UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission File Number: 001-40091
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
Delaware | | 85-3010689 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
| | |
6260 Lookout Rd. | | |
Boulder, CO | | 80301 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(310) 209-3010
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class | | Trading Symbols | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock | | GSEV | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Warrants | | GSEVW | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Units | | GSEVU | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
Emerging growth company | ☒ | | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐
As of November 10, 2022, there were 55,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 13,750,000 shares of the Company’s Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
| | September 30, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | (audited) | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | 1,081,223 | | | $ | | 323,050 | |
Prepaid assets | | | | 401,026 | | | | | 1,103,707 | |
Total current assets | | | | 1,482,249 | | | | | 1,426,757 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and other investments held in Trust Account | | | | 550,504,666 | | | | | 550,047,057 | |
Total assets | | $ | | 551,986,915 | | | $ | | 551,473,814 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued expenses, formation and offering costs | | $ | | 2,171,255 | | | $ | | 2,182,321 | |
State franchise tax accrual | | | | 30,000 | | | | | 200,225 | |
Public warrants derivative liability | | | | 825,000 | | | | | 9,418,750 | |
Private warrants derivative liability | | | | 520,000 | | | | | 5,936,666 | |
Notes and advances payable – related party | | | | 1,700,000 | | | | | 1,350,000 | |
Total current liabilities | | | | 5,246,255 | | | | | 19,087,962 | |
Deferred underwriting compensation | | | | 19,250,000 | | | | | 19,250,000 | |
Total liabilities | | $ | | 24,496,255 | | | $ | | 38,337,962 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption, 55,000,000 and 55,000,000 shares at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively (at redemption value of $10 per share) | | | | 550,268,166 | | | | | 550,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity (deficit): | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Common stock | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Class F Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 13,750,000 and 13,750,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | | | | 1,375 | | | | | 1,375 | |
Additional paid-in-capital | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Accumulated deficit | | | | (22,778,881 | ) | | | | (36,865,523 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ deficit | | | | (22,777,506 | ) | | | | (36,864,148 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | | $ | | 551,986,915 | | | $ | | 551,473,814 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
3
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| | Three | | | | Three | | | Nine | | | | Nine | |
| | Months Ended | | | | Months Ended | | | Months Ended | | | | Months Ended | |
| | September 30, 2022 | | | | September 30, 2021 | | | September 30, 2022 | | | | September 30, 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Professional fees and other expenses | | | | (418,186 | ) | | | | (1,844,167 | ) | | | | (1,358,370 | ) | | | | (3,159,009 | ) |
State franchise taxes, other than income tax | | | | (50,000 | ) | | | | (50,000 | ) | | | | (150,000 | ) | | | | (150,000 | ) |
Gain from change in fair value of warrant liabilities | | | | 3,810,833 | | | | | 2,129,583 | | | | | 14,010,416 | | | | | 4,483,333 | |
Allocated expense for warrant issuance cost | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | (607,984 | ) |
Net income from operations | | | | 3,342,647 | | | | | 235,416 | | | | | 12,502,046 | | | | | 566,340 | |
Other income - interest income | | | | 1,054,847 | | | | | 7,078 | | | | | 1,852,762 | | | | | 35,436 | |
Net income before income taxes | | $ | | 4,397,494 | | | $ | | 242,494 | | | $ | | 14,354,808 | | | $ | | 601,776 | |
Provision for income tax | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Net income attributable to common shares | | $ | | 4,397,494 | | | $ | | 242,494 | | | $ | | 14,354,808 | | | $ | | 601,776 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income/(loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock - basic and diluted | | $ | | 0.07 | | | $ | | 0.00 | | | $ | | 0.21 | | | $ | | (0.71 | ) |
Class F Common Stock - basic and diluted | | $ | | 0.04 | | | $ | | 0.00 | | | $ | | 0.19 | | | $ | | (0.71 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
4
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(Unaudited)
| | For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | |
| | Class A Common Stock | | | Class F Common Stock | | | Additional | | | Accumulated | | | Stockholders' | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Paid-In Capital | | | Deficit | | | Deficit | |
Beginning Balance at January 1, 2021 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (4,450 | ) | | $ | | (4,450 | ) |
Sale of Class F Common Stock to Sponsor on January 4, 2021 at $0.0001 par value | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 11,500,000 | | | | | 1,150 | | | | | 23,850 | | | | | - | | | | | 25,000 | |
Stock dividend effected on Class F Common Stock on February 25, 2021 | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 2,300,000 | | | | | 230 | | | | | (230 | ) | | | | - | | | | | - | |
Excess of fair value paid by founders for warrants | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 6,153,334 | | | | | - | | | | | 6,153,334 | |
Forfeited Class F Common Stock by Sponsor | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | (50,000 | ) | | | | (5 | ) | | | | 5 | | | | | - | | | | | - | |
Subsequent measurement of Class A Common Stock subject to redemption against additional paid-in capital | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | (6,176,959 | ) | | | | - | | | | | (6,176,959 | ) |
Subsequent measurement of Class A Common Stock subject to redemption against accumulated deficit | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | (34,861,532 | ) | | | | (34,861,532 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 359,282 | | | | | 359,282 | |
Balance at June 30, 2021 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | $ | | 1,375 | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (34,506,700 | ) | | $ | | (34,505,325 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 242,494 | | | | | 242,494 | |
Balance at September 30, 2021 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | $ | | 1,375 | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (34,264,206 | ) | | $ | | (34,262,831 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | |
| | Class A Common Stock | | | Class F Common Stock | | | Additional | | | Accumulated | | | Stockholders' | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Paid-In Capital | | | Deficit | | | Deficit | |
Balance at January 1, 2022 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | $ | | 1,375 | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (36,865,523 | ) | | $ | | (36,864,148 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 9,957,314 | | | | | 9,957,314 | |
Balance at June 30, 2022 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | $ | | 1,375 | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (26,908,209 | ) | | $ | | (26,906,834 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 4,397,494 | | | | | 4,397,494 | |
