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Oak Woods Acquisition Corporation Class A (OAKU)
:OAKU
Risk Overview Q4, 2023
Risk Distribution
64% Finance & Corporate
23% Legal & Regulatory
7% Macro & Political
4% Production
2% Tech & Innovation
1% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Oak Woods Acquisition Corporation Class A Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2023
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 82 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 82 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
129
S&P 500 Average: 31
129
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
0
S&P 500 Average: 3
0
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Oak Woods Acquisition Corporation Class A in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 129
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 82/129 (64%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights48 | 37.2%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
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 shareholders.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Because our trust account initially contains $10.175 per Class A ordinary share, public shareholders may be more incentivized to redeem their public shares at the time of our initial business combination.Our trust account initially contains $10.175 per Class A ordinary share. This is different than some other similarly structured blank check companies for which the trust account only contains $10.00 per Class A ordinary share.
As a result of the additional funds that could be available to public shareholders upon redemption of public shares, our public shareholders may be more incentivized to redeem their public shares and not to hold those Class A ordinary shares through our initial business combination. A higher percentage of redemptions by our public shareholders could make it more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
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 shareholders may be less than $10.175 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 shareholders, 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 Asia CPAs LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the offering, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
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 shareholders could be less than the $10.175 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 our registration statement of From S-1A filed with the SEC on March 20, 2023, 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) $10.175 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 $10.175 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 our IPO 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.
As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemption could be reduced to less than $10.175 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
If a shareholder 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 public 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 shareholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its public 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 shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their public 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 public shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures, its public shares may not be redeemed.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase public shares, public rights or public warrants from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed initial business combination and reduce the public "float" of our Class A ordinary shares.If we seek shareholder 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 public shares, public rights or public warrants 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. There is no limit on the number of public shares our initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. However, other than as expressly stated herein, 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 public shares, public rights or public warrants in such transactions.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our public 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 public shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their public shares. The purpose of any such purchases of public shares could be to vote such public shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder 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 outstanding or to vote such rights on any matters submitted to the right holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination. The purpose of any such purchases of public warrants could be to reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or to vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. We expect that 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 ordinary shares, public rights or public warrants 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.
However, in the event our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase shares, rights or warrants from public shareholders, such purchases would by structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
- the registration statement on Form S-4 or F-4, as applicable, and the proxy statement filed in connection with the our initial business combination would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates will purchase public shares from public shareholders outside the redemption process described in this annual report, along with the purpose of such purchases;- our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates will purchase public shares from public shareholders outside the redemption process described in this annual report at a price no higher than the price offered through the redemption process described in this annual report;- the registration statement on Form S-4 or F-4, as applicable, and the proxy statement filed in connection with the our initial business combination would include a representation that any of the public shares purchased by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates from public shareholders outside the redemption process described in this annual report would not be voted in favor of approving our initial business combination;- our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates do not possess any redemption rights with respect to the public shares or, if they possess such redemption rights, they have entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which they have waived such rights; and - we will disclose in the Form 8-K to be filed prior to the holding of our shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination the following material items:
a.the number of the public hares purchased by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates from public shareholders outside the redemption process described in this annual report, along with the purchase price for such public shares;b.the purpose of the purchases of such public shares by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates;c.the impact, if any, of the purchases of such public hares by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates on the likelihood that the initial business combination will be approved and consummated;d.the identity of the selling shareholders who sold such public shares to our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of the selling shareholders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold such public shares to our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; and e.the number of public shares for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our public 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 public shares.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 public shares in the open market; however, at such time our public shares 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 the exercise of your redemption rights until we liquidate or you are able to sell your public shares in the open market.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our public 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 shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of public 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 public shares is 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 ordinary shares results in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares 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 public shares that are redeemed in connection with an initial business combination. The per-share amount we will distribute to shareholders who properly exercise their redemption rights will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commission and after such redemptions, the per-share value of public shares held by non-redeeming shareholders will reflect our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting commissions.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their public 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 a business combination transaction agreement with minimum cash requirements for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. If too many public shareholders 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, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or immediately after the 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 either immediately prior to or immediately after the consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters' fees and commissions 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
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 public shares from us for cash, unless we seek shareholder 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 shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the initial business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, if we do not seek shareholder 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 shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
Unlike other blank check companies, we may extend the time to complete a business combination by up to nine months without a shareholder vote or your ability to redeem your public shares.Unlike other similarly structured blank check companies, and pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, in the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by 12 months from the consummation of the IPO (the "Initial Period," which may be extended in up to two separate instances by an additional three months each, for a total of up to 15 months or 18 months, as applicable (each period as so extended, an "Extended Period"), by depositing into the trust account for each three month extension in an amount of $0.10 per unit; provided that the Initial Period will automatically be extended to 15 months, and any Extended Period will automatically be extended to 18 or 21 months, as applicable, in the event that the Company has filed (a) a Form 8-K including a definitive merger or acquisition agreement or (b) a proxy statement, registration statement or similar filing for an initial business combination but has not completed the initial business combination during the applicable period).
On August 11, 2023 we filed an 8-K announcing the Merger Agreement and preliminary proxy solicitation statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2024 and March 7, 2024, thereby automatically extending Purchaser's minimum time to complete a Business Combination under the terms of its Memorandum and Articles of Association until June 28, 2024. Should we fail to complete our business combination by June 28, 2024, our initial shareholders will be required to deposit into the trust account an amount of $0.10 per unit to effectuate any subsequent Extension Periods as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. The consummation of the proposed business combination is subject to certain conditions as further described in the Merger Agreement.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.Pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, as well as any public shares purchased after our IPO (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions), in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 1,984,689 or 26% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted), of the 5,750,000 public shares sold in our IPO to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have such initial business combination approved, assuming no resolution or other approval is required pursuant to Cayman Islands or other applicable law. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, and even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.As an foreign private issuer (the "FPI"), we must effectuate redemptions pursuant to a tender offer. Accordingly, we may not hold a vote in connection with an initial business combination. Even if we are no longer and FPI, if we decide not to hold a shareholder vote in conjunction with our initial business combination for business or other legal reasons (so long as shareholder approval is not required by the Companies Act or the rules of Nasdaq), we may conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and our memorandum and articles of association. NASDAQ rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a shareholder meeting, provided that we were not seeking to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares to a target business as consideration in any business combination). Furthermore, shareholder approval would not be required pursuant to the Companies Act if our initial business combination were structured as a purchase of assets, a purchase of stock of the target not involving a merger with us, or a merger of the target into a subsidiary of our company, or if we otherwise entered into contractual arrangements with a target to obtain control of such company. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination.
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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 13
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.Since the net proceeds of our IPO and the sale of the private placement units are intended to be used to complete an initial business combination with a target business, we may be deemed to be a "blank check" company under the United States securities laws. However, because we have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the completion of our IPO and the sale of the private placement units, 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 were immediately tradable upon our IPO and we will have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, the Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 14
If we seek shareholder 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 shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares, you will lose the ability to redeem all such Class A ordinary shares in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares.If we seek shareholder 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 memorandum and articles of association will provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a "group" (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A ordinary shares sold in our IPO without our prior consent, which we refer to as the "Excess Shares." However, we would not be restricting our shareholders' ability to vote all of their public 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 Class A ordinary shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such Class A ordinary shares, would be required to sell your public shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 15
After our initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all or substantially all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.It is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and all or substantially all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 16
Any failure by the VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.The shareholders of the VIE are referred as its nominee shareholders because although they remain the holders of equity interests on record in the VIE, pursuant to the terms of the relevant power of attorney, such shareholders have irrevocably authorized the individual appointed by the WFOE to exercise their rights as a shareholder of the relevant VIE. If the VIE, or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective under PRC laws. For example, if the shareholders of the VIE were to refuse to transfer their equity interest in the VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.
All of the contractual arrangements will be governed by PRC law and provided for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts will be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes will be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC laws. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC laws, rulings by arbitrators are final and parties cannot appeal arbitration results in court unless such rulings are revoked or determined unenforceable by a competent court. If the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our consolidated variable interest entity, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 17
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency 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 shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a "preferential transfer" or a "fraudulent conveyance." As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover all amounts received by our shareholders. 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 shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 18
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 19
Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their public shares.If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorize or permit any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we are unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business commits of an offence and may be liable on conditions for a fine of Cayman $15,000 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 20
We may not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our shareholders to appoint directors.In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 21
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, (including with the assistance of financial advisors), 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 shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 22
We may issue additional ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the Class B ordinary shares 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 memorandum and articles of association. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.As of April 9, 2024, there are 493,906,875 and 48,562,500 authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, respectively, available for issuance, which amount does not take into account shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of outstanding rights and exercise of outstanding warrants or Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares. There are no preference shares issued and outstanding. The Class B ordinary shares are automatically convertible into Class A ordinary shares concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination, initially at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination (although our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue securities that can vote with ordinary shareholders on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity). We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares, for no additional consideration, 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 memorandum and articles of association. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with the approval of our shareholders. However, our 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 memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within up to 21 months, as described above, if we fully extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO; or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders' rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
The issuance of additional ordinary or preference shares:
- may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in our IPO;- may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary shares;- could cause a change of control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and - may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares, rights and/or warrants.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 23
The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in our IPO, our initial shareholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the private placement units, the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants 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 warrants or the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion or exercise of such warrants. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares that is expected when the securities owned by our initial shareholders, holders of our private placement units or holders of working capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 24
Since our sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed (other than with respect to public shares they may acquire after our IPO), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.Our sponsor has purchased an aggregate of 343,125 units or "private placement units" at a price of $10.00 per private placement unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,431,250, in a private placement to occur simultaneously with the consummation of our IPO. The private placement units are identical to the units sold in our IPO, subject to certain limited exceptions as described in this annual report.
