As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2021.
Registration No. 333-256473
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment
No.1
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Sagaliam
Acquisition Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 6770 | 86-3006717 | ||
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(Primary
Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification Number) |
Barry Kostiner
1800
Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone:
213-616-0011
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive
offices)
Copies to:
|
Thomas Kollar Brian Hirshberg Mayer Brown LLP 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 Telephone: 212-506-2500 |
Mitchell S. Nussbaum David J. Levine Loeb & Loeb LLP 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 Telephone: 212-407-4000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| 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 Being Registered | Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Security(1) | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) | Amount of Registration Fee | ||||||||||||
| Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one right to receive one-eighth(1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination(2) | 11,500,000 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 115,000,000 | $ | 12,546.50 | |||||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock included as part of the units(3) | 11,500,000 | — | — | — | (4) | |||||||||||
| Rights included as part of the units(3) | 11,500,000 | — | — | — | (4) | |||||||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock underlying the rights included as part of the units(3) | 1,437,500 | — | — | — | (4) | |||||||||||
| Representative’s shares of Class A common stock(3)(5) | 115,000 | 10.00 | 1,150,000 | 125.46 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 116,150,000 | $ | 12,671.96 | (6) | |||||||||||
| (1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. |
| (2) | Includes 1,500,000 units, consisting of 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock and 1,500,000 rights, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. |
| (3) | Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
| (4) | No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g). |
| (5) | Includes 15,000 shares of Class A common stock which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. |
| (6) | 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, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
| PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | |
| DATED OCTOBER 1, 2021 |
$100,000,000
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
10,000,000 Units
Sagaliam Acquisition Corporation is a newly incorporated blank check company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as our “initial business combination.” We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Although we may pursue an acquisition in any industry or geography, we intend to capitalize on the capabilities of our management team and our sponsor to identify, acquire and operate a business that may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one share of our Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001, and one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination. The underwriters have a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of our Class A common stock upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will redeem 100% of the public shares for cash, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as further described herein.
Our sponsor, Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The private placement units are identical to the units sold in this offering, except they and the underlying securities are subject to certain transfer restrictions and entitled to certain registration rights as described in this prospectus.
Our sponsor, officers and director nominees own an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of our Class B common stock, up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. Shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination, or earlier at the option of the holder, as described herein.
Up to ten “qualified institutional buyers” as that term is defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act or “accredited investors” as that term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act (who are not affiliated with any member of our management team), whom we refer to as the anchor investors, have each expressed to us an interest to purchase up to 9.9% of the units to be sold in this offering, or 990,000 units, excluding any units sold pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment opinion and we have agreed to direct the underwriters to sell to the anchor investors such number of units. We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 99.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all ten anchor investors will participate in the offering. There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Subject to each anchor investor purchasing 100% of the units allocated to it, in connection with the closing of this offering, our sponsor will sell 20,000 founder shares to each anchor investor, or an aggregate of 200,000 founder shares to all ten anchor investors, at a purchase price of approximately $0.0029 per share. For a discussion of certain additional arrangements with our anchor investors, see “Summary—The Offering—Expressions of Interest.”
Currently, there is no public market for our units, Class A common stock or rights. We have applied to list our units on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “SAGAU”. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. We expect the Class A common stock and rights comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless EF Hutton, the representative of the underwriters, 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, we expect that the Class A common stock and rights will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “SAGA” and “SAGAR,” 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 32 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 nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| Per Unit | Total | |||||||
| Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 5,500,000 | ||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.. | $ | 9.45 | $ | 94,500,000 | ||||
| (1) | Includes $0.35 per unit, or $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to 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, as described in this prospectus. In addition, we have agreed to issue to the representative and/or its designees 100,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consummation of this offering, which we refer to herein as the “representative’s shares,” as compensation in connection with this offering. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Underwriting” for a further description of the compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters. |
Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement units described in this prospectus, $101,000,000 or $116,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.10 per unit in either case), will be deposited into a trust account in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.
The underwriters are offering the units for sale on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to the purchasers on or about [●], 2021.
Sole Book-Running Manager
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
The date of this prospectus is , 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.
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. No offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities is being made by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.
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This summary highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Before making any investment decision, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus, or the context otherwise requires, references to:
| ● |
“anchor investors” are to up to ten certain “qualified institutional buyers” as that term is defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act or “accredited investors” as that term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act and each has expressed to us an interest to purchase up to 990,000 units in this offering as further described herein; |
|
| ● | “common stock” are to our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, collectively; | |
| ● | “founder shares” are to shares of our Class B common stock, initially purchased by our sponsor in a private placement prior to this offering, and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the conversion thereof as provided herein; | |
| ● | “initial stockholders” are to our sponsor, our officers, our director nominees and any other holders of our founder shares prior to this offering (or their permitted transferees); | |
| ● | “EF Hutton” are to EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, the representative of the underwriters in this offering; | |
| ● | “management” or our “management team” are to our officers and directors; | |
| ● | “private placement rights” are to the rights included in the private placement units being purchased by our Sponsor in the private placement; | |
| ● | “private placement shares” are to the shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units being purchased by our Sponsor in the private placement; | |
| ● | “private placement units” are to the units issued to our sponsor in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering, which private placement units are identical to the units sold in this offering, except they and the underlying securities are subject to certain transfer restrictions and entitled to certain registration rights as described in this prospectus; | |
| ● | “public rights” are to the rights sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market); | |
| ● | “public shares” are to shares of our Class A common stock sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market); | |
| ● | “public rights holders” are to the holders of our public rights, including our initial stockholders and members of our management team to the extent any of them purchase public rights, provided that each initial stockholder’s and management team member’s status as a “public rights holder” shall only exist with respect to such public rights; | |
| ● | “public stockholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our initial stockholders and members of our management team to the extent any of them purchase public shares, provided that each initial stockholder’s and management team member’s status as a “public stockholder” shall only exist with respect to such public shares; | |
| ● | “sponsor” are to Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
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| ● | “representative” are to EF Hutton, the representative of the underwriters in this offering; | |
| ● | “representative’s shares” are to the 100,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) to be issued in connection with the consummation of this offering to the representative and/or its designees; and | |
| ● | “we,” “us,” “SAC,” “company” or “our company” are to Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. |
Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.
Our Company
Sagaliam Acquisition Corporation (“SAC”, “we” or “our company”) is a newly incorporated blank check company, incorporated as a Delaware corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as our “initial business combination.” We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Although we may pursue an acquisition in any industry or geography, we intend to capitalize on the capabilities of our management team and our sponsor to identify, acquire and operate a business that may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
We intend to identify and acquire a business that could benefit from a creative, forward-thinking owner with extensive operational expertise that presents potential for an attractive risk-adjusted return profile. Even companies with solid fundamentals often under-perform their potential, due to underinvestment, ineffective business strategies, sub-optimal capital allocation and capital structures, excessive cost structures or incomplete management teams. Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing acquisitions that are ripe for change, across industry sectors and business cycles. In addition, our management has hands-on experience working with companies as active owners and directors by working closely with these companies to continue their transformation and help create value.
Rather than offering a one-time service of going public, SAC aims to act as a long-term partner to its target companies. Our objective is to provide a target company an efficient path to go public with a significant degree of ongoing funding certainty, while creating value for our stockholders by assisting management with strategy, business planning, capital structure optimization, team building and synergistic opportunities.
Our sponsor is controlled by its managing member, Alan H. Ginsburg. Mr. Ginsburg has decades of investment experience and a track record of value creation in portfolio companies. SAC has assembled a seasoned team of industry advisors whom we believe will help us execute our differentiated investment strategy. Through our affiliation with our sponsor and management team, we will seek to acquire established businesses that we believe are fundamentally sound but potentially in need of financial, operational, strategic or managerial transformation to maximize value for stockholders. We intend to focus on companies which we believe offer an opportunity for stockholder value creation through the combination of (i) an attractive valuation entry point, (ii) a clear plan to unlock incremental value through operational and/or strategic improvements and (iii) a clear path to bring the target company to the public market and implement best-in-class public company governance. We will seek to partner with the owners of a target business to offer them an option to create partial liquidity, transition their legacy to a public company and/or resolve any fragmented ownership or succession planning issues, all while maintaining a singular focus on driving the target business to a higher level of performance and value. We may also look at earlier stage companies that exhibit the potential to change the industries in which they participate, and which offer the potential of sustained high levels of revenue growth.
Although we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we intend to focus our search for target businesses in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. We intend to build an industry-leading sustainable business with attractive returns on invested capital and robust free cash flow generation. By consummating a business combination with a target business in the telecommunications, media or technology industries, we hope to offer public market investors near-term access and direct investment exposure to the long-term trends favorably impacting these sectors and to the consolidation and value-creation opportunities related thereto. We intend to take a disciplined approach towards consummating an initial business combination with an emphasis on building significant stockholder value over the long-term. We also intend to look for target businesses with proven management teams who will foster an ownership culture with strong alignment of incentives.
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Our Management Team
We believe that the collective experience of our management team will allow us to source, identify and execute an attractive transaction for our stockholders. Our management team is led by Barry Kostiner as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Neukranz as Chief Financial Officer and Director and Jane Liu as Vice President, Business Development.
| ● | Barry Kostiner – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kostiner is serving as the Chief Executive and Chairman of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Additionally, Mr. Kostiner has served as the President of Legacy Tech Partners, LLC (LTP), a microcap-focused EdTech investment vehicle, since February 2021, and has also been a Manager of Capital Markets at Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (OTC: LEAI) since March 2021. Mr. Kostiner joined the Board of Directors of LEAI in May 2021. LEAI has had cumulative education revenues in excess of $500 million over the past decade, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. | |
| Mr. Kostiner was the CFO of Ameri Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRH) from October 2018 through December 2020. The operations of AMRH, including its global IT services business focused on SAP with operations in both the US and India, was acquired by management, with the residual Nasdaq vehicle acquired by Enveric Biosciences (Nasdaq: ENVB), an evidence-based cannabinoid pharma company focused on palliative therapies for cancer patients. Mr. Kostiner has been a consultant to ENVB since January 2021. From May 2016 through October 2018, Mr. Kostiner was a consultant to Cypress Skilled Nursing, a healthcare facility operator and from May 2017 through October 2018 he was a consultant to LinKay Technologies Inc., an artificial intelligence incubator with a portfolio of intellectual property focused on AI and LiDAR / geospatial technology, with research staff in India and New York. Mr. Kostiner’s 20-year career in energy includes eight years at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch and their affiliates, with a focus on energy trading and portfolio management, as well as serving as the CEO of an oil & gas SPAC (Nasdaq: PGRI) from 2005 through 2009. Mr. Kostiner earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Operations Research from MIT. His thesis on the mathematics of electric industry deregulation was sponsored by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. | ||
| ● | Mr. Thomas W. Neukranz – Chief Financial Officer and Director. Mr. Neukranz is serving as Chief Financial Officer and a director of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Mr. Neukranz has served as Managing Director of Capital Markets for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior to joining GLD, Mr. Neukranz served as Head of Capital Markets for CleanFund Inc., from July 2017 to August 2019, and as Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of Aegon Investment Management, from February 2017 to August 2018. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Neukranz was a Partner and Head of the Institutional businesses at RS Investments, Vice President, Global Head of Exchange Derivatives at Goldman Sachs and Head of Exchange Traded Derivatives at JP Morgan. Previously, Mr. Neukranz was responsible for derivative hedging for Bank of America and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Neukranz began his career on the floor of the Board of Trade in Chicago. Mr. Neukranz has serves on the Board of the Stanford Cancer Institute since 2016 and served as Chairman from 2017 through 2019. Mr. Neukranz received a B.S. in Industrial Management from Purdue University, and holds Series 7 and 63 FINRA licenses. | |
| ● | Ms. Jane Liu – Vice President, Business Development. Ms. Liu is serving as Vice President, Business Development of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Ms. Liu has served as Director of Finance for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior thereto, Ms. Liu served as Senior Financial Analyst for CleanFund Commercial PACE Capital, Inc., from March 2017 to June 2020, and served as Business Analyst for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Ms. Liu received a B.S. in Economics and Finance from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s Degree in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco. |
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| ● | Mr. George Caruolo — Director Nominee. Mr. Caruolo has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Caruolo has been the principal of his own law firm for over 30 years and a government relations strategy advisor based in Rhode Island for over 10 years. He has represented privately held and publicly traded clients in the areas of healthcare, electric utilities, solar energy, gaming, heavy construction, developmental disabilities and Native American tribal affairs, as well as in other areas, both regionally and nationally. He is a director of Allegro, LLC, a fintech company. He was an elected state representative and majority leader of the Rhode Island General Assembly, has chaired the Rhode Island State Education Board and has served on other boards of directors. Mr. Caruolo received a Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. | |
| ● | Mr. Gabriel Del Virginia — Director Nominee. Mr. Del Virginia has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Del Virginia has more than 30 years of experience providing legal representation in various types of public and private business entities in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, financing, litigation and financial restructuring matters, as an associate at several prominent national law firms, including Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, and thereafter as principal of his own law firm, where he has practiced for over 10 years. Mr. Del Virginia also served on the board of directors Sysorex Global Holdings Corp. (SYRX), a Nasdaq-listed technology company that provides data analytics and location-based solutions and services to commercial and government customers worldwide. He graduated from Rutgers University and the Rutgers Law School, clerked for a United States Federal Judge, and is a member of the bars of New Jersey and New York. | |
| ● | Mr. Glauco Lolli-Ghetti — Director Nominee. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Since 2019, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has served as Head of Development at Palatine Capital Partners, a real estate private equity firm, where he is responsible for development investment strategies across acquisition and entitlement. Prior to joining Palatine, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti founded Urban Muse, a real estate investment company responsible for developing 372,000 square feet of mixed-use properties with an aggregate cost of $397 million. Prior to forming Urban Muse, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti was development manager at Federal Realty Investment Trust, a publicly traded REIT with a market cap of $6.75 billion. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti received a Bachelor’s Degree from Lehigh University. |
Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to locating and acquiring a target business and helping it to succeed. Although Mr. Kostiner has prior experience pursuing an acquisition on behalf of a blank check company, other members of our management team do not. Nevertheless, we believe we will greatly benefit from the experience of our management team as we seek to identify and consummate an initial business combination.
Our Competitive Advantages
The networking, sourcing, valuation, diligence and execution capabilities of our team should provide us what we believe to be a significant and attractive pipeline of opportunities. Our competitive strengths include:
| ● | Extensive Operating Experience. We meticulously composed our executive team, Board of Directors and Advisory Board with professionals with notable experience in operational, financial, C-suite and board-level roles. | |
| ● | Proprietary Sourcing Capabilities Developed Through Strong Networks of Relationships. We intend to capitalize on our management team’s domain expertise, acquired through decades of strategic deal-making in the telecommunications, media, technology and related industries. We believe our management’s deep network of CEO-level and other C-suite and board relationships, in addition to contacts with pre-eminent private and public market investors, will present us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. |
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| ● | Ability to Drive Public Shareholder Value. We plan to work with the management team of our initial business combination target to build shareholder value both organically and inorganically. Our team has collectively achieved success at a wide variety of legacy companies and emerging growth platforms, many of which were publicly traded. All members of our team have played key executive operating roles, served as board members and/or been investors at these organizations. In addition, the roles played by this team have often included key growth initiatives and expansion into new geographies or products. |
Our Business Strategy
Although our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not necessarily be limited to a particular industry, sector or region, we intend to capitalize on our expertise in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
We believe that the telecommunications, media and technology industries present attractive characteristics of long-term growth prospects globally, stable and cycle-resistant demand, fragmented markets with opportunities for consolidation, a lack of dominant players and global brands, predictable digital transition patterns and a large universe of growing and profitable targets.
We believe that five long-term trends are driving positive transformation in the telecommunications, media and technology industries, creating opportunities for long-term value creation in the sector specifically and, more broadly, in the associated knowledge economy. These drivers of transformation are: Digitization (the use of digital content and services), Responsiveness (designing and offering products and services on a customized or bespoke basis for the individual), Privatization (the growing private supply of media, content and services), Automation (the use of artificial intelligence and data to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of product delivery platforms) and Globalization (the international development and dissemination of content, certification, technology and brands). We intend to take advantage of these long-term trends and the associated consolidation and value-creation opportunities.
Our acquisition and value creation strategy is to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, fundamentally enhance a company in the public markets. We intend to seek a company in an industry that complements the experience and expertise of our management team and is a business to which we believe we can add value.
We are committed to delivering attractive returns to all stakeholders.
Our management team is deeply familiar with the trends of our target industries and brings an investing approach that offers multiple competitive advantages in sourcing, evaluating and executing on opportunities, including being a track record of creating and growing large scale platforms in the public markets;
| ● | Stockholder Centric: We think like owners and are focused on long-term gains rather than short-term results. At SAC, the compensation structure of the management team is closely tied to the long-term performance of the stock. See “Management – Officer and Director Compensation”. | |
| ● | Forward Looking: We are deeply familiar with the trends of the industries in which we plan to invest and can evaluate the opportunities and risks presented by ongoing secular changes and temporary market disruptions. | |
| ● | Nimble: Our team is structured to allow it to move quickly when opportunities arise, and we can be creative in our deal structures. |
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| ● | Financially Sophisticated: Our management team has extensive experience in mergers, capital restructuring, divestitures, investing, capital deployment, credit analysis and setting capital structures. | |
| ● | Long-Term Focused: We take a long-term, strategic view in our various operating businesses and are less concerned with short-term bouts of volatility. | |
| ● | Connected, through Proprietary Sourcing Channels and Leading Industry Relationships: We believe the capabilities and connections associated with our management team will provide us with a differentiated pipeline of acquisition opportunities that would be difficult for other participants in the market to replicate. We expect these sourcing capabilities will be further bolstered by our management team and SAC’s reputation and deep industry relationships. |
Our Business Combination Criteria
Consistent with our business strategy, we have developed the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective initial business combinations. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating business combination opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
| ● | Businesses with Significant Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that we believe will have multiple organic and M&A-driven growth opportunities over time. We will search for attractive, growth-oriented businesses that exhibit sound, underlying fundamentals as well as demonstrated revenue growth and a clear path to profitability. This includes such potential targets that are currently, or have the potential to be, a category leader with long-term growth potential. | |
| ● | Targets That Can Benefit from our Management Team’s Relationships and Experience. Although we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on our management team’s domain expertise acquired through decades of strategic deal-making in the media, digital media/consumer technology and related industries. We believe our management’s deep network of CEO-level and other C-suite and board relationships, in addition to contacts with pre-eminent private and public market investors, will give us a number of competitive advantages and will present us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets, particularly in the aforementioned industries. | |
| ● | Companies with Potential to Benefit from Digital Disruption. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses which currently, or have the potential to, benefit from digital disruption, or a disruption of traditional business models or markets. | |
| ● | Businesses in High-Growth Markets. We will seek out opportunities in higher-growth sectors in the U.S., as well as in selected developed and emerging international markets. | |
| ● | Companies that Drive Shareholder Returns. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that offer an attractive risk-adjusted return for our stockholders, weighing potential growth opportunities and operational improvements in the target business against any identified downside risks. |
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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. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet them in our stockholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials that we would file with the SEC.
Our Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets
We believe our management team’s significant transaction experience and industry relationships will provide us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships. This network has grown through the activities of our management team in sourcing, acquiring, financing and selling businesses, our management team’s relationships with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions.
We believe this network will provide our management team with a robust and consistent flow of acquisition opportunities which are proprietary or where a limited group of investors are invited to participate in the sale process. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us with important sources of acquisition opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business that is owned by our sponsor, officers or directors or any related entities, or making an acquisition through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with any of them. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is owned by our sponsor, officers or directors or any related entities, we, or a committee of independent and disinterested directors, expect to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another accounting, valuation or appraisal firm, to the effect that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. However, we are not required to obtain such an opinion in any context.
See “— Conflicts of Interest” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest” for information regarding limitations on our access to investment opportunities sourced by members of our management team, SAC or other entities in which members of our management team are involved, including a list of our executive officers and directors and entities for which a conflict of interest may or does exist between such officers or directors and our company.
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
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We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from closing of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act”. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target.
However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
Our Business Combination Process
In evaluating prospective business combinations, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review process that will encompass, among other things, a review of historical and projected financial and operating data, meetings with management and their advisors (if applicable), on-site inspection of facilities and assets, discussion with customers and suppliers, legal reviews and other reviews as we deem appropriate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
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Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations to present the opportunity to such entity, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will not materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our sponsor and our officers and directors will own founder shares following this offering. Because of this ownership, our sponsor and our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers or directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per founder share, and accordingly, the sponsor could potentially make a substantial profit even if the company selects an acquisition target that substantially declines in value and is unprofitable for public stockholders. Please see “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Securities – The value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.”
Risk Factors Summary
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks include, but are not limited to:
| ● | Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination. | |
| ● | Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination will be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash, unless we seek stockholder approval of the initial business combination. | |
| ● | 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 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. | |
| ● | As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination. | |
| ● | If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless. |
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| ● | If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share. | |
| ● | We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination. | |
| ● | Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses and our strategy will be to identify, acquire and build a company in our target investment area, 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. | |
| ● | We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view. | |
| ● | We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us. | |
| ● | We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all. | |
| ● | We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our stockholders do not agree. | |
| ● | We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. | |
| ● | Our initial stockholders may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support. | |
| ● | We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest. | |
| ● | Since our sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination. | |
| ● | Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. | |
| ● | We may seek business combination opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area of expertise. | |
| ● | Our ability to successfully effect our initial 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 our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business. |
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| ● | You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or rights, potentially at a loss. | |
| ● | The value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share. | |
| ● | We are a newly formed company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective. | |
| ● | Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company. |
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067, and our telephone number is 213-616-0011.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common stock that is 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 securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to emerging growth company will have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th.
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THE OFFERING
In deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.”
| Securities offered | 10,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of: |
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one share of Class A common stock; and
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| ● | one right entitling the holder to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, |
| Proposed Nasdaq symbols |
Units: “SAGAU”
Class A common stock: “SAGA”
Rights: “SAGAR” |
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| Rights | Each holder of a right will automatically receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination or the registered holder of a certificated right fails to tender their original rights certificate. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive the additional shares upon consummation of a business combination, as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in this offering. If we enter into a definitive agreement for a business combination in which we will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of shares of Class A common stock will receive in the transaction on an as-exchanged for Class A common stock basis, and rights holders will be required to affirmatively elect to exchange their rights for the underlying shares as well as to return the original rights certificates to us within a fixed period of time after which period the rights will expire worthless. Pursuant to the rights agreement, a rights holder may exchange rights only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that we will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights and rights may be exchanged only in multiples of 8 rights (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like). Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. | |
| Trading commencement and separation of Class A common stock and rights | The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect the Class A common stock and rights comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless the representative informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the shares of Class A common stock and rights commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or to have their units separated into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to have the units separate into shares of Class A common stock and rights. |
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| Separate trading of the Class A common stock and rights is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K | In no event will the Class A common stock and rights be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. | |
| Units: | ||
| Number outstanding before this offering | 0 | |
| Number of private placement units to be sold in a private placement simultaneously with this offering | 370,000(1) | |
| Number outstanding after this offering and the private placement | 10,370,000(1)(2) | |
| Common stock: | ||
| Number outstanding before this offering | 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock(3) | |
| Number outstanding after this offering and the private placement | 12,970,000 shares of Class A and Class B common stock(4)(5) | |
| Rights: | ||
| Number outstanding before this offering | 0 | |
| Number outstanding after this offering and the private placement | 10,370,000(1)(6) |
| (1) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
| (2) | Comprised of 10,000,000 units to be sold in this offering and 370,000 private placement units. |
| (3) | Includes up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. |
| (4) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture by our sponsor of 375,000 founder shares. |
| (5) | Comprised of 10,000,000 shares of Class A common stock included in the units to be sold in this offering, 100,000 representative’s shares, 370,000 shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units and 2,500,000 shares of Class B common stock (or founder shares). The Class B common stock is convertible into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described below, adjacent to the caption “Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights.” |
| (6) | Comprised of 10,000,000 public rights included in the units to be sold in this offering and 370,000 private placement rights included in the private placement units to be sold in the private placement. |
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| Founder shares |
On April 5, 2021, our sponsor purchased 2,875,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, and later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees. The number of founder shares issued on April 5, 2021 was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares). As such, our sponsor, officers and director nominees will collectively own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders and the anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Neither our sponsor nor any of our officers or directors have expressed an intention to purchase any units in this offering. Up to 375,000 of our sponsor’s founder shares will be subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised, so that our sponsor, officers and director nominees will maintain ownership of 20% of our common stock after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming neither our sponsor nor any of our officers or directors purchase any units in this offering). We will effect a stock dividend or share contribution prior to this offering should the size of the offering change, in order to maintain such ownership percentage.
Subject to each anchor investor purchasing 100% of the units allocated to it, in connection with the closing of this offering, our sponsor will sell 20,000 founder shares to each anchor investor, or an aggregate of 200,000 founder shares to all 10 anchor investors, at a purchase price of $0.0029 per shares.
The founder shares are identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in this offering, except that:
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the founder shares are shares of Class B common stock that automatically convert into shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination, or at any time prior thereto at the option of the holder, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to certain anti-dilution rights, as described herein;
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| ● | the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions and entitled to certain registration rights, as described in more detail below; | ||
| ● | our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and public shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, as described in more detail in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, as described in more detail in this prospectus), although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame; |
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| ● | pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares and private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination. If we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares and private placement shares and our anchor investors’ founder shares (if any), we would need only 372,501 public shares, or approximately 3.7%, of the 10,000,000 public shares sold in this offering, to be voted in favor of an initial business combination, or 272,501 public shares, or approximately 2.7%, if the holders of the representative’s shares also choose to vote in favor of the business combination (assuming only a quorum is present at the meeting and only a majority of shares present are required to approve the business combination) in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised); | ||
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the anchor investors will enter into investment agreements with us and our sponsor, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, and (ii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) from the closing of this offering, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame; and |
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| ● | the founder shares are entitled to registration rights. |
| Representative’s shares | In connection with the consummation of this offering, we will issue to the representative and/or its designees 100,000 representative’s shares (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The holders of the representative’s shares have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without our prior consent until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, the holders of the representative’s shares have agreed (i) to waive their redemption rights (or right to participate in any tender offer) with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. The representative’s shares are deemed to be underwriters’ compensation by FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110. | |
| Transfer restrictions on founder shares | Our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property (except as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. |
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| Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights | The shares of Class B common stock (all of which are held by our initial stockholders, initially) will automatically convert into shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of the initial business combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares) plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial business combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination or any units issued to our sponsor, its affiliates or certain of our officers and directors upon conversion of working capital loans made to us). Holders of founder shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time. The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock issued in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt. Securities could be “deemed issued” for purposes of the conversion rate adjustment if such shares are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of convertible securities, rights or similar securities. | |
| Voting Rights | Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, with each share of common stock entitling the holder to one vote, except as required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. | |
| Private placement units and underlying securities | Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 private placement units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000, or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The private placement units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private placement units, the shares of Class A common stock and rights comprising such units (and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights), so long as they are held by our sponsor or any permitted transferees, (i) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights. A portion of the purchase price of the private placement units will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account such that at the time of closing $101,000,000 (or $116,150,000 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be held in the trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds from the sale of the private placement units held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law). Holders of the private placement units and the underlying securities have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such securities if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months as applicable) from the closing of this offering. |
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| Transfer restrictions on private placement units and underlying securities | The private placement units (including the shares of Class A common stock and rights underlying such units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering (except as described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Following such period and subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, the private placement units (including the shares of Class A common stock and rights underlying such units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights) will be transferable, assignable or salable, except that the private placement units will not trade. | |
| Expressions of interest | Our anchor investors (none of which are affiliated with any member of our management, our sponsor or any other anchor investor), have expressed an interest in entering into investment agreements with our sponsor and us pursuant to which they each have expressed an interest to purchase up to 9.9% of the units sold in this offering (excluding any units sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), or 99,000 units (which would aggregate to 99.9% of the units subject to this offering if all such indications of interest become confirmed orders in full following effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part). We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 9.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all anchor investors will participate in the offering. Subject to each anchor investor purchasing 100% of the units allocated to it, in connection with the closing of this offering our sponsor will sell 20,000 founder shares to each anchor investor, or an aggregate of 200,000 founder shares to all 10 anchor investors, at a purchase price of $0.0029 per share, which we refer to as the “anchor founder shares.” The obligation of our sponsor to sell such anchor founder shares to each anchor investor is conditioned upon each such anchor investor purchasing all of the units in this offering, if any, it may be offered by the underwriters (which shall not exceed 99.9% of the units in this offering). Further, the anchor founder shares shall have the right not to be subject to adjustments or cutbacks in the event our sponsor agrees to any such adjustments or cutbacks (of its shares) in connection with our initial business combination. The anchor investors have agreed to (a) vote any anchor founder shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination and (b) subject any anchor founder shares held by them to the same lock-up restrictions as the founder shares held by our sponsor and independent directors. The negotiations between our sponsor, each anchor investor and us were separate and there are no arrangements or understandings among the anchor investors with regard to voting, including voting with respect to our initial business combination. |
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The anchor investors are not required to (i) other than as described above, hold any units, shares of common stock or rights they may purchase in this offering or thereafter for any amount of time, (ii) vote any shares of common stock they may own at the applicable time in favor of our initial business combination or (iii) refrain from exercising their right to redeem their public shares at the time of our initial business combination.
There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. |
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| Proceeds to be held in trust account |
Nasdaq rules provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units be deposited in a trust account. Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, $101,000,000, or $10.10 per unit ($116,150,000, or $10.10 per unit, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be placed into a trust account in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. These proceeds include $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions.
Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our franchise and income tax obligations (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (a) the completion of our initial business combination, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, and (c) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable), subject to applicable law. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of our public stockholders. |
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| Ability to extend time to complete business combination | We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC seeking shareholder approval of an initial business combination within 12 months of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months for an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time. | ||
| Anticipated expenses and funding sources |
Except as described above with respect to the payment of taxes, unless and until we complete our initial business combination, no proceeds held in the trust account will be available for our use. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government securities with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. We will disclose in each quarterly and annual report filed with the SEC prior to our initial business combination whether the proceeds deposited in the trust account are invested in U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds or a combination thereof. Based upon current interest rates, we expect the trust account to generate approximately $100,000 of interest annually assuming an interest rate of 0.10% per year; however, we can provide no assurances regarding this amount. Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, we may pay our expenses only from:
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the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units not held in the trust account, which will be approximately $1,240,000 of working capital after the payment of approximately $460,000 of expenses relating to this offering; and |
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any loans or additional investments from our sponsor, members of our management team or their affiliates or other third parties, although they are under no obligation to advance funds or invest in us, and provided that any such loans will not have any claim on the proceeds held in the trust account unless such proceeds are released to us upon completion of an initial business combination. |
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| Conditions to completing our initial business combination | Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately, or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. | |
| However, such persons have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. In the event our sponsor, directors, officers, or their respective affiliates determine to make any such purchases at the time of a shareholder vote relating to our initial business combination, such purchases could have the effect of influencing the vote necessary to approve such transaction. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Subsequent to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt an insider trading policy which will require insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing shares during certain blackout periods and when they are in possession of any material non-public information and (ii) to clear all trades with our legal counsel prior to execution. We cannot currently determine whether our insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, our insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary. | ||
| We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable. |
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| Redemption rights for public stockholders upon completion of our initial business combination | We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion 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 as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.10 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a business combination with respect to the Company’s rights. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination or otherwise. | |
| We may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. |
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| Manner of conducting redemptions |
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek stockholder approval under the law or stock exchange listing requirements. Under Nasdaq rules, asset acquisitions and stock purchases would not typically require stockholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our outstanding common stock or seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would require stockholder approval. We may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC unless stockholder approval is required by law or stock exchange listing requirements or we choose to seek stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with such rules.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:
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conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and
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| ● | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. |
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Such provisions may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon.
Whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above. Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public stockholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination. |
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| If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will: |
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conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and
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| ● | file proxy materials with the SEC. |
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If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting.
Our initial stockholders will count towards this quorum and, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares and private placement shares and our anchor investors’ founder shares (if any), we would need only 372,501, or approximately 3.7%, of the 10,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination, or 272,501, or approximately 2.7%, if the holders of the representative’s shares also choose to vote in favor of the business combination (assuming only a quorum is present at the meeting and only a majority of shares present are required to approve the business combination) in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised).
We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial stockholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
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We may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. We believe that this will allow our transfer agent to efficiently process any redemptions without the need for further communication or action from the redeeming public stockholders, which could delay redemptions and result in additional administrative cost. If the proposed initial business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates delivered, or shares tendered electronically, by public stockholders who elected to redeem their shares.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed initial business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed initial business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all shares of Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. |
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| Limitation on redemption rights of stockholders holding 15% or more of the shares sold in this offering if we hold stockholder vote | Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to redeem their shares as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights against an initial business combination if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with an initial business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those stockholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination. |
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| Redemption rights in connection with proposed amendments to our certificate of incorporation |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that any of its provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public stockholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon. In all other instances, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended by holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote thereon, subject to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, or applicable stock exchange rules.
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or on our initial business combination or that would entitle holders thereof to receive funds from the trust account. Our initial stockholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our common stock upon the closing of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and assuming anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Our sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. The anchor investors will enter into investment agreements with our sponsor and us pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any anchor founder shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. |
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| Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination | On the completion of our initial business combination, the funds held in the trust account will be used to pay amounts due to any public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights as described above under “Redemption rights for public stockholders upon completion of our initial business combination.” We will use the remaining funds to pay the underwriters their deferred underwriting commissions, to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable to the target or owners of the target of our initial business combination and to pay other expenses associated with our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. | |
| Redemption of public shares and distribution and liquidation if no initial business combination |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we will have only 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within such 12-month period (or 13 to 18-month period, as applicable), we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the applicable time period.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. However, if our initial stockholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the applicable time period. |
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| The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not complete our initial business combination and subsequently liquidate and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares. The holders of representative’s shares will not participate in any distribution from our trust account with respect to such shares. The anchor investors will enter into investment agreements with our sponsor and us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any anchor founder shares if we are forced to liquidate. | ||
| Limited payments to insiders | There will be no finder’s fees, reimbursement, consulting fee, non-cash payments, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation paid by us to our sponsor, officers or directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments will be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination: |
| ● | Repayment of up to an aggregate of $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; | ||
| ● |
Payment to our sponsor of $20,000 per month, from May 1, 2021 and for up to 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) following the completion of this offering, for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support (plus an additional amount in respect of officers’ cash salaries payable for services provided prior to the effective date, which the Company expects will not exceed approximately $20,000). The $20,000 monthly amount includes a monthly cash salary of $10,000 for our CEO, Barry Kostiner, a monthly cash salary of $3,000 for our CFO, Thomas Neukranz, and a monthly cash salary of $1,000 for our Vice President, Business Development, Jane Liu. Other than disclosed herein, none of our officers has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. The services to be provided by these officers shall include evaluation of potential business combination opportunities, preparation of financial reports, SEC and regulatory compliance and any other administrative functions that pertain to the operation of the Company. As we are a shell company, these officers may have obligations to other entities, and the officers are not required to allocate a minimum percentage of time to our Company. The employment agreements with each officer specify the individual salary amounts and are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
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| ● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and | ||
| ● |
Repayment of loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. The terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. |
| Audit Committee |
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.
We will establish and maintain an audit committee, which will be composed entirely of independent directors to, among other things, monitor compliance with the terms described above and the other terms relating to this offering. If any noncompliance is identified, then the audit committee will be charged with the responsibility to immediately take all action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise to cause compliance with the terms of this offering. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Committees of the Board of Directors — Audit Committee.” |
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| 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) $10.10 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 $10.10 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. |
RISKS
We are a newly formed company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. This offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.” You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.”
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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 is presented.
| June 30, 2021 | April 6, 2021 | |||||||
| Actual | Actual | |||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||
| Working capital (deficit) | $ | (405,682 | ) | $ | (324,393 | ) | ||
| Total assets | 391,207 | 348,716 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 407,563 | 324,493 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | (16,356 | ) | 24,223 | |||||
We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon such consummation and, solely if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Search For, and Consummation of or Inability to Consummate, a Business Combination
Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.
We may choose not to hold a stockholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the initial business combination would require stockholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements or if we decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons. Except as required by law, the decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or will allow stockholders 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 stockholder approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the initial business combination we complete. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Stockholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination” for additional information.
Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination will be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash, unless we seek stockholder approval of the initial business combination.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of our initial business combination. Since our board of directors may complete an initial business combination without seeking stockholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the initial business combination, unless we seek such stockholder vote. Accordingly, if we do not seek stockholder approval, 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 stockholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.
Pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares and private placement shares, as well as any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions), in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, the private placement shares and our anchor investors’ founder shares (if any), we would need only 372,501, or approximately 3.7%, of the 10,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination, or 272,501, or approximately 2.7%, if the holders of the representative’s shares also choose to vote in favor of the business combination (assuming only a quorum is present at the meeting and only a majority of shares are required to approve the business combination) in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised). Our initial stockholders will own shares representing 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock immediately following the completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and assuming anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Accordingly, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial stockholders to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite stockholder approval for such initial business combination.
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The ability of our public stockholders 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 an initial business combination with a target.
We may seek to enter into an initial business combination 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 stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the initial business combination. Furthermore, we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into an initial business combination with us.
The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many stockholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares are submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third party financing. Raising additional third party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. Furthermore, this dilution would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provision of the Class B common stock result in the issuance of Class A shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B common stock at the time of our business combination. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure. The amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriters will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with an initial business combination. The per-share amount we will distribute to stockholders who properly exercise their redemption rights will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commission and after such redemptions, the per-share value of shares held by non-redeeming stockholders will reflect our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting commissions.
The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your stock.
If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your stock in the open market; however, at such time our stock may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your stock in the open market.
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The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our stockholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning an initial business combination will be aware that we must complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we must complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
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 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and resulting epidemic in the United States has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economy and financial markets, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. 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 or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which 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.
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As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many companies preparing for an initial public offering. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or rights from public stockholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed initial business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public rights or a combination thereof in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase shares or public rights in such transactions.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the initial business combination, or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of public rights could be to reduce the number of public rights, or the securities underlying them, that are outstanding. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A common stock or public rights and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to obtain or maintain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
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If a stockholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a stockholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, such stockholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares. For example, we may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures, its shares may not be redeemed. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination — Tendering Stock Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights.”
Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed in ways adverse to us and our management team. Fewer insurance companies are offering quotes for directors and officers liability coverage, the premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. These trends are likely to continue into the future.