Increase in redemption value of Class A common stock subject to redemption | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | (268,166 | ) | | | | (268,166 | ) |
Balance at September 30, 2022 | | | - | | | $ | | - | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | $ | | 1,375 | | | $ | | - | | | $ | | (22,778,881 | ) | | $ | | (22,777,506 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements
5
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | | 14,354,808 | | | $ | | 601,776 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance costs related to warrant liability | | | | — | | | | | 607,984 | |
Changes in fair value warrants derivative liabilities | | | | (14,010,416 | ) | | | | (4,483,333 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Changes in state franchise tax accrual | | | | (170,225 | ) | | | | 149,550 | |
Changes in prepaid assets | | | | 702,681 | | | | | (1,369,855 | ) |
Changes in accrued expenses, formation and offering costs | | | | (11,066 | ) | | | | 2,220,979 | |
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | | | | 865,782 | | | | | (2,272,899 | ) |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash deposited in Trust Account | | | | — | | | | | (550,000,000 | ) |
Interest reinvested in the Trust Account | | | | (457,609 | ) | | | | (35,436 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | | (457,609 | ) | | | | (550,035,436 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of Units in initial public offering | | | | — | | | | | 550,000,000 | |
Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Warrants to Sponsor | | | | — | | | | | 13,000,000 | |
Proceeds from sale of Class F Common Stock to Sponsor | | | | — | | | | | 25,000 | |
Proceeds from notes and advances payable – related party | | | | 350,000 | | | | | 1,650,000 | |
Repayment of notes and advances payable – related party | | | | — | | | | | (300,000 | ) |
Payment of underwriters’ discounts and commissions | | | | — | | | | | (11,000,000 | ) |
Payment of accrued offering costs | | | | — | | | | | (533,975 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | | 350,000 | | | | | 552,841,025 | |
Increase in cash | | | | 758,173 | | | | | 532,690 | |
Cash at beginning of period | | | | 323,050 | | | | | — | |
Cash at end of period | | $ | | 1,081,223 | | | $ | | 532,690 | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred underwriting compensation | | $ | | — | | | $ | | 19,250,000 | |
Supplemental disclosure of income and franchise taxes paid: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for income and state franchise taxes | | $ | | 320,225 | | | $ | | 450 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
6
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED, INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Operations
Organization and General
Gores Holdings VII, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on September 14, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar Business Combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenue to date. The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the Business Combination. The Company’s sponsor is Gores Sponsor VII, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The Company has selected December 31st as its fiscal year-end.
The Company completed the Public Offering on February 25, 2021 (the “IPO Closing Date”). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its Business Combination, at the earliest. Subsequent to the Public Offering, the Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below) held in the Trust Account (as defined below).
Financing
Upon the close of the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, an aggregate of $550,000,000 was placed in a Trust Account with Computershare, Inc. acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”).
The Company intends to finance a Business Combination with the net proceeds from its $550,000,000 Public Offering and its sale of $13,000,000 of Private Placement Warrants.
Trust Account
Funds held in the Trust Account can be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred and eighty-five (185) days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a‑7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), as amended, that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. As of September 30, 2022, the Trust Account consisted of cash.
The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to fund regulatory compliance requirements and other costs related thereto (a “Regulatory Withdrawal”) for a maximum 24 months and/or additional amounts necessary to pay franchise and income taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earliest of: (i) the completion of the Business Combination; or (ii) the redemption of any public shares of common stock properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of such public shares of common stock if the Company does not complete the Business Combination by February 25, 2023; or (iii) the redemption of 100% of the public shares of common stock if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by February 25, 2023, subject to the requirements of law and stock exchange rules.
7
Business Combination
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Public Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination. The Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest income earned) at the time of the Company signing a definitive agreement in connection with the Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, would either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest income but less taxes payable, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest income but less taxes payable. The decision as to whether the Company would seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination or would allow stockholders to sell their shares in a tender offer would be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and would be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval, unless a vote is required by law or under Nasdaq rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it would complete its Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. Currently, the Company would not redeem its public shares of common stock in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its public shares of common stock and the related Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Business Combination.
As a result of the foregoing redemption provisions, the public shares of common stock are recorded at redemption amount and classified as temporary equity, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”) in subsequent periods.
The Company will have until February 25, 2023 to complete its Business Combination. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within this period of time, it shall (i) cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares of common stock for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account, including interest income, but less taxes payable (less up to $100,000 of such net interest income to pay dissolution expenses) and (iii) as promptly as possible following such redemption, dissolve and liquidate the balance of the Company’s net assets to its remaining stockholders, as part of its plan of dissolution and liquidation. The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they waived their rights to participate in any redemption with respect to their Founder Shares (as defined below); however, if the Sponsor or any of the Company’s officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares of common stock, they will be entitled to a pro rata share of the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the required time period.
8
In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per Unit in the Public Offering.
