at the office of the Registered Agent or at such other places within or outside of the British Virgin Islands as the directors may determine) records and underlying documentation that:

 

(1) are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions; and

 

(2) will at any time, enable the financial position of the Company to be determined with reasonable accuracy.

 

Such records and underlying documentation must be retained for a period of at least five years from the date:

 

(1) of completion of the transaction to which the records and underlying documentation relate, or

 

(2) that the Company terminates the business relationship to which the records and underlying documentation relate.

 

 

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20.2. Resolutions of Members and Directors

 

The Company shall keep (at the office of the Registered Agent or at such other place or places, within or outside the British Virgin Islands, as the directors may determine) the following records:

 

(1) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members and of classes of members; and

 

(2) minutes of meetings and resolutions of directors and committees of directors.

 

20.3. Location of Company Records

 

Where the resolutions referred to in Article 20.2 and the records and underlying documentation referred to in Article 20.1 are kept at a place other than the office of the Registered Agent, the Company must provide the Registered Agent with a written record of the physical address of the place or places at which such resolutions, records and underlying documentation are kept and a written record of the name of the person who maintains and controls the Company’s records and underlying documentation and, where such place and/or the name of such person is changed, the Company shall provide the Registered Agent with the physical address of the new location of the resolutions, records and underlying documentation and/or the name of the new person who maintains and controls the Company’s records and underlying documentation within fourteen days of the change of location.

 

20.4. Register of Directors

 

The Company shall keep a register to be known as a Register of Directors containing the particulars stated in section 118A of the Act, and such other information as may be prescribed by law.

 

20.5. Register of Members

 

The Company shall maintain an accurate and complete Register of Members showing the full names and addresses of all persons holding registered shares in the Company, the number of each class and series of registered shares held by such person, the date on which the name of each member was entered in the Register of Members and where applicable, the date such person ceased to hold any registered shares in the Company.

 

20.6. Documents to be Kept at Registered Office

 

The Company shall keep the following documents at the office of the Registered Agent:

 

(1) the Memorandum and Articles of the Company;

 

(2) the Register of Members maintained in accordance with Article 20.5 or a copy of the Register of Members;

 

(3) the Register of Directors maintained in accordance with Article 20.4 or a copy of the Register of Directors;

 

(4) copies of all notices and other documents filed by the Company in the previous ten years;

 

(5) a copy of the register of charges kept by the Company pursuant to Section 162(1) of the Act; and

 

(6) an imprint of the common seal.

 

 

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20.7. Copies of Registers

 

(a) Where the Company keeps a copy of the Register of Members or the Register of Directors at a place other than the office of the Registered Agent, it shall:

 

(i) within fifteen (15) days of any change in the Register of Members or Register of Directors, notify the Registered Agent, in writing, of the change; and

 

(ii) provide the Registered Agent with a written record of the physical address of the place or places at which the original Register of Members or the original Register of Directors is kept.

 

(b) Where the place at which the original Register of Members or the original Register of Directors is kept is changed, the Company shall provide the Registered Agent with the physical address of the new location of the records within fourteen (14) days of the change of location.

 

(c) Where a change occurs in the relevant charges or in the details of the charges required to be recorded in the Company’s register of charges which is kept at the office of the Registered Agent, the Company shall within fourteen (14) days of the change occurring, transmit details of the change to the Registered Agent.

 

20.8. Inspection of Records by Directors

 

The records, documents and registers required by this Article 20 to be kept by the Company shall be open to the inspection of the directors at all times.

 

20.9. Inspection of Records by Members

 

The directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions the records, documents and registers of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of members not being directors, and no member (not being a director) shall have any right to inspect any records, documents or registers of the Company except as conferred by the Act or authorised by a Resolution of Directors.

 

21. NOTICES

 

21.1. Method of Giving Notice

 

Unless the Act or these Articles provide otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:

 

(1) mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:

 

(a) for a record mailed to a member, the member’s address as shown in the Register of Members;

 

(b) for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(c) in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient.

 

 

Page 27

 

(2) delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:

 

(a) for a record delivered to a member, the member’s address as shown in the Register of Members;

 

(b) for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(c) in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient.

 

(3) sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(4) sending the record by email to the email address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(5) through a Relevant System, where the notice or document relates to uncertificated shares;

 

(6) where appropriate, by making it available on a website and notifying the member of its availability in accordance with this Article;

 

(7) by any other means authorised in writing by the member.

 

21.2. Deemed Receipt of Mailing

 

A record that is mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 21.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the seventh day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of mailing.

 

21.3. Certificate of Sending

 

A certificate signed by the secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that behalf for the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was addressed as required by Article 21.1, prepaid and mailed or otherwise sent as permitted by Article 21.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.

 

21.4. Notice to Joint Members

 

A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint members of a share by providing the notice to the joint member first named in the Register of Members in respect of the share.

 

22. SEAL

 

The common seal when affixed to any instrument, shall be witnessed by a director or officer of the Company or any other person so authorised from time to time by the directors. The directors may provide for a facsimile of the common seal and approve 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 has been affixed to such instrument and the same had been signed as hereinbefore described.

 

 

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23. AUDIT

 

23.1. Audit

 

The directors may by Resolution of Directors call for the accounts of the Company to be examined by an auditor or auditors to be appointed by them at such remuneration as may from time to time be agreed.

 

23.2. Eligible Auditor

 

The auditor may be a member of the Company but no director or officer shall be eligible to serve as auditor during his continuance in office.

 

23.3. Access

 

Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books of accounts of the Company, and shall be entitled to require from the officers of the Company such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of his duties.

 

23.4. Auditors Report

 

The report of the auditor shall be annexed to the accounts upon which he reports, and the auditor shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend, any meeting at which the Company’s audited financial statements are to be presented.

 

24. WINDING UP

 

The Company may be voluntarily liquidated under Part XII of the Act if (1) it has no liabilities or (2) it is able to pay its debts as they fall due and the value of its assets equals or exceeds its liabilities. If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may divide amongst the members in specie or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any such property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the members or different classes of members. The liquidator may vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trust for the benefit of the contributors as the liquidator shall think fit, but so that no member shall be compelled to accept any shares or other securities whereon there is any liability.

 

 

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25. BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

25.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, this Regulation 25 shall apply during the period commencing upon the adoption of these Articles and terminating upon the first to occur of the consummation of any Business Combination and the complete liquidation of the trust account. In the event of a conflict between this Regulation 25 and any other Regulation of these Articles, the provisions of this Regulation 25 shall prevail.

 

25.1.1. If the Company is unable to consummate its initial Business Combination within 15 months (or potentially up to 24 months if the Company extends the time to complete a Business Combination) from the closing of the IPO, the Company will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), pro rata to its public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of the Company’s affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected in accordance with these Articles and prior to commencing any voluntary liquidation; and

 

25.1.2. If the directors anticipate that the Company may not be able to consummate the initial Business Combination within 15 months, the Company may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a Business Combination). In order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination, the Company’s insiders (as such term is used in the Registration Statement) 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 $396,000, or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.099 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline up to an aggregate of $1,188,000 ($1,366,200 if the underwriters’ over-allotment opinion is exercised in full); and

 

25.1.3. Except in connection with the consummation of our initial Business Combination, prior to our initial Business Combination, the Company 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; and

 

 

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25.1.4. The Company must (1) seek shareholder approval of the initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose pursuant to a proxy statement meeting the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, or (2) provide the Company’s public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to the Company by means of a tender offer, the documents for which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial Business Combination as is required under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and

 

25.1.5. Although the Company does not intend to enter into the initial Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with its sponsor, the directors or officers, the Company is not prohibited from doing so. In the event the Company enters into such a transaction, the directors, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA that such initial Business Combination is fair to the shareholders from a financial point of view; and

 

25.1.6. The Company will not effectuate its initial Business Combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations; and

 

25.1.7. Under no circumstances will the Company redeem its public shares in an amount that would cause the Company’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.

 

26. AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES

 

Subject to these Articles and the Act, the Company may alter or modify the conditions contained in these Articles as originally drafted or as amended from time to time by a Resolution of Directors or a Resolution of Members.

 

 

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NAME, ADDRESS AND DESCRIPTION OF INCORPORATOR

 

 

 

We, Vistra (BVI) Limited, of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands for the purposes of incorporating a BVI Business Company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands hereby sign these Articles of Association the 2nd Day of November 2020.

 

Incorporator

 

   

(Sd.) Rexella D. Hodge

Authorised Signatory

Vistra (BVI) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

       NUMBER

U-__________

  UNITS
     
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED  

  

CUSIP G0083E 128

 

UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE ORDINARY SHARE AND ONE WARRANT

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

is the owner of ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Units.

 

Each Unit (“Unit”) consists of one ordinary share, par value $0.001 per share, of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”) and one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”). Each redeemable Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per full share (subject to adjustment), upon the later to occur of (i) the Company’s completion of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”) or (ii) 12 from the date that the registration statement is declared effective. The ordinary shares and Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior to the 52nd day after the date of the prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering, unless Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”) as the representative of the underwriters, determines that an earlier date is acceptable, but in no event will the ordinary shares and Warrants be traded separately until the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a current report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds from its initial public offering including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of the over-allotment option thereto, if the over-allotment option is exercised. If the over-allotment option is exercised after the date of the prospectus, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K or a new Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in the Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if the underwriters has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and Warrant prior to the 52nd day after the date of the prospectus.

 

The terms of the Warrants are governed by a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the warrant agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11219, and are available to any Warrant Holder, on written request and without cost.

 

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Company.

 

Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

This Unit Certificate shall be governed and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

    

[Seal]

 

By

 

                                      
Chairman   Chief Financial Officer

  

 

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

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                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(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER

IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE(S)

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

(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 with 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) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).  

 

The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds with respect to the underlying ordinary shares from the trust fund only in the event of the Company’s liquidation upon failure to consummate a business combination or if the holder seeks to convert his or her respective ordinary shares underlying the unit 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

 

SPECIMEN ORDINARY SHARE CERTIFICATE

 

CERTIFICATE NUMBER   SHARES _________

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

ORDINARY SHARE

 

SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT   CUSIP: G0083E 110

 

IS THE OWNER OF

 

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE ORDINARY SHARES, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:

 

      
Chairman   Chief Financial Officer

  

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
CORPORATE
SEAL 2021
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

 

 

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of share or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the Ordinary 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 issuance of Ordinary 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.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM - as tenants in common

TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - _______       Custodian       _______
     (Cust)                                  (Minor)
  under Uniform Gifts to Minors
  Act  ____________________
                 (State)

 

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 
   
   
   

 

  

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

  

 

 

 

 

 

shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the said share on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

2

 

 

Dated ______________________

 

  NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

 

The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of (i) the liquidation of the trust account upon a failure to consummate a business combination, as described in the prospectus covering the securities or (ii) if the holder seeks to convert his respective shares or sells them to the Company in a tender offer, in each case in connection with (1) the consummation of a business combination or (2) in connection with an amendment to our Memorandum and Articles of Association prior to the consummation of a business combination.  In no other circumstances shall the holder have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.

 

 

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Exhibit 4.3

 

SPECIMEN WARRANT CERTIFICATE

 

NUMBER   [    ] WARRANTS
WA-    

 

(THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.

NEW YORK CITY TIME, FIVE YEARS FROM THE CLOSING DATE OF THE COMPANY’S INITIAL

BUSINESS COMBINATION)

 

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

CUSIP: G0083E 110

 

WARRANT

 

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for value received                                         , or registered agents, is the registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants (the “Warrant”), expiring on a date which is five (5) years from the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable ordinary share (the “Warrant Shares”), with a par value $0.001 per share, of ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant Certificate. This Warrant Certificate is subject to and shall be interpreted under the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement (as defined below).

 

The Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company, from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on the later to occur of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination or (ii) twelve (12) months from the date that the registration statement is declared effective, such number of Warrant Shares at the price of $11.50 per share (the “Warrant Price”), upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant Price at the office or agency of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”), such payment to be made subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement, dated [●], 2021, between the Company and the Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”). In no event shall the registered holder(s) of this Warrant be entitled to receive a net-cash settlement in lieu of physical settlement in Warrant Shares of the Company. The Warrant Agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of certain events, the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may be adjusted, subject to certain conditions. The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant Certificate refers to the price per Warrant Share at which Warrant Shares may be purchased at the time the Warrant is exercised.