The representative may have a conflict of interest if they render services to us in connection with our initial business combination.
We may elect to engage EF Hutton (who is the representative of the underwriters of this offering) to assist us in connection with our initial business combination. The representative’s shares held by the representative and/or its designees will also be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. Therefore, if the representative provides services to us in connection with our initial business combination, these financial interests may result in the representative having a conflict of interest when providing such services to us.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units are intended to be used to complete an initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,001 upon the successful completion of this offering and the sale of the private placement units and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419.
Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable and we will have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, if this offering were subject to Rule 419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
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If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Class A common stock.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering without our prior consent, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your stock in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on our redemption of our public shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
We expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more industry knowledge than we do, and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, because we are obligated to pay cash for the shares of Class A common stock which our public stockholders redeem in connection with our initial business combination, target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. This may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share upon our liquidation. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
The funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, assuming that our initial business combination is not completed during that time. We believe that, upon the closing of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. 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 or merger agreements 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 initial business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent or merger agreement 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 stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share upon our liquidation. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
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If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units not being held in the trust account are insufficient, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search for an initial business combination, to pay our franchise and income taxes and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, only approximately $1,240,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of approximately $460,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. The amount held in the trust account will not be impacted as a result of such increase or decrease. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of approximately $460,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. None of our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into private placement units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 private placement units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public stockholders may only receive approximately $10.10 per share on our redemption of our public shares, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of this offering will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
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Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.10 per share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a 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) $10.10 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 $10.10 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.
Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per share and (ii) the actual amount per share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations.
While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.10 per share.
We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and officers.
We have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account and to not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination. Our obligation to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and we and our board may be exposed to claims of punitive damages.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
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If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
Holders of rights will not have redemption rights and the rights will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination.
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 rights will laps and holders will not receive any of the amounts held in the trust account in exchange for such rights. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we redeem the public shares for the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds for their rights and the rights will expire worthless.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
| ● | restrictions on the nature of our investments; and | |
| ● | restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. | |
| In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including: | ||
| ● | registration as an investment company; | |
| ● | adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and | |
| ● | reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations. | |
In order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading in securities and that our activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and complete an initial business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
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We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust account may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. This offering is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; or (iii) absent an initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public stockholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete an initial business combination or may result in our liquidation. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly.
Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations.
Our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. However, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following the 12th month (or up to the 18th month) from the closing of this offering in the event we do not complete our initial business combination and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with the foregoing procedures.
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Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the 10 years following our dissolution. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. If our plan of distribution complies with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution.
We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our stockholders to elect directors.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with our bylaws unless such election is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, and thus we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.
The grant of registration rights to our initial stockholders and holders of the representative’s shares may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exchange of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the private placement units, the private placement units, the shares of including the Class A common stock and rights underlying such units and upon conversion of the founder shares held, or to be held, by them and holders of securities that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such rights or the common stock issuable upon exchange of such rights. In addition, the representative may demand that we register the resale of the representative’s shares. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the stockholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our Class A common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our initial stockholders or holders of working capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
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Because we are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry sector nor have we selected any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations.
We intend to focus our search on established, technology focused businesses, except that we will not, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to a 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 complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders 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 stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain stockholder 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 stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from an independent accounting firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Unless we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity or our board cannot independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
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Resources could be wasted in researching business combinations that are not completed, 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 stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys, consultants and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share” and other risk factors below.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of services and limited operating activities. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operating results and profitability.
Of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units, $101,000,000 (or $116,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be available to complete our initial business combination and pay related fees and expenses (which includes $3,500,000, or $4,025,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, for the payment of deferred underwriting commissions).
We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. In addition, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination in a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
| ● | solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or | |
| ● | dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. We do not, however, intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
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We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in an initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our initial business combination strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in an initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete an initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our stockholders do not agree.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (such that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public stockholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, all shares of Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
In order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and other governing instruments, including their rights agreements. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination that our stockholders may not support.
In order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and modified governing instruments, including their rights agreements. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds and extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and, with respect to their rights, amended their rights agreements to require the rights to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. Amending our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require the approval of holders of a majority of our common stock, and amending our rights agreement will require a vote of holders of at least a majority of the public rights. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires us to provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. To the extent any such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of any securities offered through this registration statement, we would register, or seek an exemption from registration for, the affected securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments or extend the time to consummate an initial business combination in order to effectuate our initial business combination.
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The provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account), including an amendment to permit us to withdraw funds from the trust account such that the per share amount investors will receive upon any redemption or liquidation is substantially reduced or eliminated, may be amended with the approval of holders of a majority of our common stock, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our stockholders may not support.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that any of its provisions related to pre-initial business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public stockholders as described herein and including to permit us to withdraw funds from the trust account such that the per share amount investors will receive upon any redemption or liquidation is substantially reduced or eliminated) may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon. In all other instances, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended by holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote thereon, subject to applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules. We may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our initial stockholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our common stock upon the closing of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation which govern our pre-initial business combination behavior more easily than some other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete an initial business combination with which you do not agree. Our stockholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
Our sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. These agreements are contained in a letter agreement that we have entered into with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our stockholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers or directors for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our stockholders would need to pursue a stockholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
We have not selected any specific business combination target, but intend to target businesses larger than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units. As a result, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. Further, the amount of additional financing we may be required to obtain could increase as a result of future growth capital needs for any particular transaction, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination and/or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.10 per share plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive approximately $10.10 per share on the liquidation of our trust account, and our rights will expire worthless. Furthermore, as described in the risk factor entitled “If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share,” under certain circumstances our public stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share upon the liquidation of the trust account.
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Our initial stockholders may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon the closing of this offering, our initial stockholders will own shares representing 20.1% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming our initial stockholders and the anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of major corporate transactions. If our initial stockholders purchase any units in this offering or if our initial stockholders purchase any additional shares of common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, 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 Class A common stock. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected by our initial stockholders, is and will be divided into two classes, with members of each class serving staggered two-year terms (except that the terms of the initial Class I directors will expire at the first annual meeting of our stockholders held after the completion of this offering). We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the completion of the initial business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our initial stockholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial stockholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our initial business combination.
Our rights and founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
We will be issuing rights to receive 1,250,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or 1,437,500 shares of Class A common stock if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) as part of the units offered by this prospectus and, simultaneously with the closing of this offering, we will be issuing in a private placement, 370,000 private placement units (or up to 400,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Our initial stockholders currently own an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised). The founder shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as set forth herein. In addition, if our sponsor or its affiliates, or any of our officers or directors, makes any working capital loans, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units.
To the extent we issue shares of Class A common stock to effectuate an initial business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock upon exchange of these rights could make us a less attractive business combination vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and reduce the value of the shares of Class A common stock issued to complete the initial business combination. Therefore, our rights and founder shares may make it more difficult to effectuate an initial business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The private placement units are identical to the rights sold as part of the units in this offering except that, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) they (including the Class A common stock and rights underlying the units and the shares of Class A common stock underlying the rights) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by our sponsor until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights.
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Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on an initial business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
We may engage in an initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses or entities affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary discussions concerning an initial business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for an initial business combination as set forth in the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of our Initial Business Combination” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA, or from an independent accounting firm, regarding the fairness to our stockholders from a financial point of view of an initial business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the initial business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
Since our sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On April 5, 2021, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, and later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). The founder shares will expire worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000, or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, that will also be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. Holders of founder shares have agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed initial business combination and (B) not to redeem any shares owned by them in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or in connection with a tender offer. In addition, we may obtain loans from our sponsor, affiliates of our sponsor or an officer or director. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination.
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We may seek business combination opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
Although we intend to focus our search on established, technology focused businesses, we will consider an initial business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if an initial business combination candidate is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive business combination opportunity for our company or we are unable to identify a suitable candidate in this sector after having expanded a reasonable amount of time and effort in an attempt to do so. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in an initial business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue a business combination outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this prospectus regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Risks Relating to Post-Business Combination Company
Subsequent to the completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will 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 debt financing to partially finance the initial business combination. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the initial business combination constituted an actionable material misstatement or omission.
Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.
We may structure an initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-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 us not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares of Class A common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target.
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In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares of common stock, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain our control of the target business. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We may seek business combination opportunities with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue, cash flow or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues, cash flows or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include volatile revenues or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.
Risks Relating to Our Management Team
Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for an initial business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors may also serve as officers or board members for other entities. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. For a complete discussion of our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs, please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Directors and Officers.”
We are dependent upon our officers and directors and their departure could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
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Members of our management team and our board and their respective affiliated companies have been, and may from time to time be, involved in legal proceedings or governmental investigations unrelated to our business.
Members of our management team and our board have been involved in a wide variety of businesses. As a result of such involvement, members of our management team and our board and their respective affiliated companies have been, and may from time to time be, involved in legal proceedings or governmental investigations unrelated to our business. Any such proceedings or investigations, including those involving our CEO, Mr. Barry Kostiner, which are further described in “Proposed Business – Legal Proceedings,” may be detrimental to our reputation and could negatively affect our ability to identify and complete an initial business combination and future prospects and may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial 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 our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. 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 our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we employ after our initial 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 company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. In addition, the officers and directors of an initial business combination candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The departure of an initial business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business. The role of an initial business combination candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an initial business combination candidate’s management team will remain associated with the initial business combination candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an initial business combination candidate will not wish to remain in place. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the initial business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the initial business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may affect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company, which could, in turn, negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
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Certain of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses or entities. Our sponsor and officers and directors are, and may in the future become, affiliated with entities (such as operating companies or investment vehicles) that are engaged in a similar business, although they may not participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other special purpose acquisition companies with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) after the closing of this offering.
Our officers and directors also may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties.
Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
For a complete discussion of our officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, please see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Management — Directors and Officers,” “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Our officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into an initial business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, although we do not intend to do so. We do not have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
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 or rights, potentially at a loss.
Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those shares of Class A common stock that such stockholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of rights will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the rights. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or rights, potentially at a loss.
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The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
We are offering our units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit and the amount in our trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.10 per public share, implying an initial value of $10.10 per public share. However, prior to this offering, our sponsor paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.009 per share. As a result, the value of your public shares may be significantly diluted upon the consummation of our initial business combination, when the founder shares are converted into public shares.
For example, the following table shows the dilutive effect of the founder shares on the implied value of the public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, assuming that our equity value at that time is $97,500,000, which is the amount we would have for our initial business combination in the trust account after payment of $3,500,000 of deferred underwriting commissions, assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised, no interest is earned on the funds held in the trust account, and no public shares are redeemed in connection with our initial business combination, and without taking into account any other potential impacts on our valuation at such time, such as the trading price of our public shares, the business combination transaction costs, any equity issued or cash paid to the target’s sellers or other third parties, or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects, as well as the value of our public rights and private placement units. At such valuation, each share of our common stock would have an implied value of $7.52 per share upon consummation of our initial business combination, which would be a 24.8% reduction as compared to the initial implied value per public share of $10.00 (the price per unit in this offering, assuming no value to the public rights).
| Public shares(1) | 10,000,000 | |||
| Founder shares(2) | 2,500,000 | |||
| Private placement shares | 370,000 | |||
| Representative’s shares | 100,000 | |||
| Total shares | 12,970,000 | |||
| Total funds in trust available for initial business combination (less deferred underwriting commissions)(3) | $ | 97,500,000 | ||
| Implied value per share upon consummation of initial business combination | $ | 7.52 |
| (1) | Assumes the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised. | |
| (2) | Excludes 375,000 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised. | |
| (3) | Does not take into account other potential impacts on our valuation at the time of the business combination, such as the trading price of our public shares, any equity issued or cash paid to the business target’s sellers or other third parties, or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects. |
The value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.
Upon the closing of this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, our sponsor will have invested in us an aggregate of $3,725,000, comprised of the $25,000 purchase price for the founder shares and the $3,700,000 purchase price for the private placement units it will purchase. Assuming a trading price of $10.00 per share upon consummation of our initial business combination, the 2,500,000 founder shares would have an aggregate implied value of $25,000,000. Even if the trading price of our common stock was as low as $1.76 per share, and the private placement units were worthless, the value of the founder shares would be equal to the sponsor’s initial investment in us. As a result, our sponsor is likely to be able to recoup its investment in us and make a substantial profit on that investment, even if our public shares have lost significant value. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our sponsor, may have an economic incentive that differs from that of the public stockholders to pursue and consummate an initial business combination rather than to liquidate and to return all of the cash in the trust to the public stockholders, even if that business combination were with a riskier or less-established target business. For the foregoing reasons, you should consider our management team’s financial incentive to complete an initial business combination when evaluating whether to redeem your shares prior to or in connection with the initial business combination.
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Because each unit contains one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, and rights may only be exercised for whole shares, the units may be worth less than units of other blank check companies.
Each unit contains one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination. No fractional shares will be issued in exchange for rights. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least ten units, you will not be able to receive a whole share in exchange for your rights. This is different from other offerings similar to ours whose units include warrants or rights to purchase or receive one whole share. We have established the components of the units in this way in order to reduce the dilutive effect of the rights upon completion of an initial business combination, thus making us, we believe, a more attractive merger partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our units to be worth less than if they included a right to purchase one whole share.
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 have applied to have our units listed on Nasdaq. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Following the date the shares of our Class A common stock and rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the shares of our Class A common stock and rights will be separately listed on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. Although after giving effect to this offering we expect to meet, on a pro forma basis, the minimum initial listing standards set forth in the Nasdaq listing standards, we cannot assure you that our securities will be, or will continue to be, listed on Nasdaq in the future or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and stock price levels. Generally, we must maintain a minimum $50 million market value of listed securities, 1.1 million publicly available shares, a $15 million market value of publicly held shares and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 400 public holders). Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. For instance, our stock price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share, the market value of our listed securities would be required to be at least $75 million, we would need to have 1.1 million publicly available shares and $20 million of market value of unrestricted publicly held shares and we would be required to have a minimum of 400 round lot holders (with at least 50% of such round lot holders holding securities with a market value of at least $2,500) of our securities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
| ● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; | |
| ● | reduced liquidity for our securities; | |
| ● | a determination that our Class A common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; | |
| ● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and | |
| ● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our units and eventually our Class A common stock and rights will be listed on Nasdaq, our units, Class A common stock and rights will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities, including in connection with our initial business combination.
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The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our public stockholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable (less, in the case we are unable to complete our initial business combination, $100,000 of interest). Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
We may amend the terms of the rights in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public rights without your approval.
Our rights will be issued under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent, and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the rights may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding rights (including the private placement rights and any rights included in units issued upon conversion of working capital loans made to us) to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of rights. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the rights in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding rights approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the rights with the consent of at least a majority of the then outstanding rights is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, convert the rights into cash or stock, shorten the period holders have to exchange their rights or decrease the number of shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of rights.
Our rights agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our rights, which could limit the ability of rights holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our rights agreement will provide that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the rights agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the rights agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our rights shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our rights agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the rights agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our rights, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such rights holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such rights holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such rights holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a rights holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our rights agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
We may issue additional common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue shares of Class A common stock upon the conversion of the Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our stockholders and likely present other risks.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 88,493,000 and 7,500,000 (assuming, in each case, that the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option) authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, available for issuance, which amount takes into account the shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon exchange of outstanding rights but not the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of Class B common stock. Immediately after the consummation of this offering, there will be no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock initially at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein, including in certain circumstances in which we issue Class A common stock or equity-linked securities related to our initial business combination. Shares of Class B common stock are also convertible at the option of the holder at any time.
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We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of common or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination (although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with common stockholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). We may also issue shares of Class A common stock upon conversion of the Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with the approval of our stockholders. However, our sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
The issuance of additional shares of common or preferred stock:
| ● | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering; | |
| ● | may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock; | |
| ● | could cause a change of control if a substantial number of shares of our common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and | |
| ● | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A common stock and/or rights. |
The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry. You may have less assurance, therefore, that the offering price of our units properly reflects the value of such units than you would have in a typical offering of an operating company.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the rights were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the Class A common stock and rights 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; |
| ● | a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions; |
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| ● | our capital structure; |
| ● | an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies; |
| ● | general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and |
| ● | other factors as were deemed relevant. |
Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Stockholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete an initial business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt following this offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
| ● | default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; |
| ● | acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
| ● | our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; |
| ● | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding; |
| ● | our inability to pay dividends on our common stock; |
We may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price of $10.10 per share or which approximates the per-share amounts in our trust account at such time, which is generally approximately $10.10. The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time.
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Our sponsor may decide not to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, and the rights will expire worthless.
We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from closing of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement of filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the rights will expire worthless.
Additional Risks
We are a newly formed company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a newly formed company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning an initial business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.
Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
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 June 30, 2021, we had $1,881 in cash and a working capital deficit of $405,682 (excluding deferred offering costs). Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.
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We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used. Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an initial business combination.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
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Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A common stock and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, which may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, if we are determined to be a personal holding company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our taxable income would be subjected to an additional 20% federal income tax, which would reduce the net after-tax amount of interest income earned on the funds placed in our trust account. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our shares suspend the running of a U.S. holder’s holding period for purposes of determining whether (i) any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of Class A common stock is long-term capital gain or loss, (ii) any dividends we pay would be considered “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (iii) any dividend we pay would be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. See the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when purchasing, holding or disposing of our securities.
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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, which may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act.(for which the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have exclusive jurisdiction). Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This choice of forum provision may make it more costly for a stockholder to bring a claim, and it may also limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders cannot waive our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses; | |
| ● | our ability to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our expectations around the performance of the prospective target business or businesses; | |
| ● | our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements; | |
| ● | our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our pool of prospective target businesses; | |
| ● | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential acquisition opportunities; | |
| ● | our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; | |
| ● | the lack of a market for our securities; | |
| ● | the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; | |
| ● | the trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or | |
| ● | our financial performance following this offering. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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We are offering 10,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private placement units will be used as set forth in the following table.
| No Exercise of Over-allotment Option | Full Exercise of Over-allotment Option | |||||||
| Gross proceeds | ||||||||
| Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1) | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 115,000,000 | ||||
| Gross proceeds from private placement units | 3,700,000 | 4,000,000 | ||||||
| Total gross proceeds | $ | 103,700,000 | $ | 119,000,000 | ||||
| Estimated offering expenses(2) | ||||||||
| Underwriting commissions (1.0% of gross proceeds from units offered to public, excluding deferred portion)(3) | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,150,000 | ||||
| Legal fees and expenses | 225,000 | 225,000 | ||||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | 45,000 | 45,000 | ||||||
| SEC and FINRA expenses | 30,595 | 30,595 | ||||||
| Travel and road show expenses | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
| Nasdaq listing fees | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
| Printing expenses | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
| Miscellaneous | 49,405 | 49,405 | ||||||
| Total offering expenses (excluding underwriting commissions) | $ | 460,000 | $ | 460,000 | ||||
| Proceeds after underwriting commissions and offering expenses | $ | 102,240,000 | $ | 117,390,000 | ||||
| Held in trust account(3) | $ | 101,000,000 | $ | 116,150,000 | ||||
| % of public offering size | 101 | % | 101 | % | ||||
| Not held in trust account | $ | 1,240,000 | $ | 1,240,000 | ||||
The following table shows the use of the approximately $1,240,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account.(4)
| Amount | % of Total | |||||||
| Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination(5) | $ | 375,000 | 30.2 | % | ||||
| Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations | 100,000 | 8.1 | % | |||||
| Nasdaq continued listing fees | 79,000 | 6.4 | % | |||||
| Director and officer liability insurance premiums | 300,000 | 24.2 | % | |||||
| Payment to our sponsor for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support ($20,000 per month from May 1, 2021 and for up to 18 months following the completion of this offering) | 360,000 | 29.0 | % | |||||
| Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses (including taxes net of anticipated interest income) | 26,000 | 2.1 | % | |||||
| Total | $ | 1,240,000 | 100.0 | % | ||||
| (1) | Includes gross proceeds from this offering of $100,000,000 (or $115,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). |
| (2) | A portion of the offering expenses will be paid from the proceeds of loans from our sponsor of up to $300,000 as described in this prospectus. As of June 30, 2021, we had drawn down $178,502 (of up to $300,000 available to us) under the promissory note with our sponsor to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These amounts will be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the approximately $460,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions). In the event that offering expenses are less than set forth in this table, any such amounts will be used for post-closing working capital expenses. |
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| (3) | The underwriters have agreed to defer underwriting commissions equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering. Upon completion of our initial business combination, $3,500,000, which constitutes the underwriters’ deferred commissions (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be paid to the underwriters from the funds held in the trust account, and the remaining funds, less amounts released to the trustee to pay redeeming stockholders, will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial business combination occurs or for general corporate purposes, including payment of principal or interest on indebtedness incurred in connection with our initial business combination, to fund the purchases of other companies or for working capital. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. |
| (4) | These expenses are estimates only and do not include interest which may be available to us from the trust account. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. In the event we identify an initial business combination target in a specific industry subject to specific regulations, we may incur additional expenses associated with legal due diligence and the engagement of special legal counsel. In addition, our staffing needs may vary and as a result, we may engage a number of consultants to assist with legal and financial due diligence. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would not be available for our expenses. |
| (5) | Includes estimated amounts that may also be used in connection with our initial business combination to fund a “no shop” provision and commitment fees for financing. |
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, $101,000,000 (or $116,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), including $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions, will be placed in a trust account in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from closing of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement of filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time.
We estimate that the interest earned on the trust account will be approximately $100,000 per year, assuming an interest rate of 0.10% per year; however, we can provide no assurance regarding this amount. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our franchise and income tax obligations (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units will not be released from the trust account until the earliest to occur of: (a) the completion of our initial business combination, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (c) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law.
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The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination, we may apply the balance of the cash released from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.
We believe that amounts not held in trust will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective business combination, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of an initial business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. If we are required to seek additional capital, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from our sponsor, members of our management team or their affiliates, but such persons are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.
Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation (and in the case of officers’ cash salaries subject to any applicable notice periods), we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of June 30, 2021, we had drawn down $178,502 under the promissory note with our sponsor to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the trust account.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. Otherwise, such loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the trust account. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. The terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
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If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. There is no limit on the number of shares our initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase shares or public rights in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination. See “Proposed Business — Permitted purchases of our securities” for a description of how our sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or any of their affiliates will select which stockholders to purchase securities from in any private transaction.
Up to ten anchor investors have each expressed to us an interest to purchase up to 9.9% of the units to be sold in this offering, excluding any units sold pursuant to underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option and we have agreed to direct the underwriters to sell to the anchor investors such number of units. We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 99.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all 10 anchor investors will participate in the offering.
There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the initial business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of public rights could be to reduce the number of public rights, or the securities underlying them, that are outstanding. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our shares of Class A common stock or rights may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
We will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) and the agreement for our initial business combination may require as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the initial business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of an initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) following the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law and as further described herein and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) created by the terms of the proposed initial business combination. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. However, if our sponsor or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Our anchor investors will enter into investment agreements with us, pursuant to which they will agree to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, our anchor investors have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
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We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
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The difference between the public offering price per share of Class A common stock, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of Class A common stock which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock.
At June 30, 2021, our net tangible book deficit was $(405,682), or approximately $(0.14) per share of common stock then outstanding. For purposes of the dilution calculation, in order to present the maximum estimated dilution as a result of this offering, we have assumed the number of shares included in the units offered hereby will be deemed to be 10,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, and the price per share in this offering will be deemed to be $10,00. After giving effect to the sale of 10,000,000 units in this offering (or 11,500,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), the sale of the private placement units, the shares underlying the rights included in all such units, the issuance of the representative’s shares and the deduction of underwriting commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value at June 30, 2021 would have been $(2,276,356), or approximately $(0.53) per share (or $(2,801,356) or $(0.57) per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), representing an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of $(0.37) per share (or $(0.43) per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) to our initial stockholders as of the date of this prospectus and an immediate dilution to public stockholders from this offering will be $9.42 per share or 106.0% (or $9.46 per share or 106.5% if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
The following table illustrates the dilution to the public shareholders on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the rights included in the units or the private placement units:
|
No Exercise of Over-Allotment Option |
Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option |
|||||||
| Average price per share after this offering and the private placement (including shares underlying rights) | $ | 8.89 | $ | 8.89 | ||||
| Net tangible book value before this offering | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | ||
| Increase attributable to public stockholders and holders of private placement units | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | ||
| Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the private placement | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.57 | ) | ||
| Dilution to public stockholders | $ | 9.42 | $ | 9.46 | ||||
| Percentage of dilution to public stockholders | 106.0 | % | 106.5 | % | ||||
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) by 101,000,000 (or 116,150,000) because holders of up to approximately 100% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two days prior to the commencement of our tender offer or stockholders meeting, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes), divided by the number of shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering.
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The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial stockholders and the public stockholders:
| Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price per Share | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number | Percentage | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||||||
| Initial stockholders(1) | 2,500,000 | 17.52 | % | $ | 25,000 | 0.02 | % | $ | 0.01 | |||||||||||
| Representative’s shares | 100,000 | 0.70 | % | $ | 10 | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | ||||||||||||
| Shares included in private placement units (including shares underlying rights) | 416,250 | 2.92 | % | 3,700,000 | 3.57 | % | 8.89 | |||||||||||||
| Public stockholders (including shares underlying rights) | 11,250,000 | 78.86 | % | $ | 100,000,000 | 96.41 | % | $ | 8.89 | |||||||||||
| 14,266,250 | 100.00 | % | 103,725,010 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of an aggregate of 375,000 shares of Class B common stock held by our sponsor. |
The pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering is calculated as follows:
| Without Over-Allotment | With Over-Allotment | |||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||
| Net tangible book value before this offering | $ | (405,682 | ) | $ | (405,682 | ) | ||
| Proceeds from this offering and sale of the private placement units, net of expenses(1) | 102,240,000 | 117,390,000 | ||||||
| Plus: Offering costs paid for in advance | 389,326 | 389,326 | ||||||
| Less: Deferred underwriting commissions | (3,500,000 | ) | (4,025,000 | ) | ||||
| Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to redemption |
(101,000,000 |
) | (116,150,000 | ) | ||||
| $ | (2,276,356 | ) | $ | (2,801,356 | ) | |||
| Without Over-Allotment | With Over-Allotment | |||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||
| Shares of Class B common stock outstanding prior to this offering | 2,875,000 | 2,875,000 | ||||||
| Shares of Class B common stock forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised | (375,000 | ) | — | |||||
| Shares of Class A common stock comprising the representative’s shares | 100,000 | 115,000 | ||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock included in the units in this offering | 10,000,000 | 11,500,000 | ||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock underlying the rights included in the units in this offering | 1,250,000 | 1,437,500 | ||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units | 370,000 | 400,000 | ||||||
| Shares of Class A common stock underlying the rights included in the private placement units | 46,250 | 50,000 | ||||||
| Less: Shares subject to redemption | (10,000,000 | ) | (11,500,000 | ) | ||||
| 4,266,250 | 4,877,500 | |||||||
| (1) | Expenses applied against gross proceeds include offering expenses of approximately $460,000 and underwriting commissions of $1,000,000 (or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (excluding deferred underwriting fees). See “Use of Proceeds.” |
| (2) | If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of any such purchases of our shares prior to the completion of our initial business combination, the number of shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption will be reduced by the amount of any such purchases, increasing the pro forma net tangible book value per share. See “Proposed Business — Effecting Our Initial Business Combination — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities.” |
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The following table sets forth our capitalization at June 30, 2021, and as adjusted to give effect to the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the sale of our units in this offering and the sale of the private placement and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option:
| Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
| Promissory note – related party(1) | $ | 178,502 | — | |||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | — | 3,500,000 | ||||||
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 0 and 10,000,000 shares which are subject to possible redemption/ tender, actual and as adjusted, respectively(2) | — | 100,000,000 | ||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted, respectively | — | — | ||||||
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 470,0000 issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted, respectively | — | 47 | ||||||
| Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,875,000 and 2,500,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted, respectively(3) | 288 | 250 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital(4) | 24,712 | — | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (41,356 | ) | (2,276,653 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | (16,356 | ) | (2,276,356 | ) | ||||
| Total capitalization | $ | 162,146 | 102,223,644 | |||||
| (1) | Our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the repayment of any loans made under this note out of the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units. As of June 30, 2021, we had drawn down $178,502 under the promissory note with our sponsor to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. |
| (2) | Upon the completion of our initial business combination, we will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes. While redemptions cannot cause our net tangible assets to fall below $5,000,001, all common stock shares are redeemable and classified as such on the balance sheet until such date that a redemption event takes place. |
| (3) | Actual share amount is prior to any forfeiture of founder shares by our sponsor and as adjusted amount assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 375,000 Class B common stock shares. |
| (4) |
The “as adjusted” additional paid in capital calculation is adjusted to zero, with the off-setting balance recorded to accumulated deficit since additional paid-in capital cannot be less than zero. |
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Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
Overview
SAC is a newly incorporated blank check company, incorporated as a Delaware corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as our “initial business combination.” We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Although we may pursue an acquisition in any industry or geography, we intend to capitalize on the capabilities of our management team and our sponsor to identify, acquire and operate a business that may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement units, the proceeds of the sale of our securities in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase contracts or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise), our shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt.
The issuance of additional shares in connection with an initial business combination to the owners of the target or other investors:
| ● | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B common stock resulted in the issuance of Class A common stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B common stock; | |
| ● | may subordinate the rights of holders of our common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock; | |
| ● | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of our common stock is issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; | |
| ● | 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 Class A common stock and/or rights. | |
| Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant debt to bank or other lenders or the owners of a target, it could result in: | ||
| ● | default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; | |
| ● | acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; | |
| ● | our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; | |
| ● | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding; | |
| ● | our inability to pay dividends on our common stock; | |
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| ● | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our common stock if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, and fund 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, and execution of our strategy; and | |
| ● | other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at June 30, 2021, we had $1,881 in cash and $389,326 of deferred offering costs. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial business combination plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial business combination will be successful.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as expenses as we conduct due diligence on prospective business combination candidates. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at June 30, 2021, we had $1,881 in cash and a working capital deficit of $405,682 (excluding deferred offering costs). Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied prior to the completion of this offering through a capital contribution from our sponsor of $25,000 for the founder shares and up to $300,000 in loans available from our sponsor under an unsecured promissory note. We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $460,000, underwriting commissions of $1,000,000 (or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (excluding deferred underwriting commissions of $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), and (ii) the sale of the private placement units for a purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $102,240,000 (or $117,390,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of this amount, $101,000,000 (or $116,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, which includes $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The remaining approximately $1,240,000 will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of approximately $460,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of approximately $460,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
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We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (less deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest to pay franchise and income taxes. We estimate our annual franchise tax obligations, based on the number of shares of our common stock authorized and outstanding after the completion of this offering, to be $200,000, which is the maximum amount of annual franchise taxes payable by us as a Delaware corporation per annum, which we may pay from funds from this offering held outside of the trust account or from interest earned on the funds held in our trust account and released to us for this purpose. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. We expect the interest earned on the amount in the trust account will be sufficient to pay our income taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we will have available to us the approximately $1,240,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account. We will use these funds to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. The terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $375,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; approximately $100,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting requirements; approximately $79,000 for Nasdaq continued listing fees; approximately $300,000 for Directors and Officers Insurance premiums; approximately $360,000 for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; and approximately $26,000 for working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves (including taxes net of anticipated interest income).
These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. In addition, we could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay commitment fees for financing, fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business or as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed initial business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into an agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, prospective target businesses.
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We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. In addition, we intend to target businesses larger than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, and may as a result be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Only in the event that we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement.
Prior to the closing of this offering, we have not completed an assessment, nor has our independent registered public accounting firm 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. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
| ● | staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties; | |
| ● | reconciliation of accounts; | |
| ● | proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate; | |
| ● | evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions; | |
| ● | documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and | |
| ● | documentation of accounting policies and procedures. |
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent registered public accounting firm to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The independent registered public accounting firm may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units held in the trust account will be invested in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Related Party Transactions
On April 5, 2021, our sponsor purchased 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per founder share. Our sponsor later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). The per share purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the aggregate number of founder shares issued. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering).
Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support). Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation (and in the case of officers’ cash salaries subject to any applicable notice periods), we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
Prior to the consummation of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and are due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the approximately $460,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated to the payment of offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions).
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. The terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
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Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000, or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The private placement units will be identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private placement units, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) may not (including the Class A common stock and rights underlying the units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying the rights), subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights. During the period described above, the holders will be permitted to transfer the private placement units held by them to certain permitted transferees, including our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with or related to them, but the transferees receiving such securities will be subject to the same agreements with respect to such securities as our sponsor. Following such period and subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, the private placement units (including the shares of Class A common stock and rights underlying such units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights) will be transferable, assignable or salable, except that the private placement units will not trade. In addition, holders of the private placement units and the underlying securities have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such securities if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus).
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement we will enter into with our initial stockholders on or prior to the closing of this offering, we may be required to register certain securities for sale under the Securities Act. These holders, and holders of units issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to three demands that we register certain of our securities held by them for sale under the Securities Act and to have the securities covered thereby registered for resale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of June 30, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus, as we have conducted no operations to date.
JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an 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 report of independent registered public accounting firm 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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Sagaliam Acquisition Corporation (“SAC”, “we” or “our company”) is a newly incorporated blank check company, incorporated as a Delaware corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as our “initial business combination.” We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Although we may pursue an acquisition in any industry or geography, we intend to capitalize on the capabilities of our management team and our sponsor to identify, acquire and operate a business that may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
We intend to identify and acquire a business that could benefit from a creative, forward-thinking owner with extensive operational expertise that presents potential for an attractive risk-adjusted return profile. Even companies with solid fundamentals often under-perform their potential, due to underinvestment, ineffective business strategies, sub-optimal capital allocation and capital structures, excessive cost structures or incomplete management teams. Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing acquisitions that are ripe for change, across industry sectors and business cycles. In addition, our management has hands-on experience working with companies as active owners and directors by working closely with these companies to continue their transformation and help create value.
Rather than offering a one-time service of going public, SAC aims to act as a long-term partner to its target companies. Our objective is to provide a target company an efficient path to go public with a significant degree of ongoing funding certainty, while creating value for our stockholders by assisting management with strategy, business planning, capital structure optimization, team building and synergistic opportunities.
Our sponsor is controlled by its managing member, Alan H. Ginsburg, a veteran private equity and real estate investor with decades of combined investment experience and a track record of value creation in portfolio companies. SAC has assembled a seasoned team of industry advisors whom we believe will help us execute our differentiated investment strategy. Through our affiliation with our sponsor and management team, we will seek to acquire established businesses that we believe are fundamentally sound but potentially in need of financial, operational, strategic or managerial transformation to maximize value for stockholders. We intend to focus on companies which we believe offer an opportunity for stockholder value creation through the combination of (i) an attractive valuation entry point, (ii) a clear plan to unlock incremental value through operational and/or strategic improvements and (iii) a clear path to bring the target company to the public market and implement best-in-class public company governance. We will seek to partner with the owners of a target business to offer them an option to create partial liquidity, transition their legacy to a public company and/or resolve any fragmented ownership or succession planning issues, all while maintaining a singular focus on driving the target business to a higher level of performance and value. We may also look at earlier stage companies that exhibit the potential to change the industries in which they participate, and which offer the potential of sustained high levels of revenue growth.
Although we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we intend to focus our search for target businesses in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. We intend to build an industry-leading sustainable business with attractive returns on invested capital and robust free cash flow generation. By consummating a business combination with a target business in the telecommunications, media or technology industries, we hope to offer public market investors near-term access and direct investment exposure to the long-term trends favorably impacting these sectors and to the consolidation and value-creation opportunities related thereto. We intend to take a disciplined approach towards consummating an initial business combination with an emphasis on building significant stockholder value over the long-term. We also intend to look for target businesses with proven management teams who will foster an ownership culture with strong alignment of incentives.
Our Management Team
We believe that the collective experience of our management team will allow us to source, identify and execute an attractive transaction for our stockholders. Our management team is led by Barry Kostiner as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Neukranz as Chief Financial Officer and Director and Jane Liu as Vice President, Business Development.
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| ● | Barry Kostiner – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kostiner is serving as the Chief Executive and Chairman of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Additionally, Mr. Kostiner has served as the President of Legacy Tech Partners, LLC (LTP), a microcap-focused EdTech investment vehicle, since February 2021, and has also been a Manager of Capital Markets at Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (OTC: LEAI) since March 2021. Mr. Kostiner joined the Board of Directors of LEAI in May 2021. LEAI has had cumulative education revenues in excess of $500 million over the past decade, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
Mr. Kostiner was the CFO of Ameri Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRH) from October 2018 through December 2020. The operations of AMRH, including its global IT services business focused on SAP with operations in both the US and India, was acquired by management, with the residual Nasdaq vehicle acquired by Enveric Biosciences (Nasdaq: ENVB), an evidence-based cannabinoid pharma company focused on palliative therapies for cancer patients. Mr. Kostiner has been a consultant to ENVB since January 2021. From May 2016 through October 2018, Mr. Kostiner was a consultant to Cypress Skilled Nursing, a healthcare facility operator and from May 2017 through October 2018 he was a consultant to LinKay Technologies Inc., an artificial intelligence incubator with a portfolio of intellectual property focused on AI and LiDAR / geospatial technology, with research staff in India and New York. Mr. Kostiner’s 20-year career in energy includes eight years at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch and their affiliates, with a focus on energy trading and portfolio management, as well as serving as the CEO of an oil & gas SPAC (Nasdaq: PGRI) from 2005 through 2009. Mr. Kostiner earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Operations Research from MIT. His thesis on the mathematics of electric industry deregulation was sponsored by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
| ● | Mr. Thomas W. Neukranz – Chief Financial Officer and Director. Mr. Neukranz is serving as Chief Financial Officer and a director of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Mr. Neukranz has served as Managing Director of Capital Markets for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior to joining GLD, Mr. Neukranz served as Head of Capital Markets for CleanFund Inc., from July 2017 to August 2019, and as Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of Aegon Investment Management, from February 2017 to August 2018. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Neukranz was a Partner and Head of the Institutional businesses at RS Investments, Vice President, Global Head of Exchange Derivatives at Goldman Sachs and Head of Exchange Traded Derivatives at JP Morgan. Previously, Mr. Neukranz was responsible for derivative hedging for Bank of America and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Neukranz began his career on the floor of the Board of Trade in Chicago. Mr. Neukranz has serves on the Board of the Stanford Cancer Institute since 2016 and served as Chairman from 2017 through 2019. Mr. Neukranz received a B.S. in Industrial Management from Purdue University, and holds Series 7 and 63 FINRA licenses. |
| ● | Ms. Jane Liu – Vice President, Business Development. Ms. Liu is serving as Vice President, Business Development of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Ms. Liu has served as Director of Finance for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior thereto, Ms. Liu served as Senior Financial Analyst for CleanFund Commercial PACE Capital, Inc., from March 2017 to June 2020, and served as Business Analyst for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Ms. Liu received a B.S. in Economics and Finance from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s Degree in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco. |
| ● | Mr. George Caruolo — Director Nominee. Mr. Caruolo has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Caruolo has been the principal of his own law firm for over 30 years and a government relations strategy advisor based in Rhode Island for over 10 years. He has represented privately held and publicly traded clients in the areas of healthcare, electric utilities, solar energy, gaming, heavy construction, developmental disabilities and Native American tribal affairs, as well as in other areas, both regionally and nationally. He is a director of Allegro, LLC, a fintech company. He was an elected state representative and majority leader of the Rhode Island General Assembly, has chaired the state Rhode Island Education Board and has served on other boards of directors. Mr. Caruolo received a Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. |
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| ● | Mr. Gabriel Del Virginia — Director Nominee. Mr. Del Virginia has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Del Virginia has more than 30 years of experience providing legal representation in various types of public and private business entities in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, financing, litigation and financial restructuring matters, as an associate at several prominent national law firms, including Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, and thereafter as principal of his own law firm, where he has practiced for over 10 years. Mr. Del Virginia also served on the board of directors Sysorex Global Holdings Corp. (SYRX), a Nasdaq-listed technology company that provides data analytics and location-based solutions and services to commercial and government customers worldwide. |
| ● | Mr. Glauco Lolli-Ghetti — Director Nominee. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Since 2019, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has served as Head of Development at Palatine Capital Partners, a real estate private equity firm, where he is responsible for development investment strategies across acquisition and entitlement. Prior to joining Palatine, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti founded Urban Muse, a real estate investment company responsible for developing 372,000 square feet of mixed-use properties with an aggregate cost of $397 million. Prior to forming Urban Muse, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti was development manager at Federal Realty Investment Trust, a publicly traded REIT with a market cap of $6.75 billion. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti received a Bachelor’s Degree from Lehigh University. |
Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to locating and acquiring a target business and helping it to succeed. Although Mr. Kostiner has prior experience pursuing an acquisition on behalf of a blank check company, other members of our management team do not. Nevertheless, we believe we will greatly benefit from the experience of our management team as we seek to identify and consummate an initial business combination.