Emerging Growth Company
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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
Special Meeting to allow early redemption and liquidation
On November 3, 2022, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement relating to a special meeting of shareholders to approve (i) an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter Amendment Proposal”) and (ii), an amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated February 25, 2021, by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A, as trustee (the “Trust Amendment Proposal” and together with the Charter Amendment Proposal, the “Proposals”), which would, if implemented, allow the Company to redeem all of its outstanding Public Shares in advance of the Company’s contractual expiration date of February 25, 2023 by changing the date by which the Company must cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (a “Business Combination”) from February 25, 2023 to the later of the date of the special meeting of the stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) or the date of effectiveness of the Charter Amendment (the “Amended Termination Date”).
If the Proposals are approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will immediately after the Special Meeting, cease all operations, except for the purpose of winding up and as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem all Public Shares (the “Mandatory Redemption”). As promptly as reasonably possible following such Mandatory Redemption, and subject to the approval of the Company’s then remaining stockholders and the Board, in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Pursuant to the amended and restated certificate, a Public Stockholder shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will be obligated to redeem all Public Shares as promptly as reasonably possible after the Amended Termination Date. Therefore, no action is required by our Public Stockholders to redeem their Public Shares. If the Proposals are approved, the Public Shares will be automatically redeemed as part of the Mandatory Redemption.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the results of operations and cash flows
9
for the periods presented. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year or any other period.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022.
Net Income/(Loss) Per Common Share
The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) and Class F Common Stock (the “Founder Shares”). Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Public and private warrants to purchase 11,208,333 shares of Common Stock at $11.50 per share were issued on February 25, 2021. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no warrants have been exercised. The 11,208,333 potential common shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 because the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted net income/(loss) per common share is the same as basic net income/(loss) per common share for the period. The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for each class of common stock:
| | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 | | | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 | | | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | | | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | |
| | Class A | | | Class F | | | Class A | | | Class F | | | Class A | | | Class F | | | Class A | | | Class F | |
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allocation of net income/(loss) including accretion of temporary equity | | $ | | 3,517,995 | | | $ | | 879,499 | | | $ | | 193,995 | | | $ | | 48,499 | | | $ | | 11,483,846 | | | $ | | 2,870,962 | | | $ | | (31,103,968 | ) | | $ | | (9,332,747 | ) |
Increase in redemption value of Class A common stock subject to redemption | | | | 268,166 | | | | | (268,166 | ) | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | 268,166 | | | | | (268,166 | ) | | | | - | | | | | - | |
Total Numerator: | | $ | | 3,786,161 | | | $ | | 611,333 | | | $ | | 193,995 | | | $ | | 48,499 | | | $ | | 11,752,012 | | | $ | | 2,602,796 | | | $ | | (31,103,968 | ) | | $ | | (9,332,747 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding | | | | 55,000,000 | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | | | 55,000,000 | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | | | 55,000,000 | | | | | 13,750,000 | | | | | 43,919,414 | | | | | 13,178,022 | |
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share | | $ | | 0.07 | | | $ | | 0.04 | | | $ | | 0.00 | | | $ | | 0.00 | | | $ | | 0.21 | | | $ | | 0.19 | | | $ | | (0.71 | ) | | $ | | (0.71 | ) |
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution as well as the Trust Account, which at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts.
Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (“ASC 820”) approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet.
Fair Value Measurement
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used to measure investments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of investment, characteristics specific to the investment, market conditions and other factors. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level III measurements).
10
Investments with readily available quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets will typically have a higher degree of input observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are as follows:
Level I—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments at the measurement date are used.
Level II—Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the investment, either directly or indirectly. Level II pricing inputs include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level III—Pricing inputs are unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs used in determination of fair value require significant judgment and estimation.
In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the investment is categorized in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the investment. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the valuation of an investment in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment. The categorization of an investment within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the investment and does not necessarily correspond to the perceived risk of that investment.
Derivative Liabilities
The Company evaluated the Warrants (as defined below in Note 3 – Public Offering) and Private Placement Warrants (as defined below in Note 4) (collectively, “Warrant Securities”), in accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and concluded that the Warrant Securities could not be accounted for as components of equity. As the Warrant Securities meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with ASC 815, the Warrant Securities are recorded as derivative liabilities on the Balance Sheet and measured at fair value at inception (the Close Date) and remeasured at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations in the period of change.
Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 340-10-S99-1, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs – SEC Materials” (“ASC 340-10-S99”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs were $30,783,975 (including $30,250,000 in underwriters’ fees) consisting principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Public Offering. Since the Company is required to classify the warrants as derivative liabilities, offering costs totaling $607,984 are reflected as an expense in the statements of operations.
Redeemable Common Stock
As discussed in Note 3, all of the 55,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to
11
redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Therefore, all Class A Common Stock has been classified outside of permanent equity.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid in capital and accumulated deficit.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
For those liabilities or benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax liabilities as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2022.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, states or foreign jurisdiction authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income amounts in various tax jurisdictions and compliance with U.S. federal, states or foreign tax laws.
The Company is incorporated in the State of Delaware and is required to pay franchise taxes to the State of Delaware on an annual basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with and the credit quality of the financial institutions with which it invests. Periodically, the Company may maintain balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other Investments Held in Trust Account
At September 30, 2022, the Company had $550,504,666 in the Trust Account which may be utilized for Business Combinations. At September 30, 2022, the Trust Account consisted of cash. The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of the Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares of common stock properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of such public shares of common stock if the Company does not complete the Business Combination by February 25, 2023; or (iii) the redemption of 100% of the public shares of common stock if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by February 25, 2023, subject to the requirements of law and stock exchange rules.