 

This Warrant will expire on the date first referenced above if it is not exercised prior to such date by the registered holder pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or if it is not redeemed by the Company prior to such date.

 

Upon any exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of Warrant Shares provided for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder(s) hereof or its assignee(s) a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Warrant 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(s) 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(s) 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(s) as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder(s), 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(s) to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company.

 

After the Warrant becomes exercisable and prior to its expiration date, the Company reserves the right to call the Warrant at any time, with a notice of call in writing to the holder(s) of record of the Warrant, giving thirty (30) days’ written notice of such call if the last reported sale price of the shares has been equal to or greater than $16.50 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third (3rd) trading day prior to the date on which notice of such call is given, provided that (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) with respect to the ordinary shares underlying the Warrants issuable upon exercise must be effective and a current prospectus must be available for use by the registered holders hereof or (ii) the Warrants may be exercised on cashless basis as set forth in the Warrant Agreement and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Act. The call price is $0.01 per Warrant Share.

 

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.

 

COUNTERSIGNED:

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,

WARRANT AGENT

  

BY:________________________________

AUTHORIZED OFFICER

 

DATED:_____________________________

 

(Signature)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

(Seal)

(Signature)

SECRETARY

 

 

[REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]

 

2

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

 

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder(s) in Order to Exercise Warrants

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive ordinary shares in accordance with the terms of this Warrant Certificate and pursuant to the method selected below. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant Certificate. PLEASE CHECK ONE METHOD OF PAYMENT:

 

    _________________   a “Cash Exercise” with respect to                  Warrant Shares; and/or
       
    _________________  

a “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.

 

The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares be registered in the name(s) of:

 

 

(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

and be delivered to            
    (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME(S) 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(s) at the address(es) stated below:

 

Dated:

 

 

(SIGNATURE(S))

 

 

(ADDRESS(ES))

 

 

 

 

(TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

 

ASSIGNMENT

 

3

 

 

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants

 

For Value Received,                                      hereby sell(s), assign(s), and transfer(s) unto

 

 

(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES))

 

 

 

 

 

 

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

and to be delivered to        
    (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES))    
   
     
   
     

(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S))

 

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(S))

 

NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

BY:________________________________

 

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).

 

 

4

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

This Warrant Agreement (“Warrant Agreement”) is made as of [*], 2021, by and Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 4,000,000 units (the “Public Units”) of the Company (and up to 600,000 additional Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each Unit consisting of one ordinary share, par value $0.001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”) and one warrant (the “Public Warrant” or “Public Warrants”), each warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share (the “Warrant Shares);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has received a binding commitment from Ace Global Investment Limited, its sponsor, to purchase up to an aggregate of 281,000 private units (which includes 21,000 private units to be purchased if the over-allotment is exercised in full) (collectively, the “Private Units” together with the Public Units, the “Units”), with each Private Unit consisting of one Ordinary Share and one redeemable warrant pursuant to Subscription Agreement, dated [*], 2021 (the “Subscription Agreements”), and, in connection therewith, will issue and deliver an aggregate of up to 281,000 warrants underlying such units (the “Private Warrants”), each such Private Warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-252878 (“Registration Statement”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) of, among other securities, the Public Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the Company may issue up to an additional 60,000 warrants, which will be identical to the Private Warrants, in consideration of certain working capital loans as part of units (“Working Capital Units”) that may be made by the sponsor or the Company’s officers, directors or affiliates (“Working Capital Warrants,” together with the Public Warrants, Private Warrants, and such other warrants as the Company issues from time to time hereunder, the “Warrants”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form, terms and provisions of the Warrants, including 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 legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Warrant 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 Warrant Agreement.

 

2.  Warrants.

 

2.1  Form of Warrant. Each Warrant shall be: (a) issued in registered form only, (b) in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and (c) signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

 

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 Warrant 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 (the “Warrant Register”), for the registration of the original issuance and transfers of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company.

 

2.4.2  Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant 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

 

 

2.5  Detachability of Public Warrants. Each of the securities comprising the Public Units will begin to trade separately on (i) the fifty-second (52nd) day after the date of the prospectus, or (ii) such earlier date as Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., as representative of the underwriters (the “Representative”), shall determine is acceptable (such date, the “Detachment Date”). In no event will separate trading of the securities comprising the Public Units commence until the Company (i) files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC including audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this Public Offering and (ii) issues a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin.

 

2.6  Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants. The Private Warrants and Working Capital Warrants will be issued in the same form as the Public Warrants except that so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees (as prescribed in the Subscription Agreement) as applicable, the Private Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants: (i) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, pursuant to subsection 3.3 hereof, and (ii) will not be redeemable by the Company. The Private Warrants may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of, the Private Warrants (or any securities underlying the Private Warrants) until 30 days following the completion of the Company’s initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the Subscription Agreement). The provisions of this Section 2.6 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

3.  Terms and Exercise of Warrants.

 

3.1  Warrant Price. Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent (except with respect to Uncertificated Warrants), entitle the Registered Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Warrant Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of Ordinary Shares stated therein, at $11.50 per full share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof. The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Warrant Agreement refers to the price per whole share at which Ordinary Shares may be purchased at the time such Warrants are exercised. The Company will not issue fractional shares.

 

3.2  Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing on the later to occur of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination and (ii) 12 months following the date of the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier to occur of (i)  five years after the completion of the initial business combination, and (ii) the date fixed for redemption of the Warrants as provided in Section 6 of this Warrant Agreement (“Expiration Date”). Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price (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 Warrant Agreement shall cease at the close of business on the Expiration Date. The Company may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Company will provide written notice of not less than 10 days to Registered Holders of such extension and that such extension shall be identical in duration among all of the then outstanding Warrants.

 

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3.3  Exercise of Warrants.

 

3.3.1  Cash Exercise. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this Warrant Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Company, may be exercised by the Registered Holder thereof by surrendering it at the office of the Warrant Agent, or at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, currently being:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

 

with the subscription form, as set forth in the Warrant, duly executed, and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States, by certified or bank cashier’s check payable to the order of the Warrant Agent or by wire transfer to the Warrant Agent’s JPMorgan bank account, the Warrant Price for each whole Warrant 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 Warrant Shares, and the issuance of the Warrant Shares (such exercise, a “Cash Exercise”). A Cash Exercise in accordance with this Section 3.3.1 is available to the Registered Holder only during such times that there is an effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares, with the prospectus contained therein being available for the resale of the Warrant Shares.

 

3.3.2  Cashless Exercise. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if there is no effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares on any day the Registered Holder desires to exercise the Warrants and more than 60 days have passed since the Company complete its initial business combination, the Registered Holder may exercise the Warrants in whole or in part in lieu of making a cash payment, by providing notice to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in a subscription form of its election to utilize cashless exercise, in which event the Company shall issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares determined as follows:

 

X = Y [(A-B)/A]

 

where:

 

X = the number of Warrant Shares to be issued to the Holder.

 

Y = the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised.

 

A = the fair market value of one Ordinary Share.

 

B = the Warrant Price.

 

The Registered Holder may not exercise any Warrants in the absence of a registration statement except pursuant to this Section 3.3.2. For purposes of this Section 3.3.2 and Section 4.1, the fair market value of one Ordinary Share is defined as follows:

 

(i) if the Company’s Ordinary Shares are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market (each, a “Trading Market”), the fair market value shall be deemed the average of the closing price on such Trading Market for the 20 trading days ending on the third trading day immediately prior to the date the subscription form is submitted to the Company in connection with the exercise of the Warrant; or

 

4

 

 

(ii) if the Company’s Ordinary Shares are not listed on a Trading Market, but is traded in the over-the-counter market, the fair market value shall be deemed to be the average of the bid price on such Trading Market for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day immediately prior to the date the subscription form is submitted in connection with the exercise of the Warrant; or

 

(iii) if there is no active public market for the Company’s Ordinary Shares, the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares shall be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors.

  

3.3.3 Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a Warrant Share in connection with the exercise of Warrants, and in any case where the Registered Holder would be entitled under the terms of the Warrants to receive a fraction of a Warrant Share upon the exercise of such Registered Holder’s Warrants, issue or cause to be issued only the largest whole number of Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise (and such fraction of a Warrant Share will be disregarded); provided, that if more than one Warrant certificate is presented for exercise at the same time by the same Registered Holder, the number of whole Warrant Shares which shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable on exercise of all such Warrants.

 

3.3.4  Issuance of Certificates. No later than three (3) business days following the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price pursuant to Section 3.3.1 or cashless exercise pursuant to Section 3.3.2, the Company shall issue, or cause to be issued, to the Registered Holder of such Warrant a certificate or certificates representing (or at the option of the Registered Holder, deliver electronically through the facilities of the Depository Trust Corporation) 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 or surrendered in full, a new countersigned Warrant for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised or surrendered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver, or cause to be delivered, any securities without applicable restrictive legend pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant unless (a) a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such Warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is available for delivery to the Registered Holder of the Warrant or (b) in the opinion of counsel to the Company, the exercise of the Warrants is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and such securities are qualified for sale or exempt from qualification under applicable securities laws of the states or other jurisdictions in which the Registered Holder resides. Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any Registered Holder in any state in which such exercise or issuance would be unlawful. In addition, in no event will the Company be obligated to pay such Registered Holder any cash consideration upon exercise or otherwise “net cash settle” the Warrant.

 

3.3.5  Valid Issuance. All Ordinary Shares issued upon the proper exercise or surrender of a Warrant in conformity with this Warrant Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.3.6  Date of Issuance. Each person or entity in whose name any such certificate for Ordinary Shares is issued shall, for all purposes, be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which the Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.

 

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3.3.7  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 3.3.7; however, no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this subsection 3.3.7 unless he, she or it makes such election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not effect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Ordinary Shares 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. For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares, the holder may rely on the number of 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 SEC as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (3) any other notice by the Company or the Warrant Agent setting forth the number of Ordinary Shares 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 outstanding. In any case, the number of 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 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.

 

4.  Adjustments.

 

4.1  Stock Dividends, Splits. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5 below, the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares is increased by a stock dividend payable in Ordinary Shares, or by a forward or reverse split of Ordinary Shares, or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split or similar event, the number of Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased or decreased in proportion to such increase or decrease in 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 shall be deemed a stock 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” shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for the 20 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice.

 

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4.2  Aggregation of Shares. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6, the number of outstanding Ordinary shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of Ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reclassification or similar event, the number of Ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Ordinary shares.

 

4.3  Extraordinary Dividends. If the Company, at any time while the Warrants (or rights to purchase the Warrants) are outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the Ordinary Shares on account of such Ordinary Shares (or other shares of the Company’s capital stock 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) 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 (e) 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).

 

4.4  Adjustments in Exercise Price.

 

4.4.1  Whenever the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in Sections 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, (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of Ordinary Shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.

 

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4.4.2  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 the initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share, with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Board, (ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for funding the initial business combination, 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 (the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Market Value, and the last sales price of the Ordinary Shares that triggers the Company’s right to redeem the Warrants pursuant to Section 6.1 below shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the Market Value.

 

4.5  Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares (other than a change under Sections 4.1 or 4.2 hereof or one 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 entity or conversion of the Company as another entity (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 outstanding Ordinary Shares), or, in the case of any sale or conveyance to another entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Registered 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 of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the Registered Holder would have received if such Registered 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 Sections 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and this Section 4.4. The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers.

 

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 through 4.5 the Company shall give written notice to each Registered Holder, at the last address set forth for such Registered 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.

 

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4.7  Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement. However, the Company may, at any time, in its sole discretion, make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

 

4.8  Notice of Certain Transactions. In the event that the Company shall (a) offer to holders of all its Ordinary Shares rights to subscribe for or to purchase any securities convertible into Ordinary Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (b) issue any rights, options or warrants entitling all the holders of Ordinary Shares to subscribe for Ordinary Shares, or (c) make a tender offer, redemption offer or exchange offer with respect to the Ordinary Shares, the Company shall send to the Registered Holders a notice of such action or offer. Such notice shall be mailed to the Registered Holders at their addresses as they appear in the Warrant Register, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such dividend, distribution or rights, or the date such issuance or event is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of Ordinary Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and shall briefly indicate the effect of such action on the Ordinary Shares and on the number and kind of any other shares of stock and on other property, if any, and the number of Ordinary Shares and other property, if any, issuable upon exercise of each Warrant and the Warrant Price after giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4 which would be required as a result of such action. Such notice shall be given as promptly as practicable after the Company has taken any such action.