Members of our management team are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters, but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time that any member of our management team will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the current stage of the business combination process.
Our Competitive Advantages
The networking, sourcing, valuation, diligence and execution capabilities of our team should provide us what we believe to be a significant and attractive pipeline of opportunities. Our competitive strengths include:
| ● | Extensive Operating Experience. We meticulously composed our executive team, Board of Directors and Advisory Board with professionals with notable experience in operational, financial, C-suite and board-level roles. |
| ● | Proprietary Sourcing Capabilities Developed Through Strong Networks of Relationships. We intend to capitalize on our management team’s domain expertise, acquired through decades of strategic deal-making in the telecommunications, media, technology and related industries. We believe our management’s deep network of CEO-level and other C-suite and board relationships, in addition to contacts with pre-eminent private and public market investors, will present us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. |
| ● | Ability to Drive Public Shareholder Value. We plan to work with the management team of our initial business combination target to build shareholder value both organically and inorganically. Our team has collectively achieved success at a wide variety of legacy companies and emerging growth platforms, many of which were publicly traded. All members of our team have played key executive operating roles, served as board members and/or been investors at these organizations. In addition, the roles played by this team have often included key growth initiatives and expansion into new geographies or products. |
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Our Business Strategy
Although our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not necessarily be limited to a particular industry, sector or region, we intend to capitalize on our expertise in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.
We believe that the telecommunications, media and technology industries present attractive characteristics of long-term growth prospects globally, stable and cycle-resistant demand, fragmented markets with opportunities for consolidation, a lack of dominant players and global brands, predictable digital transition patterns and a large universe of growing and profitable targets.
We believe that five long-term trends are driving positive transformation in the telecommunications, media and technology industries, creating opportunities for long-term value creation in the sector specifically and, more broadly, in the associated knowledge economy. These drivers of transformation are: Digitization (the use of digital content and services), Responsiveness (designing and offering products and services on a customized or bespoke basis for the individual), Privatization (the growing private supply of media, content and services), Automation (the use of artificial intelligence and data to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of product delivery platforms) and Globalization (the international development and dissemination of content, certification, technology and brands). We intend to take advantage of these long-term trends and the associated consolidation and value-creation opportunities.
Our acquisition and value creation strategy is to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, fundamentally enhance a company in the public markets. We intend to seek a company in an industry that complements the experience and expertise of our management team and is a business to which we believe we can add value.
We are committed to delivering attractive returns to all stakeholders.
Our management team is deeply familiar with the trends of our target industries and brings an investing approach that offers multiple competitive advantages in sourcing, evaluating and executing on opportunities, including being:
| ● | Stockholder Centric: We think like owners and are focused on long-term gains rather than short-term results. At SAC, the compensation structure of the management team is closely tied to the long-term performance of the stock. See “Management – Officer and Director Compensation”. |
| ● | Forward Looking: We are deeply familiar with the trends of the industries in which we plan to invest and can evaluate the opportunities and risks presented by ongoing secular changes and temporary market disruptions. |
| ● | Nimble: Our team is structured to allow it to move quickly when opportunities arise, and we can be creative in our deal structures. |
| ● | Financially Sophisticated: Our management team has extensive experience in mergers, capital restructuring, divestitures, investing, capital deployment, credit analysis and setting capital structures. |
| ● | Long-Term Focused: We take a long-term, strategic view in our various operating businesses and are less concerned with short-term bouts of volatility. |
| ● | Connected, through Proprietary Sourcing Channels and Leading Industry Relationships: We believe the capabilities and connections associated with our management team will provide us with a differentiated pipeline of acquisition opportunities that would be difficult for other participants in the market to replicate. We expect these sourcing capabilities will be further bolstered by our management team and SAC’s reputation and deep industry relationships. |
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Our Business Combination Criteria
Consistent with our business strategy, we have developed the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective initial business combinations. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating business combination opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
| ● | Businesses with Significant Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that we believe will have multiple organic and M&A-driven growth opportunities over time. We will search for attractive, growth-oriented businesses that exhibit sound, underlying fundamentals as well as demonstrated revenue growth and a clear path to profitability. This includes such potential targets that are currently, or have the potential to be, a category leader with long-term growth potential. |
| ● | Targets That Can Benefit from our Management Team’s Relationships and Experience. Although we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on our management team’s domain expertise acquired through decades of strategic deal-making in the media, digital media/consumer technology and related industries. We believe our management’s deep network of CEO-level and other C-suite and board relationships, in addition to contacts with pre-eminent private and public market investors, will give us a number of competitive advantages and will present us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets, particularly in the aforementioned industries. |
| ● | Companies with Potential to Benefit from Digital Disruption. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses which currently, or have the potential to, benefit from digital disruption, or a disruption of traditional business models or markets. |
| ● | Businesses in High-Growth Markets. We will seek out opportunities in higher-growth sectors in the U.S., as well as in selected developed and emerging international markets. |
| ● | Companies that Drive Shareholder Returns. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that offer an attractive risk-adjusted return for our stockholders, weighing potential growth opportunities and operational improvements in the target business against any identified downside risks. |
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. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet them in our stockholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials that we would file with the SEC.
Our Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets
We believe our management team’s significant transaction experience and industry relationships will provide us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships. This network has grown through the activities of our management team in sourcing, acquiring, financing and selling businesses, our management team’s relationships with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions.
We believe this network will provide our management team with a robust and consistent flow of acquisition opportunities which are proprietary or where a limited group of investors are invited to participate in the sale process. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us with important sources of acquisition opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
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We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business that is owned by our sponsor, officers or directors or any related entities, or making an acquisition through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with any of them. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is owned by our sponsor, officers or directors or any related entities, we, or a committee of independent and disinterested directors, expect to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another accounting, valuation or appraisal firm, to the effect that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. However, we are not required to obtain such an opinion in any context.
See “— Conflicts of Interest” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest” for information regarding limitations on our access to investment opportunities sourced by members of our management team, SAC or other entities in which members of our management team are involved, including a list of our executive officers and directors and entities for which a conflict of interest may or does exist between such officers or directors and our company.
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from closing of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time.
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We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act”. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target.
However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
Our Business Combination Process
In evaluating prospective business combinations, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review process that will encompass, among other things, a review of historical and projected financial and operating data, meetings with management and their advisors (if applicable), on-site inspection of facilities and assets, discussion with customers and suppliers, legal reviews and other reviews as we deem appropriate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations to present the opportunity to such entity, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will not materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our sponsor and our officers and directors will own founder shares following this offering. Because of this ownership, our sponsor and our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers or directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per founder share, and accordingly, the sponsor could potentially make a substantial profit even if the company selects an acquisition target that substantially declines in value and is unprofitable for public stockholders. Please see “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Securities – The value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.”
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Status as a Public Company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As a public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination with us. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would have greater access to capital and additional means of creating management incentives that are better aligned with stockholders’ interests than it would as a private company. A target business can further benefit by augmenting its profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock in the target business for our shares of Class A common stock (or shares of a new holding company) or for a combination of our shares of Class A common stock and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers.
Although there are various costs and obligations associated with being a public company, we believe target businesses will find this method a more expeditious and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, marketing and road show efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with an initial business combination with us.
Furthermore, once a proposed initial business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete this offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent this offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with stockholders’ interests and the ability to use its shares as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
While we believe that our structure and our management team’s backgrounds will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek stockholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the 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 stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
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Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th.
Financial Position
With funds available for an initial business combination initially in the amount of approximately $97,500,000, after payment of the estimated expenses of this offering and $3,500,000 of deferred underwriting fees (or approximately $112,125,000, after payment of the estimated expenses of this offering and $4,025,000 of deferred underwriting fees if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case before fees and expenses associated with locating a target business and conducting our initial business combination, 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 or leverage ratio. Because we are able to complete our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement units, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or used for redemptions of our Class A common stock, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. In addition, we intend to target businesses larger than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, and may as a result be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would expect to complete such financing only simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our proxy materials or tender offer documents disclosing the initial business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately, or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.
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Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers and investment professionals. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us by calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since 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 our sponsor and their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors and our sponsor and their affiliates. 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, advisory fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In no event, however, will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which our sponsor or officers are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation by the company prior to, or in connection with any services rendered for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). None of our sponsor, officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be allowed to receive any compensation, finder’s fees or consulting fees from a prospective business combination target in connection with a contemplated initial business combination. We have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support and to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-transaction company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an initial business combination candidate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with an initial business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors or making the initial business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with an initial business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
As more fully discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of an initial business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of our Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. The fair market value of our initial business combination will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flow valuation, a valuation based on trading multiples of comparable public businesses or a valuation based on the financial metrics of M&A transactions of comparable businesses. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. Subject to this requirement, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
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In any case, we will only complete an initial business combination in which we own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquire a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we own or acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses that are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% of net assets test. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
In evaluating a prospective business target, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review, which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information that will be made available to us.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.
Lack of Business Diversification
For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. In addition, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination in a single industry. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
| ● | subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and |
| ● | cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services. |
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. The determination as to whether any of the members of our management team will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
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We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following an initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Stockholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC. However, we will seek stockholder approval if it is required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, or we may decide to seek stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons. Presented in the table below is a graphic explanation of the types of initial business combinations we may consider and whether stockholder approval is currently required under Delaware law for each such transaction.
|
Type of Transaction |
Whether Stockholder Approval Is Required |
|
| Purchase of assets | No | |
| Purchase of stock of target not involving a merger with the company | No | |
| Merger of target into a subsidiary of the company | No | |
| Merger of the company with a target | Yes |
Under Nasdaq’s listing rules, stockholder approval would be required for our initial business combination if, for example:
| ● | we issue shares of Class A common stock that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of our Class A common stock then outstanding; |
| ● | any of our directors, officers or substantial stockholders (as defined by Nasdaq rules) has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of common stock could result in an increase in outstanding common shares or voting power of 5% or more; or |
| ● | the issuance or potential issuance of common stock will result in our undergoing a change of control. |
Permitted Purchases of our Securities
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination.
There is no limit on the number of shares our initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase shares or public rights in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination.
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The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the initial business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of public rights could be to reduce the number of public rights, or the securities underlying them, that are outstanding. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our shares of Class A common stock or rights may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the stockholders with whom our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the stockholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by stockholders following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling stockholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such stockholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination. Our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates will only purchase shares if such purchases comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws.
Any purchases by our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act will only be made to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18 has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates will not make purchases of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchases are subject to such reporting requirements.
Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Class A common stock upon the completion 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 as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.10 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination.
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Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Class A common stock upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek stockholder approval under the law or stock exchange listing requirement. Under Nasdaq rules, asset acquisitions and stock purchases would not typically require stockholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our outstanding common stock or seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would require stockholder approval. If we structure an initial business combination with a target company in a manner that requires stockholder approval, we will not have discretion as to whether to seek a stockholder vote to approve the proposed initial business combination. We may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC unless stockholder approval is required by law or stock exchange listing requirements or we choose to seek stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with such rules.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:
| ● | conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and |
| ● | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. |
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market if we elect to redeem our public shares through a tender offer, to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public stockholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares which are not purchased by our sponsor, which number will be based on the requirement that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination.
If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:
| ● | conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| ● | file proxy materials with the SEC. |
In the event that we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public stockholders with the redemption rights described above upon completion of the initial business combination.
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If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. Our initial stockholders will count toward this quorum and, pursuant to the letter agreement they have entered into with us, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination. Our anchor investors will agree, pursuant to investment agreements that they will enter into with our sponsor, to vote any founder shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, private placement shares and our anchor investors’ founder shares (if any), we would need only 372,501, or approximately 3.7%, of the 10,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination, or 272,501, or approximately 2.7%, if the holders of the representative’s shares also choose to vote in favor of the business combination (assuming only a quorum is present at the meeting and only a majority of shares are required to approve the business combination) in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised). We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial stockholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed initial business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed initial business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all shares of Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.
Limitation on Redemption upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination if we Seek Stockholder Approval
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” Such restriction shall also be applicable to our affiliates. We believe this restriction will discourage stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed initial business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering without our prior consent, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with an initial business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
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Tendering Stock Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights
We may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public stockholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short redemption period, it is advisable for stockholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $80.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the stockholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed initial business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his or her redemption rights. After the initial business combination was approved, the company would contact such stockholder to arrange for him or her to deliver his or her certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the stockholder then had an “option window” after the completion of the initial business combination during which he or she could monitor the price of the company’s stock in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he or she could sell his or her shares in the open market before actually delivering his or her shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which stockholders were aware they needed to commit before the stockholder meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the completion of the initial business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming holder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the initial business combination is approved.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the tender offer materials or the date of the stockholder meeting set forth in our proxy materials, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our initial business combination.
If our initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.
If our initial proposed initial business combination is not completed, we may continue to try to complete an initial business combination with a different target until 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering.
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Ability to Extend Time to Complete Business Combination
We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination, unless such period is extended. If we have executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from closing of this offering, the period of time we have to consummate an initial business combination shall be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months and we have not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, we will, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. In connection with any such extension, public stockholders will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares. Pursuant to the terms of our 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 for each additional three-month extension, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. We will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months). We will issue a press release announcing each extension, at least three days prior to the deadline. In addition, we will issue a press release the day after the deadline, announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are obligated to fund the trust account in order to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination, but our sponsor will not be obligated to extend such time.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if No Initial Business Combination
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we will have only 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within such 12-month period (or 13 to 18 month period, as applicable) we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the 12-month time period (or 13 to 18-month period).
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. However, if our sponsor, officers or directors acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the allotted 12-month time period (or 13 to 18 month time period, as applicable) from the closing of this offering
Our sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. However, we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement (described above), we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time.
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We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $1,240,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the trust account to pay any franchise and income tax obligations we may owe. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required to pay franchise and income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $150,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.10. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.10. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of this offering will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. 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) $10.10 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 $10.10 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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In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below (i) $10.10 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.10 per public share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $1,240,000 from the proceeds of this offering with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $150,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of approximately $460,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of approximately $460,000 the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.
Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
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Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, our sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below (i) $10.10 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest withdrawn to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.10 per share to our public stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of all of our public shares if we are unable to complete our business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the initial business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights as described above. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
|
Terms of Our Offering |
Terms Under A Rule 419 Offering |
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| Escrow of offering proceeds | $101,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement units will be deposited into a trust account in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. | Approximately $85,950,000 of the offering proceeds would 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 | $101,000,000 of the net offering proceeds and the sale of the private placement units held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. | Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. | ||
| Receipt of interest on escrowed funds | Interest on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to stockholders is reduced by (i) any income or franchise taxes paid or payable, and (ii) in the event of our liquidation for failure to complete our initial business combination within the allotted time, up to $150,000 of net interest that may be released to us should we have no or insufficient working capital to fund the costs and expenses of our dissolution and liquidation. | Interest on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our completion of a business combination. | ||
| Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business | Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. | The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. | ||
| Trading of securities issued | We expect the units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A common stock and rights comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless EF Hutton informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, an additional Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. | No trading of the units or the underlying Class A common stock and rights would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under A Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Election to remain an investor |
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. We may not be required by law to hold a stockholder vote. We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination.
If we are not required by law and do not otherwise decide to hold a stockholder vote, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. If, however, we hold a stockholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules. If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. |
A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if it elects to remain a stockholder of the company or require the return of its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the stockholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under A Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Business combination deadline | If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus) we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. | If a business combination has not been completed within 12 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under A Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Limitation on redemption rights of stockholders holding more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering if we hold a stockholder vote | If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a public stockholder (including our affiliates), together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to Excess Shares (more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering). Our public stockholders’ inability to redeem Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and they could suffer a material loss on their investment in us if they sell any Excess Shares in open market transactions. | Many blank check companies provide no restrictions on the ability of stockholders to redeem shares based on the number of shares held by such stockholders in connection with an initial business combination. | ||
| Tendering stock certificates in connection with a tender offer or redemption rights | We may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC System, at the holder’s option. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public stockholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. | In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, holders could vote against a proposed initial business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holders were seeking to exercise their redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such stockholders to arrange for them to deliver their certificate to verify ownership. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under A Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Release of funds | Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our franchise and income tax obligations, the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement units held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account until the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of 100% of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time frame (subject to the requirements of applicable law). On the completion of our initial business combination, all amounts held in the trust account will be released to us, less amounts released to a separate account controlled by the trustee for disbursal to redeeming stockholders. We will use these funds to pay amounts due to any public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights as described above under “Redemption rights for public stockholders upon completion of our initial business combination,” to pay the underwriters their deferred underwriting commissions, to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable to the target or owners of the target of our initial business combination and to pay other expenses associated with our initial business combination. | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
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Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic business combinations. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the initial business combination of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding rights, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Facilities
Our executive offices are located at 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067, and our telephone number is 213-616-0011.
Our executive offices are provided to us by an affiliate of our sponsor. Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We currently have three employees. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the initial business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We will register our units, Class A common stock and rights under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
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We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with, or reconciled to, GAAP, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential targets we may conduct an initial business combination with because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential business combination candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that these requirements cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential business combination candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to have our internal control procedures audited. 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 business combination. Prior to the date of this prospectus, we will file a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we will be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our shares of Class A common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Legal Proceedings
In Re Argon Credit, LLC, et al., Debtors, Case No. 16-39654 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division).
On December 16, 2016, Argon Credit, LLC and Argon X, LLC (collectively the “Debtors”) filed petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. On January 11, 2017, Debtors’ bankruptcy cases were converted to chapter 7 cases. On December 14, 2018, the chapter 7 trustee filed an adversary proceeding as case number 18-ap-00948 (the “Bankruptcy Complaint”) against multiple defendants, including Barry Kostiner, asserting claims for aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. As to Mr. Kostiner, the Bankruptcy Complaint alleged that, while an employee of the Debtor, he aided and abetted the former CEO of Argon Credit, Raviv Wolfe, in breaching his fiduciary duties to Argon Credit, by, among other things, knowingly participating in a scheme to funnel assets away from the Debtors and their creditors, double pledging Argon Credit’s assets, and knowingly submitting false or misleading financial reports to the Debtors’ secured lender to conceal the transfer of Argon Credit’s assets. On July 11, 2019, Mr. Kostiner, appearing through counsel, filed an answer denying all allegations against him set forth in the Bankruptcy Complaint.
On August 12, 2021, the trustee filed a Motion for the Entry of an Order Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 Approving Settlement with Mr. Kostiner. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Mr. Kostiner would pay the trustee $35,000 in exchange for dismissal with prejudice from the suit and the exchange of mutual releases (the “Proposed Settlement”). The trustee and Mr. Kostiner each concluded that the Proposed Settlement was in their respective best interests in light of, among other things, the contested nature of the Bankruptcy Complaint, the costs that both parties would incur in connection with the litigation of same, the uncertain likelihood of recovery following protracted litigation and Mr. Kostiner’s financial condition. On September 3, 2021, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order approving the settlement.
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Fund Recovery Services, LLC v. RBC Capital Markets, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-5730 (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.
On September 25, 2020, Fund Recovery Services, LLC (“Fund”), as assignee of Princeton Alterative Income Fund, L.P. (“PAIF”) filed a complaint in the above-referenced action asserting a variety of claims against 37 defendants, including Mr. Kostiner. On May 15, 2021, Fund filed an amended complaint against 34 of the defendants, including Mr. Kostiner (the “Amended Complaint”). The claims against Mr. Kostiner in the Amended Complaint include: (i) violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(2) by the conduct and participation in a RICO enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity; (ii) violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) by conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity; (iii) fraud/intentional misrepresentation; (iv) aiding and abetting fraud/intentional misrepresentation; (v) fraudulent concealment; (vi) aiding and abetting fraudulent concealment; (vii) fraudulent/intentional inducement; (viii) conversion; (ix) aiding and abetting conversion; (x) civil conspiracy; and (xi) tortious interference with contractual relations. The Amended Complaint seeks damages of approximately $240 million jointly and severally against all defendants, together with treble and punitive damages, among other relief.
The Amended Complaint, as it pertains to Mr. Kostiner, covers much of the same conduct that is the subject of the Bankruptcy Complaint described above and stems from a transaction that Argon Credit entered into with Spartan Specialty Finance, LLC (“Spartan”). Argon, a consumer finance platform that made high-interest, unsecured loans to credit-impaired borrowers, financed its loans through a revolving credit facility provided by PAIF. Mr. Kostiner was the sole member of Spartan and was also, for a period of time, the Vice President of Capital Markets at Argon. Argon and Spartan entered into an agreement whereby Spartan agreed to purchase a portfolio of loans from Argon. Spartan financed the acquisition by obtaining a loan from Hamilton Funding (“Hamilton”). The Amended Complaint alleges that PAIF had a perfected security interest in the loans that Argon improperly sold to Spartan (which were financed by Hamilton Funding), and that defendants, including Mr. Kostiner, engaged in a scheme to induce PAIF to initially lend funds, later to increase its credit line, and ultimately convert and deprive PAIF of its property by numerous acts of fraud.
On July 1, 2021, defendants, including Mr. Kostiner, filed a consolidated motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint in its entirety against them, based on the following arguments: (a) the RICO claims (Counts (1)-(2)) are time-barred; (b) Fund lacks standing to bring Counts 1-11; (c) Fund is collaterally estopped from litigating the issues that are the subject of the Amended Complaint; (d) the allegations in the Amended Complaint fail to satisfy the requirements of Rules 8 and 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; (e) the Amended Complaint failed to allege a duty sufficient to support its allegations in Counts 1-7; (f) Fund failed to adequately plead the elements of a valid RICO claim; and (g) Fund failed to adequately plead the elements of any of its state law claims (Counts 3-13). This motion is fully briefed and awaits resolution by the Court.
In re Spartan Specialty Finance I SPV, LLC, Case No. 16-22881-rdd (U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York White Plains Division)
On June 29, 2016, Spartan filed a petition for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. It did so in order to resolve a loan dispute that it had with Hamilton, including Hamilton’s alleged right to access cash accounts that Spartan had pledged as collateral. On May 26, 2017, the bankruptcy court approved a Stipulation and Agreement Resolving Debtor’s Motion for Use of Cash Collateral and Fixing Amount of Secured Claim, between Hamilton, Spartan, and Mr. Kostiner, in his individual capacity. Spartan’s bankruptcy petition was dismissed as part of the Court’s approval of the Settlement.
Except for the actions set forth above, there is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and our officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 12 months preceding the date of this prospectus.
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Officers, Directors and Director Nominees
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Name |
Age |
Position |
||
| Barry Kostiner | 49 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Thomas W. Neukranz | 63 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| Jane Liu | 29 | Vice President, Business Development | ||
| George Caruolo* | 68 | Director Nominee | ||
| Gabriel Del Virginia* | 63 | Director Nominee | ||
| Glauco Lolli-Ghetti* | 44 | Director Nominee |
* This individual has agreed to occupy such position on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Our officers, directors and director nominees are as follows:
Barry Kostiner – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kostiner is serving as the Chief Executive and Chairman of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Additionally, Mr. Kostiner has served as the President of Legacy Tech Partners, LLC (LTP), a microcap-focused EdTech investment vehicle, since February 2021 and has also been a Manager of Capital Markets at Legacy Education (OTC: LEAI) since March 2021. Mr. Kostiner joined the Board of Directors of LEAI in May 2021. LEAI has had cumulative education revenues in excess of $500 million over the past decade, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Kostiner was the CFO of Ameri Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRH) from October 2018 through December 2020. The operations of AMRH, including its global IT services business focused on SAP with operations in both the US and India, was acquired by management, with the residual Nasdaq vehicle acquired by Enveric Biosciences (Nasdaq: ENVB), an evidence-based cannabinoid pharma company focused on palliative therapies for cancer patients. Mr. Kostiner has been a consultant to ENVB since January 2021. From May 2016 through October 2018, Mr. Kostiner was a consultant to Cypress Skilled Nursing, a healthcare facility operator and from May 2017 through October 2018 he was a consultant to LinKay Technologies Inc., an artificial intelligence incubator with a portfolio of intellectual property focused on AI and LiDAR / geospatial technology, with research staff in India and New York. Mr. Kostiner’s 20-year career in energy includes eight years at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch and their affiliates, with a focus on energy trading and portfolio management, as well as serving as the CEO of an oil & gas SPAC (Nasdaq: PGRI) from 2005 through 2009. Mr. Kostiner earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Operations Research from MIT. His thesis on the mathematics of electric industry deregulation was sponsored by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Mr. Barry Kostiner is a named defendant in two ongoing litigations. See “Proposed Business – Legal Proceedings” for further details.
Mr. Thomas W. Neukranz – Chief Financial Officer and Director. Mr. Neukranz is serving as Chief Financial Officer and a director of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Mr. Neukranz has served as Managing Director of Capital Markets for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior to joining GLD, Mr. Neukranz served as Head of Capital Markets for CleanFund Inc., from July 2017 to August 2019, and as Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of Aegon Investment Management, from February 2017 to August 2018. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Neukranz was a Partner and Head of the Institutional businesses at RS Investments, Vice President, Global Head of Exchange Derivatives at Goldman Sachs and Head of Exchange Traded Derivatives at JP Morgan. Previously, Mr. Neukranz was responsible for derivative hedging for Bank of America and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Neukranz began his career on the floor of the Board of Trade in Chicago. Mr. Neukranz has serves on the Board of the Stanford Cancer Institute since 2016 and served as Chairman from 2017 through 2019. Mr. Neukranz received a B.S. in Industrial Management from Purdue University, and holds Series 7 and 63 FINRA licenses.
Ms. Jane Liu – Vice President, Business Development. Ms. Liu is serving as Vice President, Business Development of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Ms. Liu has served as Director of Finance for GLD Partners, LP since July 2020. Prior thereto, Ms. Liu served as Senior Financial Analyst for CleanFund Commercial PACE Capital, Inc., from March 2017 to June 2020, and served as Business Analyst for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Ms. Liu received a B.S. in Economics and Finance from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s Degree in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco.
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Mr. George Caruolo — Director Nominee. Mr. Caruolo has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Caruolo has been the principal of his own law firm for over 30 years and a government relations strategy advisor based in Rhode Island for over 10 years. He has represented privately held and publicly traded clients in the areas of healthcare, electric utilities, solar energy, gaming, heavy construction, developmental disabilities and Native American tribal affairs, as well as in other areas, both regionally and nationally. He is a director of Allegro, LLC, a fintech company. He was an elected state representative and majority leader of the Rhode Island General Assembly, has chaired the Rhode Island Education Board and has served on other boards of directors. Mr. Caruolo received a Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School.
Mr. Gabriel Del Virginia — Director Nominee. Mr. Del Virginia has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Del Virginia has more than 30 years of experience providing legal representation in various types of public and private business entities in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, financing, litigation and financial restructuring matters, as an associate at several prominent national law firms, including Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, and thereafter as principal of his own law firm, where he has practiced for over 10 years. Mr. Del Virginia also served on the board of directors Sysorex Global Holdings Corp. (SYRX), a Nasdaq-listed technology company that provides data analytics and location-based solutions and services to commercial and government customers worldwide.
Mr. Glauco Lolli-Ghetti — Director Nominee. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has agreed to join our board of directors on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Since 2019, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti has served as Head of Development at Palatine Capital Partners, a real estate private equity firm, where he is responsible for development investment strategies across acquisition and entitlement. Prior to joining Palatine, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti founded Urban Muse, a real estate investment company responsible for developing 372,000 square feet of mixed-use properties with an aggregate cost of $397 million. Prior to forming Urban Muse, Mr. Lolli-Ghetti was development manager at Federal Realty Investment Trust, a publicly traded REIT with a market cap of $6.75 billion. Mr. Lolli-Ghetti received a Bachelor’s Degree from Lehigh University.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
We will have five directors upon completion of this offering. Our board of directors will be divided into two classes, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a two-year term. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Kostiner, Neukranz and Caruolo, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Caruolo, Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
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Officer and Director Compensation
Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation (and, in the case of officers’ cash salaries, subject to any applicable notice periods), we will cease paying these monthly fees. The $20,000 monthly amount includes a monthly cash salary of $10,000 for our CEO, Barry Kostiner, a monthly cash salary of $3,000 for our CFO, Thomas Neukranz, and a monthly cash salary of $1,000 for our Vice President, Business Development, Jane Liu. Other than disclosed herein, none of our officers has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. The services to be provided by these officers shall include evaluation of potential business combination opportunities, preparation of financial reports, SEC and regulatory compliance and any other administrative functions that pertain to the operation of the Company. As we are a shell company, these officers may have obligations to other entities, and the officers are not required to allocate a minimum percentage of time to our Company. The employment agreements with each officer specify the individual salary amounts and are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition to the foregoing cash compensation, as additional consideration for their services, our sponsor has transferred 100,000 founder shares to Mr. Kostiner, 40,000 founder shares to Mr. Neukranz and 10,000 founder shares to Ms. Liu.
As consideration for their services as members of our board of directors, our sponsor will transfer 25,000 founder shares each to Messrs. Caruolo, Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti.
Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers, directors or any affiliate of our sponsor, officers or directors, prior to or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction). However, these persons will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments made to our sponsor, officers, directors or any affiliate of our sponsor, officers or directors. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such payments, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing reimbursement payments to our sponsor, officers, directors or any affiliate of our sponsor, officers or directors for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or officers who remain with the combined companies may be paid consulting or management fees or other compensation from the combined company. All of this compensation will be disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such compensation. It is unlikely that the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that our officers or directors maintain their positions after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements may influence our officers’ and directors’ motivation to identify or select a target business, but we do not believe that opportunities for our officers or directors to remain after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers or directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors will have two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and Nasdaq rules require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
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Audit Committee
Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Caruolo, Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti will serve as members of our audit committee, and Mr. Caruolo will chair the audit committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Messrs. Caruolo, Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Caruolo qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We will adopt an audit committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
| ● | the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us; | |
| ● | pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures; | |
| ● | setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations; | |
| ● | setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; | |
| ● | obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting 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 by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence; | |
| ● | reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and | |
| ● | reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
Compensation Committee
Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti will serve as members of our compensation committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent Messrs. Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti are independent, and Mr. Del Virginia will chair the compensation committee.
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We will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
| ● | reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation; | |
| ● | reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers; | |
| ● | reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans; | |
| ● | implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans; | |
| ● | assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; | |
| ● | approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees; | |
| ● | 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. |
The charter will also provide that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation (and in the case of officers’ cash salaries subject to any applicable notice periods), we will cease paying these monthly fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, other than these payments to our sponsor, and the reimbursement of expenses, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial 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.
Special Committee
We intend to establish a special committee of the board of directors comprised of disinterested and independent directors to review, evaluate and advise the board of directors of proposed business combination opportunities. We plan to adopt a special committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the special committee.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a nominating and corporate governance committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors.
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The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Caruolo, Del Virginia and Lolli-Ghetti. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more officers serving on our board of directors.
Code of Ethics
Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We will file a copy of our Code of Ethics and our audit and compensation committee charters as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Conflicts of Interest
Members of our management team do not have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware, unless presented to such member solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the company. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our officers and directors may become officers or directors of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, even prior to us entering into a definitive agreement for our initial business combination.
Up to ten “qualified institutional buyers” as that term is defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act or “accredited investors” as that term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act (who are not affiliated with any member of our management team), whom we refer to as the anchor investors, have each expressed to us an interest to purchase up to 9.9% of the units to be sold in this offering, or 990,000 units, excluding any units sold pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment opinion and we have agreed to direct the underwriters to sell to the anchor investors such number of units. We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 99.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all ten anchor investors will participate in the offering. There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Subject to each anchor investor purchasing 100% of the units allocated to it, in connection with the closing of this offering, our sponsor will sell 20,000 founder shares to each anchor investor, or an aggregate of 200,000 founder shares to all ten anchor investors, at a purchase price of approximately $0.0029 per share. For a discussion of certain additional arrangements with our anchor investors, see “Summary—The Offering—Expressions of Interest.”
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Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
| ● | None of our officers or directors is required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities. | |
| ● | In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. | |
| ● | Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, any private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months after the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus). If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the private placement units held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the private placement units (and the underlying securities) will expire worthless. Our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property (except as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement units and the securities underlying such rights will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering. Since our sponsor and officers and directors may directly or indirectly own common stock and rights following this offering, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. | |
| ● | Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. | |
| ● | Our sponsor, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. |
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The conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
| ● | the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity; | |
| ● | the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and | |
| ● | it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation. |
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our executive officers, directors and director nominees currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations:
|
Name of Individual |
Name of Affiliated Company |
Affiliation |
||
| Barry Kostiner |
Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (OTC: LEAI) Legacy Tech Partners, LLC Enveric Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENVB) |
Director; Manager, Capital Markets President Consultant |
||
| Thomas W. Neukranz |
GLD Partners, LP Global Pacific Capital, LLC |
Managing Director Managing Director |
||
| Jane Liu | GLD Management Inc. | Director of Finance, Capital Markets | ||
| George Caruolo | Allegro, LLC | Director | ||
| Gabriel Del Virginia | None | N/A | ||
| Glauco Lolli-Ghetti |
Urban Muse, LLC Urban Muse Management, LLC Palatine Real Estate Fund III, GP, LLC |
Managing Member Managing Member Limited Partner |
Accordingly, if any of the above executive officers, directors or director nominees becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she has current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA, or from an independent accounting firm, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares and private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
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Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us or our stockholders for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our bylaws also will permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We will purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our common stock included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
| ● | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock; | |
| ● | each of our executive officers, directors and director nominees that beneficially owns shares of our common stock; and | |
| ● | all our executive officers, directors and director nominees 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 shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the private placement rights or private placement units as these rights are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
On April 5, 2021, our sponsor purchased 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which were subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the index to underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, and later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees, leaving our sponsor with 2,650,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which remain subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full). In addition, our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 private placement units for a purchase price of $10.00 per unit in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option). The following table presents the number of shares and percentage of our common stock owned by our initial stockholders before and after this offering. The post-offering numbers and percentages presented assume that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, that our sponsor forfeits 375,000 founder shares, and that there are 13,016,250 shares of our common stock, consisting of (i) 10,516,250 shares of our Class A common stock (including 10,000,000 public shares, 416,250 private placement shares (including shares underlying the private placement rights) and 100,000 representative’s shares) and (ii) 2,500,000 shares of our Class B common stock, issued and outstanding after this offering.
| Before Offering | After Offering | |||||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(2) |
Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(3) |
Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock | ||||||||||||
| Sagaliam Sponsor LLC | 2,650,000 | (4)(5) | 90.4 | 2,645,000 | 20.1 | |||||||||||
| Alan H. Ginsburg | 2,650,000 | (4)(5) | 90.4 | 2,645,000 | 20.1 | |||||||||||
| Barry Kostiner | 100,000 | 5.2 | 100,000 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
| Thomas W. Neukranz | 40,000 | 1.4 | 40,000 | * | ||||||||||||
| Jane Liu | 10,000 | * | 10,000 | * | ||||||||||||
| George Caruolo | 25,000 | * | 25,000 | * | ||||||||||||
| Gabriel Del Virginia | 25,000 | * | 25,000 | * | ||||||||||||
| Glauco Lolli-Ghetti | 25,000 | * | 25,000 | * | ||||||||||||
| All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (6 individuals) | 225,000 | 9.6 | 225,000 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||
| * | Less than 1% |
| (1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067. |
| (2) | Interests shown consist solely of 2,875,000 founder shares, classified as Class B common stock, up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. Such shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities.” |
| (3) | Interests shown consist of 2,500,000 founder shares, classified as Class B common stock, and 370,000 private placement shares, classified as Class A common stock. |
| (4) | Represents shares held directly by Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, our sponsor. The sole member of our sponsor is GLD Sponsor Member, LLC. The managing member of GLD Sponsor Member, LLC is Alan H. Ginsburg. As such, Mr. Ginsburg may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by our sponsor. As a result of its purchase of 370,000 private placement units, our sponsor will also hold rights to receive 46,250 additional shares of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination. |
| (5) | Includes 375,000 founder shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. |
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Immediately after this offering, our initial stockholders will beneficially own 20% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Neither our sponsor nor any of our officers or directors have expressed an intention to purchase any units in this offering. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital, or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Because of this ownership block, our initial stockholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions, including approval of our initial business combination.
The holders of the founder shares have agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed initial business combination and (B) not to redeem any shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or in connection with a tender offer.