12
Warrant Liability
The Company accounts for warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock that are not indexed to its own stock as liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s statements of operations. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classifications, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a liability at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements based on current operations of the Company. The impact of any recently issued accounting standards will be re-evaluated on a regular basis or if a Business Combination is completed where the impact could be material.
Going Concern Consideration
If the Company does not complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the common stock sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, 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 franchise and income taxes payable and less up to $100,000 of such net interest which may be distributed to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per unit in the Public Offering. In addition, if the Company fails to complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, there will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the warrants, which will expire worthless.
In addition, at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had current liabilities of $5,246,255 and $19,087,962, respectively, and a working capital deficit of ($3,764,006) and ($17,661,205).
In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board's Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company has until February 25, 2023 or earlier, if an early redemption and liquidation is approved, as discussed above, to consummate a Business Combination. The Company believes that consummation of a suitable merger is highly improbable. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a
13
going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments that might arise as a result of uncertainties about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
3. Public Offering
Public Units
On February 25, 2021, the Company sold 55,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit (the “Units”), including 7,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $550,000,000. Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (the “public shares”), and one-eighth of one redeemable common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrants”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock. Each Warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the Company’s Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the Public Offering and will expire five years after the completion of the Company’s Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. However, if the Company does not complete its Business Combination on or prior to the 24-month period allotted to complete the Business Combination, the Warrants will expire at the end of such period. The Warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Computershare, Inc., as warrant agent, and the Company. The Company did not register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or any state securities law. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act following the completion of the Business Combination covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company paid an upfront underwriting discount of 2.00% ($11,000,000) of the per Unit offering price to the underwriters at the closing of the Public Offering, with an additional fee (the “Deferred Discount”) of 3.50% ($19,250,000) of the per Unit offering price payable upon the Company’s completion of a Business Combination. The Deferred Discount will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its Business Combination. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount.
The public warrants issued as part of the Units are accounted for as liabilities as there are terms and features that do not qualify for equity classification in FASB ASC Topic 815-40 “Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity.” The fair value of the public warrants at December 31, 2021 was a liability of $9,418,750. At September 30, 2022, the fair value has decreased to $825,000. The change in fair value of $8,593,750 is reflected as a gain in the statements of operations.
All of the 55,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Given that the Class A Common Stock was issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., public warrants), the initial carrying value of Class A Common Stock classified as temporary equity is the allocated proceeds based on the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 470-20, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options.”
Our Class A Common Stock is subject to SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99. If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, the Company has the option to either accrete changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance (or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later) to the earliest redemption date of the instrument or to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The Company has elected to recognize the changes immediately. The accretion or remeasurement is treated as a deemed dividend (i.e., a reduction to retained earnings, or in absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital).
14
As of September 30, 2022, the Class A Common Stock reflected on the balance sheet are reconciled in the following table.
| | As of September 30, 2022 | |
Gross proceeds | | $ | | 550,000,000 | |
Less: | | | | | |
Proceeds allocated to public warrants | | | | (10,862,500 | ) |
Class A shares issuance costs | | | | (30,175,991 | ) |
Plus: | | | | | |
Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | | | | 41,038,491 | |
Increase in redemption value to $10.004 per Class A common stock subject to redemption | | | | 268,166 | |
Contingently redeemable Class A Common Stock | | $ | | 550,268,166 | |
4. Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 Founder Shares for $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. On February 22, 2021, the Sponsor transferred 25,000 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s three independent directors at their original purchase price. On February 25, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend with respect to its Founder Shares of 2,300,000 shares thereof. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A Common Stock included in the Units being sold in the Public Offering except that the Founder Shares are convertible under the circumstances described below. The Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to 1,800,000 Founder Shares depending on the extent to which the underwriters exercised the remaining portion of their over-allotment option. On April 8, 2021, the Sponsor forfeited 50,000 Founder Shares following the expiration of the unexercised portion of underwriters’ over-allotment option, so that the Founder Shares held by the Initial Stockholders would represent 20.0% of the outstanding shares of common stock. At September 30, 2022, there was an aggregate of 13,750,000 Founder Shares outstanding. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A Common Stock included in the Units being sold in the Public Offering except that the Founder Shares are convertible under the circumstances described below. The Founder Shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of the Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described in the Company’s certificate of incorporation.
The sale of the Founders Shares is in the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The Founders Shares were granted subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founders Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence under the applicable accounting literature in this circumstance. As of September 30, 2022, the Company determined that a Business Combination is not considered probable, and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized. Stock-based compensation would be recognized at the date a Business Combination is considered probable (i.e., upon consummation of a Business Combination) in an amount equal to the number of Founders Shares that ultimately vest multiplied times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founders Shares.
Private Placement Warrants
The Sponsor has purchased from the Company an aggregate of 4,333,333 whole warrants at a price of $3.00 per warrant (a purchase price of approximately $13,000,000) in a private placement that occurred simultaneously with the Public Offering (the “Private Placement Warrants”). Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account pending completion of the Business Combination.
15
The Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public warrants sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants may be physical (cash) or net share (cashless) settled and are not redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.
If the Company does not complete a Business Combination, then the Private Placement Warrants proceeds will be part of the liquidation distribution to the public stockholders and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. Consistent with the public warrants, the private warrants are accounted for as liabilities under ASC Topic 814-40, due to their terms.
