As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________________
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_____________________________
Alpine Acquisition Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________
Delaware | | 6770 | | 86-1957639 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
10141 N. Canyon View Lane
Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268
(703) 899-1028
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
_____________________________
Kim Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer
10141 N. Canyon View Lane
Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268
(703) 899-1028
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service
_____________________________
Copies to:
David Alan Miller, Esq. Jeffrey M. Gallant, Esq. Graubard Miller 405 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10174 (212) 818-8800 (212) 818-8881 — Facsimile | | | | Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq. David J. Levine, Esq. Loeb & Loeb LLP 345 Park Avenue New York, New York 10154 (212) 407-4000 (212) 407-4990 — Facsimile |
_____________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | Large accelerated filer | | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | | ☐ |
| | Non-accelerated filer | | ☒ | | Smaller reporting company | | ☒ |
| | | | | | Emerging growth company | | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Security Being Registered | | Amount Being Registered | | Proposed maximum Offering Price per Security(1) | | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) | | Amount of Registration Fee |
Units, each consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and one-half of one Warrant(2)(3) | | 11,500,000 | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 115,000,000 | | $ | 12,546.50 | |
Shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, included as part of the Units(3) | | 11,500,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | (4) |
Warrants included as part of the Units(3) | | 5,750,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | (4) |
Shares of common stock underlying warrants included in Units | | 5,750,000 | | $ | 11.50 | | | 66,125,000 | | | 7,214.24 | |
Total | | | | | | | $ | 181,125,000 | | $ | 19,760.74 | |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, JULY 21, 2021 |
$100,000,000
Alpine Acquisition Corporation
10,000,000 Units
Alpine Acquisition Corporation is a Delaware blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with our company. As described further below, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus, Inc. (“Two Bit Circus”), a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company that is affiliated with certain members of our management team, concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. We are offering 10,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as “warrants” or the “public warrants.” Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Each warrant will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of an initial business combination, and will expire five years after the completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.
We have also granted Maxim Group LLC, or Maxim, the representative of the underwriters, a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units (over and above the 10,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding shares of common stock that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to as our “public shares.”
We have 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 18 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus) to consummate our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the above time period, we will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses, pro rata to our public stockholders by way of the redemption of their shares and to cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. In such event, the warrants will expire and be worthless.
Our sponsor, Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC, has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 4,925,000 warrants (or up to 5,412,500 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,925,000 ($5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Such purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these warrants, or “private warrants,” will be placed in the trust account described below.
There is presently no public market for our units, shares of common stock or warrants. We have applied to have our units listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “REVEU” on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading as described in this prospectus, we expect the shares of common stock and warrants will be traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “REVE,” and “REVEW,” respectively; provided that no fractional warrants will be issued and only whole warrants will trade. We cannot assure you that our securities will be approved for listing and, if approved, will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and will therefore be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| | Price to Public | | Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1) | | Proceeds, Before Expenses, to us |
Per Unit | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 0.125 | | $ | 9.875 |
Total | | $ | 100,000,000 | | $ | 1,250,000 | | $ | 98,750,000 |
Upon consummation of the offering, $10.20 per unit sold to the public in this offering (whether or not the over-allotment option has been exercised in full or part) will be deposited into a United States-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released to us until the earlier of (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption rights as described herein or redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.
The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about , 2021.
Sole Book-Running Manager
Maxim Group LLC
___________, 2021
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SUMMARY
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus:
• references to “we,” “us” or “our company” refer to Alpine Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation;
• references to “founder shares” refer to the 2,875,000 shares of common stock currently held by the initial stockholders (as defined below), which include up to an aggregate of 375,000 shares of common stock subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part;
• references to our “initial stockholders” refer to our sponsor and any other holder of founder shares, including our officers, directors and advisors;
• references to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors;
• references to “private warrants” refer to the warrants our sponsor are purchasing privately from us in a private placement concurrent with this offering, as well as any warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans;
• references to our “public shares” refer to shares of common stock which are being sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market) and references to “public stockholders” refer to the holders of our public shares, including our initial stockholders to the extent our initial stockholders purchase public shares, provided that their status as “public stockholders” shall exist only with respect to such public shares;
• references to the “representative shares” refer to the ____ shares to be issued to the representative and/or its designees upon closing of this offering;
• references to our “sponsor” refer to Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company affiliated with certain of our officers and directors;
• references to “Two Bit Circus” are to Two Bit Circus, Inc., a Delaware corporation that is affiliated with certain members of our management team; and
• references to our “warrants” or “public warrants” refer to the warrants which are being sold as part of the units in this offering.
Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
General
We are a Delaware blank check company formed on February 8, 2021 for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic location. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with our company. As described further below, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus, a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company that is affiliated with certain members of
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our management team, concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. While we may pursue an initial business combination with a company in any sector, and in any stage of its corporate evolution, we intend to focus our search on drive-to destination hotels, digital entertainment and gaming, and lodging technology businesses, which complements the expertise of our management team, directors and advisors.
Alpine Consolidated
Our sponsor, Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC, is an entity affiliated with Alpine Consolidated. Alpine Consolidated is a private venture investing firm founded in 1996 by Elan Blutinger and D. Fraser Bullock with a focus on identifying and creating new entities in emerging segments in leisure travel where technology can accelerate growth and develop new business models. Alpine Consolidated would then capitalize these businesses through public equity markets. It has created business leaders in fragmented industries by backing and working with disciplined and practical innovators with strong operating histories that have developed new leisure travel and technology businesses. Since 1996, team members and advisors of Alpine Consolidated have experience as founders, investors and/or management (including board members) in a number of public and private companies, including Travel Services International (NASDAQ: TRVL), Resortquest International (NYSE: RZT), Hotels.Com (NASDAQ: ROOM), Online travel Company (LSE AIM: LSE). Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF), Orbitz (NASDAQ: ORBZ), YouBet (NASDAQ: UBET), and Angie’s List (NASDAQ: ANGI). Alpine Consolidated’s privately-held ventures include VacationLink (acquired by Kinderhook Industries), AudioNow (acquired by Zeno Media), Espresoh Tech [acquired by Alpine Consolidated), SIM Partners (acquired by Reputation.com), Signal Digital (a Transunion company) and ParkWhiz (now Arrive Mobility, Inc.).
Alpine Consolidated was founded on the idea that identifying and building new business models in leisure travel and hospitality, given the accelerating impact of technology on travel, succeeds by bringing together a talented group of individuals that make up the various parts of the changing leisure travel industry. Today, Alpine Consolidated’s management and advisors are highly experienced, former and current business operators, and investors, with proven track records and deep experience in the following fields:
• Technology-based family entertainment
• Lodging finance, development, and technology
• Entertainment businesses focused on millennial families
• Consumer branding and standardization
• User-experience and mobile product design and development
• Cross-platform technology integration
• Real estate based family entertainment and marketing
• Large-scale commercial real estate development
• Capital markets
• Risk management
• Intellectual property
The result is a team that we believe is unique in the entertainment, travel and hospitality industry in both composition, experience and breadth of skills.
Alpine Consolidated typically operates as a venture investor by first identifying opportunities and then bringing to bear its collective skills, knowledge and judgment to evaluate them. Once an opportunity is selected, Alpine Consolidated makes it available to its advisors and investors who can contribute capital and engage with the target’s management to provide hands-on support and access to Alpine Consolidated’s networks. Alpine Consolidated’s team members and advisors typically become highly engaged with the target opportunity as needed. Some or all of Alpine Consolidated’s management and advisors will likely become investors in ventures it elects to back.
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We intend to utilize the Alpine Consolidated platform to help affect a business combination including the firm’s resources in sourcing, research, analytics, diligence, underwriting, structuring and execution. We believe that Alpine Consolidated’s reputation, experience, access, and network are well-suited to take advantage of the current and future opportunities present in the lodging, entertainment, and technology industries. Alpine Consolidated has a powerful network in our target industries.
Business Strategy and Target Industries
Our objective is to create, through a business combination, a new scalable family entertainment brand that is focused on millennials, currently the largest segment of travelers. We believe the last regional brand that was focused on families, which is an underserved, profitable and loyal market, was Great Wolf Lodge, which was launched 25 years ago. We intend to try to develop a similar type of family brand through the consummation of our initial business combination, targeting existing business conference hotels with ample space to support the integration of family-based digital entertainment, which our management team understands and has significant experience working with. We then intend to further enhance stockholder value by identifying and completing additional acquisitions, implementing operational improvements and expanding the targets’ product offerings and geographic footprints into the top 100 markets in North America.
We expect to utilize our management team’s unique experience to simultaneously identify opportunities while staying current with technological advances and consumer preferences. We expect our selection process will leverage our management team’s contacts in the digital entertainment and adjacent lodging sectors, which we believe will provide us with access to attractive business combination opportunities in these sectors.