 

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. 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  Transfer of Public Warrants. Prior to the Detachment Date, the Public Warrants may be transferred or exchanged only together with the Unit in which such Public Warrant is included, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, a transfer or exchange of such Unit. Furthermore, each transfer of a Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Public Warrants included in such Unit. From and after the Detachment Date, this Section 5.1 will have no further force and effect.

 

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5.2  Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant into 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, in the case of certified warrants. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request.

 

5.3  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 a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend, the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and shall 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.

 

5.4  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 for a fraction of a warrant.

 

5.5  Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

 

5.6  Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Warrant 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.

 

5.7  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 an initial business combination, except for transfers made in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof, on the condition that 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 and any other applicable agreement the transferor is bound by.

 

6.  Redemption.

 

6.1  Redemption. Subject to the second sentence of this Section 6.1, all (and not less than all) of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, in whole and not in part, at the option of the Company, at any time from and after the Warrants become exerciseble, 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 equal to or greater than $18.00 per share (subject to adjustment for splits, dividends, recapitalizations and other similar events), for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given and provided further that (i) there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to 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) or (ii) the cashless exercise of the Warrants pursuant to Section 3.3.2 is exempt from the registration requirements under the Act. For avoidance of doubt, if and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company under this Section, the Company may exercise its redemption right, even if it is unable to register or qualify the Warrant Shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

 

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6.2  Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the event the Company shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants that are subject to redemption, 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 date fixed for redemption to the Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Warrant Register. 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 in accordance with Section 3 of this Warrant 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; provided that the Company may require the Registered Holder who desires to exercise the Warrant to elect cashless exercise as set forth under Section 3.3.2, and such Registered Holder must exercise the Warrants on a cashless basis if the Company so requires. On and after the Redemption Date, the Registered Holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

 

6.4  No Other Rights to Cash Payment. Except for a redemption in accordance with this Section 6, no Registered Holder of any Warrant shall be entitled to any cash payment whatsoever from the Company in connection with the ownership, exercise or surrender of any Warrant under this Warrant Agreement.

 

6.5  Exclusion of Certain Warrants. The Company agrees that the redemption rights provided for by this Section 6 apply only to outstanding Warrants. To the extent a person holds rights to purchase Warrants, such purchase rights shall not be extinguished by redemption. However, once such purchase rights are exercised, the Company may redeem the Warrants issued upon such exercise provided that the criteria for redemption is met. Additionally, any of the Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants shall not be redeemable by the Company as long as such Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants continue to be held by initial purchasers and affiliates or their permitted transferees (as prescribed in Section 5.7 hereof). However, once such Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants are no longer held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates or permitted transferees, such Private Warrants or Working Capital Warrants shall then be redeemable by the Company pursuant to Section 6 hereof. The provisions of this Section 6.5 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

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7.  Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Registered 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 terms shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

7.3  Reservation of 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 outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement.

 

7.4  Registration of Ordinary Shares. The Company agrees that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) business days after the closing of the initial business combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration under the Act of the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to register the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under state blue sky laws, to the extent an exemption is not available.

 

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 Registered Holder of the Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his, her or its Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the Registered 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. 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 be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. 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.

 

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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 Warrant Agreement without any further act on the part of the Company or the Warrant Agent.

 

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 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 Warrant Agreement.

 

8.4  Liability of Warrant Agent.

 

8.4.1  Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever, in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer 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 Warrant Agreement.

 

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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 hold 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 Warrant 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 Warrant 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 Warrant 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 Warrant Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Ordinary Shares will when issued be valid and fully paid and non-assessable.

 

8.5  Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Warrant 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 shares of the Company’s Ordinary Shares through the exercise of Warrants.

 

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 Warrant 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.

 

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9.2  Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the Registered Holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or electronic mail, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent) as follows:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

6/F Unit B

Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attn: Eugene Wong

 

with a copy (which shall not constiute notice) to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

Attn: Giovanni Caruso

 

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the Registered Holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered or certified mail or overnight courier service, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attn: Compliance Department

 

Any notice, sent pursuant to this Warrant Agreement shall be effective, if delivered by hand, upon receipt thereof by the party to whom it is addressed, if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day of the delivery to the courier, and if sent by registered or certified mail on the third day after registration or certification thereof.

 

9.3  Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Warrant Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws. The Company and the Warrant Agent hereby agree that any action, proceeding or claim against either of them arising out of or relating in any way to this Warrant 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 and the Warrant Agent hereby waive 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 or the Warrant Agent 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 party receiving such service in any action, proceeding or claim.

 

9.4  Persons Having Rights under this Warrant Agreement. Nothing in this Warrant 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 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof, the Representative and the underwriters, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement with respect to Sections 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Warrant Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. with respect to Section 7.4, 9.4 and 9.8 hereof) and their successors and assigns and of the Registered Holders of the Warrants.

 

15

 

 

9.5  Examination of the Warrant Agreement. A copy of this Warrant 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 Registered Holder to submit his, her or its Warrant for inspection.

 

9.6  Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Warrant Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures shall constitute original signatures for all purposes of this Warrant Agreement.

 

9.7  Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof

 

9.8  Amendments. This Warrant Agreement and any Warrant certificate may be amended by the parties hereto by executing a supplemental warrant agreement (a “Supplemental Agreement”), without the consent of any of the Warrant Holders, for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Warrant Agreement that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Warrant Agreement or the Warrant certificates, (ii) evidencing the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained in this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants, (iii) evidencing and providing for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Warrant Agent with respect to the Warrants, (iv) adding to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Registered Holders or surrendering any right or power conferred upon the Company under this Warrant Agreement, or (viii) amending this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants in any manner that the Company may deem to be necessary or desirable and that will not adversely affect the interests of the Registered Holders in any material respect. All other modifications or amendments to this Warrant Agreement, 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 outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may extend the duration of the Exercise Period in accordance with Section 3.2 without such consent.

 

9.9  Severability. This Warrant 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 Warrant 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 Warrant 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]

 

16

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
       
  By:  
    Name: Eugene Wong
    Title:  Chief Executive Officer
     
  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
       
  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:   

 

Signature Page To The Warrant Agreement

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

Qwomar Building

P.O. Box 4649, Road Town

Tortola VG1110

British Virgin Islands

T: +1 284 494 1890

www.forbeshare.com

 

    FORBES_HARE_548RGB.JPG
   
   
   
   
DD:  +1 284 542 1899
E: jose.santos@forbeshare.com
Our Ref: JST/MBD/6066.007
Your Ref: Reference

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B,
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road
Central,
Hong Kong

 

[date] 2021

 

Dear Sirs

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”)

 

We are lawyers licensed and qualified to practice law in the British Virgin Islands. We have acted as special British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company to provide this legal opinion in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File number 333- [ ● ]), including all amendments or supplements thereto (“Form S-1”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), as amended, (the “Registration Statement”) related to the underwritten public offering of (i) 4,000,000 units (the “Units”) in the Company with each Unit consisting of one ordinary share in the Company of $0.001 par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), one redeemable warrant, each warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share (“Warrants”) (ii) up to 600,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) for which Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. an underwriter has been granted an over-allotment option, (iii) all Ordinary Shares and Warrants issued as part of the Units, and Over-Allotment Units; (iv) all Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units.

 

1. Documents Reviewed

 

We have reviewed originals, copies or drafts of the following documents and have examined such other documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this legal opinion:

 

1.1 The public records of the Company on file and available for public inspection at the Registry of Corporate Affairs on the [] 2021 including:

 

1.1.1 the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; and

 

 

 

 

1.1.2 the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

1.2 A Registered Agent’s Certificate dated [] 2021 issued by FH Corporate Services Ltd, the Company’s registered agent, (a copy of which is attached as Appendix A) (the “Registered Agent’s Certificate”).

 

1.3 A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registry of Corporate Affairs (the “Certificate of Good Standing”)

 

1.4 The records of proceedings on file with and available for inspection on [] 2021 at the British Virgin Islands High Court Registry (the “High Court Registry”).

 

1.5 The Registration Statement.

 

2 Assumptions

 

In giving this opinion we have assumed, without further verification, the completeness and accuracy of the Registered Agent’s Certificate and that the information contained in such certificate remains accurate as at the date of this opinion. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1 Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals.

 

2.2 All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.3 The accuracy and completeness of all factual representations expressed in or implied by the documents we have examined.

 

2.4 That all public records of the Company which we have examined are accurate and that the information disclosed by the searches which we conducted against the Company at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and the High Court Registry is true and complete and that such information has not since then been altered and that such searches did not fail to disclose any information which had been delivered for registration but did not appear on the public records at the date of our searches.

 

2.5 There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the British Virgin Islands) which would or might affect the opinions hereinafter appearing. Specifically, we have made no independent investigation of the laws of the State of New York.

 

3 Opinion

 

Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out in section 4 below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we consider relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1 The Company is a company limited by shares and registered under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) (the “Act”), in good standing at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and validly existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and possesses the capacity to sue and be sued in its own name.

 

Page 2 of 4

 

 

3.2 The Ordinary Shares 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, in accordance with the terms set out in the Registration Statement and duly registered in the Company’s register of members (shareholders), such Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no further sums are payable to the Company on such securities).

 

4 Qualifications

 

The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:

 

4.1 To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, annual filing fees must be paid to the Registry of Corporate Affairs.

 

4.2 The obligations of the Company may be subject to restrictions pursuant to United Nations sanctions as implemented under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

4.3 We make no comment with regard to any references to foreign statutes in the Registration Statement.

 

4.4 This opinion is given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion. This opinion only relates to the laws of the British Virgin Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion.

 

5 Consents

 

In connection with the above opinion, we hereby consent:  

 

5.1 To the use of our name in the Registration Statement, the prospectus constituting a part thereof and all amendments thereto under the caption “Legal Matters”; and

 

5.2 To the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

This opinion may be relied upon by the addressee only. It may not be relied upon by any other person except with our prior written consent.

 

This opinion is limited to the matters detailed herein and is not to be read as an opinion with respect to any other matter.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Forbes Hare

 

Page 3 of 4

 

 

Annexure A

 

Registered Agent’s Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 4 of 4

 

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

 

345 Park Avenue

 

New York, NY 10154-1895




Main 212.407.4000

Fax 212.407.4990

 

March 11, 2021

 

6/F Unit B,

Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Re: Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), covering an underwritten public offering of (i) 4,000,000 units (the “Units”), with each Unit consisting of one of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), and one redeemable warrant (collectively the “Warrants”), each warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share, (ii) up to600,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) for which the underwriters have been granted an over-allotment option, and (iii) all Ordinary Shares and Warrants issued as part of the Units and Over-Allotment Units.

 

We have examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth below. With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain officers of the Company. Because the agreements governing the Warrants, the Units, and the Over-Allotment Units contain provisions stating that they are to be governed by the laws of the State of New York, we are rendering this opinion as to New York law. We are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to any matters governed by any law other than the law of the State of New York. In particular, we do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that each of the Warrants (including the Warrants issuable in connection with the Over-Allotment Units), the Units, and the Over-Allotment Units, if and when paid for in accordance with the terms of the underwriting agreement between the Company and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., as the representative of the underwriters (the “Underwriting Agreement”), will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

Los Angeles    New York    Chicago    Nashville   Washington, DC    San Francisco    Beijing   Hong Kong    www.loeb.com

 

For the United States offices, a limited liability partnership including professional corporations. For Hong Kong office, a limited liability partnership.

 

 

 

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
March 11, 2021
Page 2

 

In addition, the foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that (a) enforceability may be limited by and be subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including, without limitation, concepts of notice and materiality), and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ and debtors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, any state or federal law in respect of fraudulent transfers); and (b) no opinion is expressed herein as to compliance with or the effect of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your U.S. counsel and to all references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Loeb & Loeb LLP

Loeb & Loeb LLP

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

____, 2021

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B,
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road
Central, Hong Kong

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10172

 

Brookline Capital Markets,

a division of Arcadia Securities, LLC
600 Lexington Avenue, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Re: Initial Public Offering

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) entered into by and between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc ., as Representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters named on 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 of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”) and one redeemable warrant, each warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per full share (the “Warrants”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 14 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 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, the undersigned will vote all Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by him, her or it, whether acquired before, in or after the IPO, in favor of such Business Combination.