Registration Rights
The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, have registration rights (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion of such shares to common shares) pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into by the Company, the Sponsor and the other security holders named therein on February 25, 2021. These holders will also have certain demand and “piggy back” registration rights. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Sponsor Loan
Prior to the completion of the Public Offering, the Sponsor loaned the Company an aggregate of $300,000 by the issuance of an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”) issued by the Company in favor of the Sponsor to cover organization expenses and expenses related to the Public Offering. The Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of January 31, 2022 or the completion of the Public Offering. The Note was repaid upon completion of the Public Offering.
On March 19, 2021, the Sponsor made available to the Company a loan of up to $4,000,000 pursuant to a promissory note issued by the Company to the Sponsor. The proceeds from the note will be used for on-going operational expenses and certain other expenses in connection with the Business Combination. The note is unsecured, non-interest bearing and matures on the earlier of: (i) February 11, 2023 or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates the Business Combination. As of September 30, 2022, the amount advanced by Sponsor to the Company was $1,700,000.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with our Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $3.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in the Trust Account.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company entered into an administrative services agreement pursuant to which it agreed to pay to an affiliate of the Sponsor $20,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial support. Services commenced on February 23, 2021 (the date the securities were first listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market) and will terminate upon the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid the affiliate $180,000. For the period commencing February 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022, the Company has paid the affiliate $384,286.
16
5. Deferred Underwriting Compensation
The Company is committed to pay a deferred underwriting discount totaling $19,250,000 or 3.50% of the gross offering proceeds of the Public Offering, to the underwriters upon the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount, and no Deferred Discount is payable to the underwriters if there is no Business Combination.
6. Income Taxes
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on applying an estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date income, plus any significant unusual or infrequently occurring items which are recorded in the interim period. The Company’s effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the fair value on instruments treated as debt for GAAP and equity for tax purposes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, for 2021 and 2022.
The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in various jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is obtained, additional information becomes known or as the tax environment changes.
The Company has evaluated tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the financial statements to determine if the tax positions are “more likely than not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more likely than not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. The Company has concluded that there was no impact related to uncertain tax positions on the results of its operations for the period ended September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company’s conclusions regarding tax positions will be subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analyses of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
7. Fair Value Measurement
The Company complies with ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually. ASC 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Warrants
The Company has determined that warrants issued in connection with its initial public offering in February 2021 are subject to treatment as a liability. The Company utilized a Monte Carlo simulation methodology to value the warrants for periods prior to public warrant trading and observable transactions for subsequent periods, with changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations. The estimated fair value of the warrant liability is determined using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The key assumptions in the option pricing model utilized are assumptions related to expected share-price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The expected volatility as of the IPO Closing Date and March 31, 2021 was derived from observable public warrant pricing on comparable ‘blank-check’ companies that went public in close proximity to the Company’s IPO Closing Date. At September 30, 2022, there were observable transactions in the Company’s public warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the interpolated U.S. Constant Maturity Treasury yield. The expected term of the warrants is assumed to be six months until the close of a Business Combination, and the contractual five year term subsequently. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero. At September 30, 2022, the Public Warrants had adequate trading volume to provide a reliable indication of value. The Public Warrants were valued at $0.12 per warrant at September 30, 2022. The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was deemed to be equal to the fair value of the Public Warrants because the Private Placement Warrants have similar terms and are subject to substantially the same redemption features as the Public Warrants.
17
Subsequent Measurement
The Warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The subsequent measurement of the Public and Private Warrants as of September 30, 2022, is classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, due to the use of both observable inputs in an active market as well as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities.
As of September 30, 2022, the aggregate values of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants were $0.52 million and $0.83 million, respectively, based on the closing price of GSEVW on that date of $0.12.
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate values of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants were $5.9 million and $9.4 million, respectively, based on the closing price of GSEVW on that date of $1.37.
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities:
| Private placement warrants | | | Public warrants | | | Total warrant liabilities | |
Fair value at December 31, 2021 | | 5,936,666 | | | | 9,418,750 | | | $ | 15,355,416 | |
Change in fair value | | (5,416,666 | ) | | | (8,593,750 | ) | | | (14,010,416 | ) |
Fair value at September 30, 2022 | | 520,000 | | | | 825,000 | | | $ | 1,345,000 | |
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability:
| | | | | | | | | | | | Significant | | | Significant | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Other | | | Other | |
| | | | | | | Quoted Prices in | | | Observable | | | Unobservable | |
| | September 30, | | | Active Markets | | | Inputs | | | Inputs | |
Description | | 2022 | | | (Level 1) | | | (Level 2) | | | (Level 3) | |
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other Investments Held in Trust Account | | $ | | 550,504,666 | | | $ | | 550,504,666 | | | $ | | — | | | $ | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative warrant liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Public warrants | | | | (825,000 | ) | | | | (825,000 | ) | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Private placement warrants | | | | (520,000 | ) | | | | — | | | | | (520,000 | ) | | | | — | |
8. Common and Preferred Stock
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 440,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 40,000,000 shares of Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock and vote together as a single class. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 55,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 13,750,000 shares of Class F common stock issued and outstanding.