Our sponsor and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Expressions of Interest
Our anchor investors (none of which are affiliated with any member of our management, our sponsor or any other anchor investor), have expressed an interest in entering into investment agreements with our sponsor and us pursuant to which they each expressed an interest to purchase up to 99.9% of the units sold in this offering (excluding any units sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), or 990,000 units. We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 99.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all anchor investors will participate in the offering. Subject to each anchor investor purchasing 100% of the units allocated to it, in connection with the closing of this offering our sponsor will sell 20,000 founder shares to each anchor investor, or an aggregate of 200,000 founder shares to all 10 anchor investors, at a purchase price of $0.0029 per share. The obligation of our sponsor to sell such founder shares to each anchor investor is conditioned upon each such anchor investor purchasing all of the units in this offering, if any, it may be offered by the underwriters (which shall not exceed 99.9% of the units in this offering). Further, the anchor founder shares shall have the right not to be subject to adjustments or cutbacks in the event our sponsor agrees to any such adjustments or cutbacks (of its shares) in connection with our initial business combination. The anchor investors will agreed to (a) vote any anchor founder shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination and (b) subject any anchor founder shares held by them to the same lock-up restrictions as the founder shares held by our sponsor and independent directors. The negotiations between our sponsor, each anchor investor and us were separate and there are no arrangements or understandings among the anchor investors with regard to voting, including voting with respect to our initial business combination.
The anchor investors are not required to (i) other than as described above, hold any units, shares of common stock or rights they may purchase in this offering or thereafter for any amount of time, (ii) vote any shares of common stock they may own at the applicable time in favor of our initial business combination or (iii) refrain from exercising their right to redeem their public shares at the time of our initial business combination. However, if the anchor investors purchase units in this offering or our securities in the open market (or both) and hold such securities, they or any one of them could assert influence over our company, including with respect to our initial business combination.
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There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units
The founder shares (other than those held by the anchor investors), private placement units, and any shares of Class A common stock issued upon conversion or exchange thereof are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in a letter agreement with us to be entered into by our sponsor, officers and directors. Our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell (a) any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property or (b) any of their private placement units and the securities underlying them until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering (except in each case as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions. In addition, the lock-up provisions of the insider letter provide that the founder shares and any shares of Class A common stock issued upon conversion or exchange thereof are not transferable or salable until one year after the completion of our initial business combination. However, any such securities may be transferred or sold (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors, any members of our sponsor, or any affiliates of our sponsor, (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; (f) in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; (g) by virtue of the laws of Delaware or our sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our sponsor; or (h) in the event of our liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) or (g) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements, and by the same agreements entered into by our sponsor with respect to such securities (including provisions relating to voting, the trust account and liquidation distributions described elsewhere in this prospectus).
Registration Rights
The holders of the Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the founder shares, shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units and underlying the private placement rights and representative’s shares, and shares of Class A common stock included in or underlying the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any shares of Class A common stock held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. These holders will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the underwriters may not exercise their demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise their demand rights on more than one occasion.
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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
On April 5, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full) to our sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash. Our sponsor later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). If we increase or decrease the size of this offering we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). Up to 375,000 founder shares are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. The founder shares (including the Class A common stock and rights underlying such units) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Commencing on May 1, 2021, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation (and in the case of officers’ cash salaries subject to any applicable notice periods), we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf. Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction).
Up to ten anchor investors have each expressed to us an interest to purchase up to 99.9% of the units to be sold in this offering, excluding any units sold pursuant to underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option and we have agreed to direct the underwriters to sell to the anchor investors such number of units. We do not expect that all of the anchor investors will be allocated the full 99.9% of the units to be sold, and such allocations will be determined by the underwriters. There is also no guarantee that all 10 anchor investors will participate in the offering. In the event the number of units sold in this offering is reduced, or the number of units allocated by the underwriters for purchase by each anchor investor is reduced below 4.9%, there shall be no corresponding reduction in the number of founder shares the anchor investor will hold indirectly through the sponsor.
There can be no assurance that the anchor investors will acquire any units in this offering, or as to the amount of such units the anchor investors will retain, if any, prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
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Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and are due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the approximately $460,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated to the payment of offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions). The value of our sponsor’s interest in this transaction corresponds to the principal amount outstanding under any such loan.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. The terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per units, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000, or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The private placement units will be identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private placement units, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) may not (including the Class A common stock and rights underlying the units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights), subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the closing of this offering, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights. The holders will be permitted to transfer the private placement units and the underlying securities held by them to certain permitted transferees, including our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with or related to them, but the transferees receiving such securities will be subject to the same agreements with respect to such securities as our sponsor. In addition, holders of the private placement units and the underlying securities have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such securities if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering.
We will enter into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares, shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units and underlying the private placement rights and representative’s shares, and shares of Class A common stock included in or underlying the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans, which is described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Registration Rights.”
As more fully discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of an initial business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or officers who remain with the combined companies may be paid consulting or management fees or other compensation from the combined company. All of this compensation will be disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such compensation. It is unlikely that the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation.
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Related Party Transactions Policy
We have not yet adopted a formal policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Accordingly, the transactions discussed above were not reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with any such policy.
Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt a code of ethics requiring us to avoid, wherever possible, all conflicts of interests, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by our board of directors (or the appropriate committee of our board) or as disclosed in our public filings with the SEC. Under our code of ethics, conflict of interest situations will include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the company. A form of the code of ethics that we plan to adopt prior to the consummation of this offering is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
In addition, our audit committee, pursuant to a written charter that we will adopt prior to the consummation of this offering, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent that we enter into such transactions. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee will constitute a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee will be required to approve a related party transaction. A form of the audit committee charter that we plan to adopt prior to the consummation of this offering is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We also 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 conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent directors, have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. Furthermore, no finder’s fees, reimbursements, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers or directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, for services rendered to us prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments will be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
| ● | Repayment of up to an aggregate of $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; | |
| ● | Payment to our sponsor of $20,000 per month, from May 1, 2021 and for up to 18 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) following the completion of this offering, for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; | |
| ● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and | |
| ● | Repayment of loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into private placement units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued 150,000 private placement units, if $1,500,000 of loans were so converted), at the option of the lender. |
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.
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Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock will consist of 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
Units
Each unit sold in this offering has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one share of Class A common stock and one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, as described in this prospectus. Pursuant to the rights agreement, a rights holder may exchange rights only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that rights may be exchanged only in multiples of 8 rights (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like).
We expect the Class A common stock and rights comprising the units to begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the closing of this offering, unless EF Hutton informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the shares of Class A common stock and rights commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into shares of Class A common stock and rights.
In no event will the Class A common stock and rights be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K that includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file such a Current Report on Form 8-K upon the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus.
Each unit sold in the private placement has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one share of Class A common stock and one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, as described in this prospectus. Pursuant to the rights agreement, a rights holder may exchange rights only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that rights may be exchanged only in multiples of 8 rights (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like).
The private placement units (including the Class A common stock and rights underlying such units and the Class A common stock underlying such rights) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering (except, among other limited exceptions as described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units,” to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor). Following such period and subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, the private placement units (including the shares of Class A common stock and rights underlying such units, and the shares of Class A common stock underlying such rights) will be transferable, assignable or salable, except that the private placement units will not trade. Holders of our private placement units and the underlying securities are entitled to certain registration rights. In addition, holders of our private placement units and the underlying securities have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such securities if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering.
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Common Stock
Upon the closing of this offering, 13,016,250 shares of our common stock will be outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of 375,000 founder shares by our sponsor), consisting of:
| ● | 10,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock underlying the units being offered in this offering; | |
| ● | 100,000 representative’s shares of our Class A common stock; | |
| ● | 2,500,000 shares of Class B common stock held by our initial stockholders; and | |
| ● | 416,250 shares of Class A common stock underlying the private placement units. |
If we increase or decrease the size of this offering we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital or another appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock, immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering).
Common stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, except as required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Unless specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our stockholders. Our board of directors will be divided into two classes, with members of each class serving staggered two-year terms (except that the terms of the initial Class I directors will expire at the first annual meeting of our stockholders held after the completion of this offering). There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our stockholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Because our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, if we were to enter into an initial business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such an initial business combination) be required to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our stockholders vote on the initial business combination to the extent we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with our bylaws, unless such election is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, and thus we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.
We will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion 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 as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.10 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, any private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Unlike many blank check companies that hold stockholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a stockholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting.
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However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public stockholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial stockholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares of common stock sold in this offering, which we refer to as the Excess Shares. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our stockholders’ inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such stockholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such stockholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete the initial business combination. And, as a result, such stockholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their stock in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, pursuant to the letter agreement our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares and private placement shares and our anchor investors’ founder shares (if any), we would need only 372,501, or approximately 3.7%, of the 10,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination, or 272,501, or approximately 2.7%, if the holders of the representative’s shares also choose to vote in favor of the business combination (assuming only a quorum is present at the meeting and only a majority of shares are required to approve the business combination) in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised). Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction (subject to the limitation described in the preceding paragraph).
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering). However, if our initial stockholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the applicable time period.
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In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after an initial business combination, our stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, except that we will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein.
Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares
The founder shares are shares of Class B common stock. The private placement shares are shares of Class A common stock and the shares of common stock underlying the private placement rights are shares of Class A common stock.
The founder shares are identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares have the same stockholder rights as public stockholders, except that (i) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed (A) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, and any private placement shares and public shares held by them, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, and any private placement shares and public shares held by them, in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (x) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering or (y) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (C) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period, (iii) the founder shares are shares of our Class B common stock that will automatically convert into shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination, or at any time prior thereto at the option of the holder, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described herein, and (iv) the founder shares, and any private placement shares held by them are entitled to registration rights. If we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed pursuant to the letter agreement to vote any founder shares and private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
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The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of the initial business combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares) plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial business combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination, any private placement securities issued to our sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to us). We cannot determine at this time whether a majority of the holders of our Class B common stock at the time of any future issuance would agree to waive such adjustment to the conversion ratio. They may waive such adjustment due to (but not limited to) the following: (i) closing conditions which are part of the agreement for our initial business combination; (ii) negotiation with Class A stockholders on structuring an initial business combination; or (iii) negotiation with parties providing financing which would trigger the anti-dilution provisions of the Class B common stock. If such adjustment is not waived, the issuance would not reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our Class B common stock, but would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our Class A common stock. If such adjustment is waived, the issuance would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of both classes of our common stock. Holders of founder shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time. The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock issues in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt. Securities could be “deemed issued” for purposes of the conversion rate adjustment if such shares are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of convertible securities, rights or similar securities.
Our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property (except as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares and private placement shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions.
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering.
Rights
Each holder of a right will automatically receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination or the registered holder of a certificated right fails to tender such rights certificate. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive the additional shares upon consummation of a business combination, as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in this offering. If we enter into a definitive agreement for a business combination in which we will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of shares of Class A common stock will receive in the transaction on an as-exchanged for Class A common stock basis, and rights holders will be required to affirmatively elect to exchange their rights for the underlying shares as well as to return the original rights certificates to us within a fixed period of time after which period the rights will expire worthless. Pursuant to the rights agreement, a rights holder may exchange rights only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that we will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights and rights may be exchanged only in multiples of 8 rights (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like). Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
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The shares issuable upon exchange of the rights will be freely tradable (except to the extent held by affiliates of ours) since the issuance of the shares underlying the rights will either be registered under an effective registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-1, whichever is applicable (in the case where we are not the surviving entity) or be exempt from registration pursuant to an applicable exemption such as the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) (in the case where we are the surviving entity).
The rights will be issued in certificated or book-entry form under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent, and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the rights 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 rights in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.
In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively exchange his, her or its rights in order to receive shares (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of the business combination. More specifically, each holder will be required to indicate his, her or its election to exchange the rights into their underlying shares as well as to return the original rights certificates to us within a fixed period of time after which period the rights will expire worthless. Until a holder affirmatively elects to exchange its rights, the right certificates held by such holder will not represent the shares of common stock they are exchangeable for but instead will simply represent the right to receive such shares.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds with respect to their rights, nor will they receive any distribution from our assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such rights, and the rights will expire worthless. Further, there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to the holders of the rights upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, in no event will we be required to net cash settle the rights. Because we will only issue a whole number of shares, you will not receive any fractional shares to the extent the number of rights held by you upon consummation of our initial business combination is not divisible by ten (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like).
The private placement rights will be identical to the rights included in the units being offered by this prospectus, except that such rights and the shares issuable upon the exchange of such rights will be subject to certain restrictions on transfer and will become tradable only after certain conditions are met or the resale of such rights (including underlying securities) is registered under the Securities Act.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock 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 conditions subsequent to completion of an initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to an initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering we will effect a stock dividend or a share contribution back to capital or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering). 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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Our Transfer Agent and Rights Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock and the rights agent for our rights is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and rights agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of the holders of a majority of our common stock. Our initial stockholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our common stock upon the closing of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares and assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and anchor investors do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide, among other things, that:
| ● | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus), we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law; | |
| ● | Prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination; | |
| ● | Although we do not intend to enter into an initial business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; | |
| ● | If a stockholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; whether or not we maintain our registration under the our Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above; |
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| ● | So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination; | |
| ● | If our stockholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Class A common stock upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares; and | |
| ● | 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 certificate of incorporation will provide that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ commissions.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
We will be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers upon completion of this offering. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
| ● | a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”); | |
| ● | an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or | |
| ● | an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. |
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:
| ● | our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction; | |
| ● | after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or | |
| ● | on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. |
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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our board of directors will be classified into two classes of directors, with members of each class serving staggered two-year terms (except that the terms of the initial Class I directors will expire at the first annual meeting of our stockholders held after the completion of this offering). As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings.
Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Exclusive Forum for Certain Lawsuits
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. If an action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Special Meetings of Stockholders
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 52nd day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
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Action by Written Consent
Subsequent to the consummation of this offering, any action required or permitted to be taken by our common stockholders must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders other than with respect to our Class B common stock.
Classified Board of Directors
Our board of directors will initially be divided into two classes, Class I and Class II, with members of each class serving staggered two-year terms (except that the terms of the initial Class I directors will expire at the first annual meeting of our stockholders held after the completion of this offering). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Subject to the terms of any preferred stock, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.
Class B Common Stock Consent
For so long as any shares of Class B common stock remain outstanding, we may not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class B common stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision our certificate of incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class B common stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Class B common stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class B common stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Class B common stock were present and voted.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after the consummation of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) we will have 12,970,000 (or 14,890,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) shares of common stock outstanding. Of these shares, the 10,000,000 (or 11,500,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and the 2,870,000 (or 3,275,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) shares common stock issued as founder shares, private placement shares or representative’s shares will be restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. In addition, these shares of common stock are subject to contractual transfer restrictions as set forth elsewhere in this prospectus. These securities will be entitled to registration rights as more fully described below under “— Registration Rights.”
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock or rights for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
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Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock or rights for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
| ● | 1% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock then outstanding, which will equal 129,700 shares immediately after this offering (or 148,900 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or | |
| ● | the average weekly reported trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
| ● | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; | |
| ● | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; | |
| ● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and materials required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and | |
| ● | at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
As a result, our initial stockholders will be able to sell their founder shares and private placement units, and the securities underlying the foregoing, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
Registration Rights
The holders of the Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the founder shares, shares of Class A common stock included in the private placement units and underlying the private placement rights and representative’s shares, and shares of Class A common stock included in or underlying the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any share of Class A common stock held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period as described here. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the underwriters may not exercise their demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise their demand rights on more than one occasion. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Listing of Securities
We have applied to list our units, Class A common stock and rights on Nasdaq under the symbols “SAGAU,” “SAGA” and “SAGAR,” respectively. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the shares of our Class A common stock and rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the shares of our Class A common stock and rights will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units (each consisting of one share of our Class A common stock and one right to receive one-eighth of one share of our Class A common stock) that are purchased in this offering by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). Because the components of a unit are generally separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying share of our Class A common stock and one right component of the unit. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of shares of our Class A common stock and rights should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying share of our Class A common stock and rights that constitute the units).
This discussion is limited to certain U.S. federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our securities who are initial purchasers of a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (generally, property held for investment). This discussion assumes that the shares of our Class A common stock and rights will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on the shares of our Class A common stock and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances or that is subject to special rules under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, but not limited to:
| ● | our sponsor, officers, directors or other holders of our Class B common stock or private placement shares; | |
| ● | banks and other financial institutions or financial services entities; | |
| ● | broker-dealers; | |
| ● | mutual funds; | |
| ● | retirement plans, individual retirement accounts or other tax-deferred accounts; | |
| ● | taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market tax accounting rules; | |
| ● | tax-exempt entities; | |
| ● | S-corporations, partnerships or other flow-through entities and investors therein; | |
| ● | governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; | |
| ● | insurance companies; | |
| ● | regulated investment companies; | |
| ● | real estate investment trusts; | |
| ● | passive foreign investment companies; | |
| ● | controlled foreign corporations; | |
| ● | qualified foreign pension funds; | |
| ● | expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; | |
| ● | persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares; |
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| ● | persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation or in connection with services; | |
| ● | persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals to their financial statements under Section 451 of the Code; | |
| ● | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; | |
| ● | persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction; or | |
| ● | U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
The discussion below is based upon current provisions of the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (“Treasury Regulations”), judicial decisions and administrative rulings of the IRS, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such differing interpretations or change could alter the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift, estate or Medicare contribution tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of units, shares of our Class A common stock or rights that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election under Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities (including branches) or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. If you are a partner or a partnership holding our securities, we urge you to consult your own tax advisor.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR UNITS. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR UNITS 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 UNITS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-UNITED STATES TAX LAWS.
Personal Holding Company Status
We could be subject to a second level of U.S. federal income tax on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company (a “PHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).
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Depending on the date and size of our initial business combination, it is possible that at least 60% of our adjusted ordinary gross income may consist of PHC income as discussed above. In addition, depending on the concentration of our stock in the hands of individuals, including the members of our sponsor and certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts, it is possible that more than 50% of our stock may be owned or deemed owned (pursuant to the constructive ownership rules) by five or fewer such persons during the last half of a taxable year. Thus, no assurance can be given that we will not be a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed PHC income, which generally includes our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments.
Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of a unit or instruments similar to a unit for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one share of our Class A common stock and one right, where each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of our initial business combination, and we intend to treat the acquisition of a unit in this manner. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the one share of our Class A common stock and the one-half of one right based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Under U.S. federal income tax law, each investor must make its own determination of such value based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult its tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each share of our Class A common stock and one right should constitute the holder’s initial tax basis in such share and one right, respectively. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the share of our Class A common stock and one right comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the share of our Class A common stock and one right based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of disposition. The separation of the share of our Class A common stock and the one right constituting a unit should be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing treatment of the shares of our Class A common stock and rights and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Taxation of Distributions
If we pay distributions in cash or other property (other than certain distributions of our stock or rights to acquire our stock) to U.S. Holders of our Class A common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our shares of our Class A common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the shares of our Class A common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights” below.
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Dividends we pay to a corporate U.S. Holder generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if certain holding period requirements are met. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. Holder will generally be taxed as qualified dividend income at the preferential tax rate for long-term capital gains. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock described in this prospectus may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be. If the holding period requirements are not met, then a corporation may not be able to qualify for the dividends received deduction and would have taxable income equal to the entire dividend amount, and non-corporate holders may be subject to tax on such dividend at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or other taxable disposition of our shares of Class A common stock or rights (including on our dissolution and liquidation if we do not complete an initial business combination within the required time period). Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such shares of our Class A common stock or rights exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by a non-corporate U.S. holder are currently eligible to be taxed preferential rates. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period for the Class A common stock is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. Holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or taxable disposition of the shares would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
The amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the shares of our Class A common stock or rights are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the shares of our Class A common stock or rights based upon the then relative fair market values of the shares of our Class A common stock and the rights included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our Class A common stock or rights so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our Class A common stock and rights generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a share of our Class A common stock or one right, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced, in the case of a share of our Class A common stock, by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. See “U.S. Holders — Acquisition of Common Stock Pursuant to the Rights” below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a share of our Class A common stock acquired pursuant to the rights.
Redemption of Our Class A Common Stock
In the event that a U.S. Holder’s shares of our Class A common stock are redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in this prospectus under “Description of Securities — Common Stock” or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s shares of our Class A common stock in an open market transaction (each referred to herein as a “redemption”), the treatment of the redemption for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether it qualifies as a sale or exchange of the shares of our Class A common stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the shares of our Class A common stock under the tests described below, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale or exchange of the shares of our Class A common stock, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions.” Whether a redemption qualifies for sale or exchange treatment will depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder as described in the following paragraph) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption. The redemption of our Class A common stock generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the shares of our Class A common stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if, within the meaning of Section 302 of the Code, such redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder.
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In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder must take into account not only shares of our stock actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any stock the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would possibly include shares of our Class A common stock which could be acquired pursuant to the rights. In order to meet the “substantially disproportionate” test, the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of shares of our Class A common stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to our initial business combination, the shares of our Class A common stock may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other shares of our stock. The redemption of the shares of our Class A common stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a U.S. Holder if it results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly-held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed shares of our Class A common stock will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining shares, or, if it has none, to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its rights or possibly in other stock constructively owned by it.
Acquisition of Class A Common Stock Pursuant to the Rights; Expiration of the Rights
In general, a U.S. Holder should not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of Class A common stock pursuant to the rights. The tax basis of Class A common stock acquired pursuant to the rights should be equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such rights. The holding period of such Class A common stock should begin on the day after the receipt of such Class A common stock pursuant to such rights. The tax treatment of a right that expires worthless is unclear. U.S. Holders of rights should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of any losses that result if the rights expire worthless.
Possible Constructive Distributions
The terms of each right provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of our Class A common stock in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. U.S. Holders of rights would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment to the number of such shares increases the rights holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of Class A common stock that would be obtained upon an acquisition of Class A common stock pursuant to the rights) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our Class A common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our Class A common stock, in each case which is taxable to the holders of such shares as a distribution. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” above in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the rights received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to “Non-U.S. Holders.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our units, Class A common stock or rights that is not a U.S. Holder and is not a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such term generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or sale or other disposition of our securities.
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Taxation of Distributions
In general, any distributions (including constructive distributions) we make to a Non-U.S. Holder of shares of our Class A common stock, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if required pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty, are not attributable to a permanent establishment of fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable). In the case of any constructive dividend, it is possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to a Non-U.S. Holder by the applicable withholding agent, including cash distributions on other property or sale proceeds from rights or other property subsequently paid or credited to such holder. Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our Class A common stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the shares of our Class A common stock, which will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights” below. In addition, if we determine that we are or are likely to be classified as a “United States real property holding corporation” (see “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights” below), we will withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, including a distribution in redemption of shares of our Class A common stock.
Dividends that we pay to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certain certification and disclosure requirements (usually by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. resident, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate).
Acquisition of Class A Common Stock Pursuant to the Rights
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder’s acquisition of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the rights generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders—Acquisition of Common Stock Pursuant to the Rights” above.
Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights
Subject to the discussion of FATCA and backup withholding below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our Class A common stock (including upon a dissolution and liquidation if we do not complete an initial business combination within the required time period) or rights (including an expiration or redemption of our rights), in each case without regard to whether such securities were held as part of a unit, unless:
| ● | the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States); or |
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| ● | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held our Class A common stock, and, in the case where shares of our Class A common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. Holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of our Class A common stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares of our Class A common stock. There can be no assurance that our Class A common stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose. These rules may be modified for Non-U.S. Holders of rights. If we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” and you own rights, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of these rules. |
Unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to tax at the applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. resident. Any gains described in the first bullet point above of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or lower treaty rate).
If the second bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. Holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Class A common stock or rights will generally be subject to tax at applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. resident. In addition, a buyer of our Class A common stock or rights from such holder may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. We cannot determine whether we will be a United States real property holding corporation in the future until we complete an initial business combination. In general, we would be classified as a United States real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Redemption of Our Class A Common Stock
The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. Holder’s shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Common Stock” will generally correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. Holder’s shares of our Class A common stock, as described under “U.S. Holders — Redemption of Our Class A Common Stock” above, and the consequences of the redemption to the Non-U.S. Holder will be as described above under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” and “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock and Rights,” as applicable.
Possible Constructive Distributions
The terms of each right provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of our Class A common stock in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. Non-U.S. Holders of rights would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment to the number of such shares increases the rights holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of Class A common stock that would be obtained upon an acquisition of Class A common stock pursuant to the rights) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our Class A common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our Class A common stock, in each case which is taxable to the holders of such shares as a distribution. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” above in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holders of the rights received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments (including constructive dividends) with respect to our Class A common stock (or rights) and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of our Class A common stock or rights may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to payments made to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. Payments made to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder provides certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. All holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them.
FATCA Withholding Taxes
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) generally impose withholding of 30% in certain circumstances on payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) and, subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below, on proceeds from sales or other disposition of our securities paid to “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and includes investment vehicles) and certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied or an exemption applies (typically certified as to by the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN-E). If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner that is not a foreign financial institution will be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return (which may entail significant administrative burden). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Similarly, dividends and, subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below, proceeds from sales or other disposition in respect of our units held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exceptions generally will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to us or the applicable withholding agent that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has proposed regulations which eliminate the federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to the gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our securities. Withholding agents may rely on the proposed Treasury Regulations until final regulations are issued. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible effects of FATCA on their investment in our securities.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, ESTATE, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
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EF Hutton is acting as sole book-running manager of this offering and as the sole representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, through their representative EF Hutton, have severally agreed to purchase on a firm commitment basis, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the following respective number of units set forth opposite each underwriter’s name at a public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
| Underwriter | Number of Units | |||
| EF Hutton | ||||
| Total | 10,000,000 | |||
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to all applicable laws and regulations and certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the units (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the units. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Units sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Upon the execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the units at the prices and upon the terms stated therein, and, as a result, will thereafter bear any risk associated with changing the offering price to the public or other selling terms after completion of the initial public offering. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. EF Hutton has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional units approximately proportionate to that underwriters’ initial purchase commitment. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
We, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of EF Hutton, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell (including any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-l(h) under the Exchange Act, as amended, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our units, rights, shares of common stock or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing. EF Hutton in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. Our sponsor, officers and directors are also subject to separate transfer restrictions on their founder shares and private placement units pursuant to the letter agreement as described herein.
Our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property (except as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. The private placement units (including the including the Class A common stock and rights underlying such units) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and one year after the completion of this offering (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Units”).
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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 underwriters. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, Class A common stock or rights 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, Class A common stock or rights will develop and continue after this offering.
We have applied to list our units on Nasdaq under the symbol “SAGAU.” We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect that our Class A common stock and rights will be listed under the symbols “SAGA” and “SAGAR,” respectively, once the Class A common stock and rights begin separate trading.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The upfront portion of the underwriting discounts and commissions will be $0.20 per unit.
|
Payable
by
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. |
||||||||
| No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||||
| Per Unit(1) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.55 | ||||
| Total(1) | $ | 5,500,000 | $ | 6,325,000 | ||||
| (1) | Includes $0.35 per unit, or $3,500,000 (or $4,025,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to 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 $0.35 multiplied by the number of shares of Class A common stock sold as part of the units in this offering, as described in this prospectus. In addition, we have agreed to issue to the representative and/or its designees 100,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consummation of this offering, which we refer to herein as the “representative’s shares,” as compensation in connection with this offering. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Underwriting” for a further description of the compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters. |
Representative’s Shares
We have agreed to issue to EF Hutton and/or its designees, 100,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consummation of this offering. The holders of these shares have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without our prior consent until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, they have agreed (i) to waive their redemption rights (or right to participate in any tender offer) with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). The shares will be granted customary registration rights in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8).
The shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of this offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). Pursuant to this FINRA lock-up, these securities cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated or the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of this offering except as permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2), including to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in this offering and their officers or partners, registered persons or affiliates.
Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell units in the open market. The underwriters have advised us that, in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, they may engage in short sale transactions, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of our units at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.
| ● | Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of units than it is required to purchase in the offering. |
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| ● | “Covered” short sales are sales of units in an amount up to the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. | |
| ● | “Naked” short sales are sales of units in an amount in excess of the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. | |
| ● | Covering transactions involve purchases of units either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. | |
| ● | To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. | |
| ● | To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of units to close the covered short position, the 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. | |
| ● | Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase units so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. |
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units. They may also cause the price of the units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Neither we, nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our Class A common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.
We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering payable by us will be approximately $460,000, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
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 an initial business combination.
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Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of common shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Activities and Relationships
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging. financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
| (A) | Resale Restrictions |
The distribution of units in Canada is being made only in the province of Ontario 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.
| (B) | 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, |
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| ● | the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 — Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations, | |
| ● | where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and | |
| ● | the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions. |
| (C) | 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.
| (D) | 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 offering memorandum (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.
| (E) | 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.
| (F) | 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.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the 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”), an offer to the public of any units which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any units may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
| (a) | to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Directive; | |
| (b) | to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters or the underwriters nominated by us for any such offer; or | |
| (c) | in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of units shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive. |
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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer units to the public” in relation to the 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 to the units, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (“SFO”) and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (“CO”) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.
This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the units are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
| (a) | a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or | |
| (b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except: |
| (i) | to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
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| (ii) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; | |
| (iii) | where the transfer is by operation of law; | |
| (iv) | as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or | |
| (v) | as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore. |
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The units may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the units or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the units have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of units.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Italy
This prospectus has not been submitted to the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa, the Italian Securities Exchange Commission (“CONSOB”), for clearance and will not be subject to formal review or clearance by CONSOB.
Accordingly, the Units may not be offered, and copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the shares may not be distributed in Italy except:
| (a) | to “qualified investors” (investitori qualificati), as defined pursuant to Article 34-ter, first paragraph, letter b), of CONSOB regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended, concerning issuers (“Regulation No. 11971”), but excluding (i) small and medium enterprises and natural persons indicated in Regulation No. 11971 that have not been included in the register of qualified investors, (ii) management companies and financial intermediaries authorized to manage individual portfolios on behalf of third parties and (iii) fiduciary companies managing portfolio investments regulated by Article 60, paragraph 4 of Legislative Decree No. 415 of July 23, 1996; or | |
| (b) | in other circumstances that are exempt from the rules on public offers pursuant to Article 100 of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the “Italian Financial Act”), and its implementing CONSOB regulations, including Regulation No. 11971. |
Any such offer, sale or delivery of the Units offered hereby or distribution of copies of this Prospectus, or any other document relating to the offering in the Republic of Italy must be in compliance with the selling restrictions under
| (i) | made by soggetti abilitati (including investment firms (imprese di investimento), banks or financial intermediaries, as defined by Article 1, first paragraph, letter r), of the Italian Financial Act), to the extent duly authorized to engage in the offering and/or underwriting and/or purchase of financial instruments in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Italian Financial Act, CONSOB Regulation 16190 of October 29, 2007, as amended, Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended (the “Italian Banking Act”) and any other applicable laws and regulations; and |
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| (ii) | in compliance with any other applicable requirements or limitations which may be imposed by CONSOB, the Bank of Italy or any other Italian regulatory authority. |
Any investor purchasing the Units offered hereby is solely responsible for ensuring that any offer or resale of the shares it purchased occurs in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
In accordance with Article 100-bis of the Italian Financial Act, the subsequent resale on the secondary market in the Republic of Italy of the Units offered hereby (which were part of an offer made pursuant to an exemption from the obligation to publish a prospectus) constitutes a distinct and autonomous offer that must be made in compliance with the public offer and prospectus requirement rules provided under the Italian Financial Act and the Regulation No. 11971 unless an exemption applies. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the subsequent resale of such shares being declared null and void and the intermediary transferring the shares may be liable for any damage suffered by the investors.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”).
This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
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Mayer Brown LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act, and as such, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus. Loeb & Loeb LLP, New York, New York, advised the underwriters in connection with the offering of the securities.
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The financial statements of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. as of April 6, 2021 and for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through April 6, 2021 included in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report, thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given upon such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
| 148 |
Where You Can Find Additional Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
| 149 |
| F-1 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) as of April 6, 2021, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through April 6, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 6, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through April 6, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph — Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company’s ability to execute its business plan is dependent upon its completion of the proposed public offering described in Note 3 to the financial statements. The Company has a working capital deficiency as of April 6, 2021, and lacks financial resources it needs to sustain its operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
| /s/ Marcum LLP | |
| Marcum LLP | |
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021 | |
| Tampa, FL | |
| May 25, 2021 |
| F-2 |
SAGALIAM
ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEETS
| June 30, 2021 | April 6, 2021 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 1,881 | $ | 100 | ||||
| Total current assets | 1,881 | 100 | ||||||
| Deferred offering costs | 389,326 | 348,616 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 391,207 | $ | 348,716 | ||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 777 | ||||
| Accrued offering costs and expenses | 229,061 | 275,114 | ||||||
| Promissory note – related party | 178,502 | 48,602 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 407,563 | 324,493 | ||||||
| Stockholder’s Equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | — | — | ||||||
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | — | — | ||||||
| Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding(1) | 288 | 288 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 24,712 | 24,712 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (41,356 | ) | (777 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholder’s equity | (16,356 | ) | 24,223 | |||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity | $ | 391,207 | $ | 348,716 | ||||
| (1) | On April 5, 2021, the Company issued 2,875,000 shares of common stock to the Sponsor for $25,000 in cash in connection with formation. Includes up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriters (see Note 7). |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
| F-3 |
SAGALIAM
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
For the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through |
||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | April 6, 2021 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||||
| Operating Costs | $ | 579 | $ | — | ||||
| Formation costs | 777 | 777 | ||||||
| Management Fees | 40,000 | — | ||||||
| Total Expenses | $ | 41,356 | $ | 777 | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (41,356 | ) | $ | (777 | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding(1) | 2,500,000 | 2,500,000 | ||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||
| (1) | On April 5, 2021, the Company issued 2,875,000 shares of common stock to the Sponsor for $25,000 in cash in connection with formation. Excludes up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriters (see Note 7). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| F-4 |
SAGALIAM
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’s EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 31, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2021
| Class B | Additional | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares(1) | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2021 (inception) | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
| Class B common stocks issued to Sponsor | 2,875,000 | 288 | 24,712 | — | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (41,356 | ) | (41,356 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2021 (unaudited) | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | 24,712 | $ | (41,356 | ) | $ | (16,356 | ) | |||||||||
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 31, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 6, 2021
| Class B | Additional | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares(1) | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2021 (inception) | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
| Class B common stocks issued to Sponsor | 2,875,000 | 288 | 24,712 | — | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (777 | ) | (777 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of April 6, 2021 (audited) | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | 24,712 | $ | (777 | ) | $ | 24,223 | ||||||||||
| (1) | On April 5, 2021, the Company issued 2,875,000 shares of common stock to the Sponsor for $25,000 in cash in connection with formation. Includes up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 7). |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
| F-5 |
SAGALIAM
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
For the period March 31, 2021 (inception) through |
||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | April 6, 2021 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (41,356 | ) | $ | (777 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Management fees accrued to promissory note | 40,000 | — | ||||||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | — | — | ||||||
| Accounts payable | — | 777 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (1,356 | ) | — | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor | 25,000 | 25,000 | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of promissory note to related party | 138,502 | 48,602 | ||||||
| Payment of offering costs | (160,265 | ) | (73,502 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,237 | 100 | ||||||
| Net change in cash | 1,881 | 100 | ||||||
| Cash, beginning of the period | — | — | ||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 1,881 | $ | 100 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Non-cash financing transactions: | ||||||||
| Accrued deferred offering costs | $ | 229,061 | $ | 275,114 | ||||
| Deferred offering costs paid by promissory note to related party | $ | 48,502 | $ | 48,502 | ||||
| Management fees accrued to promissory note to related party | $ | 40,000 | — | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| F-6 |
Note 1 — Organization and Business Operations
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on March 31, 2021. The Company is a newly organized blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (“Business Combination”). The Company has not selected any specific business combination target and the Company has not, nor has anyone on its behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target.
The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity through June 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and Proposed Public Offering (as defined below). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Public Offering.
The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of 10,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) (or 11,500,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3 (the “Proposed Public Offering”), and the sale of 370,000 Units (or 400,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised on full) (the “Private Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Unit in a private placement to the Company’s sponsor (the “Sponsor”) that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Public Offering.
The Company’s 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) (net of taxes payable) at the time of the signing an agreement to enter into a Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination entity 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. 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 an aggregate of $10.00 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay its franchise and income tax obligations (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the Private Placement Units will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (a) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and (c) the redemption of the Company’s public shares if the Company is unable to complete the initial business combination within 12 months (or 13 to 18 months, as applicable) from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Company’s public stockholders.
The Company will provide its public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of the initial business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The stockholders will be entitled to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (initially approximately $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).
| F-7 |
The shares of common stock 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.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.
The Company will have 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, unless such period is extended. If the Company has executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, the period of time the Company will have to consummate an initial business combination will be automatically extended by an additional four months to an aggregate of 16 months without additional cost. However, if the Company is not able to consummate an initial business combination within 12 months and the Company has not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination by such date, the Company may, by resolution of the board if requested by the sponsor, extend the time available to consummate an initial business combination for an additional three months up to two times (for a total of 18 months to complete a business combination) by paying into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline. The Company will only be able to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months) (the “Combination Period”). However, if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to the Company to pay its franchise and income taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s Rights, which will expire worthless if the Company fail to complete an initial business combination within the Combination Period.
The Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and public shares in connection with the completion of the initial business combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and public shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if the Company fails to complete the initial business combination within the Combination Period.
The Company’s Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 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 $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, the Company has not asked its Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has the Company independently verified whether its Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that the Company’s Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company. Therefore, the Company cannot assure that its Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations.
Going Concern Consideration
As of June 30, 2021 and April 6, 2021, the Company had $1,881 and $100 in cash and a working capital deficit of $405,682 and $324,393 (excluding deferred offering costs), respectively. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. Management plans to address this uncertainty through a Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3 and issuance of an unsecured promissory note to with principal up to $300,000 to the Sponsor as discussed in Note 5. 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 financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
| F-8 |
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.
Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and April 6, 2021.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account at a financial institution, the balance in which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
| F-9 |
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 Public Offering and that will be charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Net Loss per Share
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding the shares of common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 375,000 shares that are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). At June 30, 2021 and April 6, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into 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.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of April 6, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
The Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction.
The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
The provision for income taxes was deemed to be immaterial for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2021 and for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through April 6, 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
| F-10 |
Note 3 — Proposed Public Offering
In the Proposed Public Offering, the Company will offer for sale 10,000,000 Units, (or 11,500,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each unit that the Company is offering has a price of $10.00 and consists of one share of Class A common stock, and one right (“Public Right”). Each Public Right will entitle the holder to receive one-eighth of one share of Class A common stock at the closing of a Business Combination. (See Note 7).