 

2. (a) Unless the Company’s stockholders are previously given the option to redeem their shares in connection with amending applicable documents to extend the time that the Company has to complete a Business Combination and that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the closing of the Company’s IPO (or up to 24 from the closing of the Company’s IPO in the event that the Company extended the period of time to consummate a business combination), the undersigned shall take all reasonable steps to (i) cause the Trust Fund to be liquidated and distributed to the holders of the 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 in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to his, her or its Insider Shares [including any shares underlying the Private Units]1 (“Claim”) and 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 underlying the Private Units, all of which will terminate on the Company’s liquidation.]2

 

(c) [In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Fund, the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claims, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened, or any claim whatsoever) which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by any vendor or other person who is owed money by the Company for services rendered or products sold or contracted for, 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; provided, that such indemnity shall not apply if such vendor or other person has executed an agreement waiving any claims against the Trust Fund.]3

 

3. [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 undersigned agrees to advance such funds necessary to complete such liquidation and agrees not to seek recourse for such expenses.]4

 

4. The undersigned will escrow all of his, her or its Insider Shares pursuant to the terms of a Stock Escrow Agreement, which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow agent acceptable to the Company.

 

5. [The undersigned agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination, the undersigned’s Private Units will be subject to the transfer restrictions described in the Subscription Agreement relating to the undersigned’s Private Units.]5

 

6. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire a target business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the undersigned might have.

 

   
1 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.
2 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.
3 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.
4 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.
5 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.

 

2

 

 

7. 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, including any company that is a portfolio company of, or otherwise affiliated with, or has received financial investment from, an entity with which any Insider or their affiliates is affiliated, 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 accounting firm that such Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view.

 

8. 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 prior to, or for services rendered in connection with, the consummation of the Business Combination; provided that the Company shall be allowed to repay working capital loans made by the undersigned to the Company in cash upon consummation of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned and any affiliate of the undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying, investigating and consummating a Business Combination.

 

9. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned or any affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business Combination.

 

10. [The undersigned agrees to be a director/officer of the Company until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s 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 undersigned’s 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.]6 The undersigned’s FINRA Questionnaire previously furnished to the Company and the Representative is true and accurate in all material respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:

 

(a) He, she or it has never had a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law been filed by or against (i) him, her or it, or any partnership in which he or she was a general partner at or within two years before the time of filing; or (ii) 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 business or property, or any such partnership;

 

   
6 NTD: Only remove for Ace Global Investment Limited.

 

3

 

 

(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, her or it 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 10(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 or state 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;

 

(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;

 

4

 

 

(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 CFTC; 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 the sale of the Units, restrained or enjoined him, her or it 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, her or it to cease and desist from committing or causing a future violation of: (i) any scienter-based anti-fraud provision of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, Section 15(c) and Section 206(1) of 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 filed (as a registrant or issuer), or 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;

 

5

 

 

(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 CFTC; 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;

 

(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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or section 203(e) or 203(f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (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 serve as a Director and/or officer of the Company.]7

 

12. The undersigned hereby waives his, her or its right to exercise redemption rights with respect to any Ordinary Shares owned or to be owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly (or to sell such shares to the Company in a tender offer), whether purchased by the undersigned prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket, 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, a vote to amend the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, or a tender offer by the Company prior to a Business Combination.

 

   

7 NTD: Only remove for Ace Global Investment Limited.

 

6

 

 

13. The undersigned hereby agrees to not propose, or vote in favor of, 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 unless the Company offers holders of IPO Shares the right to receive their pro rata portion of the funds then held in the Trust Fund.

 

14. In connection with Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, this letter 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 letter agreement shall be resolved through final and binding 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.

 

15. As used herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, contractual arrangement, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities; (ii) “Insiders” shall mean all officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the IPO; (iii) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares of the Company acquired by an Insider prior to the IPO and any Ordinary Shares underlying the Private Units; (iv) “IPO Shares” shall mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (v) [“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) the additional Units that may be purchased in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters in the IPO as described in the Registration Statement;]8 (vi) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with respect to the IPO; and (vii) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s IPO will be deposited.

 

16. 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, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission.

 

   

8 NTD: Only include for Ace Global Investment Limited.

 

7

 

 

If to the Representative:

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc .
277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10172

Attn: Steve Kaplan
Email: skaplan@ladenburg.com

 

with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Blank Rome LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attn: Brad L. Shiffman
Email: bshiffman@BlankRome.com

 

If to the Company:


Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

6/F Unit B

Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attn: Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer
Email: eugene@aceglobal-acq.com

 

with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attn: Lawrence Venick, Esq.
Email: lvenick@loeb.com

 

17. 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.

 

18. This Letter Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Letter Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

19. 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. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to render the Underwriters a representative of, or a fiduciary with respect to, the Company, its shareholders or any creditor or vendor of the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

8

 

 

    Ace Global Investment Limited
     
  By:  
  Name: Yuen Wah Chan
  Title: Director
     
     
    Eugene Wong
     
     
    Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan
     
     
    Robert Morris
     
     
    Yan Xu
     
     
    Leslie Chow

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is made as of [*], 2021 by and between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (“Trustee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, No. 333-252878 (“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, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”) is acting as the representative of the underwriters in the IPO; and

 

WHEREAS, if a Business Combination is not consummated within the initial 15 month period following the closing of the IPO, the Company’s insiders may extend such period by three three-months periods, up to a maximum of 24 months in the aggregate, by depositing $396,000 (or $455,400 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, or in any case, $0.099 per public share) into the Trust Account (as defined below) no later than the 15 month anniversary of the IPO, the 18 month anniversary of the IPO, or the 21 month anniversary of the IPO (each, an “Applicable Deadline”), as applicable, for each three-month extension (each, an “Extension”), in exchange for which they will receive promissory notes; and

 

WHEREAS, as described in the Registration Statement, and in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, $40,000,000 of the gross proceeds of the IPO and the net proceeds of a private placement taking place simultaneously therewith ($46,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), plus any amount eventually deposited on account of any Extensions, will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in the Trust Account for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share, issued in the IPO as hereinafter provided (the proceeds to be delivered to the Trustee, including the proceeds from any loans in connection with an Extension, if any, 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. in the United States, maintained by Trustee, and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;

 

 

 

(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

(c) In a timely manner, upon the instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property (i) in United States government treasury bills, notes or bonds having a maturity of 180 days or less and/or (ii) in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and that invest solely in U.S. treasuries, as determined by the Company;

 

(d) Collect and receive, when due, all principal and income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;

 

(e) Notify the Company and Ladenburg of all communications received by it with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;

 

(f)   Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company in connection with the Company’s preparation of 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; and

 

(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 President, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board and Secretary or Assistant Secretary and, in the case of a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A, acknowledged and agreed to by Ladenburg, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account 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 15-month anniversary of the closing of the IPO (“Closing”) or, in the event that the Company extended the time to complete the Business Combination for up to 24-months from the closing of the IPO but has not completed the Business Combination within the applicable monthly anniversary of the Closing, (“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 distributed to the Public Shareholders as of the Last Date.

 

(j) Upon receipt of an extension letter (“Extension Letter”) substantially similar to Exhibit D hereto at least five business days prior to the Applicable Deadline, signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer, 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.

 

(k) Not disburse any amounts from the Trust Account in connection with a Business Combination in the event that the amount per share to be received by the redeeming Public Shareholders is less than $10.00 per share (plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to any Extension Letter).

 

2

 

 

(l) In connection with a Business Combination, before making disbursements to the Depository Trust Company, the Company or any other person, disburse the per share amount to redeeming Public Shareholders (other than shares tendered through the Depository Trust Company) that have tendered their shares directly to the Trustee.

 

(m)   Promptly acknowledge and comply with any irrevocable instruction letter delivered in the form of Exhibit E delivered by the Company in connection with the disbursement of funds to a Public Shareholder.

 

(n) Promptly acknowledge, in writing to any redeeming Public Shareholder and the Company, any irrevocable instruction letter in the form of Exhibit F delivered by such redeeming Public Shareholder after the announcement by the Company of a proposed Business Combination and promptly comply with any irrevocable written instruction letter in the form of Exhibit F delivered by such Public Shareholder in connection with the disbursement of funds to such Public Shareholder if the Company has not notified the Trustee in writing during the Objection Period that such irrevocable written instruction letter is a Non-Compliant Instruction Letter (as defined below).

 

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 income or other tax obligation owed by the Company.

 

(b) The limited distributions referred to in Section 2(a) above shall be made only from income collected on the Property. Except as provided in Section 2(a), no other distributions from the Trust Account shall be permitted except in accordance with Section 1(i) hereof.

 

(c) The Company shall provide Ladenburg 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, Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with respect to its duties under paragraphs 1(i), 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;

 

3

 

 

(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”); provided, however, that the Trustee’s failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Company of its liability hereunder, except to the extent that it is materially prejudiced by such failure. 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 or delayed. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;

 

(c) Pay the Trustee an initial acceptance fee, an annual fee and a transaction processing fee for each disbursement made pursuant to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) 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 Sections 1(i) solely in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, or pursuant to Section 2(b). 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 soliciting proxies and/or tabulating shareholder votes verifying the vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding such Business Combination; and

 

(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.

 

(f)   Upon receiving the written request of a Public Shareholder to do so at any time after the date hereof, provide such Public Shareholder with a copy of any instruction provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 1(i) or Section 1(j) along with any Notification (as defined in Exhibit A), Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A), applicable flow of funds memorandum (or similar document), or any other notice delivered to the Trustee by the Company regarding the disbursement of Property from the Trust Account resulting in the Property left in the Trust Account being less than $40,000,000 (or $46,000,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) plus any amount eventually deposited on account of any Extension, which, in each case, shall specify to whom the Property shall be disbursed (such written notice, a “Disbursement Notice” and the date such Public Shareholder receives a Disbursement Notice, a “Disbursement Notice Date”). Each Disbursement Notice shall be delivered to such Public Shareholder at least two business days prior to the disbursement of any Property pursuant to Section 1(i) or Section 1(j) and no Property shall be disbursed from the Trust Account prior to the date that is two business days from the applicable Disbursement Notice Date.

 

4

 

 

(g) At the request of any Public Shareholder who has removed shares from street name and holds such shares either in certificated or book-entry form and, except if such shares are held in book-entry form, delivered such certificated shares to the Trustee for purposes of redemption in connection with a Business Combination, concurrently with the delivery of such shares, solely if such shares are certificated. to the Trustee, send an irrevocable written instruction letter in the form of Exhibit E to the Trustee directing the Trustee to disburse no less than $10.00 per share (plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to any Extension Letter) to such Public Shareholder.

 

(h) Following receipt of a copy of an irrevocable written instruction letter in the form of Exhibit F delivered by a Public Shareholder who has removed shares from street name and holds such shares either in certificated or book-entry form and, except if such shares are held in book-entry form, delivered such certificated shares to the Trustee for purposes of redemption in connection with a Business Combination to the Trustee, review such letter to confirm (i) such letter is in the form of Exhibit F, (ii) a Business Combination has been announced on or prior to the date of such letter and (iii) the number of ordinary shares set forth on such letter to be redeemed is not greater than the number of ordinary shares held by the applicable Public Shareholder. Solely if the Company cannot confirm the requirements of clauses (i) through (iii) of this Section 3(h), but not for any other reason, then within two days of the Company’s receipt of the applicable copy of the irrevocable written instruction letter in the form of Exhibit F (such time period, the “Objection Period”), the Company will notify the applicable Public Shareholder and the Trustee in writing that such irrevocable written instruction letter is a “Non-Compliant Instruction Letter” and that the Trustee shall not comply with such letter.

 

(i) If applicable, the Company shall 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 Company’s insiders that the insiders intend to extend the Applicable Deadline;

 

(j) 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;

 

5

 

 

(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 or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Trustee, in good faith, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;

 

(g) Verify the accuracy 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;

 

(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 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);

 

(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; and

 

(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve Company requests for distributions pursuant to Section 1(i), 2(a) or 2(b) above.

 

6

 

 

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. 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, 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.