On October 25, 2022, we issued an aggregate of 2,156,250 founder shares to our sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.012 per share. On February 10, 2023, our sponsor surrendered, and we cancelled, an aggregate of 718,750 Class B ordinary shares held by our sponsor pursuant to a share surrender agreement dated January 13, 2023. As a result, as of March 31, 2024 there were 1,437,500 Class B Ordinary Shares, issued and outstanding to our founders, resulting in an aggregate purchase price per share of approximately $0.017. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after our IPO (not including the ordinary shares issuable underlying the private placement units, any shares underlying units issued upon conversion of working capital loans and any Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in our initial business combination). The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to purchase private placement units for an aggregate purchase price of $10.00 from us that will also be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. Holders of founder shares have agreed (A) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed initial business combination and (B) not to redeem any founder shares in connection with a shareholder 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. This risk may become more acute as the deadline for our completion of an initial business combination nears.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 25
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 shareholders do not agree.Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or immediately after the 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 shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their public shares or, if we seek shareholder 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 public 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 Class A ordinary shares 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 Class A ordinary shares, all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 26
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 warrant agreements. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination that our shareholders 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 warrant agreements. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination and extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and, with respect to their warrants, amended their warrant agreements to require the warrants to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. Amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to the completion of the initial business combination (other than in connection with an amendment that would only be effective upon completion of the initial business combination in which case only approval of a majority of holders of our ordinary shares would be required) will require the approval of holders of at least 50% of our ordinary shares, and amending our warrant agreement will require a vote of holders of at least 50% of the public warrants. In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association requires us to provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO; or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders' 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 in order to effectuate our initial business combination.
Our initial shareholders, executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to written agreements with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association 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 up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO or with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders' rights or pre-initial business combination activity.
Our shareholders 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, executive officers, directors or director nominees for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 27
Certain agreements related to our IPO may be amended without shareholder approval.Each of the agreements related to our IPO to which we are a party, other than the right agreement, the warrant agreement and the investment management trust agreement, may be amended without shareholder approval. Such agreements are: the underwriting agreement; the letter agreement among us and our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors; the registration rights agreement among us and our initial shareholders; the private placement units purchase agreement between us and our sponsor; and the administrative services agreement among us and our sponsor. These agreements contain various provisions that our public shareholders might deem to be material. For example, our letter agreement and the underwriting agreement contain certain lock-up provisions with respect to the founder shares, private placement units and other securities held by our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors. Amendments to such agreements would require the consent of the applicable parties thereto and would need to be approved by our board of directors, which may do so for a variety of reasons, including to facilitate our initial business combination. While we do not expect our board of directors to approve any amendment to any of these agreements prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board of directors, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to any such agreement. Any amendment entered into in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to such initial business combination will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to such initial business combination, and any other material amendment to any of our material agreements will be disclosed in a filing with the SEC. Any such amendments would not require approval from our shareholders, may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible, and may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our initial shareholders selling their securities earlier than they would otherwise be permitted, which may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 28
Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.The 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 29
Our initial shareholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.Upon the completion of our IPO, our initial shareholders own ordinary shares representing approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (excluding the private placement shares underlying the private placement units and any units they purchased in our IPO). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval of major corporate transactions. If our initial shareholders purchase any additional ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control.
Other than as disclosed in this annual report, neither our initial shareholders nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, have any current intention to purchase additional securities. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint 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. Accordingly, our initial shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our initial business combination.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 30
A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.Unlike some other blank check companies, if (i)we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the "Newly Issued Price");(ii)the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (iii)the Market Value is below $9.20 per share,then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 31
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 our IPO and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our 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 21 months if we fully extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, after the completion of our IPO. 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 memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other.
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 report entitled "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence."
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 32
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.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors' and officers' discretion in identifying and selecting suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders' best interest. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of Cayman Islands' law and we or our shareholders might have a claim again such individuals for infringing on our shareholders' rights. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may make against them for such reason.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 33
We may issue our public shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price which is less than the prevailing market price of our public shares at that time.In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue ordinary shares or other securities to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price of $10.00 per share or which approximates the per-share amounts in our trust account at such time, which is generally approximately $10.00. The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the ordinary shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our public shares at such time, resulting in dilution or potentially significant dilution to current shareholders. Should we choose to issue ordinary shares in a private placement transaction in conjunction with our initial business combination we may incur additional costs in connection with the private placement, including but not limited to, legal, due diligence, and financing costs that would not otherwise exist. We may undertake a PIPE transaction to in efforts to obtain financing faster than may otherwise be possible through a public offering, and at a lower cost than may be otherwise available in the market. Moreover, our ability to privately place our securities with investors may be conditioned on offering terms that are not identical to those contained in our IPO. For example, in order to close a private placement and obtain the benefit of such financing, we may agree to certain anti-dilution protections to protect against future issuances, stock splits, and reclassifications to future private investors. Prospective private investors may also require preemptive rights to participate in future issuances of securities to maintain their relative ownership interests.
Depending on the amount and character of securities issued in a future private placement, Nasdaq may determine that we have undergone a change of control or require us to obtain shareholder approval prior to certain issuances of common stock or securities convertible into common stock. Should we be required under Nasdaq rules to obtain shareholder approval prior to completing a private placement, obtaining such approval would likely delay our ability to raise capital in a private placement and increase the cost to investors of completing the transaction.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 34
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.Our securities are listed on Nasdaq. Following the date our Class A ordinary shares, rights and warrants are eligible to trade separately, our Class A ordinary shares, rights and warrants are separately listed on Nasdaq. We cannot assure you that our securities 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 share price levels. Generally, we must maintain 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 public shares price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share and we would be required to have a minimum of 400 round lot holders of our securities, of which at least half of such round lot holders must own Class A ordinary shares valued at a minimum of $2,500. 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 ordinary shares is a "penny stock" which will require brokers trading in our Class A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our 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 ordinary shares, rights and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq, our units, Class A ordinary shares, rights and warrants will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 35
Redeeming shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.We will require public shareholders who wish to redeem their Class A ordinary shares in connection with any proposed business combination to comply with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their public shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our Class A ordinary shares may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish, even while other shareholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 36
Although we are registering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the rights or exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act, in connection with our initial business combination, we will need to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which our prospectus forms a part or a new registration statement with respect to such securities. Such post-effective amendment or new registration statement may not be in effect when an investor desires to convert rights or exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to convert its rights or exercise its warrants except on a cashless basis and potentially causing such warrants to expire worthless.Under the terms of the right agreement and the warrant agreement, we have agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 30 days, after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement for or IPO or a new registration statement covering the registration under the Securities Act of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the rights and exercise of the warrants and thereafter will use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 days following our initial business combination and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration or redemption of the rights and warrants in accordance with the provisions of the right agreement and the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order. If the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the rights or exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act in connection with our initial business combination, under the terms of the right agreement and the warrant agreement, holders of rights and warrants who seek to convert their rights or exercise their warrants will not be permitted to do so for cash and, instead, will be required to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption.
In no event will rights or warrants be convertible or exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to convert their rights or exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such conversion or exercise is at such time registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration or qualification is available.
If our Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any conversion of the rights or exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of "covered securities" under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, not permit holders of rights and warrants who seek to convert their rights or exercise their warrants to do so for cash and, instead, require them to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares underlying the rights or warrants under applicable state securities laws, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares underlying the rights or warrants under applicable state securities laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
In no event will we be required to net cash settle any right or warrant, or issue securities (other than upon a cashless exercise as described above) or other compensation in exchange for the rights or warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the rights or warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current, complete or correct or the SEC issues a stop order. If the shares issuable upon conversion of the rights or exercise of the warrants are not, at the relevant time, registered under the Securities Act in accordance with the above requirements, we will be required to permit holders to convert their rights or exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. Converting the rights or exercising the warrants on a cashless basis could have the effect of reducing the potential "upside" of the holder's investment in our company because the right holder or the warrant holder will hold a smaller number of Class A ordinary shares upon a cashless conversion of the rights or exercise of the warrants they hold. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any right or warrant, or issue securities or other compensation in exchange for the rights or warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the rights or warrants under applicable state securities laws and no exemption is available. If the issuance of the shares upon conversion of the rights or exercise of the warrants is not so registered or qualified or exempt from registration or qualification, the holder of such right or warrant shall not be entitled to convert such right or exercise such warrant and such right or warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their rights and warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the Class A ordinary shares included in the units. There may be a circumstance where an exemption from registration exists for holders of our private placement rights and private placement warrants to convert their rights or exercise their warrants while a corresponding exemption does not exist for holders of the public rights and public warrants included as part of units sold in our IPO. In such an instance, our sponsor and its permitted transferees (which may include our directors and executive officers) would be able to convert their rights or exercise their warrants and sell the ordinary shares underlying their rights or warrants while holders of our public rights and public warrants would not be able to convert their rights or exercise their warrants and sell the underlying ordinary shares. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying Class A ordinary shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws. As a result, we may redeem the warrants as set forth above even if the holders are otherwise unable to exercise their warrants.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 37
Because each unit contains one right to receive one-sixth (1/6) of one Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and only whole shares will be issued in exchange for rights, the units may be worth less than units of other special purpose acquisition companies.Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a public right will automatically receive one-sixth (1/6) of one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. 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 convert its rights in order to receive the one-sixth (1/6) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination. We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights.