18
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
9. Risk and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. Additionally, various social and political circumstances in the U.S. and around the world (including wars and other forms of conflict, including rising trade tensions between the United States and China, and other uncertainties regarding actual and potential shifts in the U.S. and foreign, trade, economic and other policies with other countries, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and global health epidemics), may also contribute to increased market volatility and economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. Specifically, the rising conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and resulting market volatility could adversely affect the Company’s ability to complete a business combination. In response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. and other countries have imposed sanctions or other restrictive actions against Russia. Any of the above factors, including sanctions, export controls, tariffs, trade wars and other governmental actions, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to complete a business combination and the value of the Company’s securities. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “2022 Proposed Rules”) relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. The 2022 Proposed Rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, and certain positions and legal conclusions expressed by the SEC in connection with the 2022 Proposed Rules, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our Business Combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
10. Subsequent Events
Management has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 10, 2022, noting no items which require adjustment or disclosure other than those set forth in the preceding notes to the financial statements.
19
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q including, without limitation, statements under this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or the Company’s management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in our filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on September 14, 2020 as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effecting a Business Combination with one or more target businesses. We completed our Public Offering on February 25, 2021.
We presently have no revenue, have had losses since inception from incurring formation costs and have had no operations other than the active solicitation of a target business with which to complete a business combination.
Recent Developments
Special Meeting to allow early redemption and liquidation
On November 3, 2022, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement relating to a special meeting of shareholders to approve (i) an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter Amendment Proposal”) and (ii), an amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated February 25, 2021, by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A, as trustee (the “Trust Amendment Proposal” and together with the Charter Amendment Proposal, the “Proposals”), which would, if implemented, allow the Company to redeem all of its outstanding Public Shares in advance of the Company’s contractual expiration date of February 25, 2023 by changing the date by which the Company must cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (a “Business Combination”) from February 25, 2023 to the later of the date of the special meeting of the stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) or the date of effectiveness of the Charter Amendment (the “Amended Termination Date”).
If the Proposals are approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will immediately after the Special Meeting, cease all operations, except for the purpose of winding up and as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem all Public Shares (the “Mandatory Redemption”). As promptly as reasonably possible following such Mandatory Redemption, and subject to the approval of the Company’s then remaining stockholders and the Board, in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Pursuant to the amended and restated certificate, a Public Stockholder shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will be obligated to
20
redeem all Public Shares as promptly as reasonably possible after the Amended Termination Date. Therefore, no action is required by our Public Stockholders to redeem their Public Shares. If the Proposals are approved, the Public Shares will be automatically redeemed as part of the Mandatory Redemption.
Deferred Underwriting Commission
In accordance with the terms of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the initial public offering, because we will not consummate an initial Business Combination, the Deferred Discount will be included in the distribution of the proceeds held in the Trust Account made to the Public Shareholders upon liquidation. In connection with such liquidation, the underwriters forfeit any rights or claims to the deferred underwriting commission.
Going Concern Consideration
If the Company does not complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, the Company would (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the common stock sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, 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 franchise and income taxes payable and less up to $100,000 of such net interest which may be distributed to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption would completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per unit in the Public Offering. In addition, if the Company fails to complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, there will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the warrants, which will expire worthless.
In addition, at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had current liabilities of $5,246,255 and $19,087,962, respectively, and a working capital deficit of ($3,764,006) and ($17,661,205), the balances of which are primarily related to warrants we have recorded as liabilities as described in Notes 2 and 3. Other amounts are related to accrued expenses owed to professionals, consultants, advisors and others who are working on seeking a Business Combination as described in Note 1. Additionally, the warrant liability will not impact the Company’s liquidity until a Business Combination has been consummated, as they do not require cash settlement until such event has occurred.
In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board's Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company has until February 25, 2023 to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain whether the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments that might arise as a result of uncertainties about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Results of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we had net income of $14,354,808 and $601,776, of which $14,010,416 and $4,483,333 is non-cash gain related to the change in fair value of the warrant liability,
21
respectively. Our business activities during the quarter mainly consisted of identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates for a Business Combination. We believe that we have sufficient funds available to complete our efforts to effect a Business Combination with an operating business by February 25, 2023. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our Business Combination.
As indicated in the accompanying unaudited financial statements, at September 30, 2022, we had $1,081,223 in cash and deferred offering costs of $19,250,000. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete our Business Combination will be successful.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 Founder Shares for $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. On February 22, 2021, the Company effected a pro rata stock dividend of an additional 2,300,000 Founder Shares with respect to its Class F Common Stock and on April 8, 2021, the Sponsor forfeited 50,000 Founder Shares to us for no consideration, resulting in an aggregate of 13,750,000 outstanding Founder Shares. The number of Founder Shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of the Public Offering. On February 22, 2021, the Sponsor transferred 25,000 Founder Shares to each of the independent directors at their original purchase price.
On February 25, 2021, the Company consummated its Public Offering of 55,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, including 7,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $550,000,000. On the IPO Closing Date, we completed the private sale of an aggregate of 4,333,333 Private Placement Warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share, to our Sponsor, at a price of $3.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $13,000,000. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions (excluding the Deferred Discount, which amount will be payable upon consummation of the Business Combination, if consummated) and the estimated offering expenses, the total net proceeds from our Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were $552,000,000, of which $550,000,000 (or $10.00 per share sold in the Public Offering) was placed in the Trust Account. The amount of proceeds not deposited in the Trust Account was $2,000,000 at the closing of our Public Offering. Interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account may be released to us to fund our Regulatory Withdrawals, for a maximum of 24 months and/or additional amounts necessary to pay our franchise and income taxes.