 

7

 

 

(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(m), 1(n), 3(g), 3(h), 7(c) and 7(h) (which may only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the ordinary shares sold in the IPO, provided that all Public Shareholders must be given the right to receive a pro-rata portion of the trust account (no less than $10.00 per share plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to any Extension Letter) in connection with any such amendment), this Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or modification may be made without the prior written consent of Ladenburg. 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, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission:

 

if to the Trustee, to:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10004-1561
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com

Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com

 

if to the Company, to:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong
Attn: Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: eugene@aceglobal-acq.com

 

in either case with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10172
Attn: Steve Kaplan
Facsimile: (212) 758-4939

 

8

 

 

and

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attn: Lawrence Venick, Esq.
E-mail: lvenick@loeb.com

 

and

 

Blank Rome LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attn: Brad L. Shiffman, Esq.
E-mail: bshiffman@BlankRome.com

 

(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.

 

(h) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledge that Ladenburg is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

[signature page follows]

 

9

 

 

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 Wolf
   

Title:

Vice President

     
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION
LIMITED
     
  By:  
    Name: Eugene Wong
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Fee Item   Time and method of payment   Amount
Initial acceptance fee   Initial closing of IPO by wire transfer   $[*]
Annual fee   Initial closing of IPO by wire transfer; thereafter on the anniversary of the effective date of the IPO by wire transfer or check   $[*]
Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Section 2   Deduction by Trustee from accumulated income following disbursement made to Company under Section 2   $[*]
Paying Agent services as required pursuant to section 1(i)   Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to section 1(i)    Prevailing rates

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

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 Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [*], 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an 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 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 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 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, the Company will not 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) joint written instructions from the Company and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, which must provide for the disbursement of no less than $10.00 per share plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account per Extension Letter to redeeming Public Shareholders (“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.

 

A-1

 

 

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,
     
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION
LIMITED
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title: Secretary/Assistant Secretary

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:
 
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
 
By:                    
Name:                
Title:  

 

A-2

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

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 Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [*], 2021 (“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 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 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 be 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 Checking 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,
   
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION
LIMITED
     
  By:                 
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title: Secretary/Assistant Secretary

 

cc: Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

 

B-1

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

 

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account No. [___________]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraph 2(a) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [*], 2021 (“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]

 

  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION
LIMITED
   
  By:                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

cc: Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

 

C-1

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account - Extension Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(l) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of [*], 2021 (“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 [$396,000] [(or $455,400 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full, or in any case, $0.099 per public share)], which will be wired to you, into the Trust Account investments upon receipt.

 

This is the ____ of up to three Extension Letters.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
   
  By:           
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

cc: Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

 

D-1

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account No. [______________] - Irrevocable Instruction in Connection with Business Combination

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraphs 1(m) and 3(g) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [*], 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this constitutes our irrevocable instruction to you to (i) in conjunction with the Business Combination (as defined in the Trust Agreement), disburse a per share amount of $______, for a total disbursement of $__________________which is not less than $10.00 (plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to any Extension Letter) to ________________ (the “Shareholder”) for the _____________________ ordinary shares of the Company delivered to you prior to or concurrently herewith for redemption in connection with the Business Combination, and (ii) deliver to the Shareholder the amounts specified in clause (i) prior to delivering and amounts to the Depository Trust Company, the Company, or any person from whom you have not received an irrevocable instruction substantially similar to this one. The Shareholder wire instructions are attached. A share advice or DWAC instruction from our broker is also attached.

 

The Company shall indemnify you and your officers, directors, principals, partners, agents and representatives, and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its attorneys) incurred by or asserted against you or any of them arising out of or in connection with the instructions set forth herein, the performance of your duties hereunder and otherwise in respect hereof, including the costs and expenses of defending yourself or themselves against any claim or liability hereunder, except that the Company shall not be liable hereunder as to matters in respect of which it is determined that you have acted with gross negligence or in bad faith. You shall have no liability to the Company in respect to any action taken or any failure to act in respect of this if such action was taken or omitted to be taken in good faith, and you shall be entitled to rely in this regard on the advice of counsel.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the foregoing irrevocable instructions and does hereby extend the Company’s irrevocable agreement to indemnify your firm for all loss, liability or expense in carrying out the authority and direction herein contained on the terms herein set forth.

 

The Shareholder is intended to be and is a third party beneficiary of this letter and the irrevocable instructions set forth herein, and no amendment or modification to the instructions set forth herein may be made without the prior written consent of the Shareholder.

 

By signing below, the person executing this letter certifies that they are duly authorized to execute this letter on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company to all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

E-1

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION
LIMITED
   
  By:                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
   
     
Name:    
Title:    

 

Cc: [SHAREHOLDER].

 
Attachments:
Shareholder Wire Instructions
Share advice or instruction

 

E-2

 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004-1561

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account No. [______________] - Irrevocable Instruction in Connection with Business Combination

 

Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to paragraphs 1(n) and 3(h) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [*], 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this constitutes our irrevocable instruction to you to (i) in conjunction with the Business Combination (as defined in the Trust Agreement), disburse a per share amount of $______, for a total disbursement of $_________________which is not less than $10.00 (plus the amount per share deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to any Extension Letter) per share to ________________ (the “Shareholder”) for the _____________________ ordinary shares of the Company delivered to you prior to or concurrently herewith for redemption in connection with the Business Combination, and (ii) deliver to the Shareholder the amounts specified in clause (i) prior to delivering and amounts to the Depository Trust Company, the Company, or any person from whom you have not received an irrevocable instruction substantially similar to this one. Our wire instructions are attached. We understand that a servicing fee of $250.00 will deducted from our payment. A share advice or DWAC instruction from our broker is attached.

 

The Company shall indemnify you and your officers, directors, principals, partners, agents and representatives, and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its attorneys) incurred by or asserted against you or any of them arising out of or in connection with the instructions set forth herein, the performance of your duties hereunder and otherwise in respect hereof, including the costs and expenses of defending yourself or themselves against any claim or liability hereunder, except that the Company shall not be liable hereunder as to matters in respect of which it is determined that you have acted with gross negligence or in bad faith. You shall have no liability to the Company in respect to any action taken or any failure to act in respect of this if such action was taken or omitted to be taken in good faith, and you shall be entitled to rely in this regard on the advice of counsel.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company does hereby extend the Company’s irrevocable agreement to indemnify your firm for all loss, liability or expense in carrying out the authority and direction herein contained on the terms herein set forth.

 

No amendment or modification to the instructions set forth herein may be made without the prior written consent of the Shareholder.

 

By signing below, the person executing this letter certifies that they are duly authorized to execute this letter on behalf of the Shareholder and to bind the Shareholder to all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

F-1

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  [SHAREHOLDER]
   
  By:                         
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

   
Name:    
Title:    

 

Cc: Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road
Central, Hong Kong
Attn: Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer

 

Attachments:
Shareholder Wire Instructions
Share advice or instruction

 

 

F-2

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of [*], 2021 (“Agreement”), by and among ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED, a British Virgin Islands Company (the “Company”), the initial shareholders listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (each, an “Initial Shareholder” and collectively the “Initial Shareholders”) and CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, a New York limited liability trust company (the “Escrow Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated as of [*], 2021 (“Underwriting Agreement”), with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”), acting as the representative of the underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which, among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 4,000,000 units (“Units”) of the Company, plus an additional 600,000 Units if the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (an “Ordinary Share”), and one redeemable warrant, each redeemable warrant entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per full Ordinary Share, all as more fully described in the Company’s final Prospectus, dated [*], 2021 (“Prospectus”), comprising part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-252878) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Registration Statement”), declared effective on [*], 2021 (“Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Initial Shareholders have agreed as a condition of the sale of the Units to deposit their Insider Shares (as defined in the Prospectus), as set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively “Escrow Shares”), in escrow as hereinafter provided.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Shareholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept the Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter provided.

 

IT IS AGREED:

 

1. Appointment of Escrow Agent. The Company and the Initial Shareholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

 

2. Deposit of Escrow Shares. On or prior to the date hereof, each of the Initial Shareholders delivered to the Escrow Agent certificates representing such Initial Shareholder’s respective Escrow Shares, together with applicable share powers, to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each of the Initial Shareholders acknowledges that the certificate representing such Initial Shareholder’s Escrow Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Shares under this Agreement.

 

3. Disbursement of the Escrow Shares.

 

3.1 The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Shares during the period (the “Escrow Period”) commencing on the date hereof and (i) with respect to 50% of the Escrow shares, ending on the earlier of (x) the date on which the closing price of the Ordinary Share 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 closing of the Company’s initial business combination (as described in the Registration Statement, hereinafter a “Business Combination”) and (y) six months after the date of the consummation of an initial Business Combination and (ii) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Escrow Shares, six months after the date of the consummation of an initial Business Combination. The Company shall promptly provide written notice of the consummation of an initial Business Combination and the completion of the Escrow Period to the Escrow Agent. Upon completion of the Escrow Period, the Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount of each Initial Shareholder’s Escrow Shares (and any applicable share power) to such Initial Shareholder; provided, however, that if the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated at any time during the Escrow Period, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates representing the Escrow Shares; provided further, however, that if, any time after the Company consummates an initial Business Combination, the Company (or the surviving entity) subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the shareholders of such entity having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a written notice executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or other authorized officer of the Company, in form reasonably acceptable to the Escrow Agent, certifying that such transaction is then being consummated or such conditions have been achieved, as applicable, release the Escrow Shares to the Initial Shareholders. The Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement or destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section 3.

 

 

3.2 Notwithstanding Section 3.1, if the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 600,000 Units of the Company in full within 45 days of the date of the Prospectus (as described in the Underwriting Agreement), the Initial Shareholders agree that the Escrow Agent shall return to the Company for cancellation, at no cost, the number of Escrow Shares held by each such holder determined by multiplying (a) the product of (i) 600,000 multiplied by (ii) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of Escrow Shares held by each such holder, and (y) the denominator of which is the total number of Escrow Shares, by (b) a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 600,000 minus the number of Ordinary Shares purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 600,000. The Company shall promptly provide written notice to the Escrow Agent of the expiration or termination of the Underwriters’ over-allotment option and the number of Units, if any, purchased by the Underwriters in connection with their exercise thereof.

 

4. Rights of Initial Shareholders in Escrow Shares.

 

4.1 Voting Rights as a Shareholder. Subject to the terms of the Insider Letters described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein provided, the Initial Shareholders shall retain all of their rights as shareholders of the Company during the Escrow Period, including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares.

 

4.2 Dividends and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow Shares shall be paid to the Initial Shareholders, but all dividends payable in shares or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein, the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends distributed thereon, if any.

 

4.3 Restrictions on Transfer. During the Escrow Period, the only permitted transfers of the Escrow Shares will be (i) to the Company’s pre-IPO shareholders, or to the Company’s officers, directors, advisors and employees, (ii) if the Initial Shareholder is an entity, as a distribution to partners, members or shareholders of the Initial Shareholder upon the liquidation and dissolution of the Initial Shareholder, (iii) by bona fide gift to a member of the Initial Shareholder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Initial Shareholder or a member of the Initial Shareholder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes, (iv) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the Initial Shareholder, (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (vi) by private sales made in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Units were originally purchased or (vii) to the Company for cancellation in accordance with Section 3.2 above or in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, in each case, except for clause (vii), on the condition that such transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Insider Letter (as defined below) signed by the Initial Shareholder transferring the Escrow Shares.

 

4.4 Insider Letters. Each of the Initial Shareholders has executed a letter agreement with Ladenburg and the Company, corresponding to Exhibit A hereto, and the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (“Insider Letter”), respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Shareholder in certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the Company.

 

5. Concerning the Escrow Agent.

 

5.1 Good Faith Reliance. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.

 

2

 

5.2 Indemnification. The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.

 

5.3 Compensation. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company for all services rendered by it hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.

 

5.4 Further Assurances. From time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial Shareholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.

 

5.5 Resignation. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Company, the Escrow Shares held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60 day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it reasonably deems appropriate.

 

5.6 Discharge of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the other parties hereto, jointly, provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.

 

5.7 Liability. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own willful misconduct.

 

5.8 Waiver. The Escrow 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 Escrow 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. 

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.

 

3

 

6.2 Third Party Beneficiaries. Each of the Initial Shareholders hereby acknowledges that Ladenburg is a third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified or changed without the prior written consent of Ladenburg.

 

6.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly provided herein, may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the party to the charged.