As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of six in order to receive Class A ordinary shares for all of your rights upon closing of a business combination. 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 38
Our warrants, rights and founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.We issued warrants to purchase 5,750,000 Class A ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment as provided herein), as part of the units offered in our IPO. Simultaneously with the completion of our IPO, we also issued in a private placement an aggregate of 343,125 private placement units, each unit consisting of one private share, one right to receive one-sixth (1/6) of one Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, and one private warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share. We issued public rights that may result in the issuance of up to 958,333 shares of Class A ordinary shares as part of the units offered in our IPO and private rights that may result in the issuance of an additional 57,187 shares of Class A ordinary shares. Our initial shareholders currently hold 1,437,500 founder shares. In addition, if our sponsor, an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors make any working capital loans, up to $1,151,000 of such loans may be converted into units, at the price of $10.00 per unit, at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the private placement units. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares and reduce the value of the Class A ordinary shares issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore, our warrants, rights and founder shares may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 39
The exercise price for the public warrants is higher than in some similar blank check company offerings in the past, and, accordingly, the warrants are more likely to expire worthless.The exercise price of the public warrants is higher than some similar blank check companies in the past. Historically, the exercise price of a warrant was generally a fraction of the purchase price of the units in the initial public offering. The exercise price for our public warrants is $11.50 per full share. As a result, the warrants are less likely to ever be in the money and more likely to expire worthless.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 40
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of our Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.Our warrants are issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash or shares, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of our ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 41
We may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.We have the ability to redeem outstanding warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption and provided certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such Class A ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in our IPO. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 42
Our right agreement and our warrant 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 warrants and/or rights, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.Our right agreement and our warrant 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 right agreement and the warrant 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 right agreement and the warrant agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, the Securities 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 warrants or rights shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our right agreement and our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the right agreement or the warrant 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 warrants or 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 right and/or warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such right and/or warrant holder's counsel in the foreign action as agent for such right and/or warrant holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a right and/or warrant 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 right agreement or our warrant 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 43
We have no obligation to net cash settle the rights and warrants.In no event will we have any obligation to net cash settle the rights and warrants. Accordingly, the rights and warrants may expire worthless.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 44
We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting 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 shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used. 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 Class A ordinary shares 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 Class A ordinary shares 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.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 45
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited.We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
We have been advised by Conyers Dill & Pearman, our Cayman Islands counsel, that there is uncertainty with regard to the law of Cayman Islands related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands would recognise as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the courts of the United States against the Company under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) or, in certain circumstances, an in personam judgment for non-monetary relief, and would give a judgment based thereon provided that (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands. A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the Board of Directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 46
Because some of our directors and officers (or candidates) reside outside of the United States, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited.Our CEO and CFO, Lixin Zheng, resides in Hong Kong and Canada. Due to the lack of reciprocity and treaties between the United States and some of these foreign jurisdictions, and cost and time constraints, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against our officers and directors judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. Even with the proposed service of process, it may also be difficult to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against the officers and directors.
Also, if we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based and primarily operating outside of the United States, it is possible that substantially all or a significant portion of combined company's assets may be located outside of the United States and some of the combined company's officers and directors may reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service of process upon these officers and directors who reside outside of the United States. Even with the proposed service of process, it may also be difficult to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against the officers and directors. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against the officers and directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment by us against the officers or directors or the future combined company if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security, or the public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Furthermore, there would be added costs and issues with bringing an original action in foreign courts against the combined company or the officers and directors to enforce liabilities based upon the U.S. Federal securities laws, and they still may be fruitless.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 47
Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A ordinary shares and could entrench management.Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions may include three-year director terms, which may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 48
The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to our pre-initial 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 at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote in a general meeting, 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 memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.Some other blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those which relate to a company's pre-initial business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company's shareholders. In those companies amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company's public shareholders. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that any of its provisions, including those related to pre-initial business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of our IPO 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 shareholders as described herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or 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 if approved by holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote in a general meeting, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of 50% of our ordinary shares. Should our sponsor vote all its founder shares in favor of any such amendment, we would require 30% of the public shares issued in our IPO to be voted in favor of any such amendment for its approval. We may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Our initial shareholders, which will collectively beneficially own 20% of our ordinary shares upon the completion of our IPO (not including the ordinary shares issuable underlying the private placement units, any shares underlying units issued upon conversion of working capital loans), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner it chooses. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Accounting & Financial Operations3 | 2.3%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
If any dividend is declared in the future and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
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 very limited operating results to date. Since we do not have a substantial operating history, you will have a very limited basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest, after the consummation of a business combination.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
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 public shares 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 shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their public shares. Such shareholders 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.
Debt & Financing5 | 3.9%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and executive officers.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
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, public rights or public warrants, potentially at a loss.Our public shareholders 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 Class A ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders' 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 up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of warrants or rights will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to such warrants or rights. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, public rights or public warrants, potentially at a loss.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies, which could negatively impact potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7. SAT Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company.
In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Bulletin 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets, as such persons need to determine whether their transactions are subject to these rules and whether any withholding obligation applies.
On October 25, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.
Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a "substance over form" principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax.
As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who pays for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as investments and acquisitions. Although we currently have no plans to pursue any acquisitions in China or elsewhere in the world, we may pursue acquisitions in China that could trigger these tax obligations. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37.
For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, any PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 or to request that the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets comply with these circulars, or establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
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 our IPO 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 public shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination and/or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase ordinary shares in connection with our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.175 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 warrants and 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 shareholders 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 shareholders may only receive approximately $10.175 per share on the liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants and 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 shareholders may be less than $10.175 per share," under certain circumstances our public shareholders may receive less than $10.175 per share upon the liquidation of the trust account.
Debt & Financing - Risk 5
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 shareholders' investment in us.Although we have no commitments as of the date of this annual report to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt following our IPO, 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 Class A ordinary shares;- using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares 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 disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
Corporate Activity and Growth26 | 20.2%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our IPO 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.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
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 shareholders own Class A ordinary 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 shareholders 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 Class A ordinary shares in exchange for all of the outstanding share capital, shares or other equity interests of a target.
In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger portion of the company's Class A ordinary shares 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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
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 shareholders may receive only approximately $10.175 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants and 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 shareholders may receive only approximately $10.175 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants and rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.175 per share on the redemption of their public 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 shareholders may be less than $10.175 per share" and other risk factors below.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 6
We may seek business combination opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management's area of expertise.We may 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 our IPO 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 annual report 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 shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their public shares. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 7
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 shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.175 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants and rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.175 per share on the redemption of their public 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 shareholders may be less than $10.175 per share" and other risk factors below.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 8
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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 9
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 shareholders' 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 shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their public shares. Such shareholders 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 off 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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 10
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 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 sections of this report entitled "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence." 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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 11
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business' home jurisdiction, including any of the following:
- rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;- laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;- exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;- tariffs and trade barriers;- regulations related to customs and import/export matters;- longer payment cycles;- tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;- currency fluctuations and exchange controls;- rates of inflation;- challenges in collecting accounts receivable;- cultural and language differences;- employment regulations;- crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars, including continuing military actions in Ukraine and Israel's southern border from the Gaza Strip; and - deterioration of political relations with the United States. We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 12
Because of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, our results of operations may be negatively impacted.Managing a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether based abroad or in the U.S.) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 13
The contractual arrangements under a VIE structure may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE, and thus, we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements, which we may not be able to enforce at all.Although Huajin does not involve a VIE corporate structure in the jurisdiction of PRC, if we acquire another target company that operates its business in the PRC through VIE contractual arrangements, investors in our ordinary shares following a business combination would not hold equity interests in operating companies domiciled in PRC under our control and would hold equity interests in a Cayman Islands holding company. We would rely on the contractual arrangements with the VIE subsidiaries and its shareholders to operate the business. We do not have equity interests in such PRC operating companies but whose financial results would be consolidated into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, due to we or our direct owned subsidiaries in PRC, i.e. the wholly foreign-owned enterprise, or WFOE, and the Company's being the primary beneficiary of, such entity, for the accounting purposes. As such, in the event that we complete a business combination with a company in PRC, you would not hold equity in PRC operating companies. The contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE. For example, the VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the VIE agreements, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over the VIE. The shareholders of the consolidated VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the contractual arrangements with the VIE.
If the VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. For example, if the shareholders of the VIE refuse to transfer their equity interest in the VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to the contractual arrangements, or if they otherwise act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholders' equity interests in the VIE, our ability to exercise shareholders' rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholders of the VIE and third parties were to impair our control over the VIE, our ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIE would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 14
We may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS"), or ultimately prohibited.Certain federally licensed businesses in the United States, such as broadcasters and airlines, may be subject to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership. In addition, CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States. Our sponsor, Whale Bay International Company Limited, is currently controlled by Ms. Yadan Bai, a PRC resident, and owns approximately 13.02% of our outstanding shares following our IPO. Because we may be considered a "foreign person" under such rules and regulations, any proposed business combination between us and a U.S. business engaged in a regulated industry or which may affect national security could be subject to such foreign ownership restrictions and/or CFIUS review.
The scope of CFIUS was expanded by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 ("FIRRMA") to include certain non-passive, non-controlling investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and certain acquisitions of real estate even with no underlying U.S. business. FIRRMA and subsequent implementing regulations that are now in force also subject certain categories of investments to mandatory filings. If our potential initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions, we may be unable to consummate a business combination with such business.
In addition, if our potential business combination falls within CFIUS's jurisdiction, we may be required to make a mandatory filing, decide to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS, or proceed with the initial business combination without notifying CFIUS and then bear the risk of CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the initial business combination. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our initial business combination, impose conditions to mitigate national security concerns with respect to such initial business combination or order us to divest all or a portion of a U.S. business of the combined company if we had proceeded without first obtaining CFIUS clearance. The foreign ownership limitations, and the potential impact of CFIUS, may limit the attractiveness of a transaction with us or prevent us from pursuing certain initial business combination opportunities that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not have similar foreign ownership issues.
