Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 3,500,000 private placement units (the “Novator Private Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Novator Private Placement Unit in a private placement to the Sponsor, directors, and executive officers of the Company, generating gross proceeds of $35,000,000. In addition, the Company consummated the sale of 4,266,667 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Novator Capital Sponsor Ltd., or Novator, an affiliate of Novator Capital Ltd. (the “Sponsor”) and certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers, generating gross proceeds of $6,400,000, which is described in Note 4.
Director Services Agreement and Director Compensation
On October 15, 2021, Merger Sub entered into a Director’s Services Agreement (the “DSA”) by and among Merger Sub, Caroline Jane Harding (the “Director”), and the Company, effective as of May 10, 2021. Under the terms of the DSA, the Director is to provide services to Merger Sub which include acting as a non-executive director and president and secretary of Merger Sub in consideration of $50,000 of annual payments (and in certain circumstances an incremental hourly fee of $500). On October 29, 2021, the DSA was amended and was ratified by Compensation Committee on November 3, 2021. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $50,000 and $0 was accrued, and as of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, $50,000 and $0 was expensed.
In addition, with respect to Ms. Harding, our Company remunerates her for professional services rendered to our Company in her role as chief financial officer of at the rate of $10,000 per month and for her service on our board of directors at the rate of $15,000 per year, an incremental hourly fee in certain circumstances of $500. Additionally, Ms.Harding received a $50,000 payment on March 21, 2021 in contemplation of her services to Aurora and will receive a $75,000 payment on the earlier of March 21, 2023 or the date on which Aurora is liquidated. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $0 and $100,000 was accrued and as of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, $67,500 and $122,500 was expensed for these services. If we do not have sufficient funds to make the payments due to Ms. Harding as set forth herein professional services provided by her, we may borrow funds from our sponsor or an affiliate of the initial shareholders or certain of our directors and officers to enable us to make such payments.
Promissory Note from Related Party
On May 11th, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”) to the Sponsor (“Payee”), pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000. The Note was non-interest bearing and payable by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by the Company to such account as the Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provision of the Note. This Note amended and restated in its entirety that certain Promissory Note dated as of December 9, 2020 (the “Prior Note”) issued by the Company to the Payee in the principal amount of $300,000. On February 23rd, 2022 this note was again amended and restated pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000.
Should the Company’s operating costs, in relation to its proposed business combination, exceed the amounts still available and not currently drawn under the promissory note, the Sponsor shall increase the amount available under the promissory note to cover such costs, subject to an aggregate cap of $12,000,000. This amount would be reflective of estimated total costs of the Company through August 15, 2023 in relation to the business combination, in the event the business combination is unsuccessful. In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination within 24 months from the consummation of the IPO, we can seek an extension (with no limit to such extension) provided we have our shareholder approval. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 the amount outstanding under the Promissory Note is $2,312,395 and $1,412,295.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.