Prior to the completion of the Public Offering, the Sponsor loaned the Company an aggregate of $300,000 by the issuance of an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”) issued by the Company in favor of the Sponsor to cover organization expenses and expenses related to the Public Offering. The Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of January 31, 2022 or the completion of the Public Offering. The Note was repaid upon completion of the Public Offering.
On March 19, 2021, the Sponsor made available to the Company a loan of up to $4,000,000 pursuant to a promissory note issued by the Company to the Sponsor. The proceeds from the note will be used for on-going operational expenses and certain other expenses in connection with the Business Combination. The note is unsecured, non-interest bearing and matures on the earlier of: (i) February 11, 2023 or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates the Business Combination. As of September 30, 2022, the amount advanced by Sponsor to the Company was $1,700,000.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had cash held outside of the Trust Account of approximately $1,081,223 and $323,050, respectively, which is available to fund our working capital requirements. Additionally, interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account may be released to us to fund our Regulatory Withdrawals, subject to an annual limit of $900,000, for a maximum of 24 months and/or additional amounts necessary to pay our franchise and income taxes.
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had current liabilities of $5,246,255 and $19,087,962 and a working capital deficit of ($3,764,006) and ($17,661,205), respectively, the balances of which are
22
primarily related to warrants we have recorded as liabilities. Other amounts are related to accrued expenses owed to professionals, consultants, advisors and others who are working on seeking a Business Combination. Additionally, the warrant liability will not impact the Company’s liquidity until a Business Combination has been consummated, as they do not require cash settlement until such event has occurred.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of Regulatory Withdrawals and taxes payable) to consummate our Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete a Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of shares of our Class A Common Stock upon completion of a Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our Business Combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following our Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to consummate our Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in our Trust Account, if any, will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategy. Following the closing of a Business Combination, we do not expect there to be remaining proceeds in our Trust Account.
With regard to the SEC’s investment company proposals included in the 2022 Proposed Rules (as defined below), to mitigate the risk of being viewed as operating as an unregistered investment company (including pursuant to the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), we intend to, on or prior to the 18-month anniversary of the effective date of our registration statement relating to the Public Offering, instruct Computershare, Inc., the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash until the earlier of consummation of our Business Combination or liquidation. As a result, following such liquidation, we will likely receive minimal interest, if any, on the funds held in the Trust Account, which would reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we did not have any long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or long-term liabilities. In connection with the Public Offering, we entered into an administrative services agreement to pay monthly recurring expenses of $20,000 to The Gores Group for office space, utilities and secretarial support. The administrative services agreement terminates upon the earlier of the completion of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company.
The underwriters are entitled to underwriting discounts and commissions of 5.5%, of which 2.0% ($11,000,000) was paid at the closing of the Public Offering, and 3.5% ($19,250,000) was deferred. The Deferred Discount will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is a broad term for the risk of economic loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of a financial instrument. These changes may be the result of various factors, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and/or equity prices. Our business activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, consisted solely of organizational activities and activities relating to our Public Offering and the identification of a target company for our Business Combination. As of September 30, 2022, $550,504,666 (including accrued interest and dividends and subject to reduction by the Deferred Discount due at the consummation of the Business Combination) was held in the Trust Account for the purposes of consummating our Business Combination. As of September 30, 2022, investment securities in the Company’s Trust Account consist of $550,504,666 in cash. As of September 30, 2022, the effective annualized rate of return generated by our investments was approximately .0379%.
We have not engaged in any hedging activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We do not expect to engage in any hedging activities with respect to the market risk to which we are exposed.
23
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2022. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective. While we have processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements, we have enhanced our system of evaluating and implementing the accounting standards that apply to our financial statements, including through enhanced analyses by our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
24
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this report are any of the risks described in our prospectus filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.
As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our prospectus filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021, or our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022 except for the below.
If our stockholders do not approve the proposed amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and investment management trust agreement at our upcoming Special Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, and we are not able to redeem all issued and outstanding Public Shares in calendar year 2022, the Excise Tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may decrease the value of our securities, hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination, and decrease the amount of funds available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of a liquidation or in connection with redemptions of our common stock after December 31, 2022.
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by publicly traded U.S. corporations and certain U.S. subsidiaries of publicly traded non-U.S. corporations beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Excise Tax”). Because we are a Delaware corporation and our securities trade on NASDAQ, we are a “covered corporation” within the meaning of the Inflation Reduction Act. While not free from doubt, absent any further guidance from Congress or the U.S. Department of the Treasury, there is significant risk that the Excise Tax will apply to any redemptions of our common stock 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. 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. Consequently, the value of your investment in our securities may decrease as a result of the Excise Tax. Further, the application of the Excise Tax in the event of a liquidation after December 31, 2022 is uncertain and could impact the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation.
We will mail to stockholders of record as of November 22, 2022 a proxy statement for the Special Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, to vote upon proposals to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and investment management trust agreement to accelerate into 2022 the date by which we must cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up if we fail to complete a Business Combination, and to change the date on which Computershare, Inc. must commence liquidation of the trust account established in connection with our IPO. This would permit us to redeem early all issued and outstanding Public Shares to return the funds to our Public Stockholders in calendar year 2022 before the Excise Tax begins to apply to stock repurchases and redemptions in 2023. If our stockholders do not approve the proposals, and we are unable to complete a Business Combination on or before February 25, 2023, we will dissolve and liquidate in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, redemptions may be subject to the Excise Tax and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation could be impacted.