Moreover, the process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we only have up to 21 months, as described above, from the completion of our IPO to complete our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may prevent us from completing the transaction and require us to liquidate. If we liquidate, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.175 per share and our warrants and rights will expire worthless. Our public shareholders may also lose the potential investment opportunity in a target company and the opportunity of realizing future gains on such investments through any price appreciation in the combined company.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 15
Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China or Hong KongThe PRC government also has significant authority to exert restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors that may apply if we acquire a company that is based in China or Hong Kong in an initial business combination. We will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments as current regulations in China would permit our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our PRC subsidiary will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. See Risk Factors - "If we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following the consummation of our initial business combination."
In addition, we may be subject to restrictions on currency exchange as the PRC government may limit or eliminate our ability to utilize cash generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our securities, and may limit our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing. Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of our IPO to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. If we were to acquire a PRC company, the PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC subsidiary by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may restrict our ability to make loans to or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
These restrictions will restrict our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries and/or consolidated VIEs, to the parent company and U.S. investors as well as the ability to settle amounts owed under the VIE agreements, though we do not intend to distribute earnings or settle amounts owed under such VIE agreements to the PRC Target Company's subsidiaries. In addition, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in U.S. Dollar of dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms.
The following illustrative table shows the post-business combination funds flow of our company to the extent that our company acquires a company based in PRC with contractual arrangements.
Note:
(1)We may transfer funds to the Target (PRC based shell company) through an increase in the registered capital of or a shareholder loan to the Target (PRC based shell company). The company based in the PRC may in turn make distributions or pay dividends to us.
(2)The Target (PRC based shell company) will provide the Consolidated VIE (PRC-based operations company) with services, including technical development, technical support, management consultation, marketing and promotional services and other related services on an exclusive basis, as the case may be. The Consolidated VIE (PRC-based operations company) will pay specified service fees to the Target (PRC based shell company) as consideration for the services provided.
In contrast, the following illustrative table shows the post-business combination funds flow of the Company to the extent that the Company will acquire a company based in the PRC through direct equity investment.
Note:
(1)We may transfer funds to the Target (PRC-based operations company) through an increase in the registered capital of or a shareholder loan to the Target (PRC-based operations company). The Target (PRC-based operations company) may in turn make distributions or pay dividends to us.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. Furthermore, trading in our securities may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor. In that case, Nasdaq would delist our securities. If we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC and if our new auditor is located in Greater China, with operations in and who performs audit operations of registrants in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, the work of our new auditor as it relates to those operations may not inspected by the PCAOB which currently is the case. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China may make it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in the audit procedures of our auditor and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements. Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor. In that case, the Nasdaq would delist our securities. The delisting of our securities, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections may deprive our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
Prior to our initial business combination, we are currently not required to obtain from Chinese authorities any permission to issue our securities to foreign investors and to operate our company.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 16
If we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following the consummation of our initial business combination.After we consummate our initial business combination, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current regulations in China would permit our operating company in China to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations.
In addition, our operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if our operating company in China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 17
Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of our IPO to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination.China State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
As such, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the proceeds of our IPO to a PRC target company and the use of such proceeds by the PRC target company.
In addition, following our initial business combination with a PRC target company, we will be subject to the PRC's rules and regulations on currency conversion. In the PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. Currently, FIEs are required to apply to the SAFE for "Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs." Following our initial business combination, we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a "basic account" and "capital account." Currency conversion within the scope of the "basic account," such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However, conversion of currency in the "capital account," including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE.
We cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose further restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use the proceeds of our IPO in an initial business combination with a PRC target company and the use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may have outside of the PRC.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 18
Past performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.Past information regarding performance, or businesses associated with our management team or businesses associated with them is presented for informational purposes only. The past performance of our management team or their respective affiliates 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 or their respective affiliates' 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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 19
If we choose to acquire a business in China, our initial business combination may be subject to national security review by the PRC government and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such business combination or be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities.The Security Review Regulations cover acquisitions by foreign investors of a broad range of PRC enterprises if such acquisitions could result in de facto control by foreign investors and the enterprises are relating to military, national defense, important agriculture products, important energy and natural resources, important infrastructures, important transportation services, key technologies and important equipment manufacturing. The scope of the review includes whether the acquisition will impact the national security, economic and social stability, and the research and development capabilities on key national security related technologies. Foreign investors should submit a security review application to the Department of Commerce for its initial review for contemplated acquisition. If the acquisition is considered to be within the scope of the Security Review Regulations, the Department of Commerce will transfer the application to a joint security review committee within five business days for further review. The joint security review committee, consisting of members from various PRC government agencies, will conduct a general review and seek comments from relevant government agencies. The joint security review committee may initiate a further special review and request the termination or restructuring of the contemplated acquisition if it determines that the acquisition will result in significant national security issue.
The Security Review Regulations will potentially subject a large number of mergers and acquisitions transactions by foreign investors in China to an additional layer of regulatory review. Currently, there is significant uncertainty as to the implication of the Security Review Regulations. Neither the Department of Commerce nor other PRC government agencies have issued any detailed rules for the implementation of the Security Review Regulations. If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target company operating in the PRC in any of the sensitive sectors identified above, the transaction will be subject to the Security Review Regulations, and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such acquisition. We may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 20
In the event we successfully consummated business combination with a target business with primary operation in PRC, we would be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following consummation of our initial business combination.Should we consummate our initial business combination with a Company within the jurisdiction of the PRC, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current PRC regulations would permit a local operating company to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our operating company in PRC will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if the operating company incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 21
Completion of the proposed business combination transaction with Huajin is subject to the closing conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, as amended, including certain regulatory approvals, which may not be received, may take longer than expected or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that cannot be met, and if these closing conditions are not satisfied or waived, the proposed transaction will not be completed.Various consents, clearances, approvals, authorizations and declarations of non-objection, or expiration of waiting periods (or extensions thereof), from certain regulatory and governmental authorities in the U.S., the PRC, Cayman Islands and certain other jurisdictions are included in the Merger Agreement as conditions to completing the proposed business combination transaction with Huajin.
In deciding whether to grant the required regulatory approvals, consents or clearances, the relevant governmental entities may consider the effect of the proposed transaction with Huajin on competition within their relevant jurisdictions. Regulatory and governmental entities may impose conditions on their respective approvals, in which case lengthy negotiations may ensue among such regulatory or governmental entities, Huajin and us. Such conditions, any such negotiations and the process of obtaining such regulatory approvals, consents or clearances could have the effect of delaying or preventing consummation of the proposed transaction with Huajin.
Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, we have agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to take all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable pursuant to applicable laws or otherwise to consummate the proposed transaction with Huajin in the most expeditious manner practicable. Nonetheless, certain conditions to the completion of the pending business combination are not within our or Huajin's control, and we cannot predict when or if these conditions will be satisfied (or waived, as applicable). There can be no assurance that all required approvals will be obtained or that all closing conditions will otherwise be satisfied (or waived, if applicable), and, if all required approvals are obtained and all closing conditions are satisfied (or waived, if applicable), we can provide no assurance as to the terms, conditions and timing of such approvals or that the pending business combination will be completed in a timely manner or at all. Even if regulatory approvals are obtained, it is possible conditions will be imposed that could result in a material delay in, or the abandonment of, the pending business combination or otherwise have an adverse effect on us.
If the proposed business combination is not completed by June 28, 2024 (subject to further extension to December 28, 2024 if the regulatory closing conditions are the only conditions that remain outstanding as of June 28, 2024), either party may have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement following such date (if applicable, as extended).
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 22
The business combination may not be completed within the expected timeframe as described in the Merger Agreement, as amended, or at all, for a variety of reasons, including the possibility that the Merger Agreement is terminated, and the failure to complete the business combination could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and the market price of our common stock.There can be no assurance that the business combination between us, Huajin and Merger Sub will be completed in the expected timeframe as described in the Merger Agreement, or at all. The Merger Agreement contains a number of customary closing conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the business combination, including, among others, (a) no provisions of any applicable law, and no order shall restrain or prohibit, or impose any condition on, the closing of the business combination; (b) the business combination shall have been completed and the certificate of merger shall have been received from the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands; (c) all governmental approvals required for the business combination shall have been obtained; (d) there shall not be any action brought, commenced or threatened by any governmental authority or other person to enjoin, challenge, interfere with or otherwise restrict the consummation of the closing of the business combination; (e) our shareholders' approval for the proposed business combination; (f) prior to or at the closing, before consummation of any PIPE investment or any other investment in our securities, after distribution of the Trust Account to deduct all amounts to be paid pursuant to the our share redemption, we shall have unrestricted cash on hand of not less than $5,000,000 before payment or deduction of any costs and expenses incurred with respect to the proposed business combination. In no event shall the our cash position prior to or at closing be less than the minimum required balance under applicable Securities Exchange Act and Nasdaq Regulations concerning Special Purpose Acquisition Companies; and (g) each of our directors and officers, other than Lixin Zheng, Mitchell Cariaga and Lauren Simmons shall provide their resignations as officers and directors, effective at closing, and the proposed new directors of us after the business combination shall have been appointed.
The Merger Agreement contains customary mutual termination rights for us and Huajin, which could prevent the consummation of the pending business combination, including a right for either party to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain cases if the proposed business combination was not completed by March 23, 2024 (the "Initial Termination Date"), subject to extension in certain cases. On March 23, 2024, the Merger Agreement was amended by the First Amendment to extend the Initial Termination Date to June 28, 2024 (the "Extended Termination Date), and such Extended Termination Date is subject to further extension to December 28, 2024, if the regulatory closing conditions are the only conditions that remain outstanding as of 11:59 p.m., Pacific time, on June 28, 2024.