 

6.4 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.

 

6.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

6.6 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered personally or be mailed, certified or registered mail, or by private national courier service, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or, if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, as follows:

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong
Attn: Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: eugene@aceglobal-acq.com

 

If to a Shareholder, to his or her address set forth in Exhibit A.

 

and if to the Escrow Agent, to:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Erika Young

 

A copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) sent hereunder shall be sent to:

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10172
Attn: Steve Kaplan
Facsimile: (212) 758-4939

 

and:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

Attn: Giovanni Caruso, Esq.

E-mail: gcaruso@loeb.com

 

4

 

and:

 

Blank Rome LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Attn: Brad L. Shiffman, Esq.
E-mail: bshiffman@BlankRome.com

 

The parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the manner provided herein for giving notice.

 

6.7 Liquidation of the Company. The Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company in the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period specified in the Prospectus.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

5

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
       
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
       
  By:          
    Name: Eugene Wong
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

INITIAL SHAREHOLDERS:
     
Ace Global Investment Limited
     
  By:                                    
  Name: Yuen Wah Chan
  Title: Director

 

 
  Eugene Wong
   
   
  Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan
   
   
  Robert Morris
   
   
  Yan Xu
   
   
  Leslie Chow

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
     
  By:                        
    Name: [*]
  Title: [*]

 

Signature Page to Ace Global Stock Escrow Agreement

 

6

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name and Address of Initial Shareholder1

 

Number

of Shares

    Date of Insider Letter
Ace Global Investment Limited     1,065,000     [*], 2021
Eugene Wong     20,000     [*], 2021
Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan     20,000     [*], 2021
Robert Morris     15,000     [*], 2021
Yan Xu     15,000     [*], 2021
Leslie Chow     15,000     [*], 2021

   

1 The address of each of the individuals is c/o Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, 6/F Unit B, Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the [*], 2021, by and among Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”) and the undersigned parties listed under Investor on the signature page hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

 

WHEREAS, the Investors and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to provide the Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of the securities held by them as of the date hereof;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized terms used herein have the following meanings:

 

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Business Combination” means the acquisition of direct or indirect ownership through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar type of transaction, of 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 2.3.

 

Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Initial Shares” means all of the outstanding Ordinary Shares issued prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Investor” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

 

 

Investor Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

Maximum Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.4.

 

Notices” is defined in Section 6.3.

 

Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.

 

Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Company, with no par value.

 

Over-Allotment Units” means the additional number of Private Units the Sponsor will be required to purchase in the event that the underwriters in the Company’s initial public offering exercise their over-allotment option, as described in the prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Private Units” means up to 281,000 Units, 260,000 of which the Sponsor is privately purchasing simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering and up to 21,000 Units that the Sponsor has agreed to purchase if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option.

 

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) the Initial Shares, (ii) the Private Units (and underlying securities), (iii) the Over-Allotment Units (and underlying Ordinary Shares), if any, and (iv) any securities issuable upon conversion of loans from Investors to the Company for the Company’s payment of its working capital, if any (the “Working Capital Loan Securities”). Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital stock 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), Over-Allotment Units (and underlying Ordinary Shares) and Working Capital Loan Securities. 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 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).

 

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Release Date” means the date on which the Initial Shares are disbursed from escrow pursuant to Section 3 of that certain Stock Escrow Agreement dated as of [*], 2021 by and among the Investors and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

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 Ace Global Investment Limited, an investment fund established in the British Virgin Islands as a company limited by shares.

 

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.

 

Units” means the units of the Company, each comprised of one Ordinary Share and one redeemable Warrant.

 

Warrants(s)” means the warrants of 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 (i) the date that the Company consummates a Business Combination with respect to the Private Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares), Over-Allotment Units (or underlying Ordinary Shares) and Working Capital Loan Securities or (ii) three months prior to the Release Date with respect to all other Registrable Securities, the holders of a majority-in-interest of the 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, on no more than two occasions, for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities, as the case may be (a “Demand Registration”). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify, in writing, all holders of Registrable Securities of the demand, with 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 such holder’s Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such holder including shares of Registrable Securities in such registration, a “Demanding Holder”) shall so notify the Company within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration, subject to Section 2.1.4 and the provisions set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2) Demand Registrations under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of all Registrable Securities.

 

2.1.2 Effective Registration. A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective and the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a Demand Registration or is terminated.

 

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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 offering. In such event, the right of any holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the Demand Registration.

 

2.1.4 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other shareholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares that each such Person has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of shares held by each such Person (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Ordinary Shares or other 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 Shares.

 

2.1.5 Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand Registration, then such registration shall not count as a Demand Registration 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.

 

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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 stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.

 

2.2.2 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares which the Company desires to sell, taken together with the 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 Shares, 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 securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other 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 Shares; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other 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 Shares;

 

b) If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons other than either the holders of Registrable Securities, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other securities for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively the Ordinary Shares or other securities comprised 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 Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares 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 Shares.

 

2.2.3 Withdrawal. Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company (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.

 

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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 2.3: (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 2.3 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 a certificate signed by Chief Executive Officer 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 this provision 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.

 

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3.1.3 Amendments and Supplements. The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or such securities have been withdrawn.

 

3.1.4 Notification. After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) business days after such filing, notify the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and shall further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2) business days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading, and promptly make available to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall object.

 

3.1.5 State Securities Laws Compliance. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.

 

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3.1.6 Agreements for Disposition. The Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. No holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting agreement except, if applicable, with respect to such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack of conflict of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect to written information relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.

 

3.1.7 Cooperation. The principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer of the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential investors.

 

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.

 

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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 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 $5,000,000, 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, in the case of a resale registration on Form S-3 pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

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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 2.3, and all expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities 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 reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration; (ix) the reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration; (x) preparing and printing stock certificates and warrant certificates; (xi) the costs of any “due diligence” meetings; (xi) transfer taxes; and (xii) all fees related to transfer and warrant agent and registrar fees. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the Underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective amount of shares each is selling in such offering.

 

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, principals, shareholders and members, attorneys and agents, their successors and assignees, 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.

 

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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, 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.

 

4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action in which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based upon the written opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.

 

11

 

4.4 Contribution.

 

4.4.1 If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

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 the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

5. RULE 144.

 

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, except as disclosed in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 252878), 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 Sponsor in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

 

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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:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

6/F Unit B

Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attn: Eugene Wong, Chief Executive Officer

Email: eugene@aceglobal-acq.com

with a copy to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Giovanni Caruso, Esq.
E-mail: gcaruso@loeb.com

To an Investor, to the address set forth below such Investor’s name 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 the Company unless executed in writing by the Company. No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon the holders of the Registrable Securities unless executed in writing by the holders of the majority Registrable Securities.

 

13

 

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 Investor or any other holder of Registrable Securities may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

6.11 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction. The venue for any action taken with respect to the Agreement shall be any state or federal court in New York County in the State of New York.

 

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 Investor in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement hereof.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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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:
     
  ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
     
  By:  
    Name: Eugene Wong
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  INITIAL SHAREHOLDERS:
   
Ace Global Investment Limited
     
  By:  
  Name: Yuen Wah Chan
  Title: Director

 

 
  Eugene Wong
   
   
  Nicholas Xue-Wei Tan
   
   
  Robert Morris
   
   
  Yan Xu
   
   
  Leslie Chow

 

15

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name and Address of Initial Shareholders

 

To all Initial Shareholders:

 

c/o Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

6/F Unit B

Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road

Central, Hong Kong

Attn: Eugene Wong,

Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

16

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited
6/F Unit B
Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Road
Central, Hong Kong

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), a blank check company formed for the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), intends to register its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in connection with its initial public offering (“IPO”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”).

 

The undersigned hereby commits that it will purchase 260,000 units of the Company (“Private Units”), each Private Unit consisting of one ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”) and one warrant (the “Warrants”) entitling its holder to purchase one Ordinary Share, at $10.00 per Private Unit, for a purchase price of $2,600,000 (the “Private Unit Purchase Price”).

 

The undersigned hereby agrees that it will purchase an additional amount of units of the Company (“Over-Allotment Units”), up to a maximum of 21,000 Over-Allotment Units, or a maximum purchase price of $210,000 (“Over-Allotment Unit Purchase Price”, together with the Private Unit Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”), in the event Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”) exercises its over-allotment option, such that the amount held in the trust account (as described in the Registration Statement) does not fall below $10.00 per share for each Ordinary Share sold in the IPO.

 

At least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the undersigned will cause the Private Unit Purchase Price to be delivered to Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb”), counsel for the Company, by wire transfer as set forth in the instructions attached as Exhibit A to hold in a non-interest bearing account until the Company consummates the IPO.

 

The consummation of the purchase and issuance of the Private Units shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO and the consummation of the purchase and issuance of the Over-Allotment Units shall occur simultaneously with the closing of any exercise of the over-allotment option related to the IPO. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, Loeb shall deposit the Private Unit Purchase Price, without interest or deduction, into the trust fund (“Trust Fund”) established by the Company for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders as described in the Registration Statement. If the Company does not complete the IPO within ten (10) days from the date of this letter, the Private Unit Purchase Price (without interest or deduction) will be returned to the undersigned.

 

Each of the Company, and the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Loeb is serving hereunder solely as a convenience to the parties to facilitate the purchase of the Private Units and Loeb’s sole obligation under this letter agreement is to act with respect to holding and disbursing the Private Unit Purchase Price as described above. Loeb shall not be liable to the Company, Ladenburg or the undersigned or any other person or entity in respect of any act or failure to act hereunder or otherwise in connection with performing its services hereunder unless Loeb has acted in a manner constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company and the undersigned shall indemnify Loeb against any claim made against it (including reasonable attorney’s fees) by reason of it acting or failing to act in connection with this letter agreement except as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Loeb may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction or request furnished to it hereunder and believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

 

 

 

The Private Units and Over-Allotment Units will be identical to the units to be sold by the Company in the IPO. Additionally, the undersigned agrees:

 

to vote the Ordinary Shares included in the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units in favor of any proposed Business Combination;

 

not to propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s Ordinary Shares sold in the IPO if the Company does not complete an initial Business Combination within 15 (or up to 24) months from the closing of the IPO, unless the Company provides the holders of Ordinary Shares sold in the IPO with the opportunity to redeem their Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount of the Trust Fund, including interest earned on Trust Fund and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Ordinary Shares sold in the IPO;

 

not to convert any Ordinary Shares included in the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units into the right to receive cash from the Trust Fund in connection with a shareholder vote to approve either a Business Combination or an amendment to the provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, and not to tender the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units in connection with a tender offer conducted prior to the closing of a Business Combination;

 

the undersigned will not participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units (but will participate in liquidation distributions with respect to any units or Ordinary Shares purchased by the undersigned in the IPO or in the open market) if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination;

 

that the Private Units, Over-Allotment Units and underlying securities will not be transferable until after the consummation of a Business Combination except (i) to the Company’s pre-IPO shareholders, or to the Company’s officers, directors, advisors and employees, (ii) transfers to the undersigned’s affiliates or its members upon its liquidation, (iii) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, (iv) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (vi) by private sales made in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Private Units were originally purchased or (vii) to the Company for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, in each case (except for clause (vii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the transfer restrictions; and

 

the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units will include any additional terms or restrictions as is customary in other similarly structured blank check company offerings or as may be reasonably required by the underwriters in the IPO in order to consummate the IPO, each of which will be set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

2

 

 

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the purchaser of the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units will execute agreements in form and substance typical for transactions of this nature necessary to effectuate the foregoing agreements and obligations prior to the consummation of the IPO as are reasonably acceptable to the undersigned, including but not limited to an insider letter.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a) it has been advised that the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units have not been registered under the Securities Act;

 

(b) it will be acquiring the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units for its account for investment purposes only;

 

(c) it has no present intention of selling or otherwise disposing of the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units in violation of the securities laws of the United States;

 

(d) it is an “accredited investor” as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

 

(e) it has had both the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the officers and directors of the Company and all persons acting on its behalf concerning the terms and conditions of the offer made hereunder;

 

(f) it is familiar with the proposed business, management, financial condition and affairs of the Company;

 

(g) it has full power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this letter and any documents contemplated herein or needed to consummate the transactions contemplated in this letter; and

 

(h) this letter constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable against it.