As a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) focused on drive-to destination hotels, digital entertainment and gaming, and lodging technology businesses, we believe that we are in a unique position to capitalize on the expected recovery and pent-up demand in the top drive to North American markets for safe domestic family-based entertainment.
We believe the use of interactive gaming technology in drive-to destination hotels will drive loyalty, higher rates, and occupancy, and overall strong financial results. There is an underserved market for high-quality family entertainment in the hospitality industry. Through our business combination, we will seek to provide a new family play brand that allows families to drive to their destinations and incorporate social experiences inside guest rooms as well as large entertainment zones. Millennials are now the largest purchaser of consumer services and as “digital natives” expect their experiences to give them a progressively personalized service utilizing the best in entertainment that they are accustomed to.
Hotels were materially and adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Conference Center hotels with a focus on corporate and group travel were even more adversely affected and will have a longer recovery. Our management team believes there currently is a greater opportunity to acquire these hotels and create increased occupancy and rates by offering unique digital entertainment available only to its guests.
Our acquisition and value creation strategy will be to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, build a company that compliments the unique experience of our management team and can benefit from their operational, development and marketing and brand expertise in experience-based regional hotels. Our business combination strategy will be to leverage our management team’s network of relationships, knowledge and experience in these sectors to locate and consummate an initial business combination. We believe that given the operational and investment experience of our management team in the sectors we are focusing on, we are well positioned to identify a target business that can create strong value for its customers.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that we possess several competitive strengths to successfully source, evaluate and execute an initial business combination. We believe that the background, operating history and experience of our management team provides us not only with access to a broad spectrum of investment opportunities, but also with the ability to significantly improve upon the operational and financial performance of a target business.
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Experienced management
Although we may pursue a target business in any stage of its corporate evolution or in any industry, sector or geographic region, we intend to focus our search on drive-to hotels and digital platforms for immersive and experiential entertainment. We currently intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify, acquire and operate a business in these two markets and/or adjacent industries, as well as on the reputation, significant deal-making experience and relationships of our management team to complete an initial business combination. The business executives that comprise our management team are recognized leaders in the family entertainment and hospitality industry. They were involved in the creation, development, operation and evolution of Great Wolf Lodge which became a widely recognized US brand in drive-to family entertainment hotels. In addition, our management team, through long-standing industry relationships, has global access to the operating, venture capital and financial sponsor communities, providing a key portal into a pipeline of potential target acquisition opportunities.
Our management team consists of seasoned industry executives, with proven track records of:
• operating fast growing, location-based digital and technology-based entertainment businesses;
• creating, developing, and operating family entertainment hotels on a national level;
• merging hotel and immersive entertainment into award-winning family favorite destination resorts;
• growing hotel companies, both organically and through acquisitions;
• building local location-based portfolio infrastructure;
• developing businesses focused on millennial family entertainment;
• evaluating key experiential entertainment trends and building innovative hotels with content platforms;
• building cohesive and productive management and operating teams across national markets;
• sourcing, structuring, financing, acquiring and selling businesses;
• fostering relationships with sellers, investors and target management teams; and
• identifying, evaluating, and scaling consumer-facing technology development opportunities and engineering teams
We believe that a target business will benefit from the experience and involvement of our team in the lodging, technology and family entertainment industries to create improved returns in the business we invest in.
Kim Schaefer has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Since 2020, Ms. Schaefer has been the CEO of Two Bit Circus, previously serving as President from 2017 to 2019 and as a consultant from 2015 to 2016. She has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since 2018. From 2005 to 2015, Ms. Schaefer served as an executive officer and a director of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF), most recently as Chief Executive Officer. During Ms. Schaefer’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Great Wolf, she oversaw expansion from a single location to 12 locations spanning both coasts of the US including a site in Canada. Ms. Schaefer currently serves on the board of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV) and SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc (NYSE: SEAS) and previously served on the board of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a collegiate housing REIT.
Elan Blutinger has served as our Chairman of the Board since our inception. Since 1996, Mr. Blutinger has been the Managing Director of Alpine Consolidated, LLC, a firm he co-founded that specializes in consolidating travel and technology companies. Since April 2019, he has also been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Espresoh Tech, a Washington, DC-based, global software product development company, and from 2010 to 2018, AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform for in-language media. From 2004 to 2012, Mr. Blutinger served on the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF). He was previously chairman of VRGateway, an online lodging technology company, from 2004 until its sale to Kinderhook Industries in 2008. From 2000 until 2003, he was a director and chairman of the special committee at Hotels.com (NYSE: HOTEL). Mr. Blutinger was also a founder and director of Resortquest International (NYSE: RQI) from 1997 to 2003, founder
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and director of Travel Services International (NASDAQ: TRVL) from 1996 to 2001, and of London-based Online Travel Services (LSE: OTC) from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Blutinger earned his BA from American University, a Masters Degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a law degree from the Washington College of Law.