The Merger Agreement also contains customary termination rights for the benefit of each party, including if the other party breaches its representations, warranties, or covenants under the Merger Agreement in a way that would result in a failure of the other party's condition to closing being satisfied (subject to certain procedures and cure periods). Additionally, the Merger Agreement provides termination rights, if certain conditions are met, including (1) for Huajin if we shall have breached any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant contained herein to be performed on or prior to the closing date; and (2) for us, if (a) Huajin shall have breached any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant contained herein to be performed on or prior to the closing date; or (b) there shall have been a material adverse effect on Huajin which is uncured and continuing; or (c) Huajin amends, changes or modifies or seeks to amend, change or modify the its disclosure schedules, financial statements or projections delivered to us pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and such change or modification will constitute a Material Adverse Change; or (d) if our shareholder's meeting is held and the required shareholders' approval for the business combination was not obtained; or (e) if the application of any law, regulation or rule under the Securities Act, Securities Exchange Act or any statute, regulation, or rule of one or more self regulatory bodies, including the SEC and Nasdaq, would in the sole discretion of us materially impair or frustrate the purpose of the Merger Agreement.
If the business combination is not completed within the expected timeframe or at all, we may be subject to a number of material risks, including:
- the market price of our Class A ordinary shares, warrants and rights may decline to the extent that current market prices reflect a market assumption that the proposed business combination transaction will be completed;- if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain specified circumstances, Huajin may be required to pay a break-up fee of two million U.S. dollars ($2,000,000) to us under specified circumstances;- some costs related to the proposed business combination transaction must be paid whether or not the transaction is completed, and we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the proposed transaction with Huajin, as well as the diversion of management and resources towards the proposed business combination transaction, for which we will have received little or no benefit if completion of the business combination does not occur; and - we may experience negative publicity and/or reactions from our investors, management, executive officers and other business partners.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 23
While the Merger Agreement, as amended, is in effect, we are subject to certain interim covenants.On August 11, 20223, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Huajin, Merger Sub and the Shareholders' Representative, pursuant to which the Merger Sub will merge with and into Huajin, with Huajin surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of us. On March 23, 2024, the Merger Agreement was amended by the First Amendment, respectively entered into by us, Huajin, Merger Sub, and the Shareholders' Representative.
The Merger Agreement generally requires us to operate our business in the ordinary course, subject to certain exceptions, including as required by applicable law, pending consummation of the Merger, and subjects us to customary interim operating covenants that restrict us, from taking certain specified actions until the Merger is completed or the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. These restrictions could prevent us from pursuing certain business opportunities that may arise prior to the consummation of the Merger and may affect our ability to execute our business strategies and attain financial and other goals and may impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 24
We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame after the completion of our IPO, 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 shareholders may only receive $10.175 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants and rights will expire worthless.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 from the completion of our IPO, as described above, subject to our ability to extend that period as described in our amended and restated memorandum of association for up to an additional 9 months from the one year anniversary of our initial public offering. Even if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO. We may not be able to 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 $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders' rights as shareholders (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 shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public shareholders may only receive $10.175 per share, and our warrants and rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.175 per share on the redemption of their public 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 shareholders may be less than $10.175 per share" and other risk factors below.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 25
The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within prescribed time frame after the completion of our IPO 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 shareholders.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 from the completion of our IPO, as described above, subject to our ability to extend that period as described in our amended and restated memorandum of association for up to an additional 9 months from the one year anniversary of our initial public offering. Consequently, such target business, including Huajin, 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.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 26
We may extend our time period to consummate our initial business for a total of up to 21 months from the completion of our IPO, as described above, to consummate a business combination without submitting such proposed extensions to our shareholders for approval or offering our public shareholders redemption rights in connection therewith.Unlike other similarly structured blank check companies, and pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, in the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by 12 months from the consummation of the IPO (the "Initial Period," which may be extended in up to two separate instances by an additional three months each, for a total of up to 15 months or 18 months, as applicable (each period as so extended, an "Extended Period"), by depositing into the trust account for each three month extension in an amount of $0.10 per unit; provided that the Initial Period will automatically be extended to 15 months, and any Extended Period will automatically be extended to 18 or 21 months, as applicable, in the event that the Company has filed (a) a Form 8-K including a definitive merger or acquisition agreement or (b) a proxy statement, registration statement or similar filing for an initial business combination but has not completed the initial business combination during the applicable period).
On August 11, 2023 we filed an 8-K announcing the Merger Agreement and preliminary proxy solicitation statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2024 and March 7, 2024, thereby automatically extending Purchaser's minimum time to complete a Business Combination under the terms of its Memorandum and Articles of Association until June 28, 2024. Should we fail to complete our business combination by June 28, 2024, our initial shareholders will be required to deposit into the trust account an amount of $0.10 per unit to effectuate any subsequent Extension Periods as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. The consummation of the proposed business combination is subject to certain conditions as further described in the Merger Agreement.
As such, we may extend the period of time to consummate a business combination as provided in our amended and restated memorandum of association without submitting such proposed extensions to our shareholders for approval or offering our public shareholders redemption rights in connection therewith. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and subject to deposit of additional funds by our sponsor or its affiliates or designees into our trust account as set forth thereunder, we may effectuate such extensions without submitting such proposed extensions to our shareholders for approval or offering our public shareholders redemption rights in connection with the proposed extensions.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 30/129 (23%)Above Sector Average
Regulation22 | 17.1%
Regulation - Risk 1
Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.Regulation - Risk 2
If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such company will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such company operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this new jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Additionally, if we acquire a company located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside of the United States and some of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under Federal securities laws.
Regulation - Risk 3
U.S. laws and regulations, including the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, may restrict or eliminate our ability to complete a business combination with certain companies, particularly those acquisition candidates with substantial operations in China.On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions.
The PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections on accounting firms in the PRC without the approval of the Chinese government authorities. The auditor and its audit work in the PRC may not be inspected fully by the PCAOB. Inspections of other auditors conducted by the PCAOB outside China have at times identified deficiencies in those auditors' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating the PRC auditor's audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, shareholders may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections if we complete a business combination with such companies.
Future developments in U.S. laws may restrict our ability or willingness to complete certain business combinations with companies. For instance, the recently enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the "HFCAA") would restrict our ability to consummate a business combination with a target business unless that business met certain standards of the PCAOB and would require delisting of a company from U.S. national securities exchanges if the PCAOB is unable to inspect its public accounting firm for three consecutive years. The HFCAA also requires public companies to disclose, among other things, whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government, specifically, those based in China. We may not be able to consummate a business combination with a favored target business due to these laws.
The documentation we may be required to submit to the SEC proving certain beneficial ownership requirements and establishing that we are not owned or controlled by a foreign government in the event that we use a foreign public accounting firm not subject to inspection by the PCAOB or where the PCAOB is unable to completely inspect or investigate our accounting practices or financial statements because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction could be onerous and time consuming to prepare. HFCAA mandates the SEC to identify issuers of SEC-registered securities whose audit reports are prepared by an accounting firm that the PCAOB is unable to inspect due to restrictions imposed by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction where the audits are performed. If such identified issuer's auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB for three consecutive years, the trading of such issuer's securities on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCAA. An identified issuer will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a "non-inspection" year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. The SEC is assessing how to implement other requirements of the HFCAA, including the listing and trading prohibition requirements described above. Future developments in respect of increased U.S. regulatory access to audit information are uncertain, as the legislative developments are subject to the legislative process and the regulatory developments are subject to the rule-making process and other administrative procedures.
On December 29, 2022, the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed into law, reducing the time period for the delisting of foreign companies under the HFCAA to two consecutive years instead of three years. If our auditor cannot be inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the trading of our securities on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCAA.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act ("HFCAA"), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to completely inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the PRC because of a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB's report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely, consistent with U.S. law. The Statement of Protocol gives the PCAOB sole discretion to select the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates and put in place procedures for PCAOB inspectors and investigators to view complete audit work papers with all information included and for the PCAOB to retain information as needed. In addition, the Statement of Protocol grants the PCAOB direct access to interview and take testimony from all personnel associated with the audits the PCAOB inspects or investigates. While significant, uncertainties still exist as to how the Statement of Protocol will be implemented and whether the applicable parties will comply with the framework. The PCAOB currently has access to inspect the working papers of our auditor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that we complete a business combination with a company, the auditor of which the PCAOB is not able to fully conduct inspections on, it could cause us to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and regulations. We could subsequently cease to be listed on a U.S. securities exchange, and U.S. trading of our shares could be prohibited under the HFCAA and Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act ("AHFCAA").
In the event that we complete a business combination with a company with substantial operations in China and any of the legislative actions or regulatory changes discussed above were to change in ways that are detrimental to China-based issuers, it could cause us to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and regulations, we could cease to be listed on a U.S. securities exchange, and U.S. trading of our shares could be prohibited. Any of these actions, or uncertainties in the market about the possibility of such actions, could adversely affect our prospects to successfully complete a business combination with a China-based company, our access to the U.S. capital markets and the price of our shares.
Other developments in U.S. laws and regulatory environment, including but not limited to executive orders such as Executive Order (E.O.) 13959, "Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments That Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies," may further restrict our ability to complete a business combination with certain China-based businesses.
Regulation - Risk 4
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 this annual report. 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.
Regulation - Risk 5
PRC regulations may make it more difficult for us to complete an acquisition of a target business.The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex. The Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC also requires that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered.
Depending on the structure of the transaction, these M&A Regulations require the Chinese parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to one or more of the aforementioned agencies, some of which must be made within strict time limits and depending on approvals from one or the other of the aforementioned agencies. The application process has been supplemented to require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the business to be acquired and evaluations of the acquirer which will permit the government to assess the economics of a transaction in addition to the compliance with legal requirements. If obtained, approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed. Completed transactions must also be reported to the MOFCOM and some of the other agencies within a short period after closing or be subject to an unwinding of the transaction.
In addition, the Circular of the General Office of the State Council on the Establishment of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors that became effective in March 2011, and the Rules on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM. The rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement.
The scope of the review includes whether the acquisition will impact national security, economic and social stability, and research and development capabilities on key national security related technologies. Foreign investors should submit a security review application to the MOFCOM for its review of a contemplated acquisition. If the acquisition is considered within the scope of the security review regulations, the MOFCOM will transfer the application to a joint security review committee consisting of members from various PRC government agencies, for further review.
Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete acquisitions could be time consuming. Any required approval processes may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. We may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue.
Regulation - Risk 6
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us, the target company and combined company following a business combination, as well as our ability to consummate a business combination with operations in China.The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation since then has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China.
The interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we obtain. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us.
Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have retroactive effects. We may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until after the violation occurs. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
Regulation - Risk 7
There are uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations that could limit the legal protection available to you and us.Our sponsor and the majority of our executive officers and directors have significant ties to the PRC and/or Hong Kong, and we may seek to acquire a company that is based in China or Hong Kong in an initial business combination. The uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations would apply to us if we were to acquire a company that is based in China or Hong Kong regardless of whether we have a VIE structure or direct ownership structure post-business combination. Because of such ties to China or Hong Kong, we may be governed by PRC laws and regulations. PRC companies and variable interests entities are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties, which make it difficult for investors to bring actions against our executive officers and directors and obtain enforceable judgments. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
Regulation - Risk 8
Compliance with the PRC Antitrust Law may limit our ability to consummate our initial business combination.The PRC Antitrust Law became effective on August 1, 2008. The government authorities in charge of antitrust matters in China are the Antitrust Commission and other antitrust authorities under the State Council. The PRC Antitrust Law regulates:
- monopoly agreements, including decisions or actions in concert that preclude or impede competition, entered into by business operators;- abuse of dominant market position by business operators; and - concentration of business operators that may have the effect of precluding or impeding competition.
To implement the Antitrust Law, in 2008, the State Council formulated the regulations that require filing of concentration of business operators, pursuant to which concentration of business operators refers to:
- merging with other business operators;- gaining control over other business operators through the acquisition of equity interest or assets of other business operators; and - gaining control over other business operators through exerting influence on other business operators through contracts or other means.
In 2009, the MOFCOM, to which the Antitrust Commission is affiliated, promulgated the Measures for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators (amended by the Guidelines for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators in 2014), which set forth the criteria of concentration and the requirement of miscellaneous documents for the purpose of filing. The business combination we contemplate may be considered the concentration of business operators, and to the extent required by the Antitrust Law and the criteria established by the State Council, we must file with the antitrust authority under the PRC State Council prior to conducting the contemplated business combination. If the antitrust authority decides not to further investigate whether the contemplated business combination has the effect of precluding or impeding competition or fails to make a decision within 30 days from receipt of relevant materials, we may proceed to consummate the contemplated business combination.
If antitrust authority decides to prohibit the contemplated business combination after further investigation, we must terminate such business combination and would then be forced to either attempt to complete a new business combination if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this annual report, or we would be required to return any amounts which were held in the trust account to our shareholders. When we evaluate a potential business combination, we will consider the need to comply with the Antitrust Law and other relevant regulations which may limit our ability to effect an acquisition or may result in our modifying or not pursuing a particular transaction.
Regulation - Risk 9
The approval of the PRC government may be required for our business combination, the issuance of our Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China.The M&A Rules include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for the purpose of an overseas listing of securities in a PRC company obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle's securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles.
While the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear, we believe that the CSRC approval was not required in the context of our IPO. However, there can be no assurance that the relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion.
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, or the Opinions, which emphasized the need to strengthen administration over illegal securities activities and supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies. The Opinions proposed promoting regulatory systems to deal with risks facing China-based overseas-listed companies, and provided that the State Council will revise provisions regarding the overseas issuance and listing of shares by companies limited by shares and will clarify the duties of domestic regulatory authorities.
However, the Opinions did not provide detailed rules and regulations. As a result, uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of the Opinions. In addition, new rules or regulations in the future could impose additional requirements on us. For example, new rules could require China-based companies to seek approval before becoming, acquiring or remaining as an overseas-listed public company outside of China, including in the United States.
If the CSRC or another PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for our business combination, the issuance of our Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In any such event, these regulatory agencies may delay a potential business combination, impose fines and penalties, limit our operations in China, or take other actions that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our units, Class A ordinary shares, rights and warrants.
Regulation - Risk 10
The approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with our initial business combination with a Chinese company under PRC law.The M&A Rules purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals or have equity interest in PRC domestic companies and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain how long it will take for us to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or a delay in obtaining CSRC approval for our initial business combination with companies in China may subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval under the M&A Rules for our IPO and the trading of our units, or other underlying securities, on Nasdaq because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under this annual report are subject to this regulation; and (ii) we did not acquire any equity interests or assets of a "PRC domestic company" as such terms are defined under the M&A Rules.
However, our PRC counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering, and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC counsel, and hence, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from them. Furthermore, relevant PRC governmental authorities promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing Illegal Securities Activities, among which, it is mentioned that the administration and supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies will be strengthened, and the special provisions of the State Council on overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies will be revised, clarifying the responsibilities of domestic industry competent authorities and regulatory authorities.
However, the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing Illegal Securities Activities were only issued recently, leave uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions. It is possible that any new rules or regulations may impose additional requirements on us. In addition, on July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a draft amendment to the Rules on Cybersecurity Review for public comments, according to which, among others, operators of "critical information infrastructure" or data processors holding over one million users' personal information shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office (the "CRO") for a cybersecurity review before any listing on a foreign stock exchange. It is uncertain when the final measures will be issued and take effect, how they will be enacted, interpreted or implemented, and whether they will affect us.
On October 29, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) published draft guidelines that proposes to subject companies with more than 1 million users in the country to a security review before they can send user-related data abroad, as well as to companies whose data relates to critical infrastructure, or which is otherwise deemed "important." Review of whether a company may send data abroad by the CAC could have a material affect on our ability to timely consummate a business combination, and if enacted as law, would pose a recurring risk that the ability of any post-acquisition company involved in the transfer of data outside of China could be subject to restrictions which may have a material affect on our operational ability, finances, and could adversely affect the value of our shares.
Although we are not considering any PRC Target Company that may reasonably be deemed as an operator of critical information infrastructure by the Cybersecurity Administration of China, or any PRC Target Company that possesses personal information of more than one million users that may involve their data (for example, mobile Internet companies), the proposed rules might still impact the timetable of our initial business combination and the certainty of our initial business combination. If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target business operating in the PRC and if the enacted version of the draft measures mandates clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by the target business, we may face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all, and incur additional time delays to complete any such acquisition. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our initial business combination and diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since our business combination period is up to 21 months, as described above, from the completion of our IPO, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, and the approval process may take a period longer than we expect before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company, we may be unable to complete a business combination within the required business combination window, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination. For these reasons we are not considering any PRC Target Company that may reasonably be deemed as an operator of critical information infrastructure by the Cybersecurity Administration of China, or any PRC Target Company that possesses personal information of more than one million users that may involve their data. Therefore, we may conduct analysis before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company to evaluate the risks associated with the review by the CAC so as to attempt to avoid searching for a company with one million personal information in China or a company operating critical information infrastructure in China.
If it is determined in the future that CSRC approval or other procedural requirements are required to be met for and prior to our business combination, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures for our initial business combination with companies in China, or a rescission of any such approval, could subject us to sanctions by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. In addition, if the PRC governmental authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for filings, registrations or other kinds of authorizations for our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the approval, authorizations, or complete required procedures or other requirements in a timely manner, or at all, or obtain a waiver of the requisite requirements if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.
Regulation - Risk 11
PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or any future PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into any PRC subsidiaries, limit any PRC subsidiary's ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents' Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37.
SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 applies to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future.
Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who make, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 made, direct or indirect investments in offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, must register such investments with SAFE or its local branches. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV must update its filed registration with the local branch of SAFE with respect to that SPV, to reflect any material change.
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities fail to make the required registration or to update the previously filed registration, any PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and any proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to any PRC subsidiaries. On January 13, 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015.
Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including those required under SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.
We have requested PRC residents who we know hold direct or indirect interests in us to make the necessary applications, filings and registrations as required under SAFE Circular 37. We believe that most of these shareholders have completed the initial foreign exchange registrations with relevant banks. However, these individuals may not continue to make required filings or updates in a timely manner, or at all.
We may not know the identities of all PRC residents holding direct or indirect interest in our company. Any failure or inability by such individuals to comply with SAFE regulations may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, and limit any PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to us. As a result, our business and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially adversely affected.
Furthermore, as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation have been evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If we acquire a PRC domestic company, we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, may not obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Regulation - Risk 12
The PRC government may intervene or influence the Target Operating Entity's business operations at any time or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and foreign investment in China based issuers, which could result in a material change in the Target Operating Entity's business operations post business combination and/or the value of our securities. Additionally, the governmental and regulatory interference could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors post business combination and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.Recent statements by the PRC government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China-based issuers. The PRC has recently proposed new rules that would require companies collecting or holding large amounts of data to undergo a cybersecurity review prior to listing in foreign countries, a move that would significantly tighten oversight over China based internet giants. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Draft for Comments), companies holding data on more than 1 million users must now apply for cybersecurity approval when seeking listings in other nations due to the risk that such data and personal information could be "affected, controlled, and maliciously exploited by foreign governments."