Note 4 — Private Placement
The Company’s Sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 Private Placement Units (or 400,000 Private Placement Units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000, or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each Private Placement Unit will consist of one share of Class A common stock (“Private Placement Share”) and one right (“Private Placement Right”). Each Private Placement Right will entitle the holder to receive one-eighth of one share of Class A common stock at the closing of a Business Combination.
The Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and public shares in connection with the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and public shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its public shares if the Company does not complete its initial business combination during the Combination Period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete its initial business combination during the Combination Period. In addition, the Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of the Company’s initial business combination.
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Promissory Note — Related Party
On April 6, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the trust account. As of June 30, 2021 and April 6, 2021, the Company had drawn down $178,502 and $48,602, respectively, under the promissory note with the Sponsor to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into units of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units would be identical to the Private Placement Units.
| F-11 |
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company has agreed, commencing on May 1, 2021 to pay the Company’s Sponsor a monthly fee of an aggregate of $20,000 for the provision of officers’ cash salaries, office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. This arrangement will terminate upon completion of a Business Combination or the distribution of the Trust Account to the public stockholders (and in the case of officers’ cash salaries subject to any applicable notice periods).
Founder Shares
On April 5, 2021, the Company issued 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”) to the Sponsor for $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.009 per share, in connection with formation (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part). Thereafter, the Sponsor transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to the Company’s officers and director nominees. The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and director nominees will collectively own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming that none of the Sponsor and the Company’s officers and director nominees purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering and excluding the Private Placement Shares and Representative’s Shares (as defined below)). All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated.
The initial holders of the Founder Shares have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after the Company’s initial business combination, the Founder Shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions (See Note 8).
| F-12 |
Note 6 — Commitments
Registration Rights
The holders of the Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares, shares of Class A common stock underlying the Private Placement Rights, the Representative’s Shares and shares of Class A common stock included in or underlying the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require the Company to register a sale of any shares of Class A common stock held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. These holders will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company registers such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the underwriters may not exercise their demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise their demand rights on more than one occasion.
Underwriting Agreement
The underwriters have a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any.
The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, or $1,000,000 (or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full). The Company has also agreed to issue to EF Hutton, the representative of underwriters, and/or its designees, 100,000 shares of the Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Representative’s shares”) upon the consummation of this offering, as compensation in connection with this offering. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering upon the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Representative’s Shares
The Company has agreed to issue to EF Hutton (“EF Hutton”) and/or its designees, 100,000 shares of Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Representative’s Shares”) upon the consummation of this offering. EF Hutton has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, EF Hutton has agreed (i) to waive its redemption rights with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination during the Combination Period., subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus).
The shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of FINRA’s NASD Conduct Rules. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in this offering and their bona fide officers or partners.
Note 7 — Stockholder’s Equity
Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue a total of 1,000,000 preferred shares at par value of $0.0001 each. At April 6, 2021, there were no shares of preferred shares issued or outstanding.
| F-13 |
Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue a total of 100,000,000 Class A common shares at par value of $0.0001 each. At April 6, 2021, there were no shares of Class A common shares issued or outstanding.
Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue a total of 10,000,000 Class B common shares at par value of $0.0001 each. On April 5, 2021, the Company issued 2,875,000 shares of Class B common shares to the Sponsor (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full), for $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per share. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of its initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of the initial business combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering (not including the Private Placement Shares and Representative’s Shares) plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial business combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination or any units issued to the Sponsor, its affiliates or certain of officers and directors upon conversion of working capital loans made to the Company).
Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders, with each share of common stock entitling the holder to one vote, except as required by law or the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
Rights – Each holder of a right will automatically receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of a Business Combination, except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination or the registered holder of a certificated right fails to tender their original rights certificate, and even if the holder of such right redeemed all shares of Class A common stock held by it in connection with a Business Combination. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of Public Rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of a Business Combination, as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in the Proposed Public Offering. If the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Business Combination in which the Company will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of Public Rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of shares of Class A common stock will receive in the transaction on an as-exchanged for Class A common stock basis, and each holder of a Public Right will be required to affirmatively exchange its Public Rights in order to receive the 1/8 share underlying each Public Right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of a Business Combination. More specifically, the Public Rights holder will be required to indicate its election to exchange the Public Right for the underlying shares as well as to return the original rights certificates to the Company within a fixed period of time after which period the rights will expire worthless.
Pursuant to the rights agreement, a rights holder may exchange rights only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that the Company will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights and rights may be exchanged only in multiples of 8 rights (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like). Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Public Rights will not receive any such funds with respect to their Public Rights, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Public Rights, and the Public Rights will expire worthless. Further, there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to holders of the Public Rights upon consummation of a Business Combination. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the rights. Accordingly, the rights may expire worthless.
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Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than as described above, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
In September 2021, the Company terminated the relationship with Maxim Group LLC, the previous underwriter of its Proposed Public Offering, and entered into an engagement letter with EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”), pursuant to which EF Hutton was engaged as the underwriter for the Company’s Proposed Public Offering. In addition, since the Company’s last S-1 filing in May 2021, the Company has amended certain of the commercial terms relating to the Proposed Public Offering, primarily including, among other things, (i) changing each Public Right that the Company proposes to offer from the right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Class A common stock, to the right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A common stock, (ii) extending the period of time the Company to consummate an initial business combination by an additional four months, provided, that the Company has executed a definitive agreement and filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, (iii) extending the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months two times (for a total of six months), provided, that the Company pays into the trust account $1,000,000, or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the deadline, if the Company has not entered into a definitive agreement or filed a proxy statement for an initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering; and (iv) up to ten “qualified institutional buyers” as that term is defined in Rule 144A or “accredited investors” as that term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act (none of which are affiliated with any member of the Company’s management, the Company’s sponsor or any other anchor investor), will enter into investment agreements with the Company and its sponsor pursuant to which they each have expressed an interest to purchase up to 99,000 units in the Proposed Public Offering.
| F-15 |
10,000,000 Units
SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP.
PROSPECTUS
Sole Book-Running Manager
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
, 2021
Until , 2021 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our public 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 its unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) are as follows:
| SEC expenses | $ | 12,672 | ||
| FINRA expenses | 17,923 | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses | 45,000 | |||
| Printing expenses | 15,000 | |||
| Travel and road show expenses | 20,000 | |||
| Legal fees and expenses | 225,000 | |||
| Nasdaq listing fees | 75,000 | |||
| Miscellaneous | 49,405 | |||
| Total | $ | 460,000 |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and officers.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
| (a) | A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. | |
| (b) | A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. |
| II-1 |
| (c) | To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. | |
| (d) | Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. | |
| (e) | Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. | |
| (f) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred. | |
| (g) | A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. | |
| (h) | For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. |
| II-2 |
| (i) | For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section. | |
| (j) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. | |
| (k) | The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees). |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will provide that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.
| II-3 |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.
The right to indemnification which will be conferred by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or otherwise.
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may have or hereafter acquire under law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
Our bylaws, which we intend to adopt immediately prior to the closing of this offering, include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which will be set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors a form of which is to be filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.
| II-4 |
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify us against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
On April 5, 2021, Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, our sponsor, purchased an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares (up to 375,000 of which are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full), for an aggregate offering price of $25,000. Our sponsor later transferred a total of 225,000 founder shares to our officers and director nominees. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock upon completion of this offering (excluding the private placement shares and representative’s shares). Such securities were issued in connection with our organization, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.
Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 (or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of our initial public offering. This issuance will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
We have agreed to issue to the EF Hutton and/or its designees 100,000 shares of Class A common stock (or 115,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) upon the consummation of this offering, as compensation in connection with this offering.
No underwriting discounts or commissions were or will paid with respect to such sales.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
| (a) | Exhibits. |
* To be filed by amendment
** Previously filed
***Filed herewith
| (b) | Financial Statement Schedules. See page F-1 for the index to the financial statements and schedules included in this registration statement. |
| II-5 |
Item 17. Undertakings.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. |
| (b) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (c) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: |
| (1) | 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. | |
| (3) | 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. | |
| (4) | For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; | |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned registrant; | |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and | |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| II-6 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 1st day of October, 2021.
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Barry Kostiner | |
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| NAME | POSITION | DATE | ||
| /s/ Barry Kostiner | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | October 1, 2021 | ||
| Barry Kostiner | (principal executive officer) | |||
| /s/ Thomas W. Neukranz | Chief Financial Officer and Director | October 1, 2021 | ||
| Thomas W. Neukranz | (principal financial and accounting officer) |
| II-7 |
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP.
[________], 2021
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:
1. The name of the Corporation is “Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.” The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 31, 2021 (the “Certificate”).
2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).
3. This Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with Secretary of State of Delaware.
4. The text of the Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation is Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”).
ARTICLE III
REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19808, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITALIZATION
Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 111,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), including (i) 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. Subject to Article IX of this Amended and Restated Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.
Section 4.3 Common Stock.
(a) Voting.
(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.
(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.
(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of any series of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.
(b) Class B Common Stock.
(i) Shares of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “Initial Conversion Ratio”) automatically on the closing of the Business Combination.
(ii) Notwithstanding the Initial Conversion Ratio, in the case that additional shares of Class A Common Stock, or Equity-linked Securities (as defined below), are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities (the “Offering”) and related to the closing of the initial Business Combination, all issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of the closing of the initial Business Combination at a ratio for which:
the numerator shall be equal to the sum of (A) 25% of all shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable (upon the conversion or exercise of any Equity-linked Securities or otherwise) by the Corporation, related to or in connection with the consummation of the initial Business Combination (excluding any securities issued or issuable to any seller in the initial Business Combination, any private placement units (or underlying securities) issued to Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) or its affiliates upon conversion of loans to the Corporation plus (B) the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination; and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination.
As used herein, the term “Equity-linked Securities” means any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the foregoing adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio may be waived as to any particular issuance or deemed issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Equity-linked Securities by the written consent or agreement of holders of a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock then outstanding consenting or agreeing separately as a single class in the manner provided in Section 4.3(b)(iii), and (ii) in no event shall the Class B Common Stock convert into Class A Common Stock at a ratio that is less than one-for-one.
The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to account for any subdivision (by stock split, subdivision, exchange, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring after the original filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision, combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.
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Each share of Class B Common Stock shall convert into its pro rata number of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4.3(b). The pro rata share for each holder of Class B Common Stock will be determined as follows: Each share of Class B Common Stock shall convert into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock at the time of conversion.
(iii) Voting. Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), for so long as any shares of Class B Common Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class B Common Stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Class B Common Stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class B Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Class B Common Stock were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt written notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the holders of Class B Common Stock shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those holders of Class B Common Stock who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of Class B Common Stock to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.
(c) Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock (on an as converted basis with respect to the Class B Common Stock) held by them.
Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws of the Corporation (“By-Laws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
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Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.
(a) The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.
(b) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, the Board shall be divided into two classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I and Class II. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I and Class II. The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate and the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a two-year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, if the number of directors that constitute the Board is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions thereof, to assign members of the Board already in office to the aforesaid classes at the time this Amended and Restated Certificate (and therefore such classification) becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL.
(c) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
(d) Unless and except to the extent that the By-Laws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights with regard to election of directors.
Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
Section 5.4 Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.
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ARTICLE VI
BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The By-Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws; and provided further, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
ARTICLE VII
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Section 7.1 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.
Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the By-Laws.
Section 7.3 Action by Written Consent. Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, subsequent to the consummation of the Offering, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders other than with respect to our Class B Common Stock with respect to which action may be taken by written consent.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
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(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Amended and Restated Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.
ARTICLE IX
BUSINESS COMBINATION REQUIREMENTS; EXISTENCE
Section 9.1 General.
(a) The provisions of this Article IX shall apply during the period commencing upon the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate and terminating upon the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination and no amendment to this Article IX shall be effective prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock.
(b) Immediately after the Offering, a certain amount of the net offering proceeds received by the Corporation in the Offering (including the proceeds of any exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) and certain other amounts specified in the Corporation’s registration statement on Form S-1, as initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”), shall be deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), established for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined below) pursuant to a trust agreement described in the Registration Statement. Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes (less up to $150,000 interest to pay dissolution expenses), none of the funds held in the Trust Account (including the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) will be released from the Trust Account until the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination, (ii) the redemption of 100% of the Offering Shares (as defined below) if the Corporation is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Offering (or 13 to 18 months from the closing of this offering, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, subject to our sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as described in more detail in this prospectus) (or, if the Office of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall not be open for business (including filing of corporate documents) on such date the next date upon which the Office of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall be open) (the “Deadline Date”) and (iii) the redemption of shares in connection with a vote seeking (a) to modify the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to provide for the redemption of the Offering Shares in connection with an initial Business Combination or amendments to this Amended and Restated Certificate prior thereto or to redeem 100% of such shares if the Corporation has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Deadline Date or (b) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity (as described in Section 9.7). Holders of shares of Common Stock included as part of the units sold in the Offering (the “Offering Shares”) (whether such Offering Shares were purchased in the Offering or in the secondary market following the Offering and whether or not such holders are the Sponsor or officers or directors of the Corporation, or affiliates of any of the foregoing) are referred to herein as “Public Stockholders.”
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Section 9.2 Redemption Rights.
(a) Prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall provide all holders of Offering Shares with the opportunity to have their Offering Shares redeemed upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination pursuant to, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) (such rights of such holders to have their Offering Shares redeemed pursuant to such Sections, the “Redemption Rights”) hereof for cash equal to the applicable redemption price per share determined in accordance with Section 9.2(b) hereof (the “Redemption Price”); provided, however, that the Corporation will only redeem Offering Shares so long as (after such redemption), the Corporation’s net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor rule)), or of any entity that succeeds the Corporation as a public company, will be at least $5,000,001 or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to the initial Business Combination either immediately prior to or upon consummation of the initial Business Combination (such limitation hereinafter called the “Redemption Limitation”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate, there shall be no Redemption Rights or liquidating distributions with respect to any right issued pursuant to the Offering.
(b) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares other than in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (or any successor rules or regulations) and filing proxy materials with the SEC, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2(a) hereof pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule or regulation) (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Tender Offer Rules”) which it shall commence prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination and shall file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination that contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial Business Combination and the Redemption Rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule or regulation) (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Proxy Solicitation Rules”), even if such information is not required under the Tender Offer Rules; provided, however, that if a stockholder vote is required by law to approve the proposed initial Business Combination, or the Corporation decides to submit the proposed initial Business Combination to the stockholders for their approval for business or other legal reasons, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2(a) hereof in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the Proxy Solicitation Rules (and not the Tender Offer Rules) at a price per share equal to the Redemption Price calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 9.2(b). In the event that the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with the Tender Offer Rules, the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares tendering their Offering Shares pursuant to such tender offer shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, by (ii) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares. If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on the proposed initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares exercising their Redemption Rights shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, by (b) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares.
(c) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), shall be restricted from seeking Redemption Rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Offering Shares without the prior consent of the Corporation.
(d) In the event that the Corporation has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Deadline Date, the Corporation shall (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Offering Shares in consideration of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes (less up to $150,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses), by (B) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish rights of the Public Stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the Board in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the Corporation’s obligations under the DGCL to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law.
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(e) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall consummate the proposed initial Business Combination only if (i) such initial Business Combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock that are voted at a stockholder meeting held to consider such initial Business Combination and (ii) the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.
(f) If the Corporation conducts a tender offer pursuant to Section 9.2(b), the Corporation shall consummate the proposed initial Business Combination only if the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.
Section 9.3 Distributions from the Trust Account.
(a) A Public Stockholder shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only as provided in Sections 9.2(a), 9.2(b), 9.2(d) or 9.7 hereof. In no other circumstances shall a Public Stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to distributions from the Trust Account, and no stockholder other than a Public Stockholder shall have any interest in or to the Trust Account.
(b) Each Public Stockholder that does not exercise its Redemption Rights shall retain its interest in the Corporation and shall be deemed to have given its consent to the release of the remaining funds in the Trust Account to the Corporation, and following payment to any Public Stockholders exercising their Redemption Rights, the remaining funds in the Trust Account shall be released to the Corporation.
(c) The exercise by a Public Stockholder of the Redemption Rights shall be conditioned on such Public Stockholder following the specific procedures for redemptions set forth by the Corporation in any applicable tender offer or proxy materials sent to the Public Stockholders relating to the proposed initial Business Combination. Payment of the amounts necessary to satisfy the Redemption Rights properly exercised shall be made as promptly as practical after the consummation of the initial Business Combination.
Section 9.4 Share Issuances. Prior to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall not issue any additional shares of capital stock of the Corporation that would entitle the holders thereof to receive funds from the Trust Account or vote on any initial Business Combination, on any pre-Business Combination activity or on any amendment to this Article IX.
Section 9.5 Transactions with Affiliates. In the event the Corporation enters into an initial Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with the Sponsor, or the directors or officers of the Corporation, the Corporation, or a committee of the independent directors of the Corporation, shall obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such Business Combination is fair to the Corporation from a financial point of view.
Section 9.6 No Transactions with Other Blank Check Companies. The Corporation shall not enter into an initial Business Combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
Section 9.7 Additional Redemption Rights. If, in accordance with Section 9.1(a), any amendment is made to Section 9.2(d) to modify (i) the substance or timing of the ability of Public Stockholders to seek redemption in connection with an initial Business Combination or amendments to this Amended and Restated Certificate prior thereto or the Corporation’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Corporation has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Deadline Date or (ii) any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, the Public Stockholders shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Offering Shares upon the approval of any such amendment, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares; provided, however, that any such amendment will be voided, and this Article IX will remain unchanged, if any stockholders who wish to redeem are unable to redeem due to the Redemption Limitation.
Section 9.8 Minimum Value of Target. So long as the Corporation is listed on a national securities exchange, the Corporation’s initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting discount held in, and taxes payable on the income earned on, the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement for the initial Business Combination.
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ARTICLE X
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
To the extent allowed by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation, except, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall apply with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation with respect to a corporate opportunity that was offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and (i) such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue and (ii) the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal obligation.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XI; provided, however, that Article IX of this Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended only as provided therein.
ARTICLE XII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
Section 12.1 Forum. Subject to the last sentence in this Section 12.1, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of this Section 12.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 12.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.4 Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article XII.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
| 10 |
Exhibit 4.1
| NUMBER | UNITS |
| U- |
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
CUSIP 78661R 205
SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP.
UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND ONE RIGHT TO RECEIVE ONE-EIGHTH OF ONE SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
THIS CERTIFIES THAT is the owner of Units.
Each Unit (“Unit”) consists of one (1) share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and one right (the “Right”) entitling the holder to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment). The Common Stock and Rights comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior to , 2021, unless EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, elects to allow separate trading earlier, subject to the Company’s filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering and issuing a press release announcing when separate trading will begin. The terms of the Rights are governed by a Rights Agreement, dated as of , 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the office of the Rights Agent at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, and are available to any Right holder on written request and without cost.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Company.
This certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Witness the facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Company.
| Authorized Signatory | Transfer Agent |
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
The Company will furnish without charge to each unitholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE)
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
Units represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
Attorney to transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Company 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) 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 (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE). |
In each case, as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus dated , 2021, the holder(s) of this certificate shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion of certain funds held in the trust account established in connection with its initial public offering only in the event that (i) the Company redeems the shares of Class A common stock sold in the Company’s initial public offering and liquidates because it does not consummate an initial business combination within the time period set forth in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time (such date being referred to herein as the “Last Date”), (ii) the Company redeems the shares of Class A common stock sold in its initial public offering in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Class A common stock if it does not consummate an initial business combination by the Last Date, or (iii) if the holder(s) seek(s) to redeem for cash his, her or its respective shares of Class A common stock in connection with a tender offer (or proxy solicitation, solely in the event the Company seeks stockholder approval of the proposed initial business combination) setting forth the details of a proposed initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall the holder(s) have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.
| 2 |
Exhibit 4.3
|
NUMBER SAGAR |
RIGHTS |
SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DELAWARE
RIGHT
SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
CUSIP 78661R 114
THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received
is the registered holder of a right or rights (each, a “Right”) to automatically receive one-eighth of one share of common stock, $0.0001 par value (“Common Stock”), of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) for each Right evidenced by this Rights Certificate on the Company’s completion of an initial business combination (as defined in the prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering (“Prospectus”)) upon surrender of this Right Certificate pursuant to the Rights Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any Right.
Upon liquidation of the Company in the event an initial business combination is not consummated during the required period as identified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Right shall expire and be worthless. The holder of a Right shall have no right or interest of any kind in the Company’s trust account (as defined in the Prospectus).
Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of the Right Certificate at the office or agency of the Rights Agent, a new Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Rights shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Right Certificate, without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental charge. The Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exchange of Rights. The Company reserves the right to deal with any fractional entitlement at the relevant time in any manner (as provided in the Rights Agreement).
The Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the absolute owner of this Right Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any conversion hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Right Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Right does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company.
| Dated: | ||
| CHAIRMAN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |
| Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent |
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
| TEN COM | - | as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | - | Custodian | |||
| (Cust) | (Minor) | |||||||
| TEN ENT | - | as tenants by the entireties | ||||||
| JT TEN | - | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act |
|||||
| (State) | ||||||||
Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the rights represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of shares of Common Stock (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.
For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
|
PLEASE
INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE |
|
|
|
| (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) |
rights represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
____________________________________________________________________________ Attorney to transfer said rights on the books of the within named Company will full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated | ||||
| Notice: | The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. | |||
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
| THE SIGNATURE(S) 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 have no right or interest of any kind in or to the funds held in the Company’s trust account (as defined in the Prospectus).
Exhibit 4.4
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of [ ], 2021 between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, with offices at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004 (the “Rights Agent”).
WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (“Public Offering”) of units, each unit (“Unit”) comprised of one share of Class A common stock with par value $0.0001 per share of the Company (“Common Stock”) and one right to receive one-eighth of one share of Common Stock (each a “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”), subject to adjustment, upon the happening of the triggering event described herein;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Public Offering, the Company will issue and deliver up to 10,000,000 Rights (or up to 11,500,000 Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) to the public investors;
WHEREAS, the Company’s sponsor (as defined in the Registration Statement) has agreed to purchase up to 370,000 Units (or up to 400,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), and in connection therewith, the Company will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 370,000 Rights (or up to 400,000 Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) as part of such Units upon consummation of such private placement;
WHEREAS, the Company may issue up to 150,000 Units upon conversion of certain working capital loans made by the Company to the sponsor (as defined in the Registration Statement) or an affiliate of the sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, and in connection therewith, the Company will issue and deliver up to an aggregate of 150,000 Rights as part of such Units upon consummation of such conversion;
WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-256473 (“Registration Statement”), and related Prospectus (“Prospectus”) for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), of, among other securities, the Rights and the Common Stock issuable to the holders of the Rights underlying the Units to be sold in the Public Offering;
WHEREAS, the Company desires the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer and exchange of the Rights;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Rights, the terms upon which they shall be issued, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Rights Agent, and the holders of the Rights; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Rights, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Rights Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Rights, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. |
| 2. | Rights. |
| 2.1 | Form of Right. Each Right shall be issued in book-entry or certificated form. Any Rights issued in certificated form shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer of the Company . In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Right shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Right before such Right is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance. |
| 2.2 | Effect of Countersignature. Unless and until countersigned by the Rights Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a certificated Right shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exchanged for Common Stock. |
| 2.3 | Registration. |
| 2.3.1. | Right Register. The Rights Agent shall maintain books (“Right Register”) for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Rights. Upon the initial issuance of the Rights, the Rights Agent shall issue and register the Rights in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Rights Agent by the Company. |
| 2.3.2. | Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Right, the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Right shall be registered upon the Right Register (“registered holder”) as the absolute owner of such Right and of each Right represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on a Right Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent), for the purpose of the exchange thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. |
| 2.4 | Detachability of Rights. The securities comprising the Units, including the Rights, will not be separately transferable until the earlier to occur of: (i) the 52nd day following the date of the Prospectus or (ii) the announcement by EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (the “Representative”) of its intention to allow separate earlier trading, except that in no event will the securities comprising the Units be separately tradeable until the Company files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised by the date thereof and the Company issues a press release and files a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC announcing when such separate trading shall begin. |
| 3. | Terms and Exchange of Rights |
| 3.1 | Rights. Each Right shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one-eighth of one share of Common Stock upon the happening of an Exchange Event (defined below). No additional consideration shall be paid by a holder of Rights in order to receive his, her or its Common Stock upon an Exchange Event as the purchase price for such Common Stock has been included in the purchase price for the Units. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Rights or issue fractional shares of Common Stock. |
| 3.2 | Exchange Event. An “Exchange Event” shall occur upon the Company’s consummation of an initial Business Combination (as described in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation). |
| 3.3 | Exchange of Rights. |
| 3.3.1. | Issuance of Certificates. As soon as practicable upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event, (i) the Rights Agent shall automatically exchange all Rights held in book-entry form and issue to the registered holder of such Rights the number of whole shares of Common stock to which he, she or it is entitled in such holder’s name in book-entry form, and (ii) the Company shall direct holders of Rights held in certificated form to return their Rights Certificates to the Rights Agent. Upon receipt of a valid Rights Certificate, the Company shall issue to the registered holder of such Right(s) the number of whole shares of Common Stock to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it and issue to such registered holder(s) a certificate or book-entry position for such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Rights. The Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exchange of Rights. At the time of the Exchange Event, the Company will instruct the Right Agent to round down to the nearest whole share of Common Stock or otherwise inform it how fractional shares will be addressed in accordance with Delaware law, including the issuance of time-limited script for any such fractional shares in accordance with Section 155 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however, that holders of Rights shall have not less than 1 year from the date of the Exchange Event in order to exchange their Rights (or any script or warrant issued in lieu of fractional shares). |
| 3.3.2. | Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock issued upon an Exchange Event in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 3.3.3. | Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any such certificate or book-entry position for shares of Common Stock is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date of the Exchange Event, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate or entry of position. |
| 2 |
| 3.3.4. | Company Not Surviving Following Exchange Event. Upon an Exchange Event in which the Company does not continue as the publicly held reporting entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of Rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of the Common Stock will receive in such transaction, for the number of shares such holder is entitled to pursuant to Section 3.3.1 above. If the Company does not continue as the publicly held reporting entity upon an Exchange Event, each holder of a Right will be required to affirmatively convert his/her or its rights in order to receive the 1/8 share underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation of the Exchange Event. In such a case, each holder of a Right will be required to indicate his, her or its election to convert the Rights into underlying shares as well as to return the original certificates evidencing the Rights to the Company. |
| 3.4 | Duration of Rights. The Rights shall expire and shall be worthless on the 1 year anniversary of the Exchange Event. If an Exchange Event does not occur within the time period set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, the Rights shall expire and shall be worthless. |
| 4. | Transfer and Exchange of Rights. |
| 4.1 | Registration of Transfer. The Rights Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Right upon the Right Register, upon surrender of such Right for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Right representing an equal aggregate number of Rights shall be issued and the old Right shall be cancelled by the Rights Agent. The Rights so cancelled shall be delivered by the Rights Agent to the Company from time to time upon request. |
| 4.2 | Procedure for Surrender of Rights. Rights may be surrendered to the Rights Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Rights Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Rights as requested by the registered holder of the Rights so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Rights; provided, however, that in the event that a Right surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend and the new Rights to be issued will not bear a restrictive legend, the Rights Agent shall not cancel such Right and issue new Rights in exchange therefor until the Rights Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating no restrictive legend is required. |
| 4.3 | Fractional Rights. The Rights Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a Right Certificate for a fraction of a Right. |
| 4.4 | Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Rights. |
| 4.5 | Right Execution and Countersignature. The Rights Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Rights to be issued in certificated form required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4, and the Company, whenever required by the Rights Agent, will supply the Rights Agent with Rights duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose. |
| 4.6 | Adjustments to Conversion Ratios. The number of shares of common stock that the holders of Rights are entitled to receive as a result of the occurrence of the Exchange Event shall be equitably adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any share split, reverse share split, share dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to the shares of common stock occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Exchange Event. |
| 5. | Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Rights. |
| 5.1 | No Rights as Shareholder. Until exchange of a Right as provided for herein, a Right does not entitle the registered holder thereof to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter. |
| 5.2 | Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Rights. If any Right certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Rights Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Right certificate, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Right certificate of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Right certificate so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Right certificate shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Right certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone. |
| 3 |
| 5.3 | Reservation of Shares. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exchange of all outstanding Rights issued pursuant to this Agreement. |
| 6. | Concerning the Rights Agent and Other Matters. |
| 6.1 | Payment of Taxes. The Company will from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Rights Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exchange of Rights, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Rights or such shares of Common Stock. |
| 6.2 | Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Rights Agent. |
| 6.2.1. | Appointment of Successor Rights Agent. The Rights Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving thirty (30) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Rights Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Rights Agent in place of the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Rights Agent or by the holder of the Right (who shall, with such notice, submit his, her or its Right for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Right may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Rights Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Rights Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Rights Agent with like effect as if originally named as Rights Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Rights Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Rights Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Rights Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Rights Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Rights Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations. |
| 6.2.2. | Notice of Successor Rights Agent. In the event a successor Rights Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Rights Agent and the transfer agent for the shares of Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment. |
| 6.2.3. | Merger or Consolidation of Rights Agent. Any corporation or other form of entity into which the Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Rights Agent under this Agreement without any further act. |
| 6.3 | Fees and Expenses of Rights Agent. |
| 6.3.1. | Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Rights Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Rights Agent hereunder and will reimburse the Rights Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Rights Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder. |
| 6.3.2. | Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement. |
| 6.4 | Liability of Rights Agent. |
| 6.4.1. | Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer and delivered to the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. |
| 4 |
| 6.4.2. | Indemnity. The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Subject to Section 6.6 below, the Company agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in the execution of this Agreement except as a result of the Rights Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith. |
| 6.4.3. | Exclusions. The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Right (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will when issued be valid and fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 6.5 | Acceptance of Agency. The Rights Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth. |
| 6.6 | Waiver. The Rights Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Rights Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. |
| 7. | Miscellaneous Provisions. |
| 7.1 | Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns. |
| 7.2 | Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Rights Agent), as follows: |
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Barry Kostiner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Right or by the Company to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Rights Agent with the Company), as follows:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Account Administration
with a copy to:
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attn: Thomas Kollar, Esq. and Brian Hirshberg, Esq.
| 5 |
and
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq. and David J. Levine, Esq.
and
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attn.: Edward Tsuker, Head of Capital Markets
| 7.3 | Applicable Law and Exclusive Forum. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Rights shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York. Subject to applicable law, the Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this paragraph will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in the Rights shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in this Section 7.3. If any action is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any right holder, such right holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such right holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such right holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such right holder. |
| 7.4 | Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the registered holders of the Rights and, for the purposes of Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof, the Representative, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. The Representative shall be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with respect to Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and the Representative with respect to the Sections 7.4 and 7.8 hereof) and their successors and assigns and of the registered holders of the Rights. The provisions of this Section 7.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative. |
| 7.5 | Examination of the Right Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Rights Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the registered holder of any Right. The Rights Agent may require any such holder to submit his, her or its Right for inspection by it. |
| 7.6 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. |
| 7.7 | Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof. |
| 7.8 | Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any registered holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the registered holders. All other modifications or amendments shall require the written consent or vote of the registered holders of a majority of the then outstanding Rights. The provisions of this Section 7.8 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Representative. |
| 7.9 | Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable. |
[Signature Page Follows]
| 6 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP.: | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | ||
| Title: |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
||
| CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY: | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to Right Agreement]
| 7 |
Exhibit 5.1
| Mayer Brown LLP | ||
| 1221 Avenue of the Americas | ||
| New York, NY 10020-1001 | ||
| United States of America | ||
| T: +1 212 506 2500 | ||
| F: +1 212 262 1910 | ||
| October 1, 2021 | ||
| mayerbrown.com | ||
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475 | ||
| Los Angeles, CA 90067 | ||
| (212) 616-0011 | ||
| Re: | Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special New York counsel for Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the registration of up to 11,500,000 units of the Company (the “Units”) (including up to 1,500,000 Units subject to an over-allotment option), with each Unit consisting of one share of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Class A Common Stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination (the “Rights”), and, if the over-allotment option is exercised, the offer and sale by the Company of additional units to the underwriters (the “Underwriters”) pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) to be executed by the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative of the underwriters named therein.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including, without limitation: (a) the Registration Statement; (b) the Specimen Unit Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement (the “Unit Certificate”); (c) the Specimen Right Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement (the “Right Certificate”); (d) the Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement (the “Common Stock Certificate”); (e) the form of Rights Agreement proposed to be entered into by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as rights agent, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement (the “Rights Agreement”); and (f) the form of Underwriting Agreement, proposed to be entered into between the Company and the underwriters named in the Registration Statement (the “Underwriting Agreement”). As used herein, the term “Transaction Documents” collectively refers to the Underwriting Agreement, the Unit Certificate, the Right Certificate and the Rights Agreement.
In addition, we have examined (i) such corporate records of the Company that we have considered appropriate, including a copy of the certificate of incorporation, as amended, and by-laws, of the Company, as in effect on the date of this letter, and copies of resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to the issuance of the Units, the Class A Common Stock and the Rights, and (ii) such other certificates, agreements and documents that we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have also relied upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Company made in the Transaction Documents and upon certificates of public officials and the officers of the Company.
Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including
Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England), Mayer Brown (a Hong Kong partnership)
and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian partnership).
| Mayer Brown LLP | |
| October 1, 2021 | |
| Page 2 |
In our examination, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification, the genuineness of signatures of all persons signing any documents, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authority of all persons signing any document on behalf of the parties thereto, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents and the completeness of all documents submitted to us or obtained by us as certified, conformed, photostatic or reproduced copies or by facsimile or by other means of electronic transmission, the authenticity and the completeness of the originals of such latter documents and the truth and accuracy of all matters set forth in all documents. We have also assumed, without independent investigation or verification, the accuracy of, and have relied upon, the representations, warranties and agreements of the parties to the Transaction Document as contained therein, compliance by such parties and any other applicable person with their respective undertakings, covenants and agreements under the Transaction Documents. As to all facts relevant to the opinions hereinafter expressed we have relied, without independent investigation or verification, to the extent we deem proper, upon certificates, statements and representations of representatives of the Company.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration Statement, as amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments, if any), has become effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the Underwriting Agreement and the Rights Agreement have been duly executed and delivered, and (iii) the Unit Certificate and the Right Certificate are duly executed and:
| (a) | when the Units are delivered by the Company in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement upon payment of the agreed upon consideration therefor, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity. | |
| (b) | when the Units are delivered by the Company in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement upon payment of the agreed upon consideration therefor, the shares of Class A Common Stock included in the Units will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. | |
| (c) | when the Units are delivered by the Company in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement upon payment of the agreed upon consideration therefor, the Rights included in the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity. |
| Mayer Brown LLP | |
| October 1, 2021 | |
| Page 3 |
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:
| (a) | neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction; and | |
| (b) | except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, each of the Transaction Documents, when executed and delivered, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms. |
We do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violate federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations.
We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the Delaware General Corporation Law and the laws of the State of New York, as in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Mayer Brown LLP | |
| Mayer Brown LLP |
Exhibit 10.1
[ ], 2021
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Re: Initial Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Letter Agreement”) is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting AgreementI”) entered into by and among Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters (each, an “Underwriter” and collectively, the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “Public Offering”), of 11,500,000 of the Company’s units (including up to 1,500,000 units that may be purchased to cover over-allotments, if any) (the “Units”), each comprised of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one right (the “Right”). Each Right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Common Stock upon consummation of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment. The Units will be sold in the Public Offering pursuant to a registration statement and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the Company has applied to have the Units listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 11 hereof.