 

3

 

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the undersigned and the Company with respect to the purchase of the Private Units and Over-Allotment Units, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the same.

 

  Very truly yours,
       
  ACE GLOBAL INVESTMENT LIMITED
   
  By:  
    Name: Yuen Wah Chan
    Title: Director

 

Accepted and Agreed:  
       
ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED
       
By:    
  Name: Eugene Wong  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

4

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Wire Instructions

 

Bank Name: Citigroup Private Bank

Bank Address: 153 East 53rd Street

   New York, NY 10022

Account Name: Loeb & Loeb LLP – Trust Account

Account Number: 24576266

Routing/ABA Number (Domestic Wires): 021000089

Swift Code (Foreign Wire): CITIUS33

Note: ACE 236480/10001

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

Administration Service Agreement

 

This Administration Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated this 15th day of January, 2021 is between Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, herein referred to as “Service Provider” and Ace Global Investment Limited, herein referred to as “Customer”.

 

Service Provider has agreed to provide services to the Customer on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement, while Customer is of the opinion that Service Provider has the proper and necessary qualifications, experience and abilities to provide services to Customer.

 

Therefore in consideration of the matters described above, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Customer and the Service Provider agree as follows:

 

1. Scope of Work

 

The Service Provider is to provide the Customer with the following services (the “Services”): Company Administration.

 

The services will include any other tasks which the Customer and the Service Provider may agree on.

 

2. Term of Agreement

 

This Agreement will begin on January 15th, 2021 and will remain in full force and effect until the completion of the Services. This Agreement may be extended by mutual written agreement of the parties.

 

3. Termination

 

If either party seeks termination of this Agreement, the terminating party must provide a 30 days written notice to the other party.

 

4. Compensation

 

The Customer will provide compensation to the Service Provider of $10,000 per month for the services rendered by the Service Provider as required by this Agreement. Compensation is payable at the completion of services.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand on this 15th day of January, 2021.

 

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited  
     
By: /s/ Wong Eugene Tu  
Name: WONG Eugene Tu  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

Ace Global Investment Limited  
     
By:

/s/ Chan Yuen Wah

 
Name: CHAN Yuen Wah  
Title: Director  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

SUBSCRIPTION OF SHARE(S)

 

Date [___]

 

TO : The Board of Director(s)

Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited

British Virgin Islands

 

Dear Sir,

 

We hereby apply for ______ ordinary share(s) for USD$____ in the capital of your Company.

 

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of

 

   
[Name]  

 

Address: Corporate Registrations Limited, Sea Meadow House, Blackburne Highway, P.O. Box 116, Road Town, Tortola, BVI
Occupation: Corporation

Exhibit 14

 

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS

OF
ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

Adopted: [___], 2021

 

The Board of Directors of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Ethics (this “Code”) to provide value for our shareholders; and

 

To encourage honest and ethical conduct, including fair dealing and the ethical handling of conflicts of interest;

 

To prompt full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure;

 

To comply with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

To prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code;

 

To protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including corporate opportunities, assets and confidential information; and

 

To deter wrongdoing.

 

All directors, officers, employees and independent contractors of the Company are expected to be familiar with this Code and to adhere to the principles and procedures set forth in this Code. For purposes of this Code, all directors, officers, employees and independent contractors are referred to collectively as “employees” or “you” throughout this Code.

 

I. Honest and Ethical Conduct

 

All directors, officers, employees and independent contractors owe duties to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest and ethical. This includes the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships. Deceit and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity.

 

All directors, officers, employees and independent contractors have the following duties:

 

To conduct business with professional courtesy and integrity, and act honestly and fairly without prejudice in all commercial dealings;

 

To work in a safe, healthy and efficient manner, using skills, time and experience to the maximum of abilities;

 

To comply with applicable awards, Company policies and job requirements, and adhere to a high standard of business ethics;

 

 

 

 

To observe both the form and spirit of laws, governmental rules, regulations and accounting standards;

 

Not to knowingly make any misleading statements to any person or to be a party to any improper practice in relation to dealings with or by the Company;

 

To ensure that Company resources and properties are used properly;

 

To maintain the confidentiality of information where required or consistent with Company policies; and

 

Not to disclose information or documents relating to the Company or its business, other than as required by law, not to make any unauthorized public comment on Company affairs and not to misuse any information about the Company or its associates, and not to accept improper or undisclosed material personal benefits from third parties as a result of any transaction or transactions of the Company.

 

II. Conflicts of Interest

 

A “conflict of interest” arises when an individual’s personal interest interferes or appears to interfere with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise when a director, officer or employee takes actions or has personal interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively.

 

There are a variety of situations in which a conflict of interest may arise. While it would be impractical to attempt to list all possible situations, some common types of conflicts may be:

 

To serve as a director, employee or contractor for a company that has a business relationship with, or is a competitor of the Company;

 

To have a financial interest in a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company;

 

To receive improper personal benefits from a competitor, supplier or customer, as a result of any transaction or transactions of the Company;

 

To accept financial interest beyond entertainment or nominal gifts in the ordinary course of business, such as a meal or a coffee mug;

 

To present at a conference where the conference sponsor has a real or potential business relationship with the Company (e.g. vendor, customer, or investor), and, the conference sponsor offers travel or accommodation arrangements or other benefits materially in excess of the Company’s standard; or

 

2

 

 

To use for personal gain, rather than for the benefit of the Company, an opportunity that you discovered through your role with the Company.

 

Fidelity or service to the Company should never be subordinated to or dependent on personal gain or advantage. Conflicts of interest should be avoided.

 

In most cases, anything that would constitute a conflict for a director, officer or employee also would present a conflict if it is related to a member of his or her family.

 

Interests in other companies, including potential competitors and suppliers, that are purely for management of the other entity, or where an otherwise questionable relationship is disclosed to the Board and any necessary action is taken to ensure there will be no effect on the Company, are not considered conflicts unless otherwise determined by the Board.

 

Evaluating whether a conflict of interest exists can be difficult and may involve a number of considerations. Please refer to other policies, such as the employee handbook, for further information. We also encourage you to seek guidance from your manager, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, when you have any questions or doubts.

 

III. Disclosure

 

Each director, officer or employee, to the extent involved in the Company’s disclosure process, including the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, the (the “Senior Financial Officers”), is required to be familiar with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures applicable to him or her so that the Company’s public reports and documents comply in all material respects with the applicable securities laws and rules. In addition, each such person having direct or supervisory authority regarding these securities filings or the Company’s other public communications concerning its general business, results, financial condition and prospects should, to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other Company officers and employees and take other appropriate steps regarding these disclosures with the goal of making full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.

 

Each director, officer or employee, to the extent involved in the Company’s disclosure process, including the Senior Financial Officers, must:

 

Familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.

 

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 auditors, governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

 

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IV. Compliance

 

It is the Company’s policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each employee, officer and director to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules and regulations in the performance of their duties for the Company, including those relating to accounting and auditing matters and insider trading.

 

The Board endeavors to ensure that the directors, officers and employees of the Company act with integrity and observe the highest standards of behavior and business ethics in relation to their corporate activities.

 

Specifically, directors, officers and employees must:

 

Comply with the law;

 

Act in the best interests of the Company;

 

Be responsible and accountable for their actions; and

 

Observe the ethical principles of fairness, honesty and truthfulness, including disclosure of potential conflicts.

 

Generally, it is against Company policies for any individual to profit from undisclosed information relating to the Company or any other company in violation of insider trading or other laws. Anyone who is aware of material nonpublic information relating to the Company, our customers, or other companies may not use the information to purchase or sell securities in violation of securities laws.

 

If you are uncertain about the legal rules involving your purchase or sale of any Company securities or any securities in companies that you are familiar with by virtue of your work for the Company, you should consult with the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, before making any such purchase or sale. Other policies issued by the Company also provide guidance as to certain of the laws, rules and regulations that apply to the Company’s activities.

 

V. Reporting and Accountability

 

The Board of Directors has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any director, officer or employee who becomes aware of any violation of this Code is required to notify the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, promptly.

 

Any questions relating to how these policies should be interpreted or applied should be addressed to your manager, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents. Any material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest, as discussed in Section II of this Code, should be discussed with your manager, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents. A director, officer or employee who is unsure of whether a situation violates this Code should discuss the situation with the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, to prevent possible misunderstandings and embarrassment at a later date.

 

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Each director, officer or employee must:

 

Notify the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code.

 

Not retaliate against any other director, officer or employee for reports of potential violations.

 

The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on the Code:

 

 

The Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, as the case may be, will take all appropriate action to investigate any violations reported. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, as appropriate, shall report each violation and alleged violation involving a director or an executive officer to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. To the extent he or she deems appropriate, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall participate in any investigation of a director or executive officer. After the conclusion of an investigation of a director or executive officer, the conclusions shall be reported to the Board of Directors.

 

The Board of Directors will conduct such additional investigation as it deems necessary. The Board will determine that a director or executive officer has violated this Code. Upon being notified that a violation has occurred, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents, as the case may be, will take such disciplinary or preventive action as deemed appropriate, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of appropriate law enforcement authorities.

 

VI. Corporate Opportunities

 

Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking (or directing to a third party) a business opportunity that is discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position, unless the Company has already been offered the opportunity and turned it down. More generally, employees, officers and directors are prohibited from using corporate property, information or position for personal gain and from competing with the Company.

 

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Sometimes, the line between personal and Company benefits is difficult to draw, and sometimes there are both personal and Company benefits in certain activities. Employees, officers and directors who intend to make use of Company property or services in a manner not solely for the benefit of the Company should consult beforehand with your manager, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents.

 

VII. Confidentiality

 

In carrying out the Company’s business, employees, officers and directors often learn confidential or proprietary information about the Company, its customers, suppliers, or joint venture parties. Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of all information so entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential or proprietary information of our Company, and of other companies, includes any non-public information that would be harmful to the relevant company or useful or helpful to competitors if disclosed.

 

VIII. Fair Dealing

 

Our core value of operating is based on responsiveness, openness, honesty and trust with our members, business partners, employees and shareholders. We do not seek competitive advantages through illegal or unethical business practices. Each employee, officer and director should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, service providers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee, officer or director should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any unfair dealing practice.

 

IX. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

 

All employees, officers and directors should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. All Company assets should be used only for legitimate business purposes. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on our profit.

 

XI. Waivers and Amendments

 

From time to time, the Company may waive provisions of this Code. Any employee or director who believes that a waiver may be called for should discuss the matter with your manager, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, or their equivalents.

 

Any waiver of the Code for executive officers (including Senior Financial Officers) or directors of the Company may be made only by the Board of Directors and must be promptly disclosed to shareholders along with the reasons for such waiver in a manner as required by applicable law or the rules of the applicable stock exchange. Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Code must be approved in writing by the Board or, if appropriate, its delegate(s) and promptly disclosed pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

 

Any waiver or modification of the Code for a Senior Financial Officer will be promptly disclosed to shareholders if and as required by applicable law or the rules of the applicable stock exchange.

 

The Company is committed to continuously reviewing and updating its policies, and therefore reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time, for any reason, subject to applicable law.

 

 

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Exhibit 23.1

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited of our report dated February 8, 2021, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audit of the financial statements of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from November 2, 2020 (date of inception) through December 31, 2020 included in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

New York, New York

March 11, 2021

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

OF

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

Adopted: [___], 2021

 

The responsibilities and powers of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), as delegated by the Board, are set forth in this charter (this “Charter”). Whenever the Audit Committee takes an action, it shall exercise its independent judgment on an informed basis that the action is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

  I. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee shall be to represent and assist the Board in the oversight and monitoring of:

 

The Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements;

 

The integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

The Company’s internal accounting and financial controls; and

 

The Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and the independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance.

 

  II. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

 

The Audit Committee will initially consist of three members of the Board. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board. Members of the Audit Committee must meet the following criteria:

 

Each member must meet the independence and experience requirements and standards established from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Each member must be financially literate and able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows, as determined by the Board.

 

At least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise, as the Board interprets such qualification in its business judgment, by virtue of such member’s current or past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in finance or accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in such individual’s financial sophistication.

 

 

 

 

Each member shall also meet any other requirements and standards established from time to time to time by the SEC and any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, in each case as amended from time to time, for audit committee members.

 

The Board shall designate one member of the Audit Committee as its chairperson.