As we do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction, our initial business combination target company may include a PRC Target Company. Therefore, it is uncertain whether such PRC Target Company will be involved in the collection of user data, implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of restricted industry. Based on our understanding of currently applicable PRC laws and regulations, our registered public offering in the U.S. is not subject to the review or prior approval of the CAC or the CSRC. Uncertainties still exist, however, due to the possibility that laws, regulations, or policies in the PRC could change rapidly in the future. Any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CSRC or the CAC could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Regulation - Risk 13
Although Huajin does not involve a VIE corporate structure within the jurisdiction of the PRC, should we choose to acquire another company in China, we may acquire such company through a variable interest entity (the "VIE") corporate structure as a holding company with no material operations of our own, and conduct a substantial majority of business operations after the business combination consummated through our subsidiaries established and the VIE in the PRC.Although Huajin does not involve a VIE corporate structure within the jurisdiction of the PRC, should we consummate our initial business combination with another company in PRC, we may acquire such company through a VIE corporate structure and may not have direct ownership of such company acquired. We may control and receive the economic benefits of the business operations of the company acquired through certain contractual arrangements (the "VIE structure"). If we acquire a target company that operates its business in the PRC through VIE structure, investors in our ordinary shares following a business combination would not hold equity interests in operating companies domiciled in PRC under our control and would hold equity interests in a Cayman Islands holding company. We would rely on the contractual arrangements with the VIE subsidiaries and its shareholders to operate the business. We do not have equity interests in such PRC operating companies but whose financial results would be consolidated into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, due to we or our direct owned subsidiaries in PRC, i.e. the wholly foreign-owned enterprise, or WFOE, and the Company's being the primary beneficiary of, such entity, for the accounting purposes. As such, in the event that we complete a business combination with a company in PRC, you would not hold equity in PRC operating companies. The contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over the VIE as ownership of controlling equity interests would be in providing us with control over, or enabling us to derive economic benefits from the operations of the VIE. Under the contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if the VIE or any of its shareholders executing the VIE agreements fails to perform its, his or her respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies available under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective. For example, if shareholders of a variable interest entity were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in such variable interest entity to us or our designated persons when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to the contractual arrangements, we may have to take legal action to compel them to fulfil their contractual obligations. The agreements associated with the VIE structure have not been tested in court of law in any jurisdiction.
Regulation - Risk 14
If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to the potential PRC Target Company, and the VIE, do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.If (i) the applicable PRC authorities invalidate the contractual arrangements for violation of PRC laws, rules and regulations, (ii) any variable interest entity or its shareholders terminate the contractual arrangements, (iii) any variable interest entity or its shareholders fail to perform its/his/her obligations under the contractual arrangements, or (iv) if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, the PRC Target Company's business operations in China would be materially and adversely affected, and the value of your securities would substantially decrease or even become worthless. Further, if we fail to renew the contractual arrangements upon their expiration, we would not be able to continue the business operations unless the then current PRC law allows us to directly operate businesses in China.
In addition, if any variable interest entity or all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of the variable interest entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and our ability to generate revenues.
All of the contractual arrangements will be governed by PRC law and provided for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts will be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes will be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce the contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce the contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our operating entities and we may be precluded from operating our business, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE. For example, the VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over the VIE. The shareholders of the VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the contractual arrangements with the VIE.
If the VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. For example, if the shareholders of the VIE refuse to transfer their equity interest in the VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to the contractual arrangements, or if they otherwise act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholders' equity interests in the VIE, our ability to exercise shareholders' rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholders of the VIE and third parties were to impair our control over the VIE, our ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIE would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition.
Although based on industry practices, VIE contractual arrangements among WFOE, the VIE and its shareholders governed by PRC laws are valid, binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect, however, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may ultimately take a view that is contrary to the accepted industry practices with respect to VIE contractual arrangements. In addition, it is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. PRC government authorities may deem that foreign ownership is directly or indirectly involved in the VIE's shareholding structure. If our potential corporate structure and contractual arrangements are deemed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, or the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, or other regulators having competent authority to be illegal, either in whole or in part, we may lose control of the consolidated VIE and have to modify such structure to comply with regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that we can achieve this without material disruption to the PRC Target Company's business. Furthermore, if we consummate a business combination with a PRC Target Company, and we or the VIE is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures, including, without limitation:
- revoking the business license and/or operating licenses of WFOE or the VIE;- discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations through any transactions among WFOE, the VIE and its subsidiaries;- imposing fines, confiscating the income from WFOE, the VIE or its subsidiaries, or imposing other requirements with which we or the VIE may not be able to comply;- placing restrictions on our right to collect revenues;- requiring us to restructure our ownership structure or operations, including terminating the contractual arrangements with the VIE and deregistering the equity pledges of the VIE, which in turn would affect our ability to consolidate, derive economic interests from, or exert effective control over the VIE; or - taking other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business.
The imposition of any of these penalties will result in a material and adverse effect on our potential ability to conduct the business. In addition, it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions will have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC government authorities were to find our potential corporate structure and contractual arrangements to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of the VIE or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from the VIE and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a timely and satisfactory manner, we will no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements. Either of these results, or any other significant penalties that might be imposed on us in this event, it will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our securities shares may decline in value or be worthless.
Regulation - Risk 15
There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.A significant number of our management and investment team, directors and advisors have significant ties to China or Hong Kong, and we may seek to acquire a company that is based in China or Hong Kong in an initial business combination. Because of such ties to China or Hong Kong, we may be subjected to the laws, rules and regulations of the PRC. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws, rules and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. However, recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degrees of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the nonbinding nature of such decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. Uncertainties due to evolving laws and regulations could impede the ability of a company with substantial operations in China to obtain or maintain permits or licenses required to conduct business in China. In the absence of required permits or licenses, governmental authorities could impose material sanctions or penalties on us. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation. Furthermore, if China adopts more stringent standards with respect to environmental protection or corporate social responsibilities, we may incur increased compliance cost or become subject to additional restrictions in our operations.
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to the Law, or the Opinions, which, among other things, require the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law, enforcement and judicial cooperation, to accelerate rulemaking related to data security and cross-border data flow, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since the Opinions are relatively new, uncertainties still exist as to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on China-based companies. Efforts by the PRC government to strengthen oversight or control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based companies could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
On February 7, 2021, the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council promulgated Guidelines to Anti-monopoly in the Field of Platform Economy, or the Anti-monopoly Guidelines for Platform Economy. The Anti-monopoly Guidelines for Platform Economy provides operational standards and guidelines for identifying certain prohibited manner of use of market dominant position by internet platforms as "abuse of market dominant position" to restrict unfair competition and safeguard users' interests, including without limitation, prohibiting personalized pricing by using big data and analytics, actions or arrangements deemed as exclusivity arrangements, using technology means to block competitors' interface, using bundle services to sell services or products. In addition, internet platforms' compulsory collection of user data may be viewed as the abuse of dominant market position that may have the effect to eliminate or restrict competition.
On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (the "SCNPC") officially released the Personal Information Protection Law. The Personal Information Protection Law provides the basic regulatory regime for personal information protection, including without limitation, stipulating an expanded definition of personal information, providing a long-arm jurisdiction in cross-border scenarios, emphasizing individual rights, and prohibiting rampant infringement of personal information, such as stealing, selling, or secretly collecting personal information.
There have been some recent indications that the PRC government authorities may continue to strengthen oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in PRC businesses.
Such actions taken by the PRC government authorities may adversely affect our ability to effect an initial business combination with a PRC-based business and/or to offer or continue to offer securities to our investors, result in a decrease in or even total loss of the value of our securities.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into and/or our intellectual property rights and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "- If we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights."
Regulation - Risk 16
If we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.If we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws of the country in which such business operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations, including any contractual arrangements through which we acquire control of target business as described above. We cannot assure you that we or the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. In addition, the judiciary in the PRC is relatively inexperienced compared to others in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. In addition, to the extent that our target business's material agreements are with governmental agencies in the PRC, we may not be able to enforce or obtain a remedy from such agencies due to sovereign immunity, in which the government is deemed to be immune from civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Regulation - Risk 17
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.
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. Our IPO was 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 shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association(A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO; or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders' rights or pre-initial business combination activity; or (iii) absent an initial business combination within up to 21 months, as described above, if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, from the completion of our IPO, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders 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.
Regulation - Risk 18
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.
Regulation - Risk 19
Because foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.Foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of such foreign jurisdiction's legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The judiciaries in the Asia-pacific region are relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business and business opportunities.
Regulation - Risk 20
Many industries in Asia are subject to government regulations that limit or prohibit foreign investments in such industries, which may limit the potential number of acquisition candidates.Governments in many Asian countries, including the PRC, have imposed regulations that limit foreign investors' equity ownership or prohibit foreign investments altogether in companies that operate in certain industries. As a result, the number of potential acquisition candidates available to us may be limited or our ability to grow and sustain the business, which we ultimately acquire will be limited.
Regulation - Risk 21
If a country in Asia enacts regulations in industry segments that forbid or restrict foreign investment, our ability to consummate our initial business combination could be severely impaired.Many of the rules and regulations that companies face concerning foreign ownership are not explicitly communicated. If new laws or regulations forbid or limit foreign investment in industries in which we want to complete our initial business combination, they could severely impair our candidate pool of potential target businesses. Additionally, if the relevant central and local authorities find us or the target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination to be in violation of any existing or future laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:
- levying fines;- revoking our business and other licenses;- requiring that we restructure our ownership or operations; and - requiring that we discontinue any portion or all of our business.
Any of the above could have an adverse effect on our company post-business combination and could materially reduce the value of your investment.
Regulation - Risk 22
Corporate governance standards in Asia may not be as strict or developed as in the United States and such weakness may hide issues and operational practices that are detrimental to a target business.General corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent business practices that cause unfavorable related party transactions, over-leveraging, improper accounting, family company interconnectivity and poor management. Local laws often do not go far enough to prevent improper business practices. Therefore, shareholders may not be treated impartially and equally as a result of poor management practices, asset shifting, conglomerate structures that result in preferential treatment to some parts of the overall company, and cronyism. The lack of transparency and ambiguity in the regulatory process also may result in inadequate credit evaluation and weakness that may precipitate or encourage financial crisis. In our evaluation of a business combination we will have to evaluate the corporate governance of a target and the business environment, and in accordance with United States laws for reporting companies take steps to implement practices that will cause compliance with all applicable rules and accounting practices. Notwithstanding these intended efforts, there may be endemic practices and local laws that could add risk to an investment we ultimately make and that result in an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 0.8%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
Involvement of members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in civil disputes and litigation or governmental investigations unrelated to our business affairs could materially impact our ability to consummate an initial business combination.Taxation & Government Incentives5 | 3.9%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable PRC tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with its "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise.