In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the Public Offering and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the undersigned individuals, each of whom is a member of the Company’s board of directors and/or management team or an advisor of the Company (each, an “Insider” and collectively, the “Insiders”), hereby agrees with the Company as follows:
| 1. | The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with such proposed Business Combination, it, he or she shall (i) vote any shares of Capital Stock owned by it, him or her in favor of any proposed Business Combination and (ii) not redeem any shares of Common Stock owned by it, him or her in connection with such stockholder approval. If the Company engages in a tender offer in connection with any proposed Business Combination, the Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she will not seek to sell its, his or her shares of Capital Stock to the Company in connection with such tender offer. |
| 2. | The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees that in the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the timeframe set forth in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Charter”), the Sponsor and each Insider shall take all reasonable steps to cause the Company to (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering (the “Offering Shares”), at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (as defined below), including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish all Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. The Sponsor and each Insider agrees not to propose any amendment to the Charter to modify (i) the substance or timing of the ability of holders of Offering Shares to seek redemption in connection with a Business Combination or amendments to the Charter prior thereto or (ii) (A) the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within such time set forth in the Charter or (B) any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides its public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Common Stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares. |
| 1 |
| The Sponsor and each Insider acknowledges that it, he or she has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company with respect to the Founder Shares held by it, him or her. The Sponsor and each Insider hereby further waives, with respect to any shares of Common Stock held by it, him or her, if any, whether acquired now or hereafter, any redemption rights it, he or she may have in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination or amendments to the Charter prior thereto, including, without limitation, any such rights available in the context of a stockholder vote to approve such Business Combination or a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Charter to modify (i) (A) the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter or (B) any other provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity or (ii) in the context of a tender offer made by the Company to purchase shares of Common Stock (although the Sponsor, the Insiders and their respective affiliates shall be entitled to redemption and liquidation rights with respect to any Offering Shares it or they hold if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter). |
| 3. | During the period commencing on the date of the Underwriting Agreement and ending 180 days after such date, the Sponsor and each Insider shall not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to any Units, shares of Capital Stock, Rights or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Capital Stock owned by it, him or her, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Units, shares of Capital Stock, Rights or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Capital Stock owned by it, him or her, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). Each of the Insiders and the Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the effective date of any release or waiver, of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 3 or paragraph 7 below, the Company shall announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer. |
| 4. | In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter, the Sponsor (which for purposes of clarification shall not extend to any other shareholders, members or managers of the Sponsor ) (the “Indemnitor”), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened) to which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by (i) any third party for services rendered (other than the Company’s independent public accountants) or products sold to the Company or (ii) any prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or Business Combination agreement (a “Target”); provided, however, that such indemnification of the Company by the Indemnitor shall (x) apply only to the extent necessary to ensure that such claims by a third party or a Target do not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Offering Share and (ii) the actual amount per Offering Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Offering Share is then held in the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less interest earned on the Trust Account which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, (y) not apply to any claims by a third party or a Target which executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) and (z) not apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Indemnitor shall have the right to defend against any such claim with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Company if, within 15 days following written receipt of notice of the claim to the Indemnitor, the Indemnitor notifies the Company in writing that it shall undertake such defense. |
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| 5. | To the extent that the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 Units in full within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus (and as further described in the Prospectus), the Sponsor agrees to forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 375,000 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,500,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,500,000. The Sponsor will be required to forfeit only that number of Founder Shares as is necessary so that the Initial Stockholders will own an aggregate of 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock after the Public Offering. |
| 6. | The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees and acknowledges that: (i) the Underwriters and the Company would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by such Sponsor or an Insider of its, his or her obligations under paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7(a), 7(b), and 9, as applicable, of this Letter Agreement (ii) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach and (iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach. |
| 7. | (a) | The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer any Founder Shares (or shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Founder Shares Lock-up Period”). |
| (b) | The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer any Private Placement Units (including the underlying Rights), until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination (the “Private Placement Lock-up Period”, together with the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the “Lock-up Periods”). |
| (c) | Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 7(a) and (b), Transfers of the Founder Shares and Private Placement Units (including the Private Shares and Private Rights), are permitted (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors or any affiliate of the Sponsor or to any member(s) of the Sponsor; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of an initial Business Combination; (g) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor, or (h) in the event of the Company’s liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) or (g), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein. |
| 8. | The Sponsor and each Insider represents and warrants that it, he or she has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked. Each Insider’s biographical information furnished to the Company (including any such information included in the Prospectus) is true and accurate in all respects and does not omit any material information with respect to the Insider’s background. Each Insider’s questionnaire furnished to the Company is true and accurate in all respects. Each Insider represents and warrants that: it, he or she is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any jurisdiction; it, he or she has never been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any crime (i) involving fraud, (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and it, he or she is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding. |
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| 9. | Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Sponsor nor any officer, director, advisor or affiliate of the Sponsor, nor any officer, director or advisor of the Company, shall receive from the Company any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any repayment of a loan or other compensation prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). |
| 10. | The Sponsor and each Insider has full right and power, without violating any agreement to which it is bound (including, without limitation, any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or former employer), to enter into this Letter Agreement and, as applicable, to serve as an officer and/or director on the board of directors or an advisor of the Company and hereby consents to being named in the Prospectus as an officer and/or director of the Company or an advisor of the Company. |
| 11. | As used herein, (i) “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses; (ii) “Capital Stock” shall mean, collectively, the Common Stock and the Founder Shares; (iii) “Founder Shares” shall mean (a) the 2,875,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, initially issued to the Sponsor (up to 375,000 Shares of which are subject to complete or partial forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the Underwriters) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or $0.009 per share, prior to the consummation of the Public Offering; (iv) “Initial Stockholders” shall mean the Sponsor and any Insider that holds Founder Shares; (v) “Private Placement Units” shall mean 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) that the Sponsor has agreed to purchase for an aggregate purchase price of $3,000,000 (or $4,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate, or $10.00 per Unit, in a private placement that shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Public Offering; (vi) “Private Rights” shall mean the rights underlying the Private Units, (vi) “Private Common Stock” shall mean the Ordinary Shares underlying the Private Units, (vii) “Public Stockholders” shall mean the holders of securities issued in the Public Offering; (viii) “Trust Account” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Public Offering shall be deposited; and (ix) “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b). |
| 12. | The Company will maintain an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and each director of the Company shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any of the Company’s directors or officers. |
| 13. | 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. |
| 14. | No party hereto may assign either this Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Letter Agreement shall be binding on the Sponsor and each Insider and their respective successors, heirs and assigns and permitted transferees. |
| 15. | Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Letter Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements contained in this Letter Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees; provided, however, that the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters are third party beneficiaries of this Letter Agreement. |
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| 16. | This Letter Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. |
| 17. | This Letter Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Letter Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Letter Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable. |
| 18. | This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of New York City, in the State of New York, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. |
| 19. | Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Letter Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission. |
| 20. | This Letter Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Lock-up Periods or (ii) the liquidation of the Company; provided, however, that this Letter Agreement shall earlier terminate in the event that the Public Offering is not consummated and closed by December 31, 2021; provided further that paragraph 4 of this Letter Agreement shall survive such liquidation. |
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| Sincerely, | ||
| SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Managing Member | |
| Name: | Barry Kostiner |
| Name: | Thomas Neukranz |
| Name: | Jane Liu |
| Name: | George Caruolo |
| Name: | Gabriel Del Virginia |
| Name: | Glauco Lolli-Ghetti |
| Acknowledged and Agreed: | ||
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Letter Agreement]
Exhibit 10.3
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This Investment Management Trust Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of [●], 2021, by and between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-256473 (the “Registration Statement”) and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the initial public offering of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each of which consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Common Stock (such initial public offering hereinafter referred to as the “Offering”), has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters (the “Underwriters”) named therein; and
WHEREAS, as described in the Prospectus, $100,000,000 of the gross proceeds of the Offering and sale of the Private Placement Units (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) (or $115,000,000, if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full; or subject to our sponsor, Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, depositing additional funds into the trust account as decribed in more detail in this prospectus in order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate initial business combination) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a segregated trust account located at all times in the United States (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Common Stock included in the Units issued in the Offering as hereinafter provided (the amount to be delivered to the Trustee (and any interest subsequently earned thereon) is referred to herein as the “Property,” the stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public Stockholders,” and the Public Stockholders and the Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, a portion of the Property equal to $3,500,000, or $4,025,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, is attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that will be payable by the Company to the Underwriters upon and concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) (the “Deferred Discount”); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
| 1. | Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to: |
| (a) | Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (or at another U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more) and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company; |
| (b) | Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; |
| (c) | In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property solely in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7(d) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or any successor rule), which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder and the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration; |
| (d) | Collect and receive, when due, all interest or other income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein; |
| (e) | Promptly notify the Company and the Representative of all communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company; |
| (f) | Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company (or its authorized agents) in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns relating to assets held in the Trust Account; |
| (g) | Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so; |
| (h) | Render to the Company monthly written statements of the activities of, and amounts in, the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account; |
| (i) | Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“Termination Letter”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as applicable, signed on behalf of the Company by at least two of its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Secretary or Chairman of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or other authorized officer of the Company, and, in the case of a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to the attached hereto as Exhibit A, acknowledged and agreed to by the Representative, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or (y) the date which is the later of (1) 18 months after the closing of the Offering and (2) such later date as may be approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (“Charter”) if a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $150,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses) shall be distributed to the Public Stockholders of record as of such date; |
| (j) | Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C, withdraw from the Trust Account and distribute to the Company the amount of interest earned on the Property requested by the Company to cover any tax obligation owed by the Company as a result of assets of the Company or interest or other income earned on the Property, which amount shall be delivered directly to the Company by electronic funds transfer or other method of prompt payment, and the Company shall forward such payment to the relevant taxing authority; provided, however, that to the extent there is not sufficient cash in the Trust Account to pay such tax obligation, the Trustee shall liquidate such assets held in the Trust Account as shall be designated by the Company in writing to make such distribution, so long as there is no reduction in the principal amount per share initially deposited in the Trust Account; provided, further, that if the tax to be paid is a franchise tax, the written request by the Company to make such distribution shall be accompanied by a copy of the franchise tax bill from the State of Delaware for the Company (it being acknowledged and agreed that any such amount in excess of interest income earned on the Property shall not be payable from the Trust Account). The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; |
| (k) | Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D, the Trustee shall distribute on behalf of the Company the amount requested by the Company to be used to redeem shares of Common Stock from Public Stockholders properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Charter to modify the substance or timing of the ability of Public Stockholders to seek redemption in connection with an initial Business Combination or amendments to the Charter prior thereto or the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its public shares of Common Stock if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in clause (y) of Section 1(i) of the Agreement. The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to distribute said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; and |
| (l) | Not make any withdrawals or distributions from the Trust Account other than pursuant to Section 1(i), (j) or (k) above. |
| 2. | Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby agrees and covenants to: |
| (a) | Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by at least two of the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President or Secretary. In addition, except with respect to its duties under Sections 1(i), 1(j) and 1(k) hereof, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it, in good faith and with reasonable care, believes to be given by any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing; |
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| (b) | Subject to Section 4 hereof, hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by it hereunder and in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any interest earned on the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this Section 2(b), it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim; provided that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel; |
| (c) | Pay the Trustee the fees set forth on Schedule A hereto, including an initial acceptance fee, annual administration fee, and transaction processing fee which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees unless and until the closing of the Business Combination (defined below). The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and the first annual administration fee at the consummation of the Offering. The Trustee shall refund to the Company the annual administration fee (on a pro rata basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation of the Trust Account. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as set forth in this Section 2(c), Schedule A and as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof; |
| (d) | In connection with any vote of the Company’s stockholders regarding a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”), provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of the inspector of elections for the stockholder meeting verifying the vote of such stockholders regarding such Business Combination; |
| (e) | Provide the Representative with a copy of any Termination Letter(s) and/or any other correspondence that is sent to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after it issues the same; |
| (f) | Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Representative, ensure that any Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A) delivered in connection with a Termination Letter in the form of Exhibit A expressly provides that the Deferred Discount is paid directly to the account or accounts directed by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters prior to any transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account to the Company or any other person; |
| (g) | Instruct the Trustee to make only those distributions that are permitted under this Agreement, and refrain from instructing the Trustee to make any distributions that are not permitted under this Agreement; and |
| (h) | Within four (4) business days after the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) or such over-allotment expires, provide the Trustee with a notice in writing of the total amount of the Deferred Discount, which shall in no event be less than $3,500,000. |
| 3. | Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to: |
| (a) | Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this Agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein; |
| (b) | Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in Section 1 hereof, and the Trustee shall have no liability to any third party except for liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct; |
| (c) | Institute any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto; |
| (d) | Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property; |
| (e) | Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee; |
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| (f) | The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the Trustee’s best judgment, except for the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee, which counsel may be the Company’s counsel), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which the Trustee believes, in good faith and with reasonable care, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee, signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto; |
| (g) | Verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement; |
| (h) | Provide any assurance that any Business Combination entered into by the Company or any other action taken by the Company is as contemplated by the Registration Statement; |
| (i) | File information returns with respect to the Trust Account with any local, state or federal taxing authority or provide periodic written statements to the Company documenting the taxes payable by the Company, if any, relating to any interest income earned on the Property; |
| (j) | Prepare, execute and file tax reports, income or other tax returns and pay any taxes with respect to any income generated by, and activities relating to, the Trust Account, regardless of whether such tax is payable by the Trust Account or the Company, including, but not limited to, franchise and income tax obligations, except pursuant to Section 1(j) hereof; or |
| (k) | Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve the Company’s written requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i), 1(j) or 1(k) hereof. |
| 4. | Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b) or Section 2(c) hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account. |
| 5. | Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as follows: |
| (a) | If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor trustee, pending which the Trustee shall continue to act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or |
| (b) | At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account and its obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) hereof (which section may not be amended under any circumstances) and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Section 2(b). |
| 6. | Miscellaneous. |
| (a) | The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such confidential information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee shall rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including, account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the funds. |
| 4 |
| (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. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument. |
| (c) | This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or modification to Section 1(i), 2(f) or Exhibit A may be made without the prior written consent of the Representative. |
| (d) | This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof with the Consent of the Stockholders. For purposes of this Section 6(d), the “Consent of the Stockholders” means receipt by the Trustee of a certificate from the inspector of elections of the stockholder meeting certifying that the Company’s stockholders of record as of a record date established in accordance with Section 213(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”) (or any successor rule), who hold sixty-five percent (65%) or more of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company voting together as a single class, have voted in favor of such change, amendment or modification. No such amendment will affect any Public Stockholder who has otherwise indicated his election to redeem his shares of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote sought to amend this Agreement to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Common Stock if the Company does not complete its initial Business Combination within the time frame specified in the Charter. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee may rely conclusively on the certification from the inspector or elections referenced above and shall be relieved of all liability to any party for executing the proposed amendment in reliance thereon. |
| (e) | The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, State of New York, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder. AS TO ANY CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. |
| (f) | Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by electronic mail: |
if to the Trustee, to:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com; cgonzalez@continentalstock.com
if to the Company, to:
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
Barry Kostiner
Chief Executive Officer
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
in each case, with copies to:
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attn: Thomas Kollar, Esq. and Brian Hirshberg, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 370-1300
| 5 |
and
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Attn.: Edward Tsuker, Head of Capital Markets
and
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq. and David J. Levine, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 407-4000
| (g) | Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby represents that it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance. |
| (h) | This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto. |
| (i) | This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof. |
| (j) | Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges and agrees that EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, on behalf of the Underwriters, is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement. |
| (k) | Except as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity. |
[Signature Page Follows]
| 6 |
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 | |
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Investment Management Trust Agreement]
| 7 |
SCHEDULE A
| Fee Item | Time and method of payment |
Amount $ |
||||
| Initial set-up fee. | Initial closing of Offering by wire transfer. | 3,500.00 | ||||
| Trustee administration fee | Payable annually. First year fee payable, at initial closing of Offering by wire transfer, thereafter by wire transfer or check. | 10,000.00 | ||||
| Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Sections 1(i) and (j) | Billed to Company following disbursement made to Company under Section 1 | 250.00 | ||||
| Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Sections 1(i) and 1(k) | Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Section 1(i) and 1(k) | Prevailing rates | ||||
| 8 |
EXHIBIT A
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
| Re: | Trust Account - Termination Letter |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [●], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement with (the “Target Business”) to consummate a business combination with Target Business (the “Business Combination”) on or about [insert date]. The Company shall notify you at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence to liquidate all of the assets of the Trust Account and transfer the proceeds to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of the funds held in the Trust Operating Account at JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. will be immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date (including as directed to it by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters (with respect to the Deferred Discount)). It is acknowledged and agreed that while the funds are on deposit in the trust operating account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 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, or will be consummated concurrently with your transfer of funds to the accounts as directed by the Company (the “Notification”) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) a certificate by the Chief Executive Officer, which verifies that the Business Combination has been approved by a vote of the Company’s stockholders, if a vote is held and (b) a joint written instruction signed by the Company and the Representative with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, including payment of amounts owed to public stockholders who have properly exercised their redemption rights and payment of the Deferred Discount to the Representative from the Trust Account (the “Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the Notification and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company in writing of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in Section 1(c) of the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in such notice as soon thereafter as possible.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Acknowledged & Agreed by: EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| 9 |
EXHIBIT B
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
| Re: | Trust Account -Termination Letter |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [●], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a business combination with a Target Business (the “Business Combination”) within the time frame specified in Section 1(i) of the Trust Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate all of the assets in the Trust Account and to transfer the total proceeds into a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to await distribution to the Public Stockholders. The Company has selected (1) as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and, in your separate capacity as Paying Agent, agree to distribute said funds directly to the Company’s Public Stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 1(j) of the Trust Agreement.
| (1) | 18 months from the closing of the Offering, or at a later date, if extended. |
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| cc: | EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC |
| 10 |
EXHIBIT C
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
| Re: | Trust Account - Withdrawal Instruction |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [●], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $ of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay for the tax obligations as set forth on the attached tax return or tax statement. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to the Company’s operating account at:
[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| cc: | EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC |
| 11 |
EXHIBIT D
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
| Re: | Trust Account - Stockholder Redemption Withdrawal Instruction |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(k) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of [●], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the redeeming Public Stockholders of the Company $ of the principal and interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries for distribution to the Stockholders who have requested redemption of their Common Stock. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay its Public Stockholders who have properly elected to have their shares of Common Stock redeemed by the Company in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of public shares of Common Stock if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in Section 1(i) of the Trust Agreement. As such, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| cc: | EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC |
| 12 |
Exhibit 10.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, is made and entered into by and among Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor,” together with any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on April 7, 2021, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 2,875,000 Founder Shares outstanding, up to 375,000 of which would be forfeited to the Company for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering exercise their over-allotment option;
WHEREAS, the Founder Shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation;
WHEREAS, on [●], 2021, the Company and the Sponsor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase 370,000 units (or 400,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit (the “Private Placement Units”), in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering;
WHEREAS, each Private Unit consisting of one share of Common Stock (“Private Common Stock”), and one right (the “Private Right”). Each Right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of the Company’s it initial business combination;
WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination (as defined below) the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into private placement units (“Working Capital Units”) at a price of $10.00 per unit; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
| 1.1 | Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below: |
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” shall mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.
“Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto and shall be deemed to include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.
“Founder Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Insider Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement, dated as of [●], 2021, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, directors, director nominees and advisors.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period or Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, under the Insider Letter, this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“Private Placement Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Units that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Units or their Permitted Transferees, and any of the securities underlying the Private Placement Units, including the Private Units issued or issuable upon the conversion of any such Private Rights), that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Units or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.
“Private Placement Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares and the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Units and the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Units, (c) any outstanding share of the Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any Working Capital Units (including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Units), and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of the Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
| 2 |
“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
| (A) | all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed; |
| (B) | fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities); |
| (C) | printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; |
| (D) | reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; |
| (E) | reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and |
| (F) | reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration. |
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Working Capital Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS
| 2.1 | Demand Registration. |
| 2.1.1 | Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “Demanding Holders”) may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement. |
| 3 |
| 2.1.2 | Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated. |
| 2.1.3 | Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration. |
| 2.1.4 | Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested) exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities. |
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| 2.1.5 | Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5. |
| 2.2 | Piggyback Registration. |
| 2.2.1 | Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company. |
| 2.2.2 | Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of the Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then: |
| (a) | If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; |
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| (b) | If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Registration, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities. |
| 2.2.3 | Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3. |
| 2.2.4 | Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof. |
| 2.3 | Registrations on Form S-3. Any Holder of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $1,000,000. |
| 2.4 | Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period. |
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ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
| 3.1 | General Procedures. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible: |
| 3.1.1 | prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; |
| 3.1.2 | prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be requested by any Holder or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus; |
| 3.1.3 | prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and each such Holder’s legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; |
| 3.1.4 | prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject; |
| 3.1.5 | cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed; |
| 3.1.6 | provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement; |
| 3.1.7 | advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued; |
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| 3.1.8 | at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities and its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus; |
| 3.1.9 | notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof; |
| 3.1.10 | permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, the Company may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law; |
| 3.1.11 | obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration which the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders; |
| 3.1.12 | on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders; |
| 3.1.13 | in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering; |
| 3.1.14 | make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission); |
| 3.1.15 | if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $10,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and |
| 3.1.16 | otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration. |
| 3.2 | Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders. |
| 3.3 | Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. |
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| 3.4 | Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4. |
| 3.5 | Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of the Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements. |
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
| 4.1 | Indemnification. |
| 4.1.1 | The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder. |
| 4.1.2 | In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company. |
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| 4.1.3 | Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. |
| 4.1.4 | The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason. |
| 4.1.5 | If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. |
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ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
| 5.1 | Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1. |
| 5.2 | Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries. |
| 5.2.1 | This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. |
| 5.2.2 | Prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement. |
| 5.2.3 | This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees. |
| 5.2.4 | This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof. |
| 5.2.5 | No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void. |
| 5.3 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced. |
| 5.4 | Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. |
| 5.5 | Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party. |
| 5.6 | Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. |
| 5.7 | Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination. |
[Signature Page Follows]
| 11 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| 12 |
Exhibit 10.6
PRIVATE PLACEMENT UNITS PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This PRIVATE PLACEMENT UNITS PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the [ ], 2021, by and between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subscriber”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell to the Subscriber on a private placement basis (the “Offering”) an aggregate of 370,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company, each Unit comprised of one share of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) and one right to receive one-eighth of one share of Common Stock (the “Right”), for a purchase price of $3,700,000, or $10.00 per Unit. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Rights are hereinafter referred to as the “Right Shares.” The shares of Common Stock underlying the Units, excluding the Right Shares, are hereinafter referred to as the “Placement Shares.” The Rights underlying the Units are hereinafter referred to as the “Placement Rights.” The Units, Placement Shares, Placement Rights, and Right Shares, and Placement Shares, collectively, are hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”; and
WHEREAS, the Subscriber wishes to purchase 370,000 Units, and the Company wishes to accept such subscription from Subscriber.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Subscriber hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | Agreement to Subscribe |
| 1.1 | Purchase and Issuance of the Units. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Subscriber hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Subscriber, on the Closing Date (as defined below) the Units in consideration of the payment of the Purchase Price (as defined below). On the Closing Date, the Company shall, at its option, deliver to the Subscriber the certificates representing the Securities purchased or effect such delivery in book-entry form. | |
| 1.2 | Purchase Price. As payment in full for the Units being purchased under this Agreement, the Subscriber shall pay $3,700,000 (the “Purchase Price”) by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by such other method as may be reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the trust account (the “Trust Account”) at a financial institution to be chosen by the Company, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee (“Continental”), one (1) business day prior to the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement. |
In addition to the foregoing, the Subscriber hereby conditionally agrees to purchase up to an additional 30,000 Units (collectively, the “Additional Units”) at $10.00 per Additional Unit for a purchase price of $300,000 (the “Additional Purchase Price” and together with the Initial Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”), if, and only if, and only to the extent that the underwriters’ 45-day over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) in the IPO (as defined below) is exercised in full or part. The total number of Additional Units to be purchased hereunder shall be the number that is necessary to maintain the amount held in the Trust Account (as defined below) so that the amount does not fall below $10.00 per share for each share of Common Stock sold in the IPO. Each purchase of Additional Units shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of any portion of the Over-Allotment Option.
| 1.3 | Closing. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Units (the “Closing Date”) shall take place simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”). The closing of the purchase and sale of the Units shall take place at the offices of Mayer Brown LLP, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10020, or such other place as may be agreed upon by the parties hereto. | |
| 1.4 | Termination. This Agreement and each of the obligations of the undersigned shall be null and void and without effect if the IPO does not close prior to December 31, 2021. |
| 2. | Representations and Warranties of Subscriber |
Subscriber represents and warrants to the Company that:
| 2.1 | No Government Recommendation or Approval. Subscriber understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company or the Offering of the Securities. | |
| 2.2 | Accredited Investor. Subscriber represents that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance, among other things, on a private placement exemption to “accredited investors” under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law. |
| 2.3 | Intent. Subscriber is purchasing the Securities solely for investment purposes, for Subscriber’s own account (and/or for the account or benefit of its members or affiliates, as permitted, pursuant to the terms of an agreement (the “Insider Letter”) to be entered into with respect to the Securities between, among others, Subscriber and the Company, as described in the Registration Statement), and not with a view to the distribution thereof and Subscriber has no present arrangement to sell the Securities to or through any person or entity except as may be permitted under the Insider Letter. Subscriber shall not engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Securities unless in compliance with the Securities Act. | |
| 2.4 | Restrictions on Transfer. Subscriber acknowledges and understands the Units are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and, if in the future Subscriber decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Subscriber acknowledges and understands the Securities are subject to transfer restrictions as described in Section 8 hereof. Subscriber agrees that if any transfer of its Securities or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, Subscriber may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company with respect to such transfer. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, Subscriber agrees it will not resell the Securities (unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the Insider Letter, as described in the Registration Statement). Subscriber further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not be available to Subscriber for the resale of the Securities until the one year anniversary following consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination (as described in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation), despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual transfer restrictions. | |
| 2.5 | Sophisticated Investor. |
| (i) | Subscriber is sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Securities. | |
| (ii) | Subscriber is aware that an investment in the Securities is highly speculative and subject to substantial risks because, among other things, the Securities are subject to transfer restrictions and have not been registered under the Securities Act and therefore cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time. |
| 2.6 | Independent Investigation. Subscriber, in making the decision to purchase the Units, has relied upon an independent investigation of the Company and has not relied upon any information or representations made by any third parties or upon any oral or written representations or assurances from the Company, its officers, directors or employees or any other representatives or agents of the Company, other than as set forth in this Agreement. Subscriber is familiar with the business, operations and financial condition of the Company and has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from the Company’s officers and directors concerning the Company and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Units and has had full access to such other information concerning the Company as Subscriber has requested. Subscriber confirms that all documents that it has requested have been made available and that Subscriber has been supplied with all of the additional information concerning this investment which Subscriber has requested. | |
| 2.7 | Organization and Authority. Subscriber is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and it possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. | |
| 2.8 | Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by Subscriber and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the general principles of equity and to bankruptcy or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally. | |
| 2.9 | No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by Subscriber of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) Subscriber’s charter documents, (ii) any agreement or instrument to which Subscriber is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which Subscriber is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which Subscriber is subject. |
| 2.10 | No Legal Advice from Company. Subscriber acknowledges it has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto with Subscriber’s own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Company made in this Agreement and the other agreements entered into between the parties hereto, Subscriber is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction. | |
| 2.11 | Reliance on Representations and Warranties. Subscriber understands the Units are being offered and sold to Subscriber in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of Subscriber set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions. | |
| 2.12 | No General Solicitation. Subscriber is not subscribing for the Units as a result of or subsequent to any general solicitation or general advertising, including but not limited to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting or in a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) with respect to the IPO filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). | |
| 2.13 | Legend. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees the certificates evidencing each of the Securities shall bear a restrictive legend (the “Legend”), in form and substance substantially as set forth in Section 4 hereof. |
| 3. | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company |
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, Subscriber that:
| 3.1 | Valid Issuance of Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Company has authority to issue is 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). As of the date hereof, the Company has issued and outstanding 2,875,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (of which up to 375,000 shares are subject to forfeiture as described in the Registration Statement), no shares of Class A Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. | |
| 3.2 | Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and that certain Rights Agreement to be entered into between the Company and Continental, as rights agent (the “Rights Agreement”), as the case may be, each of the Units, Placement Shares, Placement Rights and Right Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On the date of issuance of the Units, the Placement Shares and Right Shares shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Rights Agreement, as the case may be, Subscriber will have or receive good title to the Units, Placement Shares and Placement Rights, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and pursuant to the Insider Letter and (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws. | |
| 3.3 | Organization and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted. | |
| 3.4 | Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or stockholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy. |
| 3.5 | No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not (i) result in a violation of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or (iii) any law statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject. Other than any SEC or state securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company subsequent to the closing of the IPO, and any registration statement which may be filed pursuant thereto, the Company is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue the Units, Placement Shares, Placement Rights or Right Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. |
| 4. | Legends |
| 4.1 | Legend. The Company will issue the Units, Placement Shares and Placement Rights, and when issued, the Right Shares, purchased by the Subscriber in the name of the Subscriber. The Securities will bear the following Legend and appropriate “stop transfer” instructions: |
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THIS CORPORATION, IS AVAILABLE.”
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO LOCKUP PURSUANT TO AN INSIDER LETTER BETWEEN, AMONG OTHERS, SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. AND SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE INSIDER LETTER.”
| 4.2 | Subscriber’s Compliance. Nothing in this Section 4 shall affect in any way Subscriber’s obligations and agreements to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of the Securities. | |
| 4.3 | Company’s Refusal to Register Transfer of the Securities. The Company shall refuse to register any transfer of the Securities, if in the sole judgment of the Company such purported transfer would not be made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (ii) in compliance herewith and with the Insider Letter. | |
| 4.4 | Registration Rights. The Subscriber will be entitled to certain registration rights which will be governed by a registration rights agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”) to be entered into between, among others, the Subscriber and the Company, on or prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement. |
| 5. | Waiver of Liquidation Distributions. |
In connection with the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, Subscriber hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions of the amounts in the Trust Account with respect to the Securities, whether (i) in connection with the exercise of redemption rights if the Company consummates the Business Combination, (ii) in connection with any tender offer conducted by the Company prior to a Business Combination, (iii) upon the Company’s redemption of shares of Common Stock sold in the Company’s IPO upon the Company’s failure to timely complete the Business Combination or (iv) in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company does not timely complete the Business Combination or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity. In the event a Subscriber purchases shares of Common Stock in the IPO or in the aftermarket, any additional shares so purchased shall be eligible to receive the redemption value of such shares of Common Stock upon the same terms offered to all other purchasers of Common Stock in the IPO in the event the Company fails to consummate the Business Combination.
| 6. | Terms of Placement Rights. Each Placement Right shall have the terms set forth in the Rights Agreement. |
| 7. | [Reserved]. |
| 8. | Terms of the Units and Placement Rights |
| 8.1 | The Units and their component parts are substantially identical to the units to be offered in the IPO except that: (i) the Units and component parts will be subject to transfer restrictions described in the Insider Letter, and (ii) the Units and component parts are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after the expiration of the lockup described above in clause (i) and they are registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to be signed on or before the date of the prospectus for the IPO or an exemption from registration is available. |
| 8.2 | Subscriber agrees to vote the Placement Shares in accordance with the terms of the Insider Letter and as otherwise described in the Registration Statement. |
| 9. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York for agreements made and to be wholly performed within such state. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
| 10. | Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment |
| 10.1 | Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person other than by a Subscriber to a person agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof, including the waiver contained in Section 7 hereof. | |
| 10.2 | Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter thereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among them. | |
| 10.3 | Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by all of the parties hereto. | |
| 10.4 | Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. |
| 11. | Notices |
| 11.1 | Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice or other communication to a party hereunder shall be sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered or sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission with copy sent in another manner herein provided or sent by courier (which for all purposes of this Agreement shall include Federal Express or other recognized overnight courier) or mailed to said party by certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address provided for herein or such other address as either may designate for itself in such notice to the other. Communications shall be deemed to have been received when delivered personally, on the scheduled arrival date when sent by next day or 2nd-day courier service, or if sent by facsimile upon receipt of confirmation of transmittal or, if sent by mail, then three days after deposit in the mail. If given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered (a) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (b) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice; and (c) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. |
| 12. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
| 13. | Survival; Severability |
| 13.1 | Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the Closing Date. | |
| 13.2 | Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party. |
| 14. | Headings. |
The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.
| COMPANY: | ||
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| SUBSCRIBER: | ||
| SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement with Sponsor]
Exhibit 10.7
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [ ], 2021, by and between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [ ] (“Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among publicly traded corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and Bylaws of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;
WHEREAS, Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director, advisor or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of [ ], 2021 between the Company and the Indemnitee pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the Underwriters in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his resignation. |
| 2. |
DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement: |
| 2.1 | References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. | |
| 2.2 | The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof. | |
| 2.3 | A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events: |
| 2.3.1. | Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part 2.3.3 of this definition; | ||
| 2.3.2. | Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; | ||
| 2.3.3. | Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination. | ||
| 2.3.4. | Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or | ||
| 2.3.5. | Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement. |
| 2.4 | “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. | |
| 2.5 | “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee. | |
| 2.6 | “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent. |
| 2 |
| 2.7 | “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | |
| 2.8 | “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee. | |
| 2.9 | “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. | |
| 2.10 | References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement. | |
| 2.11 | “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. | |
| 2.12 | The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company. | |
| 2.13 | The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement. | |
| 2.14 |
The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
|
| 3 |
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. |
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY. |
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL. |
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which the Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. |
ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS. |
Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 4 |
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY. |
| 8.1 | To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. | |
| 8.2 | The Company shall not, without Indemnitee’s consent, enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee and no admission of guilt by, or injunctive relief against, Indemnitee, is included. | |
| 8.3 | The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. |
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS. |
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement except for Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
| (a) | for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity provision or otherwise; |
| (b) |
for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or |
| (c) |
except as otherwise provided in Sections 14.5 and 14.6 hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law. |
| 10. |
ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM. |
| 10.1 |
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. If required by applicable law or the Charter or the Bylaws of the Company, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws of the Company, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10.1 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9. |
|
| 10.2 |
The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense. |
|
| 10.3 |
The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent. |
| 5 |
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION. |
| 11.1 |
Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise. |
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| 11.2 | Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12.1 of this Agreement. |
| 12. |
PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION. |
| 12.1 | A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board; (ii) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (iii) by vote of the stockholders. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. | |
| 12.2 | In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12.2. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12.1 hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing). | |
| 12.3 | The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. |
| 6 |
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. |
| 13.1 | In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11.2 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. |
| 13.2 | If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto. |
| 13.3 | The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. |
| 13.4 | For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director. The provisions of this Section 13.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement. |
| 13.5 | The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. |
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE. |
| 14.1 | In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12.1 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration. |
| 7 |
| 14.2 | In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advances of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advances of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). |
| 14.3 | If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. |
| 14.4 | The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. |
| 14.5 | The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee (i) to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter, or the Company’s Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith). |
| 14.6 | Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. |
| 15. | SECURITY. |
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary except for Section 27, to the extent requested by the Indemnitee, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to the Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to the Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION. |
| 16.1 | The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. |
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| 16.2 | The DGCL, the Charter and the Company’s Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of the Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement. |
| 16.3 | To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. |
| 16.4 | In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. |
| 16.5 | The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company. |
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT. |
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.
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| 18. | SEVERABILITY. |
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT. |
| 19.1 | The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company. |
| 19.2 | Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or Bylaws of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. |
| 19.3 | The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives. |
| 19.4 | The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. |
| 19.5 | The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a Court of competent jurisdiction and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking. |
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. |
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES. |
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
| (a) | If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company. |
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(b)If to the Company, to:
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Barry Kostiner
Chief Executive Officer
With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attn: Thomas Kollar, Esq. and Brian Hirshberg, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. |
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS. |
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS. |
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS. |
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT. |
Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| INDEMNITEE: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Address: | ||
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Exhibit 10.8
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars
Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
[ ], 2021
Sagaliam Sponsor LLC
1800 Avenue of the Stars
Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Barry Kostiner
Re: Administrative Support Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter agreement by and between Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (“Sponsor”), dated as of the date hereof, will confirm our agreement that, commencing on May 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an initial business combination or the Company’s liquidation (in each case as described in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the U.S. securities and Exchange Commission) (such earlier date hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”):
| (i) | Sponsor shall make available, or cause to be made available, to the Company, at 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (or any successor location of Sponsor), certain office space, utilities and executive, secretarial and administrative support as may be reasonably required by the Company, and shall provide the cash salaries of officers of the Company. In exchange therefor, the Company shall pay Sponsor the sum of $20,000 per month, commencing on the Effective Date and continuing monthly thereafter until the Termination Date; and |
| (ii) | Sponsor hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title, interest, causes of action and claims of any kind as a result of, or arising out of, this letter agreement (each, a “Claim”) in or to, and any and all right to seek payment of any amounts due to it out of, the trust account established for the benefit of the public stockholders of the Company and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited (the “Trust Account”) as a result of, or arising out of, this letter agreement, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have in the future, which Claim would reduce, encumber or otherwise adversely affect the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account, and further agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction of any Claim against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. |
This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.
This letter agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.
No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.
This letter agreement constitutes the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and this letter agreement and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its choice of law principles.
[Signature Page Follows]
| Very truly yours, | ||
| SAGALIAM ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Barry Kostiner | |
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | |
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:
SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC.
| By: | /s/ Barry Kostiner | |
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
[Signature Page to Administrative Support Agreement]
| 2 |
Exhibit 10.9
INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This Investment Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of __, 2021, is by and, except as otherwise indicated, among (i) Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”), (ii) Sagaliam Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “Sponsor”), and (iii) [●] (the “Investor”).
WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering (the “IPO”) of units of the SPAC, Investor has expressed an interest in acquiring up to 99,000 units in the IPO (with each such unit comprised of one share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the SPAC (the “Class A Common Stock”) and one right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one share of Common Stock upon consummation of SPAC’s initial business combination (the “Rights”), which shall not exceed 9.9% of the number of such units and/or the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock underlying the units to be offered (not including the over-allotment option) (the “IPO Indication”), at a price of $10.00 per unit.