25
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 are 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 Business Combination, and results of operations.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “2022 Proposed Rules”) relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. The 2022 Proposed Rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, and certain positions and legal conclusions expressed by the SEC in connection with the 2022 Proposed Rules, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our Business Combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
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 Business Combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including, without limitation, restrictions on the nature of our investments, restrictions on the issuance of securities, and restrictions on the enforceability of agreements entered into by us, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our Business Combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including, without limitation, registration as an investment company with the SEC (which may be impractical and would require significant changes in, among other things, our capital structure); adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and compliance with other rules and regulations that we are currently not subject to.
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 is to identify and complete a 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.
The 2022 Proposed Rule under the Investment Company Act would provide a safe harbor for SPACs from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, provided that they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. The duration component of the proposed safe harbor rule would require a SPAC to file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC announcing that it has entered into an agreement with the target company (or companies) to engage in an initial business combination no later than 18 months after the effective date of the SPAC’s registration statement for its initial public offering. The SPAC would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of its registration statement for its initial public offering. Although the 2022 Proposed Rules, including the proposed safe harbor rule, have not yet been adopted, there is uncertainty in the SEC’s view of the applicability of the Investment Company Act to a SPAC that does not complete its initial business
26
combination within the proposed time frame set forth in the proposed safe harbor rule or otherwise falls outside of the other provisions of the safe harbor.
We will not have entered into a definitive business combination agreement within 18 months after the effective date of our registration statement relating to the Public Offering, and may not complete our Business Combination within 24 months of such date. As a result, it is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company. If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we might be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate. If we are required to liquidate, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning stock in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our stock and warrants following such a transaction, and our warrants would expire worthless.
We do not believe that our principal activities currently subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust account have been invested only 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 do not believe we are an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The Public Offering was not intended for persons 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 primary business objective, which is a business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window; and (iii) absent a business combination, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public stockholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. Because we have invested only in permitted instruments, we believe we are not an investment company.
To mitigate the risk of us being deemed to have been operating as an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), prior to the 18-month anniversary of the effective date of our registration statement relating to the Public Offering, in August 2022, we instructed Computershare, Inc., the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash until the earlier of consummation of our Business Combination or liquidation. As a result, following such liquidation, we will likely receive minimal interest, if any, on the funds held in the Trust Account, which would reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Unregistered Sales
On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 Founder Shares for $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. On February 22, 2021, the Company effected a pro rata stock dividend of an additional 2,300,000 Founder Shares with respect to its Class F Common Stock and on April 8, 2021, the Sponsor forfeited 50,000 Founder Shares to us for no consideration, resulting in an aggregate of 13,750,000 outstanding Founder Shares. The number of Founder Shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of the Public Offering. On February 22, 2021, the Sponsor transferred 25,000 Founder Shares to each of the independent directors at their original purchase price.
On IPO Closing Date, we completed the private sale of an aggregate of 4,333,333 Private Placement Warrants to our Sponsor at a price of $3.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating total proceeds, before expenses, of $13,000,000. The Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of
27
the public warrants sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants may be physical (cash) or net share (cashless) settled and are not redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than our Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Warrants.
The sales of the above securities by the Company were exempt from registration in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Use of Proceeds
On February 22, 2021, our registration statement on Form S‑1 (File No. 333-252272) was declared effective by the SEC for the Public Offering pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 55,000,000 Units at an offering price to the public of $10.00 per Unit, including 7,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of its over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $550,000,000.
After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions (excluding the Deferred Discount, which amount will be payable upon the consummation of our Business Combination, if consummated), the total net proceeds from our Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were $552,000,000, of which $550,000,000 (or $10.00 per share sold in the Public Offering) was placed in the Trust Account in the United States maintained by the trustee.
Through September 30, 2022, we incurred approximately $30,783,975 for costs and expenses related to the Public Offering. At the IPO Closing Date, we paid a total of $11,000,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions. In addition, the underwriters agreed to defer $19,250,000 in underwriting commissions, which amount will be payable upon consummation of our Business Combination, if consummated. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our Public Offering as described in our final prospectus dated February 24, 2021 which was filed with the SEC.
Our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, that we will have until February 25, 2023 to complete our Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our Business Combination by February 25, 2023, 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 our Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
As of September 30, 2022, after giving effect to our Public Offering and our operations subsequent thereto, approximately $550,504,666 was held in the Trust Account, and we had approximately $1,081,223 of unrestricted cash available to us for our activities in connection with identifying and conducting due diligence of a suitable Business Combination, and for general corporate matters.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
28
Item 5. Other Information
None.
29
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q.
Exhibit Number | | Description |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021). |
| | |
3.2 | | By Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 filed with the Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on January 20, 2021). |
| | |
4.1 | | Specimen Unit Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on January 20, 2021). |
| | |
4.2 | | Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on January 20, 2021). |
| | |
4.3 | | Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed with the Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on January 20, 2021). |
| | |
4.4 | | Warrant Agreement, dated February 25, 2021, between the Company and Computershare, Inc., as warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021). |
| | |
31.1* | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a‑14(a) and 15d‑14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2* | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a‑14(a) and 15d‑14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1** | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.2** | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
| | |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
| | |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| | |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
** Furnished herewith.
30
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC. |
| | | |
Date: November 10, 2022 | By: | | /s/ Mark Stone |
| | | Mark Stone |
| | | Chief Executive Officer |
| | | (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer) |
31