In 2009, the SAT issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular applies only to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT's general position on how "de facto management body" should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises.
According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China, and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met:
- the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC;- decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC;- the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC; and - at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe our company is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on our worldwide income at the rate of 25%. Furthermore, we would be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises.
In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the units or Class A ordinary shares, rights or warrants, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders and any gain realized on the transfer of the units, Class A ordinary shares, rights or warrants by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us).
These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the units, Class A ordinary shares, rights and warrants.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 3
Unanticipated changes in our effective tax rate or challenges by tax authorities could harm our future results.We may become subject to income taxes in various other jurisdictions in the future. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the allocation of our pre-tax earnings and losses among countries with differing statutory tax rates, in certain non-deductible expenses as a result of acquisitions, in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or in federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws and accounting principles, including increased tax rates, new tax laws or revised interpretations of existing tax laws and precedents. Increases in our effective tax rate would adversely affect our operating results. In addition, we may be subject to income tax audits by various tax jurisdictions throughout the world. The application of tax laws in such jurisdictions may be subject to diverging and sometimes conflicting interpretations by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. Although we believe our income tax liabilities are reasonably estimated and accounted for in accordance with applicable laws and principles, an adverse resolution of one or more uncertain tax positions in any period could have a material impact on the results of operations for that period.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 4
An investment in us may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.An investment in us may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, because there are no authorities that directly address instruments similar to the units we issued in our IPO, the allocation an investor makes with respect to the purchase price of a unit among the one ordinary share, one right and one warrant included in each unit could be challenged by the IRS or the courts. Furthermore, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants included in the units we issued in our IPO is unclear under current law. It is also unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our Class A ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. holder's holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of Class A ordinary shares is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered "qualified dividends" for federal income tax purposes. See the section in our Prospectus filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023 titled "Taxation - United States Federal Income Taxation" for a summary of certain material 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.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 5
The Excise Tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act may decrease the value of our securities following our initial business combination, hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination, and decrease the amount of funds available for distribution in connection with a liquidation.On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the "Inflation Reduction Act"), which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by a domestic corporation beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the "Excise Tax"). Because our securities are traded on Nasdaq, we are a "covered corporation" within the meaning of the Inflation Reduction Act, and while not free from doubt, it is possible that the Excise Tax will apply to any redemptions of our Class A ordinary shares after December 31, 2022, including redemptions in connection with an initial business combination and any amendment to our certificate of incorporation to extend the time to consummate an initial business combination, unless an exemption is available. Consequently, the value of your investment in our securities may decrease as a result of the Excise Tax. In addition, the Excise Tax may make a transaction with us less appealing to potential business combination targets, and thus, potentially hinder our ability to enter into and consummate an initial business combination. Further, the application of the Excise Tax in the event of a liquidation is uncertain absent further guidance. Nonetheless, we are not permitted to use the proceeds placed in the trust account and the interest earned thereon to pay any excise taxes or any other fees or taxes, other than franchise and income taxes, that may be imposed on us pursuant to any current, pending or future rules or laws, including without limitation any excise tax imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act on any redemptions or stock buybacks by us.
Environmental / Social2 | 1.6%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
We may be liable for improper use or appropriation of personal information provided by others.Environmental / Social - Risk 2
Regulations relating to the transfer of state-owned property rights in enterprises may increase the cost of our acquisitions and impose an additional administrative burden on us.The legislation governing the acquisition of a state-owned company may, and with respect to acquisitions in the PRC does, contain stringent governmental regulations. In the PRC, the transfer of state-owned property rights in enterprises must take place through a government-approved "state-owned asset exchange," and the value of the transferred property rights must be evaluated by local appraisal firms qualified to do "state-owned assets evaluation." The final price must not be less than 90% of the appraisal price. Additionally, bidding/auction procedures are essential in the event that there is more than one potential transferee. In the case of an acquisition by foreign investors of state-owned enterprises, the acquirer and the seller must make a resettlement plan to properly resettle the employees, and the resettlement plan must be approved by the Employees' Representative Congress. The seller must pay all unpaid wages and social welfare payments from the existing assets of the target company to the employees. These regulations may adversely affect our ability to acquire a PRC state-owned business or assets.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 9/129 (7%)Below Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment6 | 4.7%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
If relations between the United States and foreign governments deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could materially adversely affect the business of our company, the target company and combined company following a business combination.Our management team are located in Canada and China, and our prospective target may be located in China. Although there is no restriction in the geographic region of targets that we can pursue, we intend to initially prioritize regions in Asia, including China. Accordingly, the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of our company, the target company and combined company following a business combination may be influenced by political, economic and social conditions in China generally.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, foreign exchange control and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, the government still owns a substantial portion of productive assets in China.
In addition, the Chinese government plays a significant role in regulating industry development through industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth by allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could materially adversely affect the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, reducing demand for our services and adversely affecting our competitive position.
The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may negatively affect us. In the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustments, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may decrease economic activity in China, which may adversely affect our business and operating results.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 3
Many of the economies in the Asia-pacific region are experiencing substantial inflationary pressures which may prompt the governments to take action to control the growth of the economy and inflation that could lead to a significant decrease in our profitability following our initial business combination.While many of the economies in the Asia-pacific region have experienced rapid growth over the last two decades, they have also experienced inflationary pressures. As governments take steps to address inflationary pressures, there may be significant changes in the availability of bank credits, interest rates, limitations on loans, restrictions on currency conversions and foreign investment. There also may be imposition of price controls. If prices for the products of our ultimate target business rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. If these or other similar restrictions are imposed by a government to influence the economy, it may lead to a slowing of economic growth. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, the ultimate industry that we operate in may be affected more severely by such a slowing of economic growth.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 4
Our business, operations, financial position and clinical development plans and timelines, and our ability to consummate the Business Combination, could be materially adversely affected by the continuing military actions in Ukraine and Israel's southern border from the Gaza Strip.The military action commenced in February 2022 by the Russian Federation and Belarus in the country of Ukraine and related economic sanctions, and a series of terror attacks commenced in October 2023 by Hamas militants and members of other terrorist organizations infiltrating Israel's southern border from the Gaza Strip and the ensuing war between the State of Israel and Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement) or "Hamas," could trigger global geopolitical, trade, political, or sanctions risks, as well as the risk of regional or international expansion of the conflict, including isolated conflicts or terrorist attacks outside of the immediate conflict area. Our ability to continue to operate will be dependent on raising debt and equity finance, any adverse impact to those markets as a result of these military actions, including due to increased market volatility, decreased availability in third-party financing and/or a deterioration in the terms on which it is available (if at all), could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and/or prospects. The extent of any potential impact is not yet determinable, however.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 5
China's economic, political and social conditions, as well as changes in any government policies, laws and regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business.If we acquire a company in China, our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and certain transactions we may undertake may be subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political and legal developments in China.
China's economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past two to three decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Demand for target services and products depends, in large part, on economic conditions in China. Any slowdown in China's economic growth may cause our potential customers to delay or cancel their plans to purchase our services and products, which in turn could reduce our net revenues.
Although China's economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market oriented economy since the late 1970s, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling the incurrence and payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Changes in any of these policies, laws and regulations could adversely affect the economy in China and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage foreign investment and sustainable economic growth and to guide the allocation of financial and other resources. However, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not repeal or alter these measures or introduce new measures that will have a negative effect on us. China's social and political conditions may change, and such changes, if not in our favor, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The PRC government also has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a company with substantial operations in China to conduct its business and control over securities offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investments at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our securities. In particular, there have been recent statements by the PRC government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based companies with substantial operations in China. We are not currently required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on a U.S. securities exchange and consummate our IPO. However, there is no guarantee that this will continue to be the case in the future in relation to the continued listing of our securities on a securities exchange outside of the PRC, or even when such permission is obtained, it will not be subsequently denied or rescinded. Any such regulatory oversight or control could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See "- There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations."
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 6
If social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination, it may result in a negative impact on our business.Political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.
International Operations1 | 0.8%
International Operations - Risk 1
After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.Capital Markets2 | 1.6%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Currency policies may cause a target business' ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.Capital Markets - Risk 2
Fluctuations in exchange rates could materially adversely affect the results of operations of a PRC target company and the value of your investment.The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate due to changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar, and the RMB appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the RMB has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably.
On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, RMB is determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency, along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the RMB depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. Since then, the RMB has appreciated against the U.S. dollar, particularly in 2020.
With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and RMB internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces, international relations especially the trade tensions between U.S. and China, or government policies of the PRC or the U.S. may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar.
To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars to make payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would negatively affect the U.S. dollar amount.
Production
Total Risks: 5/129 (4%)Below Sector Average
Employment / Personnel4 | 3.1%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
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.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
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.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 3
We are dependent upon our executive 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 executive officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our executive officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. Our executive officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 4
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. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel's retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. 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.
Costs1 | 0.8%
Costs - Risk 1
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.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/129 (2%)Below Sector Average
Cyber Security2 | 1.6%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, companies with more than one million users' personal information in China, especially some internet and technology companies, may not be willing to list on a U.S. stock exchange or enter into a definitive business combination agreement with us. Further, we intend to avoid a business combination with a company with more than one million users' personal information in China due to the limited timeline for us to complete a business combination.Cyber Security - Risk 2
Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early state company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 1/129 (1%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 0.8%
Competition - Risk 1
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 shareholders may receive only approximately $10.175 per share on our redemption of our public shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants and rights will expire worthless.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.