WHEREAS, the parties wish to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which Investor will purchase from the Sponsor Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the SPAC (the “Founder Shares”) for the same value paid by the Sponsor, or approximately $.0029 per share.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | Sale and Purchase. |
| (a) | In connection with the IPO Indication, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1(b), the Sponsor hereby agrees to sell to Investor 20,000 Founder Shares (such shares, the “Transferred Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $58 ($0.0029 per share) (the “Transfer Price”) on the date of the closing of the IPO, and Investor hereby agrees to purchase the Transferred Shares (the “Transfer”). Concurrently with the Transfer, in consideration for the transfer of the Transferred Shares, Investor shall pay the Transfer Price to the Sponsor in immediately available funds. |
| (b) | Subject to (i) the fulfillment by Investor (but only to the extent actually allocated to Investor by the underwriters) of the IPO Indication (which shall include the acquisition of 100% of the units of the SPAC allocated to Investor by the underwriters in the IPO, which number of allocated units shall not be greater than 9.9 % of the units offered in the IPO (exclusive of any units that may be issued pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option) or greater than the IPO Indication) and (ii) Investor’s payment of the Transfer Price as contemplated by Section 1(a) of this Agreement, the Transfer shall occur and be effective upon the closing of the IPO, automatically and without any action of any other party hereto. The parties intend that the purchase of the Transferred Shares contemplated by this Agreement be treated as a taxable sale and purchase of the Transferred Shares that is governed by Section 1001 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and agree not to take any tax reporting position inconsistent with this agreed tax treatment. In the event the Investor is provided with an opportunity to participate in an overallotment exercise or purchase more than 99,000 units in the IPO (9.9% of 1,000,000 units), it shall first be provided with the opportunity to purchase additional Transferred Shares in a manner proportional to any increase above 99,000 units at $0.0029 per additional Transferred Share. The Transferred Shares shall not be reduced should the Investor be allocated less than the IPO Indication. |
| (c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the number of Transferred Shares shall not be subject to share price or other vesting triggers, claw-back, cut-back, reduction, mandatory repurchase, redemption or forfeiture for any reason, including (i) transfer of the Founder Shares to any person, (ii) downsizing of the offering, (iii) failure of the underwriters to exercise their green shoe option, (iv) concessions or “earn-out” triggers in connection with the negotiation of a Business Combination or otherwise (as defined below), or (v) any other event or modification, without the Investor’s prior written consent. |
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| (d) | The obligations of Investor hereunder are subject to there being no material change in the pricing of the IPO or in the structure, terms and conditions in the capital structure of the SPAC from that set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on [●], 2021 (the “Registration Statement”). |
| (e) | In the event the IPO does not occur by December 31, 2021, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect unless agreed in writing by the parties hereto. |
| 2. | Representations and Warranties of the SPAC. The SPAC hereby represents and warrants to Investors, as of the date hereof and as of the closing date of the IPO, as follows: |
| (a) | The SPAC is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted and execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. |
| (b) | This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the SPAC and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the SPAC enforceable against the SPAC in accordance with its terms. |
| (c) | The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not materially conflict with, or result in any material violation of or default under, the SPAC’s organizational documents, any agreement or other instrument to which the SPAC is a party or by which the SPAC is bound, or any decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the SPAC or the Transferred Shares. |
| (d) | None of the information conveyed to the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement will constitute material non-public information of the SPAC upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. |
| (e) | No governmental, administrative or other third-party consents or approvals are required by or with respect to the SPAC in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. |
| (f) | All information contained in the questionnaires (“Questionnaires”) completed by each of the SPAC’s officers, directors and the Sponsor (collectively, the “Insiders”) and provided to the underwriters and their counsel and the biographies of the Insiders contained in the Registration Statement and prospectus (to the extent a biography is contained) is true and correct and the SPAC has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the Questionnaires completed by each Insider to become inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the SPAC’s knowledge, assuming reasonable inquiry, threatened against or involving the SPAC or, to the SPAC’s knowledge, assuming reasonable inquiry, any Insider or any stockholder or member of an Insider that has not been disclosed, that is required to be disclosed, in the Registration Statement, the prospectus or the Questionnaires. |
| (g) | The Founder Shares, when issued to the Sponsor, were validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens or other restrictions (other than those arising under applicable securities laws or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement) and were not issued in violation of, or subject to, any preemptive or similar rights. |
| 3. | Representations and Warranties of the Sponsor. The Sponsor hereby represents and warrants and covenants to Investors, as of the date hereof and as of the closing date of the IPO, as follows: |
| (a) | The Sponsor is duly formed and validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. |
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| (b) | This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Sponsor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Sponsor enforceable against the Sponsor in accordance with its terms. |
| (c) | The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not materially conflict with, or result in any material violation of or default under, any of the Sponsor’s organizational documents or any agreement or other instrument applicable to the Transferred Shares or to which the Sponsor is a party or by which the Sponsor is bound, or any decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Sponsor or the Transferred Shares.. |
| (d) | No governmental, administrative or other third-party consents or approvals are required by or with respect to the Sponsor in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. |
| (e) | The terms, rights and conditions set forth in this Agreement are as favorable to the Investor as the terms, rights and conditions granted to all other investors in connection with expressing an interest in the IPO or otherwise acquiring Founder Shares in connection with the IPO (each such other investor, an “Anchor Investor”), provided that the Investor acknowledges that Founders Shares have been offered to the Sponsor, executive officers, advisors, directors and director nominees of the SPAC in connection with their service and the Sponsor expressly reserves the right to issue membership interests in the Sponsor in its sole discretion. In the case that another Anchor Investor is afforded more favorable terms than Investor, the Sponsor shall promptly notify Investor of such more favorable terms, and Investor shall have the right to elect to have such more favorable terms, so as to be on the same terms, in which case the parties hereto shall promptly amend this Agreement to effect the same. For the avoidance of doubt, if any other Anchor Investor has an ability to purchase proportionately more Founder Shares relative to its expression of interest in the IPO than the Investor as set forth on the signature page hereto, then such other Anchor Investor shall be considered to have more favorable terms than the Investor. |
| (f) | The Sponsor is the beneficial owner of the Transferred Shares. Except as described in this Agreement or in the Registration Statement, there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding with any other person regarding the sale or transfer of any Transferred Shares, and there exist no liens, pledges, security interests, claims, options, proxies, voting agreements, charges or encumbrances of any kind affecting the Transferred Shares, other than any restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by any applicable statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, common law, judgment, decree, other requirement or rule of law (“Applicable Law”) of any federal, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasigovernmental authority, or any arbitrator, court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction (a “Governmental Authority”). Upon transfer of the Transferred Shares to the Investor in accordance with the terms hereof against payment of the Transfer Price, the Investor will acquire ownership of the Transferred Shares, free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims, options, proxies, voting agreements, charges or encumbrances of any kind affecting the Transferred Shares, other than any restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by Applicable Law. The sale by the Sponsor of the Founder Shares to the Investor will not result in a violation of Section 5 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). |
| 4. | Representations and Warranties of Investor. Investor hereby represents and warrants to the SPAC and the Sponsor, as follows: |
| (a) | Investor has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. |
| (b) | This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Investor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Investor enforceable against Investor in accordance with its terms. |
| (c) | The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not materially conflict with, or result in any material violation of or default under, any of the Investor’s organizational documents, any agreement or other instrument to which Investor is a party or by which Investor is bound, or any decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Investor. |
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| (d) | Investor is (i) a “qualified institution buyer” as that term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act or (ii) an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. |
| 5. | Additional Agreements and Acknowledgements of Investor. |
| (a) | Investor acknowledges that the SPAC was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”). Investor agrees with the SPAC that if the SPAC seeks shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with such proposed Business Combination, Investor shall (i) vote all Founder Shares in favor of such proposed Business Combination and (ii) not redeem any of such Founder Shares owned by it, him or her in connection with such stockholder approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall prevent the Investor from exercising its redemption rights and receiving distributions from the Trust Account for any shares of Class A Common Stock it acquires in the IPO (including the IPO Indication) or in the open market in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable to the shares of Class A Common Stock and the IPO described in the Registration Statement. Without written consent of the SPAC, the Investor agrees with the SPAC not to transfer, assign or sell any Transferred Shares or the Class A Common Stock, issuable upon conversion of the Transferred Shares held by it, until the earlier to occur of: (A) six months after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the reported last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the SPAC completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property; provided however, that the Investor shall be permitted to transfer, assign or sell all or a portion of the Transferred Shares to an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended) of the Investor. The Transferred Shares directly or indirectly owned by the Investor will not be subject to additional lock-ups than detailed in this Section 5(a) or the Registration Statement. In addition, neither Sponsor nor any other holder of Founder Shares are being afforded more favorable lockup terms than those detailed in this Section 5(a), and if the Sponsor or any other holder of Founder Shares is given an early release or favorable modification of such lockup terms, the parties hereto agree that the Investor will receive the same treatment. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5 shall not restrict the Investor from transferring, assigning, redeeming or selling any Class A Common Stock, rights or units acquired in the IPO or in the open market. |
| (b) | Following the expiration of the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 5(a), if the Transferred Shares are eligible to be sold without restriction under, and without the SPAC being in compliance with the current public information requirements of, Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or if they have been registered for resale under the Securities Act, then at the Investor’s written request, the SPAC will use its best efforts to cause the SPAC’s transfer agent to remove any legend(s) to which the Transferred Shares are subject, subject to compliance by the Investor with the reasonable and customary procedures for such removal required by the SPAC or its transfer agent. In connection therewith, if required by the SPAC’s transfer agent, the SPAC will promptly cause an opinion of counsel to the SPAC to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent that authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Transferred Shares without any such legend(s). |
| (c) | Investor acknowledges that it is aware the SPAC will establish a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of its public shareholders upon the closing of the IPO. Investor agrees with the SPAC that it has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, or any other asset of the SPAC as a result of any liquidation of the SPAC with respect to the Transferred Shares; provided that nothing herein shall limit the Investor’s rights with respect to the Trust Account or any claims in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased by Investor in the IPO or in the open market. With respect to the Transferred Shares, the waiver of claims on the assets of the Company held outside the Trust Account shall only apply to a liquidation of the Company prior to the consummation of its initial Business Combination, and not thereafter. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5(c) or otherwise (i) nothing shall prevent the Investor from redeeming any Class A Common Stock (including shares included in units) it purchases pursuant to the Registration Statement in the IPO or in the open market following the IPO (collectively, the “Purchased Public Unit Amount”) and (ii) the Investor does not waive any right title, interest or claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) arising as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to its purchase or ownership of the Purchased Public Unit Amount (including the IPO Indication and the shares of Common Stock and rights included therein and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such rights) or any other security of the SPAC acquired in the open market (“Reserved Claims”) and is not prohibited from seeking recourse against the Trust Account with respect to any Reserved Claims. |
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| (d) | In connection with the IPO, the SPAC shall enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) as agreed by the Sponsor, Investor and certain other parties thereto in the form filed as an exhibit to the SPAC’s Registration Statement. The Registration Rights Agreement shall provide Investor with registration rights with respect to the Transferred Shares that are no less favorable to Investor than the registration rights of the Sponsor set forth therein. The Investor’s rights under the Registration Rights Agreement may not be subsequently terminated, amended, revised or otherwise modified without the Investor’s written consent. |
| 6. | Miscellaneous. |
| (a) | Any notice or communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) recognized courier or overnight delivery service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, if to the SPAC or the Sponsor, to: 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475, Los Angeles, CA 90067, Attention: Barry Kostiner, e-mail: barrykostiner@legacyea.com; and, if to the Investor, at the Investor’s address or contact information as set forth on the signature page attached hereto. |
| (b) | This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the State of New York. |
| (c) | This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived without the written consent of the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investor may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more of its affiliates, to other investment funds or accounts managed or advised by the investment manager who acts on behalf of the Investor or by an affiliate of such investment manager. |
| (d) | The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity or otherwise. |
| (e) | The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. |
| (f) | From time to time, at the reasonable request of any of the other parties hereto, each party hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and take such further lawful action as may be necessary to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (g) | Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining rights of the person intended to be benefited by such provision or any other provisions of this Agreement. |
| (h) | This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any signature page delivered by a facsimile machine or electronic mail shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page. |
| (i) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 5(a), Section 5(b) and Section 5(c) shall only be enforceable against the Investor by the SPAC on its own behalf. For the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with their terms, Section 5(a), Section 5(b) and Section 5(c) are not enforceable by the Sponsor. |
| (j) | Except as may be required by law, regulation or applicable stock exchange listing requirements or judicial or administrative order, unless and until the transactions contemplated hereby and the terms hereof have been publicly announced or otherwise publicly disclosed by the Sponsor, the parties hereto shall keep confidential and shall not publicly disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investor shall be permitted to disclose any information to its affiliates and to its and their control persons, officers, directors, employees, advisors, direct or indirect owners, partners, agents and representatives, in each case so long as such person or entity has been advised of its obligation to comply with the confidentiality provisions hereunder. Investor agrees that the SPAC may disclose the terms of this Agreement in the Registration Statement, including the name of the Investor. |
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
[Signature Page to Investor Agreement]
Exhibit 23.1
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 (File No. 333-256473) of our report dated May 25, 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 Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. as of April 6, 2021 and for the period from March 31, 2021 (inception) through April 6, 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Tampa, FL
October 1, 2021
EXHIBIT 99.6
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), and entered into by and between Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), a limited liability company organized in the State of Delaware, and Barry Kostiner, (the “Executive”), each a “Party”, or, collectively, the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has formed a blank check company, Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”) that will seek to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more businesses or assets (a “Business Combination”); and
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has approved the employment of the Executive and the Sponsor and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement on the terms set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
| 1. | Employment Term |
| (a) | The Sponsor agrees to employ the Executive at will pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Executive agrees to be so employed. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create a promise or representation of continued employment or employment for a fixed period of time. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Executive’s employment shall be referred as the “Term”. | |
| (b) | The Term shall end as of the earlier of the date: (i) either Party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 4; (ii) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPAC’s initial Business Combination; or (iii) thirty (30) days after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents. |
| 2. | Position and Duties. |
| (a) | The Sponsor hereby employs the Executive to serve as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the SPAC. If requested to do so, Executive shall also serve, at no extra compensation, as a member of the SPAC’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). | |
| (b) | As CEO of the SPAC, the Executive shall: (i) report to the SPAC Board of Directors; and (ii) be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the SPAC and shall have all authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities, and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Executive by the SPAC Board of Directors. For avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict of interest between the SPAC and the Sponsor, the Executive shall pursue the interests of the SPAC (including, where applicable, to the detriment of the Sponsor), and such conduct shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty of loyalty (or otherwise) the Executive might otherwise owe the Sponsor. |
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| (c) | Throughout the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his professional time to the performance of his duties of employment with the Sponsor (except as otherwise provided herein) and shall faithfully and industriously perform such duties. | |
| (d) | The Executive will be required to comply with all SPAC policies as may exist and be in effect from time to time. |
| 3. | Compensation and Benefits |
| (a) | Base Salary. In consideration for his work under the terms of this Agreement, the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive a base salary at a rate of $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) per month (“Base Salary”) on the last day of each month of the Term, in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Sponsor and subject to such deductions and withholding as are required by law and otherwise elected by the Executive. If the Employment Term ends other than on the last day of a month the last salary payment shall be pro-rated based on the number of days in the month that have passed as of the date of termination. | |
| (b) | Grant of Shares. On the date this Agreement is executed, the Executive shall receive a grant of 100,000 shares of the fully-diluted Class B shares of the SPAC (the “Share Grant”) in accordance with the terms of the Securities Transfer Agreement to be executed between the Parties on this date (the “Transfer Agreement”) and subject to the vesting terms below. | |
| (c) | Vesting Terms. The Share Grant shall vest ratably in equal installments over twenty-four (24) months beginning on April 30, 2021, provided, that 100% (one hundred percent) of the Share Grant shall vest upon the successful closing of a Business Combination by the SPAC during the Term, regardless of the date of such closing. | |
| (d) | Benefits. Executive shall be eligible for any fringe benefits offered by the Sponsor on the same terms and conditions as other executives. | |
| (e) | Additional Compensation Terms and Limitations. The Executive agrees that, absent a written agreement signed by the Managing Member of the Sponsor, the Executive shall not be entitled to any remuneration of any kind, other than that expressly set forth in this Agreement, for any work or services the Executive performs for, or information the Executive provides to, the Sponsor, the SPAC, or any of their respective agents, during the Term. The Executive acknowledges that he has not been promised, and is not entitled to, a position as an employee, contractor, or director, with the entity that results from any Business Combination into which the Sponsor enters. The Executive and the Sponsor agree that no such promise shall be binding in the absence of a written agreement signed by the Sponsor’s Managing Member and the Executive. |
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| 4. | Termination of Employment |
| (a) | Termination For Cause, due to Death, or Disability; Resignation without Good Reason. In the event the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Sponsor for Cause (as defined below), by Executive without Good Reason (as defined below), or by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability (as defined below), then (i) the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive the Base Salary earned through the date of termination; (ii) the Sponsor shall reimburse the Executive for any expenses incurred through the date of termination for which the Executive is entitled to reimbursement; (iii) the Executive’s rights under any benefit plans, programs, or arrangements of the Sponsor shall be determined in accordance with the provisions thereof (clauses (i) through (iii) hereof; and (iv) Executive shall retain all vested portion of the Share Grant (the items in subparagraphs (i) – (v) referred to hereinafter as the “Accrued Amounts”). Further vesting of the Share Grant shall cease and the Sponsor shall have no further obligations to Executive. | |
| (b) | Termination without Cause; Resignation For Good Reason. In the event the Employment Term is terminated by the Sponsor without Cause, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then: (i) the Sponsor shall provide the Executive with the Accrued Amounts; (ii) the Sponsor shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary until the earlier of: (x) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPACs initial business combination or (y) thirty (30) days after the SPAC after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents; and (iii) any unvested portion of the Share Grant shall immediately vest. Continued payment of Base Salary and continued vesting of the Share Grant after termination are subject to the Executive’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Sponsor, its affiliates, and its respective officers and directors, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “Release”) and such Release becoming effective within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (such 30-day period, the “Release Execution Period”). The first payment and the vesting of the Share Grant shall take place after any revocation period in the Release has expired and shall include all payments that would have occurred had the Release become effective on the date Executive’s employment terminated. | |
| (c) | Termination Under § 1(b). Termination due to the expiration of the Term in accordance with Section 1(b)(i) or 1(b)(ii) shall not be considered a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason for any purposes under this Agreement. |
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| (d) | Cause. The term “Cause” means (i) the gross and willful misconduct on the part of the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties and responsibilities; (ii) commission by Executive of fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation or an act of dishonesty in connection with his duties hereunder; (iii) Executive’s conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (iv) Executive’s willful and repeated refusal or failure to follow specific, lawful and reasonable written directions of the SPAC; or (v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement. | |
| (e) | Notice and Cure of Cause Condition. Except for a failure, breach, or refusal which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the delivery of written notice by the Sponsor within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided, however, that, if the Sponsor reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of thirty (30) days, the Sponsor may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of the Executive’s employment without notice and with immediate effect. The Sponsor may place the Executive on paid leave for up to thirty (30) days while it is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. Any such action by the Sponsor will not constitute Good Reason for Executive’s resignation. | |
| (f) | Good Reason. The term “Good Reason” means (i) the Sponsor’s material breach of any material provision of this Agreement; (ii) material diminution in Executive’s title, position, duties, responsibilities or compensation or benefits, without Executive’s prior written consent; or (iii) the Sponsor requires Executive to relocate his office location to a location more than 35 miles from the address Executive has provided for notice purposes in this Agreement without the Executive’s prior written consent. | |
| (g) | Notice and Cure of Good Reason Condition. In order to resign for Good Reason, Executive must give the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition within ninety (90) calendar days of when the Good Reason condition first arises, allow the Sponsor thirty (30) days to cure the Good Reason condition, and resign within forty-five (45) days after giving the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition. | |
| (h) | Disability. Either Party may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder due to disability (“Disability”) if the Executive is unable, due to a mental or physical injury, illness or disorder, to perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of his position hereunder, after reasonable accommodation has been made for him for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) days during any consecutive three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period. |
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| 5. | Business Expenses |
Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the SPAC may specify from time to time, the Executive shall be reimbursed in accordance with the SPAC’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred and paid by the Executive during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder. To the extent the Executive is provided with the use of the SPAC’s credit or charge card for purposes of business expenses, such credit or charge card shall not be used to incur any personal (non-business-related) expenses; any personal expenses inadvertently charged to such card shall be reimbursed immediately by the Executive to the Sponsor.
| 6. | Confidentiality and Intellectual Property |
| (a) | Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive will occupy a position of trust and confidence. The Sponsor and/or the SPAC will, from time to time, disclose to the Executive, and the Executive will require access to and may generate confidential and proprietary information (no matter how created or stored) concerning the business practices, products, services, and operations of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC which is not known to their competitors or within their industry generally and which is of great competitive value to them, including, but not limited to: (i) Trade Secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas, concepts, drawings, materials, documentation, procedures, diagrams, specifications, models, processes, formulae, source and object codes, data, software, programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and techniques; (ii) information regarding research, development, products, marketing plans, market research and forecasts, bids, proposals, quotes, business plans, budgets, financial information and projections, overhead costs, profit margins, pricing policies and practices, accounts, processes, planned collaborations or alliances, licenses, suppliers and customers; (iii) operational information including deployment plans, means and methods of performing services, operational needs information, and operational policies and practices; and (iv) any information obtained by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC from any third party that the Sponsor and/or the SPAC treats or agrees to treat as confidential or proprietary information of the third party (collectively, “Confidential Information”). The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information includes Confidential Information disclosed to the Executive prior to entering into this Agreement. | |
| (b) | Trade Secrets. “Trade Secrets” means any information, including any data, plan, drawing, specification, pattern, procedure, method, computer data, system, program or design, device, list, tool, or compilation, that relates to the present or planned business of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and which: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not readily ascertainable by proper means to, other persons who can obtain economic value from their disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain their secrecy. To the extent that the foregoing definition is inconsistent with a definition of “trade secret” under applicable law, the latter definition shall control. |
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| (c) | Restrictions On Use and Disclosure of Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes that the Sponsor’s and the SPAC’s business interests require the full protection of their respective Confidential Information. The Executive agrees during his employment and after his employment ends, the Executive will hold the Confidential Information in strict confidence and will neither use the information nor disclose it to anyone, except to the extent necessary to carry out the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Sponsor or as specifically authorized in writing by a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. The Parties agree that the restrictions in this Section will not apply to any portion of the Confidential Information which: (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Executive; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of the Executive; or (iii) the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided, if permitted, that the Executive provides the Sponsor and/or the SPAC with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Sponsor at its expense in seeking to protect such information). Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from disclosing any concerns about suspected unlawful conduct to any proper government authority subject to proper jurisdiction. This provision shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment for so long as the SPAC maintains the secrecy of the Confidential Information and the Confidential Information has competitive value and to the extent such information is otherwise protected by statute for a longer period, for example and not by way of limitation, the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), then until such information ceases to have statutory protection. | |
| (d) | Defend Trade Secrets Act. Misappropriation of a Trade Secret of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC in breach of this Agreement may subject the Executive to liability under the DTSA, entitle the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to injunctive relief, and require the Executive to pay compensatory damages, double damages, and attorneys’ fees to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive hereby is notified in accordance with the DTSA that the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under a federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the trade secret to the Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that the Executive must file any document containing the trade secret under seal, and must not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. |
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| (e) | Ownership of Inventions. All ideas, data, deliverables, reports, work products, innovations, improvements, know-how, inventions, designs, developments, techniques, methods and other results of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC (in draft and final forms), and all related documentation (such as, but not limited to, notes, records, documents, drawings, and designs), which the Executive makes, conceives, reduces to practice, or develops in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, in connection with his services to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or which relate to any Confidential Information (collectively, the “Inventions”) will be the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, and will be considered “works made for hire” pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101). The Executive hereby assigns to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or their respective designees all of the Executive’s right, title and interest in and to all of the foregoing without compensation. To the extent the Executive has any “moral rights” in the Inventions which are not assignable by law, the Executive hereby waives any such moral rights relating to the Inventions, including any and all rights of identification of authorship and any and all rights of approval, restriction or limitation on use or subsequent modifications. The Executive further represents that, to the best of the Executive’s knowledge and belief, none of the Inventions that the Executive creates will violate or infringe upon any right, patent, copyright, trademark or right of privacy, or constitute libel or slander against or violate any other rights of any person, firm or corporation, and that the Executive will use the Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation. |
| 7. | Covenants Not To Solicit or Compete |
| (a) | Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any Protected Personnel of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to leave their employment, or end their engagement with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, to provide services for the Executive or any other person, business, or organization. “Protected Personnel” means: (i) any person currently employed or engaged as an independent contractor by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and (ii) any former employee or independent contractor of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for a period of three (3) months after termination of such employee’s employment, or independent contractor’s engagement, with the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Potential Business Combination Partners. Until the date the SPAC either closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital because of the deadline for the SPAC to enter into a Business Combination, as stated in its charter documents, has passed, the Executive shall not, on behalf of any other special purpose acquisition company, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any business with which the SPAC has engaged in discussions about a Business Combination, to enter into a Business Combination with any other business entity. |
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| (c) | Non-Competition. During the Term, and during the Restricted Period, or the date the SPAC closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents, whichever date is earlier, Executive shall not, anywhere within the United States, either as principal, agent, employee, consultant, partner, officer, director, shareholder, or in any other individual or representative capacity, own (more than 5%), manage, finance, operate, control or otherwise engage or participate in any manner or fashion in a special purpose acquisition company, seeking to effect any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with, or other substantial strategic investment into, any one or more businesses that have a focus on the same target sectors as those with which the SPAC seeks to enter into a Business Combination. |
| 8. | Indemnification |
| (a) | Executive shall be provided defense and indemnification in accordance with the bylaws and certificate of incorporation of the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Executive shall be provided such defense, indemnification, and advancement as is provided by the Operating Agreement of the Sponsor in effect on the date hereof or, if more beneficial to the Executive in any circumstances presented, as subsequently amended. |
| 9. | Insurance |
The Sponsor agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that the SPAC maintains at all times a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering Executive for an amount that shall be set in the discretion of the SPAC that is not less than the coverage that the SPAC provides for any other director, officer, member, or employee of the SPAC.
| 10. | Waiver of Trust |
Executive acknowledges that (a) he has read the prospectus of the SPAC and understands that the SPAC will establish the Trust Account referred to in the prospectus in the amount contemplated by such prospectus (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined in the prospectus) and that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, the SPAC may disburse monies from the Trust Account only (i) to the Public Stockholders in the event they elect to redeem shares of Common Stock contained in the Public Securities in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, (ii) to the Public Stockholders if the SPAC fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the charter documents, or (iii) to the SPAC after or concurrently with the consummation of a Business Combination. Executive agrees that Executive does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim Executive has, or may have in the future, as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the SPAC and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent Executive purchases Public Securities, in which case he may assert any Claim with respect to such Public Securities).
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| 11. | Survival of Provisions |
The obligations contained in Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
| 12. | Return of Property |
On the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Sponsor for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the SPAC’s request), the Executive shall return all property belonging to the SPAC, the Sponsor, or their affiliates and not retain any copies, including, but not limited to, any keys, access cards, badges, laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices, USB drives, other equipment, documents, reports, files, and other property provided by or belonging to the SPAC or the Sponsor.
| 13. | Non-Disparagement |
During the Executive’s employment and following termination of employment for whatever reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, make or publish denigrating or derogatory remarks, comments, or statements (whether written or oral) in any forum or through any medium of communication regarding the SPAC, its services, or any of its owners, managers, officers, employees, or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall or shall be deemed to prevent or impair the Executive from making truthful statements in any legal or administrative proceeding or from otherwise complying with legal requirements.
| 14. | Notices |
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered by email with return receipt requested, upon the obtaining of a valid return receipt from the recipient, by hand or mailed by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, addressed, to the Parties’ addresses specified below or to such other address as any Party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt:
To the SPAC:
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Email: brosen@gldlp.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Thomas Kollar, Esq.
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Email: thomas.kollar@mayerbrown.com
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To the Executive:
Mr. Barry Kostiner
11835 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 1150E
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Email: bkostiner@fintecham.com
| 15. | Tax Matters |
| (a) | Withholding. The Sponsor may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. | |
| (b) | Code Section 409A. The payments described in this Agreement are intended either to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, to the extent they are subject to Code Section 409A, or to be exempt from such requirements, regulations and guidance (where an exemption is available), and will be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Sponsor has the right, to the extent the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend this Agreement to ensure that the payments hereunder comply with Section 409A. The Sponsor is not responsible for, and makes no representation or warranty whatsoever in connection with the tax treatment hereunder, and the Executive should consult his own tax advisor, including without limitation the applicability of Code Section 409A as to the tax effect of amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement. In any case, the Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on the Executive in connection with this Agreement (including any taxes and penalties under Code Section 409A), and neither the Sponsor nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Executive harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. |
| 16. | Assignment |
The Executive may not assign any part of the Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Executive agrees and hereby consents that the Sponsor may assign this Agreement to a third party that acquires or succeeds to the Sponsor’s business, that the provisions hereof are enforceable against the Executive by such assignee or successor in interest, and that this Agreement shall become an obligation of, inure to the benefit of, and be assigned to, any legal successor or successors to the Sponsor.
| 17. | Headings |
Titles or captions of sections or paragraphs contained in this Agreement are intended solely for the convenience of reference, and shall not serve to define, limit, extend, modify, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the meaning of any provision hereof. The language used in this Agreement is deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any person.
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| 18. | Severability |
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision or portion of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
| 19. | Governing Law; Venue |
This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions). Except as provided in Section 20 (Arbitration) of this Agreement, the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the State of California and further agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California, County of Los Angeles and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, as applicable, in connection with, or incident to, any dispute, claim, case, controversy or matter arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment or this Agreement, to the exclusion of the courts of any other state, territory or country. The Parties knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily, WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY in any such proceedings.
| 20. | Arbitration |
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its enforcement, arbitrability or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions and Employee’s employment with the Sponsor or the SPAC, including any alleged violation of statute, common law or public policy shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) to be held in Los Angeles, California before a single arbitrator, in accordance with then-current AAA Employment Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator shall issue a written opinion stating the essential findings and conclusions on which the arbitrator’s award is based. Employer will pay the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing (recognizing that each side bears its own deposition, witness, expert and attorney’s fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court). If, however, any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party attorneys’ fees and costs, then the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party. Any dispute as to who is a prevailing party and/or the reasonableness of any fee or costs shall be resolved by the arbitrator.
______________ By initialing here, Executive acknowledges he has read this paragraph and agrees with the arbitration provision herein.
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| 21. | Waiver; Modification |
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor. No waiver by either Party hereto at any time of any breach by the other Party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
| 22. | Recitals; Entire Agreement |
The Recitals are hereby incorporated into this Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Executive and the Sponsor with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements, inducements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either Party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Transfer Agreement.
| 23. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each executed counterpart shall have the efficacy of a signed original and may be transmitted by facsimile or email. Each copy, facsimile copy, or emailed copy of any such signed counterpart may be used in lieu of the original for any purpose.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Executive Employment Agreement effective as of the date first written above.
SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC:
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: |
EXECUTIVE:
| (SEAL) | |
| Barry Kostiner |
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EXHIBIT A
General Release and Covenant Not to Sue
TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR MAY CONCERN, KNOW THAT:
| 1. | Barry Kostiner, (“Executive”), on Executive’s own behalf and on behalf of Executive’s descendants, dependents, heirs, executors and administrators and permitted assigns, past and present, in consideration for the amounts payable and benefits to be provided to Executive under that employment agreement made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Employment Agreement”) by and between Executive and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC. (the “Sponsor”), does hereby covenant not to sue or pursue any litigation or arbitration against, and waives, releases and discharges the Sponsor, its assigns, affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, predecessors and successors, and the past and present employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents of any of them (collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action whatsoever, of any and every kind and description, whether known or unknown, accrued or not accrued, that Executive ever had, now has or shall or may have or assert as of the date of this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ against the Releasees relating to his employment with the Sponsor or the termination thereof or his service as an officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Sponsor or the termination of such service, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action related to employment or termination of employment or that arise out of or relate in any way to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all as amended, and any other Federal, state and local laws relating to discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other protected class, wages and hours, or leave from work, and all claims under Federal, state or local laws for express or implied breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Sponsor from (a) any of its obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligation to pay the amounts and provide the benefits upon which this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is conditioned), (b) any rights Executive may have to indemnification under any law, charter or by-laws (or similar documents) of, or any agreement with, any member of the Releasees or otherwise, (c) any right or claim of contribution Executive may have with respect to any third-party claim, or (d) any insurance coverage under any directors and officers insurance or similar policies. |
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| 2. | Executive further agrees that his General Release and Covenant Not to Sue may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted or maintained by Executive or Executive’s heirs or assigns. Executive understands and confirms that Executive is executing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” voluntarily and knowingly, but that this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” does not affect Executive’s right to claim otherwise under ADEA. In addition, Executive shall not be precluded by this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” from filing a charge with any relevant Federal, state or local administrative agency, but Executive agrees to waive Executive’s rights with respect to any monetary or other financial relief arising from any such administrative proceeding. |
| 3. | In furtherance of the agreements set forth above, Executive hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights under any applicable statute, doctrine or principle of law restricting the right of any person to release claims that such person does not know or suspect to exist at the time of executing a release, which claims, if known, may have materially affected such person’s decision to give such a release. In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Executive acknowledges that Executive is aware that Executive may hereafter discover claims presently unknown or unsuspected, or facts in addition to or different from those that Executive now knows or believes to be true, with respect to the matters released herein. Nevertheless, it is the intention of Executive to release all such matters fully, finally and forever, and all claims relating thereto, that now exist, may exist or theretofore have existed, as specifically provided herein. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this waiver shall be an essential and material term of the release contained above. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to expand the scope of the release as specified herein. |
| 4. | In the event any of the Releasees brings a civil action or arbitration proceeding against Executive (other than a civil action or arbitration proceeding to enforce this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue) then this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be of no further force and effect and Executive shall be permitted to bring claims against the Releasees that would have been otherwise barred by this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. |
| 5. | This General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state without regard to principles of conflicts of laws, provided, however, that the arbitration provisions of the Employment Agreement shall be governed solely by the Federal Arbitration Act. |
| 6. | To the extent that Executive is forty (40) years of age or older, this paragraph shall apply. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been offered a period of time of at least twenty-one (21) days to consider whether to sign this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue,’ which Executive has waived, and the Sponsor agrees that Executive may cancel this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ at any time during the seven (7) days following the date on which this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ has been signed by all parties to this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.” To cancel or revoke this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue, Executive must deliver to the Sponsor written notice stating that Executive is canceling or revoking this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.” If this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is timely cancelled or revoked, none of the provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be effective or enforceable and the Sponsor shall not be obligated to make the payments to Executive or to provide Executive with the other benefits described in Section 4(b)(i) of the Employment Agreement, and all contracts and provisions modified, relinquished or rescinded hereunder shall be reinstated to the extent in effect immediately prior hereto. Executive is hereby advised to seek legal counsel prior to signing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.” |
| 7. | Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has entered this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” knowingly and willingly and has had ample opportunity to consider the terms and provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. |
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue to be executed on this _____day of _____________________, 20__.
| Barry Kostiner |
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EXHIBIT 99.7
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), and entered into by and between Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), a limited liability company organized in the State of Delaware, and Thomas Neukranz, (the “Executive”), each a “Party”, or, collectively, the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has formed a blank check company, Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”) that will seek to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more businesses or assets (a “Business Combination”); and
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has approved the employment of the Executive and the Sponsor and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement on the terms set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
| 1. | Employment Term |
| (a) | The Sponsor agrees to employ the Executive at will pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Executive agrees to be so employed. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create a promise or representation of continued employment or employment for a fixed period of time. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Executive’s employment shall be referred as the “Term”. | |
| (b) | The Term shall end as of the earlier of the date: (i) either Party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 4; (ii) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPAC’s initial Business Combination; or (iii) thirty (30) days after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents. |
| 2. | Position and Duties |
| (a) | The Sponsor hereby employs the Executive to serve as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the SPAC. If requested to do so, Executive shall also serve, at no extra compensation, as a member of the SPAC’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). |
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| (b) | As CFO of the SPAC, the Executive shall: (i) report to the SPAC Board of Directors; and (ii) be responsible for the general financial management of the affairs of the SPAC, and shall have all authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities, and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Executive by the SPAC Board of Directors. For avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict of interest between the SPAC and the Sponsor, the Executive shall pursue the interests of the SPAC (including, where applicable, to the detriment of the Sponsor), and such conduct shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty of loyalty (or otherwise) the Executive might otherwise owe the Sponsor. | |
| (c) | Throughout the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his professional time to the performance of his duties of employment with the Sponsor (except as otherwise provided herein) and shall faithfully and industriously perform such duties. | |
| (d) | The Executive will be required to comply with all SPAC policies as may exist and be in effect from time to time. |
| 3. | Compensation and Benefits |
| (a) | Base Salary. In consideration for his work under the terms of this Agreement, the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive a base salary at a rate of $3,000.00 (Three Thousand Dollars) per month (“Base Salary”) on the last day of each month of the Term, in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Sponsor and subject to such deductions and withholding as are required by law and otherwise elected by the Executive. If the Employment Term ends other than on the last day of a month the last salary payment shall be pro-rated based on the number of days in the month that have passed as of the date of termination. | |
| (b) | Grant of Shares. On the date this Agreement is executed, the Executive shall receive a grant of 40,000 shares of the fully-diluted Class B common shares of the SPAC (the “Share Grant”) in accordance with the terms of the Share Grant Agreement to be executed between the Parties on this date (the “Transfer Agreement”) and subject to the vesting terms below. | |
| (c) | Vesting Terms. The Share Grant shall vest ratably in equal installments over twenty-four (24) months beginning on April 30, 2021, provided, that 100% (one hundred percent) of the Share Grant shall vest upon the successful closing of a Business Combination by the SPAC during the Term, regardless of the date of such closing. | |
| (d) | Benefits. Executive shall be eligible for• any fringe benefits offered by the Sponsor on the same terms and conditions as other executives. | |
| (e) | Additional Compensation Terms and Limitations. The Executive agrees that, absent a written agreement signed by the Managing Member of the Sponsor, the Executive shall not be entitled to any remuneration of any kind, other than that expressly set forth in this Agreement, for any work or services the Executive performs for, or information the Executive provides to, the Sponsor, the SPAC, or any of their respective agents, during the Term. The Executive acknowledges that he has not been promised, and is not entitled to, a position as an employee, contractor, or director, with the entity that results from any Business Combination into which the Sponsor enters. The Executive and the Sponsor agree that no such promise shall be binding in the absence of a written agreement signed by the Sponsor’s Managing Member and the Executive. |
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| 4. | Termination of Employment |
| (a) | Termination For Cause, due to Death, or Disability; Resignation without Good Reason. In the event the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Sponsor for Cause (as defined below), by Executive without Good Reason (as defined below), or by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability (as defined below), then (i) the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive the Base Salary earned through the date of termination; (ii) the Sponsor shall reimburse the Executive for any expenses incurred through the date of termination for which the Executive is entitled to reimbursement; (iii) the Executive’s rights under any benefit plans, programs, or arrangements of the Sponsor shall be determined in accordance with the provisions thereof (clauses (i) through (iii) hereof; and (iv) Executive shall retain all vested portion of the Share Grant (the items in subparagraphs (i) — (v) referred to hereinafter as the “Accrued Amounts”). Further vesting of the Share Grant shall cease and the Sponsor shall have no further obligations to Executive. | |
| (b) | Termination without Cause; Resignation For Good Reason. In the event the Employment Term is terminated by the Sponsor without Cause, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then: (i) the Sponsor shall provide the Executive with the Accrued Amounts; (ii) the Sponsor shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary until the earlier of: (x) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPACs initial business combination or (y) thirty (30) days after the SPAC after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents; and (iii) any unvested portion of the Share Grant shall immediately vest. Continued payment of Base Salary and continued vesting of the Share Grant after termination are subject to the Executive’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Sponsor, its affiliates, and its respective officers and directors, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “Release”) and such Release becoming effective within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (such 30-day period, the “Release Execution Period”). The first payment and the vesting of the Share Grant shall take place after any revocation period in the Release has expired and shall include all payments that would have occurred had the Release become effective on the date Executive’s employment terminated. | |
| (c) | Termination Under § 1(b). Termination due to the expiration of the Term in accordance with Section 1(b)(i) or 1(b)(ii) shall not be considered a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason for any purposes under this Agreement. |
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| (d) | Cause. The term “Cause” means (i) the gross and willful misconduct on the part of the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties and responsibilities; (ii) commission by Executive of fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation or an act of dishonesty in connection with his duties hereunder; (iii) Executive’s conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (iv) Executive’s willful and repeated refusal or failure to follow specific, lawful and reasonable written directions of the SPAC; or (v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement. | |
| (e) | Notice and Cure of Cause Condition. Except for a failure, breach, or refusal which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the delivery of written notice by the Sponsor within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided, however, that, if the Sponsor reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of thirty (30) days, the Sponsor may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of the Executive’s employment without notice and with immediate effect. The Sponsor may place the Executive on paid leave for up to thirty (30) days while it is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. Any such action by the Sponsor will not constitute Good Reason for Executive’s resignation. | |
| (f) | Good Reason. The term “Good Reason” means (i) the Sponsor’s material breach of any material provision of this Agreement; (ii) material diminution in Executive’s title, position, duties, responsibilities or compensation or benefits, without Executive’s prior written consent; or (iii) the Sponsor requires Executive to relocate his office location to a location more than 35 miles from the address Executive has provided for notice purposes in this Agreement without the Executive’s prior written consent. | |
| (g) | Notice and Cure of Good Reason Condition. In order to resign for Good Reason, Executive must give the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition within ninety (90) calendar days of when the Good Reason condition first arises, allow the Sponsor thirty (30) days to cure the Good Reason condition, and resign within forty-five (45) days after giving the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition. | |
| (h) | Disability. Either Party may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder due to disability (“Disability”) if the Executive is unable, due to a mental or physical injury, illness or disorder, to perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of his position hereunder, after reasonable accommodation has been made for him for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) days during any consecutive three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period. |
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| 5. | Business Expenses |
Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the SPAC may specify from time to time, the Executive shall be reimbursed in accordance with the SPAC’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred and paid by the Executive during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder. To the extent the Executive is provided with the use of the SPAC’s credit or charge card forpurposes of business expenses, such credit or charge card shall not be used to incur any personal (non-business-related) expenses; any personal expenses inadvertently charged to such card shall be reimbursed immediately by the Executive to the Sponsor.