 

An Audit Committee member may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the chairman of the Board, or may be removed by majority vote of the Board by delivery to such member of written notice of removal, to take effect at a date specified therein, or upon delivery of such written notice to such member if no date is specified. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in the Audit Committee, subject to such new member(s) satisfying the above requirements.

 

  III. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Audit Committee will set its own schedule of meetings and will meet at least quarterly, with the option of holding additional meetings at such times as it deems necessary or appropriate. Meetings of the Audit Committee shall be called by a majority of the members of the Audit Committee upon such notice as is provided for in the Company’s charter documents with respect to meetings of the Board. A majority of the Audit Committee members shall constitute a quorum. Actions of the Audit Committee may be taken in person at a meeting or in writing without a meeting. Actions taken at a meeting, to be valid, shall require the approval of a majority of the members of the Audit Committee present and voting. Actions taken in writing, to be valid, shall be signed by all members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. Periodically, the Audit Committee shall meet separately with the Company’s management, with the internal auditors and/or internal control director, and with the independent auditors.

 

The Audit Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Audit Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Audit Committee deems appropriate. The Audit Committee shall not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Audit Committee as a whole.

 

The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Board, which reports shall include to the extent that the Audit Committee deems appropriate, any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Company’s independent auditors or the performance of the internal audit function.

 

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  IV. COMMITTEE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Audit Committee shall appoint and oversee the work of the independent auditors, approve the compensation of the independent auditors and review and, if appropriate, discharge the independent auditors. In this regard, the independent auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee shall have the sole authority to approve the hiring and discharging of the independent auditors, all audit engagement fees and terms and all permissible non-audit engagements with the independent auditors.

 

The Audit Committee shall pre-approve (or, where permitted under the rules of the SEC, subsequently approve) engagements of the independent auditors to render audit services and/or establish pre-approval policies and procedures for such engagements, provided that (i) such policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular services rendered, (ii) the Audit Committee is informed of each such service and (iii) such policies and procedures do not include delegation to management of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or SEC rules. The Audit Committee shall also pre-approve any non-audit services proposed to be provided to the Company by the independent auditors.

 

The Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy and scope of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

 

The Audit Committee shall evaluate its performance annually.

 

To the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, the Audit Committee shall be responsible for:

 

Oversight of the Company’s Relationship with the Independent Auditor

 

o Review the independence of the independent auditors, including (i) obtaining on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company, (ii) maintaining an active dialogue with the independent auditors, covering any disclosed relationship or services that may impair their objectivity and independence, (iii) presenting this statement to the Board and (iv) to the extent there are any such relationships, monitoring and investigating them and, if necessary, taking, or recommending to the Board that the Board take, appropriate action to maintain the independence of the independent auditors.

 

o Evaluate, at least annually, the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence, which evaluation shall include a review and evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditors, and take appropriate action to oversee the independence of the independent auditors.

 

o Review, in consultation with the independent auditors, the annual audit plan and scope of audit activities and monitor such plan’s progress.

 

o Establish policies regarding the hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditors.

 

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Financial Statements and Disclosure Matters

 

o Discuss and, as appropriate, review with management and the independent auditors the Company’s financial statements and annual and quarterly reports, including the Company’s disclosures under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, discuss with the independent auditors any other matters required to be discussed by accounting and auditing standards, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s annual report.

 

o Discuss with management, the internal auditor and the independent auditors significant financial reporting issues raised and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including the review of (i) major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles; (ii) analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues raised and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP or IFRS methods on the financial statements; (iii) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet arrangements, on the Company’s financial statements; and (iv) the type and presentation of information be included in earnings press releases, as well as any financial information and earnings guidance to be provided to analysts and rating agencies.

 

o At least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor describing: (i) the audit firm’s internal quality-control procedures; (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or (iii) 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 audit firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues described in the report.

 

o Receive, review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent auditors on (i) the Company’s major critical accounting policies and practices; (ii) significant alternative treatments of financial information within GAAP or IFRS that have been discussed with management; (iii) ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments; (iv) any treatments preferred by the independent auditors; and (v) other material written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

 

o Review on a regular basis with the Company’s independent auditors any problems or difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in the course of any audit work, including management’s response with respect thereto, any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditors’ activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management; and ensure the resolution of any disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting.

 

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o Review disclosures regarding the Company’s internal controls that are required to be included in SEC reports.

 

o Discuss with management and the independent auditors any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies.

 

o Discuss with management earnings press releases and financial information and earnings guidance to be provided to analysts and rating agencies, including any proposed use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non- GAAP and non-IFRS information.

 

Oversight of the Company’s Internal Control Function

 

o Review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal control policies and procedures on a regular basis, including the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit and control function, as well as the need for any special audit procedures in response to material control deficiencies, through inquiry and discussions with the Company’s independent auditors and management.

 

o Review the reports prepared by management, assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls and procedures, prior to the inclusion of such reports in the Company’s periodic filings as required under SEC rules.

 

Compliance Oversight Responsibilities

 

o Discuss and review guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including the Company’s insurance coverage from time to time.

 

o Discuss with the Company’s chief legal officer legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements or the Company’s compliance procedures.

 

o Establish procedures for receiving, retaining and treating complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

o Review, approve and monitor the Company’s code of ethics applicable to its senior financial officers.

 

o Review any conflicts of interest and related party transactions to assess an impact on the Company’s internal controls or financial reporting and disclosure.

 

The Audit Committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary, to carry out its duties. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of (i) compensation to the independent auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit review or attest services for the Company, (ii) compensation to any advisers employed by the Audit Committee and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are necessary or appropriate for carrying out its duties.

 

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Exhibit 99.2

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHARTER
OF

ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

Adopted: [____], 2021

 

The responsibilities and powers of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), as delegated by the Board, are set forth in this charter (this “Charter”). Whenever the Committee takes action, it shall exercise its independent judgment on an informed basis that the action is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

I. PURPOSE

 

The Committee is established to help ensure that the Board is properly constituted to meet its fiduciary obligations to shareholders and the Company and that the Company has and follows appropriate corporate governance practices and standards.

 

II. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

 

The Committee will consist of at least three members of the Board. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board.

 

Each member shall meet the independence and experience requirements and standards established from time to time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

The Board shall designate one member of the Committee as its chairperson.

 

III. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Committee shall meet at such times as it deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, but not less frequently than annually. Meetings of the Committee shall be called by a majority of the members of the Committee upon such notice as is provided for in the Company’s charter documents with respect to meetings of the Board. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. Actions of the Committee may be taken in person at a meeting or in writing without a meeting. Actions taken at a meeting, to be valid, shall require the approval of a majority of the members of the Committee present and voting. Actions taken in writing, to be valid, shall be signed by all members of the Committee. The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

 

The Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee shall not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Committee as a whole.

 

 

 

 

IV. COMMITTEE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

To the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, the Committee shall perform the following:

 

Board Composition, Evaluation and Nominating Activities

 

Making recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of the Board, establishing procedures for the nomination process and screen and recommending candidates for election to the Board.

 

Recommending for approval by the Board on an annual basis desired qualifications and characteristics for Board membership and with corresponding attributes. Generally, persons to be nominated should (i) have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service; (ii) possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the Board and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and (iii) have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.

 

Establishing and administering a periodic assessment procedure relating to the performance of the Board as a whole and its individual members.

 

Corporate Governance Generally

 

Developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and practices.

 

Reviewing periodically the Company’s corporate governance principles and practices, the Company’s compliance with these principles and practices, and recommend changes, as appropriate.

 

Overseeing the evaluation of the Company’s management.

 

Overseeing, reviewing and reporting to the Board regarding the Company’s succession planning for the Board, senior management and other key employees.

 

Periodically reviewing and reassessing the adequacy and scope of this Charter and the Committee’s established processes and procedures and recommending any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

 

In performing its responsibilities, the Committee shall have the authority to hire and obtain advice, reports or opinions from internal or external counsel and expert advisors, including search firms, and to set the terms and fees for any such counsel and advisors.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
OF
ACE GLOBAL BUSINESS ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

Adopted: [___], 2021

 

The responsibilities and powers of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited (the “Company”), as delegated by the Board, are set forth in this charter (this “Charter”). Whenever the Compensation Committee takes an action, it shall exercise its independent judgment on an informed basis that the action is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

I. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Compensation Committee shall be to assist the Board in determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, the chairman of the Board, the Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “Executives”) and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of the non-Executive officers of the Company and the independent directors.

 

II. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

 

The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three members of the Board. Each member shall meet the independence and experience requirements and standards established from time to time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading, in each case as amended from time to time. In addition, each member must qualify as a “Non-Employee Director” under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code for “outside directors,” and any other regulatory requirements.

 

The Board shall elect the members of the Compensation Committee at the first Board meeting practicable and may make changes from time to time pursuant to the provisions below. The members of the Compensation Committee shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualify. Unless a chairman of the Compensation Committee (the “Chairman”) is elected by the Board or by a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee, no chairman of the Compensation Committee shall be designated. If appointed by the Board or the members of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman shall be a member of the Compensation Committee and, if present, shall preside at each meeting of the Compensation Committee. The Chairman shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Chairman by the Compensation Committee or the Board.

 

A Compensation Committee member may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the chairman of the Board, or may be removed by majority vote of the Board by delivery to such member of written notice of removal, to take effect at a date specified therein, or upon delivery of such written notice to such member if no date is specified. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in the Compensation Committee, subject to such new member(s) satisfying the above requirements.

 

 

 

 

III. MEETINGS AND COMMITTEE ACTION

 

The Compensation Committee shall meet at such times as it deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, but not less frequently than annually. Meetings of the Compensation Committee shall be called by a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee upon such notice as is provided for in the Company’s charter documents with respect to meetings of the Board. A majority of the Compensation Committee members shall constitute a quorum. Actions of the Compensation Committee may be taken in person at a meeting or in writing without a meeting. Actions taken at a meeting, to be valid, shall require the approval of a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee present and voting. Actions taken in writing, to be valid, shall be signed by all members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall report its minutes from each meeting to the Board.

 

A majority of the members of the Compensation Committee may establish, consistent with the requirements of this Charter, such rules as may from time to time be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Compensation Committee. At each meeting, a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee shall appoint as secretary a person who may, but need not, be a member of the Compensation Committee. A certificate of the secretary of the Compensation Committee or minutes of a meeting of the Compensation Committee executed by the secretary setting forth the names of the members of the Compensation Committee present at the meeting or actions taken by the Compensation Committee at the meeting shall be sufficient evidence at all times as to the members of the Compensation Committee who were present, or such actions taken.

 

The Compensation Committee shall have the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company may not be present during voting or deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to his compensation.

 

IV. COMMITTEE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Compensation Committee shall have the following authority and responsibilities:

 

At least annually review the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevant to the Executives’ compensation; evaluate the Executives’ performance in light of such goals and objectives; and, either as a Compensation Committee or, together with the other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the Executives’ compensation level based on this evaluation (and Chief Executive Officer may not be present during voting or deliberations on his or her compensation). In determining the long-term incentive component of the Executives’ compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider the Company’s performance, the value of similar incentive awards to the Executives at comparable companies, the awards given to the Executives in past years and any relevant legal requirements and associated guidance of the applicable law.

 

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At least annually review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to director compensation to assist the Board in making the final determination as to director compensation.

 

Attempt to ensure that the Company’s compensation program is effective in attracting and retaining key employees, reinforce business strategies and objectives for enhanced shareholder value, and administer the compensation program in a fair and equitable manner consistent with established policies and guidelines.

 

Administer the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans, insofar as provided therein.

 

Make recommendations to the Board regarding approval, disapproval, modification, or termination of existing or proposed employee benefit plans.

 

Approve any share option award or any other type of award as may be required for complying with any tax, securities, or other regulatory requirement, or otherwise determined to be appropriate or desirable by the Compensation Committee or Board.

 

Approve the policy for authorizing claims for expenses from the Executives.

 

Retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation 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 Compensation Committee. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the compensation committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, legal counsel or any other adviser retained by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall have sole authority to approve related fees and retention terms.

 

Review and approve the compensation disclosure and analysis prepared by the Company’s management, as required to be included in the Company’s proxy statement or annual report, or equivalent, filed with the SEC.

 

Review and assess the adequacy of this charter annually.

 

 

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