| 6. | Confidentiality and Intellectual Property |
| (a) | Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive will occupy a position of trust and confidence. The Sponsor and/or the SPAC will, from time to time, disclose to the Executive, and the Executive will require access to and may generate confidential and proprietary information (no matter how created or stored) concerning the business practices, products, services, and operations of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC which is not known to their competitors or within their industry generally and which is of great competitive value to them, including, but not limited to: (i) Trade Secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas, concepts, drawings, materials, documentation, procedures, diagrams, specifications, models, processes, formulae, source and object codes, data, software, programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and techniques; (ii) information regarding research, development, products, marketing plans, market research and forecasts, bids, proposals, quotes, business plans, budgets, financial information and projections, overhead costs, profit margins, pricing policies and practices, accounts, processes, planned collaborations or alliances, licenses, suppliers and customers; (iii) operational information including deployment plans, means and methods of performing services, operational needs information, and operational policies and practices; and (iv) any information obtained by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC from any third party that the Sponsor and/or the SPAC treats or agrees to treat as confidential or proprietary information of the third party (collectively, “Confidential Information”). The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information includes Confidential Information disclosed to the Executive prior to entering into this Agreement. | |
| (b) | Trade Secrets. “Trade Secrets” means any information, including any data, plan, drawing, specification, pattern, procedure, method, computer data, system, program or design, device, list, tool, or compilation, that relates to the present or planned business of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and which: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not readily ascertainable by proper means to, other persons who can obtain economic value from their disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain their secrecy. To the extent that the foregoing definition is inconsistent with a definition of “trade secret” under applicable law, the latter definition shall control. |
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| (c) | Restrictions On Use and Disclosure of Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes that the Sponsor’s and the SPAC’s business interests require the full protection of their respective Confidential Information. The Executive agrees during his employment and after his employment ends, the Executive will hold the Confidential Information in strict confidence and will neither use the information nor disclose it to anyone, except to the extent necessary to carry out the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Sponsor or as specifically authorized in writing by a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. The Parties agree that the restrictions in this Section will not apply to any portion of the Confidential Information which: (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Executive; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of the Executive; or (iii) the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided, if permitted, that the Executive provides the Sponsor and/or the SPAC with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Sponsor at its expense in seeking to protect such information). Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from disclosing any concerns about suspected unlawful conduct to any proper government authority subject to proper jurisdiction. This provision shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment for so long as the SPAC maintains the secrecy of the Confidential Information and the Confidential Information has competitive value and to the extent such information is otherwise protected by statute for a longer period, for example and not by way of limitation, the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), then until such information ceases to have statutory protection. | |
| (d) | Defend Trade Secrets Act. Misappropriation of a Trade Secret of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC in breach of this Agreement may subject the Executive to liability under the DTSA, entitle the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to injunctive relief, and require the Executive to pay compensatory damages, double damages, and attorneys’ fees to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive hereby is notified in accordance with the DTSA that the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under a federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the trade secret to the Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that the Executive must file any document containing the trade secret under seal, and must not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. |
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| (e) | Ownership of Inventions. All ideas, data, deliverables, reports, work products, innovations, improvements, know-how, inventions, designs, developments, techniques, methods and other results of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC (in draft and final forms), and all related documentation (such as, but not limited to, notes, records, documents, drawings, and designs), which the Executive makes, conceives, reduces to practice, or develops in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, in connection with his services to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or which relate to any Confidential information (collectively, the “Inventions”) will be the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, and will be considered “works made for hire” pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101). The Executive hereby assigns to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or their respective designees all of the Executive’s right, title and interest in and to all of the foregoing without compensation. To the extent the Executive has any “moral rights” in the Inventions which are not assignable by law, the Executive hereby waives any such moral rights relating to the Inventions, including any and all rights of identification of authorship and any and all rights of approval, restriction or limitation on use or subsequent modifications. The Executive further represents that, to the best of the Executive’s knowledge and belief, none of the Inventions that the Executive creates will violate or infringe upon any right, patent, copyright, trademark or right of privacy, or constitute libel or slander against or violate any other rights of any person, firm or corporation, and that the Executive will use the Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation. |
| 7. | Covenants Not To Solicit or Compete |
| (a) | Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any Protected Personnel of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to leave their employment, or end their engagement with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, to provide services for the Executive or any other person, business, or organization. “Protected Personnel” means: (i) any person currently employed or engaged as an independent contractor by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and (ii) any former employee or independent contractor of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for a period of three (3) months after termination of such employee’s employment, or independent contractor’s engagement, with the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Potential Business Combination Partners. Until the date the SPAC either closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital because of the deadline for the SPAC to enter into a Business Combination, as stated in its charter documents, has passed, the Executive shall not, on behalf of any other special purpose acquisition company, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any business with which the SPAC has engaged in discussions about a Business Combination, to enter into a Business Combination with any other business entity. |
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| (c) | Non-Competition. During the Term, and during the Restricted Period, or the date the SPAC closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents, whichever date is earlier, Executive shall not, anywhere within the United States, either as principal, agent, employee, consultant, partner, officer, director, shareholder, or in any other individual or representative capacity, own (more than 5%), manage, finance, operate, control or otherwise engage or participate in any manner or fashion in a special purpose acquisition company, seeking to effect any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with, or other substantial strategic investment into, any one or more businesses that have a focus on the same target sectors as those with which the SPAC seeks to enter into a Business Combination. |
| 8. | Indemnification |
| (a) | Executive shall be provided defense and indemnification in accordance with the bylaws and certificate of incorporation of the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Executive shall be provided such defense, indemnification, and advancement as is provided by the Operating Agreement of the Sponsor in effect on the date hereof or, if more beneficial to the Executive in any circumstances presented, as subsequently amended. |
| 9. | Insurance |
The Sponsor agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that the SPAC maintains at all times a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering Executive for an amount that shall be set in the discretion of the SPAC that is not less than the coverage that the SPAC provides for any other director, officer, member, or employee of the SPAC.
| 10. | Waiver of Trust |
Executive acknowledges that (a) he has read the prospectus of the SPAC and understands that the SPAC will establish the Trust Account referred to in the prospectus in the amount contemplated by such prospectus (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined in the prospectus) and that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, the SPAC may disburse monies from the Trust Account only (i) to the Public Stockholders in the event they elect to redeem shares of Common Stock contained in the Public Securities in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, (ii) to the Public Stockholders if the SPAC fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the charter documents, or (iii) to the SPAC after or concurrently with the consummation of a Business Combination. Executive agrees that Executive does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim Executive has, or may have in the future, as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the SPAC and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent Executive purchases Public Securities, in which case he may assert any Claim with respect to such Public Securities).
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| 11. | Survival of Provisions. |
The obligations contained in Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
| 12. | Return of Propert |
On the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Sponsor for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the SPAC’s request), the Executive shall return all property belonging to the SPAC, the Sponsor, or their affiliates and not retain any copies, including, but not limited to, any keys, access cards, badges, laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices, USB drives, other equipment, documents, reports, files, and other property provided by or belonging to the SPAC or the Sponsor.
| 13. | Non-Disparagement |
During the Executive’s employment and following termination of employment for whatever reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, make or publish denigrating or derogatory remarks, comments, or statements (whether written or oral) in any forum or through any medium of communication regarding the SPAC, its services, or any of its owners, managers, officers, employees, or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall or shall be deemed to prevent or impair the Executive from making truthful statements in any legal or administrative proceeding or from otherwise complying with legal requirements.
| 14. | Notices |
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered by email with return receipt requested, upon the obtaining of a valid return receipt from the recipient, by hand or mailed by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, addressed, to the Parties’ addresses specified below or to such other address as any Party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt:
To the SPAC:
Sagalia.m Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Email: brosen(&,gld 1p.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Thomas Kollar, Esq.
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Email: thomas.kollar@mayerbrown.com
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To the Executive:
Mr. Thomas Neukranz
86 St. Thomas Way
Tiburon, CA 94920
Email: tneukranz@gldlp.com
| 15. | Tax Matters |
| (a) | Withholding. The Sponsor may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. | |
| (b) | Code Section 409A. The payments described in this Agreement are intended either to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, to the extent they are subject to Code Section 409A, or to be exempt from such requirements, regulations and guidance (where an exemption is available), and will be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Sponsor has the right, to the extent the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend this Agreement to ensure that the payments hereunder comply with Section 409A. The Sponsor is not responsible for, and makes no representation or warranty whatsoever in connection with the tax treatment hereunder, and the Executive should consult his own tax advisor, including without limitation the applicability of Code Section 409A as to the tax effect of amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement. In any case, the Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on the Executive in connection with this Agreement (including any taxes and penalties under Code Section 409A), and neither the Sponsor nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Executive harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. |
| 16. | Assignment |
The Executive may not assign any part of the Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Executive agrees and hereby consents that the Sponsor may assign this Agreement to a third party that acquires or succeeds to the Sponsor’s business, that the provisions hereof are enforceable against the Executive by such assignee or successor in interest, and that this Agreement shall become an obligation of, inure to the benefit of, and be assigned to, any legal successor or successors to the Sponsor.
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| 17. | Headings |
Titles or captions of sections or paragraphs contained in this Agreement are intended solely for the convenience of reference, and shall not serve to define, limit, extend, modify, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the meaning of any provision hereof. The language used in this Agreement is deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any person.
| 18. | Severability |
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision or portion of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
| 19. | Governing Law; Venue |
This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions). Except as provided in Section 20 (Arbitration) of this Agreement, the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the State of California and further agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California, County of Los Angeles and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, as applicable, in connection with, or incident to, any dispute, claim, case, controversy or matter arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment or this Agreement, to the exclusion of the courts of any other state, territory or country. The Parties knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily, WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY in any such proceedings.
| 20. | Arbitration |
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its enforcement, arbitrability or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions and Employee’s employment with the Sponsor or the SPAC, including any alleged violation of statute, common law or public policy shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) to be held in Los Angeles, California before a single arbitrator, in accordance with then-current AAA Employment Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator shall issue a written opinion stating the essential findings and conclusions on which the arbitrator’s award is based. Employer will pay the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing (recognizing that each side bears its own deposition, witness, expert and attorney’s fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court). If, however, any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party attorneys’ fees and costs, then the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party. Any dispute as to who is a prevailing party and/or the reasonableness of any fee or costs shall be resolved by the arbitrator.
______________ By initialing here, Executive acknowledges he has read this paragraph and agrees with the arbitration provision herein.
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| 21. | Waiver; Modification |
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor. No waiver by either Party hereto at any time of any breach by the other Party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
| 22. | Recitals; Entire Agreement |
The Recitals are hereby incorporated into this Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Executive and the Sponsor with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements, inducements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either Party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Transfer Agreement.
| 23. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each executed counterpart shall have the efficacy of a signed original and may be transmitted by facsimile or email. Each copy, facsimile copy, or emailed copy of any such signed counterpart may be used in lieu of the original for any purpose.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Executive Employment Agreement effective as of the date first written above.
SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC:
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: |
EXECUTIVE:
| (SEAL) | |
| Thomas Neukranz |
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EXHIBIT A
General Release and Covenant Not to Sue
TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR MAY CONCERN, KNOW THAT:
| 1. | Thomas Neukranz, (“Executive”), on Executive’s own behalf and on behalf of Executive’s descendants, dependents, heirs, executors and administrators and permitted assigns, past and present, in consideration for the amounts payable and benefits to be provided to Executive under that employment agreement made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Employment Agreement”) by and between Executive and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC. (the “Sponsor”), does hereby covenant not to sue or pursue any litigation or arbitration against, and waives, releases and discharges the Sponsor, its assigns, affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, predecessors and successors, and the past and present employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents of any of them (collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action whatsoever, of any and every kind and description, whether known or unknown, accrued or not accrued, that Executive ever had, now has or shall or may have or assert as of the date of this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” against the Releasees relating to his employment with the Sponsor or the termination thereof or his service as an officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Sponsor or the termination of such service, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action related to employment or termination of employment or that arise out of or relate in any way to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all as amended, and any other Federal, state and local laws relating to discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other protected class, wages and hours, or leave from work, and all claims under Federal, state or local laws for express or implied breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Sponsor from (a) any of its obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligation to pay the amounts and provide the benefits upon which this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is conditioned), (b) any rights Executive may have to indemnification under any law, charter or by-laws (or similar documents) of, or any agreement with, any member of the Releasees or otherwise, (c) any right or claim of contribution Executive may have with respect to any third-party claim, or (d) any insurance coverage under any directors and officers insurance or similar policies. |
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| 2. | Executive further agrees that his General Release and Covenant Not to Sue may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted or maintained by Executive or Executive’s heirs or assigns. Executive understands and confirms that Executive is executing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” voluntarily and knowingly, but that this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” does not affect Executive’s right to claim otherwise under ADEA. In addition, Executive shall not be precluded by this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” from filing a charge with any relevant Federal, state or local administrative agency, but Executive agrees to waive Executive’s rights with respect to any monetary or other financial relief arising from any such administrative proceeding. |
| 3. | In furtherance of the agreements set forth above, Executive hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights under any applicable statute, doctrine or principle of law restricting the right of any person to release claims that such person does not know or suspect to exist at the time of executing a release, which claims, if known, may have materially affected such person’s decision to give such a release. In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Executive acknowledges that Executive is aware that Executive may hereafter discover claims presently unknown or unsuspected, or facts in addition to or different from those that Executive now knows or believes to be true, with respect to the matters released herein. Nevertheless, it is the intention of Executive to release all such matters fully, finally and forever, and all claims relating thereto, that now exist, may exist or theretofore have existed, as specifically provided herein. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this waiver shall be an essential and material term of the release contained above. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to expand the scope of the release as specified herein. |
| 4. | In the event any of the Releasees brings a civil action or arbitration proceeding against Executive (other than a civil action or arbitration proceeding to enforce this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue) then this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be of no further force and effect and Executive shall be permitted to bring claims against the Releasees that would have been otherwise barred by this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. |
| 5. | This General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state without regard to principles of conflicts of laws, provided, however, that the arbitration provisions of the Employment Agreement shall be governed solely by the Federal Arbitration Act. |
| 6. | To the extent that Executive is forty (40) years of age or older, this paragraph shall apply. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been offered a period of time of at least twenty-one (21) days to consider whether to sign this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue”, which Executive has waived, and the Sponsor agrees that Executive may cancel this `General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” at any time during the seven (7) days following the date on which this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” has been signed by all parties to this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” To cancel or revoke this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue, Executive must deliver to the Sponsor written notice stating that Executive is canceling or revoking this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue”. If this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is timely cancelled or revoked, none of the provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be effective or enforceable and the Sponsor shall not be obligated to make the payments to Executive or to provide Executive with the other benefits described in Section 4(b)(i) of the Employment Agreement, and all contracts and provisions modified, relinquished or rescinded hereunder shall be reinstated to the extent in effect immediately prior hereto. Executive is hereby advised to seek legal counsel prior to signing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue”. |
| 7. | Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has entered this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” knowingly and willingly and has had ample opportunity to consider the terms and provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. |
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue to be executed on this _____ day of ________________, 20___.
| Thomas Neukranz |
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EXHIBIT 99.8
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), and entered into by and between Sagaliam Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), a limited liability company organized in the State of Delaware, and Jiayin Liu, (the “Executive”), each a “Party”, or, collectively, the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has formed a blank check company, Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”) that will seek to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more businesses or assets (a “Business Combination”); and
WHEREAS, the Sponsor has approved the employment of the Executive and the Sponsor and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement on the terms set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
| 1. | Employment Term |
| (a) | The Sponsor agrees to employ the Executive at will pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Executive agrees to be so employed. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create a promise or representation of continued employment or employment for a fixed period of time. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Executive’s employment shall be referred as the “Term”. | |
| (b) | The Term shall end as of the earlier of the date: (i) either Party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 4; (ii) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPAC’s initial Business Combination; or (iii) thirty (30) days after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents. |
| 2. | Position and Duties |
| (a) | The Sponsor hereby employs the Executive to serve as Vice President of the SPAC. If requested to do so, Executive shall also serve, at no extra compensation, as a member of the SPAC’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). | |
| (b) | As Vice President of the SPAC, the Executive shall: (i) report to the SPAC’s CEO; and (ii) be responsible for those tasks assigned to her by the CEO and/or CFO of the SPAC and shall have all authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities, and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Executive by the SPAC Board of Directors. For avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict of interest between the SPAC and the Sponsor, the Executive shall pursue the interests of the SPAC (including, where applicable, to the detriment of the Sponsor), and such conduct shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty of loyalty (or otherwise) the Executive might otherwise owe the Sponsor. |
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| (c) | Throughout the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his professional time to the performance of his duties of employment with the Sponsor (except as otherwise provided herein) and shall faithfully and industriously perform such duties. | |
| (d) | The Executive will be required to comply with all SPAC policies as may exist and be in effect from time to time. |
| 3. | Compensation and Benefits |
| (a) | Base Salary. In consideration for his work under the terms of this Agreement, the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive a base salary at a rate of $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollars) per month (“Base Salary”) on the last day of each month of the Term, in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Sponsor and subject to such deductions and withholding as are required by law and otherwise elected by the Executive. If the Employment Term ends other than on the last day of a month the last salary payment shall be pro-rated based on the number of days in the month that have passed as of the date of termination. | |
| (b) | Grant of Shares. On the date this Agreement is executed, the Executive shall receive a grant of 10,000 shares of the fully-diluted Class B common shares of the SPAC (the “Share Grant”) in accordance with the terms of the Share Grant Agreement to be executed between the Parties on this date (the “Transfer Agreement”) and subject to the vesting terms below. | |
| (c) | Vesting Terms. The Share Grant shall vest ratably in equal installments over twenty-four (24) months beginning on April 30, 2021, provided, that 100% (one hundred percent) of the Share Grant shall vest upon the successful closing of a Business Combination by the SPAC during the Term, regardless of the date of such closing. | |
| (d) | Benefits. Executive shall be eligible for any fringe benefits offered by the Sponsor on the same terms and conditions as other executives. | |
| (e) | Additional Compensation Terms and Limitations. The Executive agrees that, absent a written agreement signed by the Managing Member of the Sponsor, the Executive shall not be entitled to any remuneration of any kind, other than that expressly set forth in this Agreement, for any work or services the Executive performs for, or information the Executive provides to, the Sponsor, the SPAC, or any of their respective agents, during the Term. The Executive acknowledges that he has not been promised, and is not entitled to, a position as an employee, contractor, or director, with the entity that results from any Business Combination into which the Sponsor enters. The Executive and the Sponsor agree that no such promise shall be binding in the absence of a written agreement signed by the Sponsor’s Managing Member and the Executive. |
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| 4. | Termination of Employment. |
| (a) | Termination For Cause, due to Death, or Disability; Resignation without Good Reason. In the event the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Sponsor for Cause (as defined below), by Executive without Good Reason (as defined below), or by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability (as defined below), then (i) the Sponsor shall pay to the Executive the Base Salary earned through the date of termination; (ii) the Sponsor shall reimburse the Executive for any expenses incurred through the date of termination for which the Executive is entitled to reimbursement; (iii) the Executive’s rights under any benefit plans, programs, or arrangements of the Sponsor shall be determined in accordance with the provisions thereof (clauses (i) through (iii) hereof; and (iv) Executive shall retain all vested portion of the Share Grant (the items in subparagraphs (i) – (v) referred to hereinafter as the “Accrued Amounts”). Further vesting of the Share Grant shall cease and the Sponsor shall have no further obligations to Executive. | |
| (b) | Termination without Cause; Resignation For Good Reason. In the event the Employment Term is terminated by the Sponsor without Cause, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then: (i) the Sponsor shall provide the Executive with the Accrued Amounts; (ii) the Sponsor shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary until the earlier of: (x) thirty (30) days after the closing of the SPACs initial business combination or (y) thirty (30) days after the SPAC after the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents; and (iii) any unvested portion of the Share Grant shall immediately vest. Continued payment of Base Salary and continued vesting of the Share Grant after termination are subject to the Executive’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Sponsor, its affiliates, and its respective officers and directors, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “Release”) and such Release becoming effective within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (such 30-day period, the “Release Execution Period”). The first payment and the vesting of the Share Grant shall take place after any revocation period in the Release has expired and shall include all payments that would have occurred had the Release become effective on the date Executive’s employment terminated. | |
| (c) | Termination Under § 1(b). Termination due to the expiration of the Term in accordance with Section 1(b)(i) or 1(b)(ii) shall not be considered a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason for any purposes under this Agreement. | |
| (d) | Cause. The term “Cause” means (i) the gross and willful misconduct on the part of the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties and responsibilities; (ii) commission by Executive of fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation or an act of dishonesty in connection with his duties hereunder; (iii) Executive’s conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (iv) Executive’s willful and repeated refusal or failure to follow specific, lawful and reasonable written directions of the SPAC; or (v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement. |
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| (e) | Notice and Cure of Cause Condition. Except for a failure, breach, or refusal which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the delivery of written notice by the Sponsor within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided, however, that, if the Sponsor reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of thirty (30) days, the Sponsor may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of the Executive’s employment without notice and with immediate effect. The Sponsor may place the Executive on paid leave for up to thirty (30) days while it is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. Any such action by the Sponsor will not constitute Good Reason for Executive’s resignation. | |
| (f) | Good Reason. The term “Good Reason” means (i) the Sponsor’s material breach of any material provision of this Agreement; (ii) material diminution in Executive’s title, position, duties, responsibilities or compensation or benefits, without Executive’s prior written consent; or (iii) the Sponsor requires Executive to relocate his office location to a location more than 35 miles from the address Executive has provided for notice purposes in this Agreement without the Executive’s prior written consent. | |
| (g) | Notice and Cure of Good Reason Condition. In order to resign for Good Reason, Executive must give the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition within ninety (90) calendar days of when the Good Reason condition first arises, allow the Sponsor thirty (30) days to cure the Good Reason condition, and resign within forty-five (45) days after giving the Sponsor written notice of the Good Reason condition. | |
| (h) | Disability. Either Party may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder due to disability (“Disability”) if the Executive is unable, due to a mental or physical injury, illness or disorder, to perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of his position hereunder, after reasonable accommodation has been made for him for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) days during any consecutive three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period. |
| 5. | Business Expenses |
Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the SPAC may specify from time to time, the Executive shall be reimbursed in accordance with the SPAC’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred and paid by the Executive during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder. To the extent the Executive is provided with the use of the SPAC’s credit or charge card for purposes of business expenses, such credit or charge card shall not be used to incur any personal (non-business-related) expenses; any personal expenses inadvertently charged to such card shall be reimbursed immediately by the Executive to the Sponsor.
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| 6. | Confidentiality and Intellectual Property |
| (a) | Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive will occupy a position of trust and confidence. The Sponsor and/or the SPAC will, from time to time, disclose to the Executive, and the Executive will require access to and may generate confidential and proprietary information (no matter how created or stored) concerning the business practices, products, services, and operations of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC which is not known to their competitors or within their industry generally and which is of great competitive value to them, including, but not limited to: (i) Trade Secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas, concepts, drawings, materials, documentation, procedures, diagrams, specifications, models, processes, formulae, source and object codes, data, software, programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and techniques; (ii) information regarding research, development, products, marketing plans, market research and forecasts, bids, proposals, quotes, business plans, budgets, financial information and projections, overhead costs, profit margins, pricing policies and practices, accounts, processes, planned collaborations or alliances, licenses, suppliers and customers; (iii) operational information including deployment plans, means and methods of performing services, operational needs information, and operational policies and practices; and (iv) any information obtained by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC from any third party that the Sponsor and/or the SPAC treats or agrees to treat as confidential or proprietary information of the third party (collectively, “Confidential Information”). The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information includes Confidential Information disclosed to the Executive prior to entering into this Agreement. | |
| (b) | Trade Secrets. “Trade Secrets” means any information, including any data, plan, drawing, specification, pattern, procedure, method, computer data, system, program or design, device, list, tool, or compilation, that relates to the present or planned business of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and which: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not readily ascertainable by proper means to, other persons who can obtain economic value from their disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain their secrecy. To the extent that the foregoing definition is inconsistent with a definition of “trade secret” under applicable law, the latter definition shall control. |
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| (c) | Restrictions On Use and Disclosure of Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes that the Sponsor’s and the SPAC’s business interests require the full protection of their respective Confidential Information. The Executive agrees during his employment and after his employment ends, the Executive will hold the Confidential Information in strict confidence and will neither use the information nor disclose it to anyone, except to the extent necessary to carry out the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Sponsor or as specifically authorized in writing by a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. The Parties agree that the restrictions in this Section will not apply to any portion of the Confidential Information which: (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Executive; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of the Executive; or (iii) the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided, if permitted, that the Executive provides the Sponsor and/or the SPAC with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Sponsor at its expense in seeking to protect such information). Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from disclosing any concerns about suspected unlawful conduct to any proper government authority subject to proper jurisdiction. This provision shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment for so long as the SPAC maintains the secrecy of the Confidential Information and the Confidential Information has competitive value and to the extent such information is otherwise protected by statute for a longer period, for example and not by way of limitation, the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), then until such information ceases to have statutory protection. | |
| (d) | Defend Trade Secrets Act. Misappropriation of a Trade Secret of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC in breach of this Agreement may subject the Executive to liability under the DTSA, entitle the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to injunctive relief, and require the Executive to pay compensatory damages, double damages, and attorneys’ fees to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive hereby is notified in accordance with the DTSA that the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under a federal or state law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the trade secret to the Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that the Executive must file any document containing the trade secret under seal, and must not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. |
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| (e) | Ownership of Inventions. All ideas, data, deliverables, reports, work products, innovations, improvements, know-how, inventions, designs, developments, techniques, methods and other results of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC (in draft and final forms), and all related documentation (such as, but not limited to, notes, records, documents, drawings, and designs), which the Executive makes, conceives, reduces to practice, or develops in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, in connection with his services to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or which relate to any Confidential Information (collectively, the “Inventions”) will be the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, and will be considered “works made for hire” pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101). The Executive hereby assigns to the Sponsor and/or the SPAC or their respective designees all of the Executive’s right, title and interest in and to all of the foregoing without compensation. To the extent the Executive has any “moral rights” in the Inventions which are not assignable by law, the Executive hereby waives any such moral rights relating to the Inventions, including any and all rights of identification of authorship and any and all rights of approval, restriction or limitation on use or subsequent modifications. The Executive further represents that, to the best of the Executive’s knowledge and belief, none of the Inventions that the Executive creates will violate or infringe upon any right, patent, copyright, trademark or right of privacy, or constitute libel or slander against or violate any other rights of any person, firm or corporation, and that the Executive will use the Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation. |
| 7. | Covenants Not To Solicit or Compete |
| (a) | Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any Protected Personnel of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC to leave their employment, or end their engagement with the Sponsor and/or the SPAC, to provide services for the Executive or any other person, business, or organization. “Protected Personnel” means: (i) any person currently employed or engaged as an independent contractor by the Sponsor and/or the SPAC and (ii) any former employee or independent contractor of the Sponsor and/or the SPAC for a period of three (3) months after termination of such employee’s employment, or independent contractor’s engagement, with the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Potential Business Combination Partners. Until the date the SPAC either closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital because of the deadline for the SPAC to enter into a Business Combination, as stated in its charter documents, has passed, the Executive shall not, on behalf of any other special purpose acquisition company, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any business with which the SPAC has engaged in discussions about a Business Combination, to enter into a Business Combination with any other business entity. | |
| (c) | Non-Competition. During the Term, and during the Restricted Period, or the date the SPAC closes a Business Combination or the SPAC’s Board of Directors issues a resolution ordering the return of investors’ capital as required by its charter documents, whichever date is earlier, Executive shall not, anywhere within the United States, either as principal, agent, employee, consultant, partner, officer, director, shareholder, or in any other individual or representative capacity, own (more than 5%), manage, finance, operate, control or otherwise engage or participate in any manner or fashion in a special purpose acquisition company, seeking to effect any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with, or other substantial strategic investment into, any one or more businesses that have a focus on the same target sectors as those with which the SPAC seeks to enter into a Business Combination. |
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| 8. | Indemnification |
| (a) | Executive shall be provided defense and indemnification in accordance with the bylaws and certificate of incorporation of the SPAC. | |
| (b) | Executive shall be provided such defense, indemnification, and advancement as is provided by the Operating Agreement of the Sponsor in effect on the date hereof or, if more beneficial to the Executive in any circumstances presented, as subsequently amended. |
| 9. | Insurance |
The Sponsor agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that the SPAC maintains at all times a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering Executive for an amount that shall be set in the discretion of the SPAC that is not less than the coverage that the SPAC provides for any other director, officer, member, or employee of the SPAC.
| 10. | Waiver of Trust |
Executive acknowledges that (a) he has read the prospectus of the SPAC and understands that the SPAC will establish the Trust Account referred to in the prospectus in the amount contemplated by such prospectus (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined in the prospectus) and that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, the SPAC may disburse monies from the Trust Account only (i) to the Public Stockholders in the event they elect to redeem shares of Common Stock contained in the Public Securities in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, (ii) to the Public Stockholders if the SPAC fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the charter documents, or (iii) to the SPAC after or concurrently with the consummation of a Business Combination. Executive agrees that Executive does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim Executive has, or may have in the future, as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the SPAC and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent Executive purchases Public Securities, in which case he may assert any Claim with respect to such Public Securities).
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| 11. | Survival of Provisions |
The obligations contained in Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Sponsor and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
| 12. | Return of Property |
On the date of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Sponsor for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the SPAC’s request), the Executive shall return all property belonging to the SPAC, the Sponsor, or their affiliates and not retain any copies, including, but not limited to, any keys, access cards, badges, laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices, USB drives, other equipment, documents, reports, files, and other property provided by or belonging to the SPAC or the Sponsor.
| 13. | Non-Disparagement |
During the Executive’s employment and following termination of employment for whatever reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, make or publish denigrating or derogatory remarks, comments, or statements (whether written or oral) in any forum or through any medium of communication regarding the SPAC, its services, or any of its owners, managers, officers, employees, or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall or shall be deemed to prevent or impair the Executive from making truthful statements in any legal or administrative proceeding or from otherwise complying with legal requirements.
| 14. | Notices |
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered by email with return receipt requested, upon the obtaining of a valid return receipt from the recipient, by hand or mailed by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, addressed, to the Parties’ addresses specified below or to such other address as any Party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt:
To the SPAC:
Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1475
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Email: brosen@gldlp.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Thomas Kollar, Esq.
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Email: thomas.kollar@mayerbrown.com
To the Executive:
Ms. Jiayin Liu
33
Union Square, Apt. 1220
Union City, CA 94587
Email: jliu@gldlp.com
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| 15. | Tax Matters |
| (a) | Withholding. The Sponsor may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. | |
| (b) | Code Section 409A. The payments described in this Agreement are intended either to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, to the extent they are subject to Code Section 409A, or to be exempt from such requirements, regulations and guidance (where an exemption is available), and will be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Sponsor has the right, to the extent the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion, to unilaterally amend this Agreement to ensure that the payments hereunder comply with Section 409A. The Sponsor is not responsible for, and makes no representation or warranty whatsoever in connection with the tax treatment hereunder, and the Executive should consult his own tax advisor, including without limitation the applicability of Code Section 409A as to the tax effect of amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement. In any case, the Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on the Executive in connection with this Agreement (including any taxes and penalties under Code Section 409A), and neither the Sponsor nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Executive harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. |
| 16. | Assignment |
The Executive may not assign any part of the Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Executive agrees and hereby consents that the Sponsor may assign this Agreement to a third party that acquires or succeeds to the Sponsor’s business, that the provisions hereof are enforceable against the Executive by such assignee or successor in interest, and that this Agreement shall become an obligation of, inure to the benefit of, and be assigned to, any legal successor or successors to the Sponsor.
| 17. | Headings |
Titles or captions of sections or paragraphs contained in this Agreement are intended solely for the convenience of reference, and shall not serve to define, limit, extend, modify, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the meaning of any provision hereof. The language used in this Agreement is deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any person.
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| 18. | Severability |
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision or portion of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
| 19. | Governing Law; Venue |
This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions). Except as provided in Section 20 (Arbitration) of this Agreement, the Parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the State of California and further agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California, County of Los Angeles and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, as applicable, in connection with, or incident to, any dispute, claim, case, controversy or matter arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment or this Agreement, to the exclusion of the courts of any other state, territory or country. The Parties knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily, WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY in any such proceedings.
| 20. | Arbitration |
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its enforcement, arbitrability or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions and Employee’s employment with the Sponsor or the SPAC, including any alleged violation of statute, common law or public policy shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) to be held in Los Angeles, California before a single arbitrator, in accordance with then-current AAA Employment Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator shall issue a written opinion stating the essential findings and conclusions on which the arbitrator’s award is based. Employer will pay the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing (recognizing that each side bears its own deposition, witness, expert and attorney’s fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court). If, however, any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party attorneys’ fees and costs, then the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party. Any dispute as to who is a prevailing party and/or the reasonableness of any fee or costs shall be resolved by the arbitrator.
______________ By initialing here, Executive acknowledges he has read this paragraph and agrees with the arbitration provision herein.
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| 21. | Waiver; Modification |
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Sponsor. No waiver by either Party hereto at any time of any breach by the other Party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
| 22. | Recitals; Entire Agreement |
The Recitals are hereby incorporated into this Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Executive and the Sponsor with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements, inducements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either Party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Transfer Agreement.
| 23. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each executed counterpart shall have the efficacy of a signed original and may be transmitted by facsimile or email. Each copy, facsimile copy, or emailed copy of any such signed counterpart may be used in lieu of the original for any purpose.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Executive Employment Agreement effective as of the date first written above.
SAGALIAM SPONSOR LLC:
| By: | ||
| Name: | Barry Kostiner | |
| Title: |
| EXECUTIVE: | |
| (SEAL) | |
| Jiayin Liu |
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EXHIBIT A
General Release and Covenant Not to Sue
TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR MAY CONCERN, KNOW THAT:
| 1. | Jiayin Liu, (“Executive”), on Executive’s own behalf and on behalf of Executive’s descendants, dependents, heirs, executors and administrators and permitted assigns, past and present, in consideration for the amounts payable and benefits to be provided to Executive under that employment agreement made effective as of April 1, 2021 (the “Employment Agreement”) by and between Executive and Sagaliam Sponsor LLC. (the “Sponsor”), does hereby covenant not to sue or pursue any litigation or arbitration against, and waives, releases and discharges the Sponsor, its assigns, affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, predecessors and successors, and the past and present employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents of any of them (collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action whatsoever, of any and every kind and description, whether known or unknown, accrued or not accrued, that Executive ever had, now has or shall or may have or assert as of the date of this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ against the Releasees relating to his employment with the Sponsor or the termination thereof or his service as an officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Sponsor or the termination of such service, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims, demands, rights, judgments, defenses, actions, charges or causes of action related to employment or termination of employment or that arise out of or relate in any way to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all as amended, and any other Federal, state and local laws relating to discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other protected class, wages and hours, or leave from work, and all claims under Federal, state or local laws for express or implied breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Sponsor from (a) any of its obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligation to pay the amounts and provide the benefits upon which this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is conditioned), (b) any rights Executive may have to indemnification under any law, charter or by-laws (or similar documents) of, or any agreement with, any member of the Releasees or otherwise, (c) any right or claim of contribution Executive may have with respect to any third-party claim, or (d) any insurance coverage under any directors and officers insurance or similar policies. | |
| 2. | Executive further agrees that his General Release and Covenant Not to Sue may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted or maintained by Executive or Executive’s heirs or assigns. Executive understands and confirms that Executive is executing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” voluntarily and knowingly, but that this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” does not affect Executive’s right to claim otherwise under ADEA. In addition, Executive shall not be precluded by this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” from filing a charge with any relevant Federal, state or local administrative agency, but Executive agrees to waive Executive’s rights with respect to any monetary or other financial relief arising from any such administrative proceeding. |
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| 3. | In furtherance of the agreements set forth above, Executive hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights under any applicable statute, doctrine or principle of law restricting the right of any person to release claims that such person does not know or suspect to exist at the time of executing a release, which claims, if known, may have materially affected such person’s decision to give such a release. In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Executive acknowledges that Executive is aware that Executive may hereafter discover claims presently unknown or unsuspected, or facts in addition to or different from those that Executive now knows or believes to be true, with respect to the matters released herein. Nevertheless, it is the intention of Executive to release all such matters fully, finally and forever, and all claims relating thereto, that now exist, may exist or theretofore have existed, as specifically provided herein. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this waiver shall be an essential and material term of the release contained above. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to expand the scope of the release as specified herein. | |
| 4. | In the event any of the Releasees brings a civil action or arbitration proceeding against Executive (other than a civil action or arbitration proceeding to enforce this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue) then this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be of no further force and effect and Executive shall be permitted to bring claims against the Releasees that would have been otherwise barred by this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. | |
| 5. | This General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state without regard to principles of conflicts of laws, provided, however, that the arbitration provisions of the Employment Agreement shall be governed solely by the Federal Arbitration Act. | |
| 6. | To the extent that Executive is forty (40) years of age or older, this paragraph shall apply. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been offered a period of time of at least twenty-one (21) days to consider whether to sign this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue,’ which Executive has waived, and the Sponsor agrees that Executive may cancel this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ at any time during the seven (7) days following the date on which this ‘General Release and Covenant Not to Sue’ has been signed by all parties to this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.” To cancel or revoke this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue, Executive must deliver to the Sponsor written notice stating that Executive is canceling or revoking this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.” If this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue is timely cancelled or revoked, none of the provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue shall be effective or enforceable and the Sponsor shall not be obligated to make the payments to Executive or to provide Executive with the other benefits described in Section 4(b)(i) of the Employment Agreement, and all contracts and provisions modified, relinquished or rescinded hereunder shall be reinstated to the extent in effect immediately prior hereto. Executive is hereby advised to seek legal counsel prior to signing this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue”. | |
| 7. | Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has entered this “General Release and Covenant Not to Sue” knowingly and willingly and has had ample opportunity to consider the terms and provisions of this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. |
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this General Release and Covenant Not to Sue to be executed on _____ day of ______________, 20___.
| Jiayin Liu |
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