Alex Lombardo has served as our Chief Financial Officer since our inception. Mr. Lombardo has over 20 years of finance and development experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries, including capital markets, corporate finance, accounting, financial planning, investor relations, and treasury management. From January 2020 to February 2021, Mr. Lombardo served as the Chief Financial Officer of LTD Hospitality Group. He has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since December 2020. From 2017 to January 2020, Mr. Lombardo served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Development for Two Bit Circus, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Lombardo served in a number of positions with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc (NASDAQ: WOLF) from 2004 to 2017, including Treasurer, SVP of Finance and SVP of Development. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Lombardo served as VP of Finance for Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Inc (NYSE: IHR). Mr. Lombardo earned his BBA degree from James Madison University.
David Goldberg has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2021. Mr. Goldberg is an experienced public company and start-up CEO, board member and advisor with extensive experience in gaming, entertainment and sports. Since March 2017, he has served as a senior adviser to TPG Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. Since December 2018, he has also served as a board member and audit committee chair of GAN Limited (NASDAQ: GAN), the nation’s leading software platform provider for the burgeoning online sports betting and casino space. From April 2014 to April 2018, he was a board and audit committee member at Trans World (OTCQB: TWOC), which operates casinos in the Czech Republic and was sold in mid-2018. From 2013 to September 2016, Mr. Goldberg was Chief Executive Officer of ScoreBig, Inc., owner and operator of ScoreBig.com, which made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors under California law in October 2016. From August 2008 to June 2010, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Youbet.com (Nasdaq: UBET) which was at the time the United States’ largest online wagering company. From October 2010 to July 2012, Mr. Goldberg was co-Chief Executive Officer of Federated Sports and Gaming, Inc. In 2012, Federated filed a petition for voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Howard Silver has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2021. Since 2007, Mr. Silver has been managing his personal investments and serving on various public and private company boards. From 1994 until 2007, Mr. Silver held various positions with Equity Inns, Inc., a former NYSE-listed hospitality REIT, including Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary. Until the sale of Equity Inns to Whitehall Global Real Estate Funds in October 2007, Equity Inns was the largest hotel REIT focused on the upscale extended stay, all suite and midscale limited service segments of the hotel industry. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Silver served as Chief Financial Officer of Alabaster Originals, L.P., a fashion jewellery wholesaler. From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Silver was employed by Ernst & Young LLP and from 1978 to 1985, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, both global accounting firms. Mr. Silver has served as a member of the board of directors of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR) since 2010 and currently serves as its lead independent director. Mr. Silver has also served as an independent director and a member of the audit committee and the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee of CIM Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. (OTC: CMFT) since October 2019, and a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Jernigan Capital, Inc. (NYSE: JCAP), a mortgage REIT focused on lending to self-storage facilities, since April 2015. From January 2014 until the sale of the company in January 2016, he served as a member of the board of directors and as chairman of the audit committee of Landmark Apartment Trust, Inc., a publicly registered, non-listed multifamily REIT, and, from its inception in 2004 through the sale of the company in November 2013, he served as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of CapLease, Inc. (NYSE: LSE), a publicly listed net lease REIT. From 2004 until the sale of the company in May 2012, Mr. Silver also served as a member of the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc (NASDAQ: WOLF).
Alissa Nikki Nolan has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2021. Ms. Nolan has held a variety of senior positions with global leaders involved in the acquisition, planning, development and operation of branded leisure-related real estate for more than 25 years. Since 2009, she has been the principal of Nolan Consulting Services, a consulting firm she founded. Ms. Nolan formerly served as the Director of Global Strategy and Business Development of Tussauds Group/Merlin Entertainment from 2000 to 2007, a non-executive board member of Great Wolf Resorts from 2004 to 2007, and a director and principal of Economics Research Associates (London and Los Angeles) from 1993 to 2000. Ms. Nolan was a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s Advisory Panel for waterfront development in NY in 2009 and is a contributor to numerous leisure and real-estate industry publications.
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Advisors
We currently expect the following individuals to (i) assist us in sourcing, negotiating and consummating a potential business combination, (ii) provide their business insights when we assess potential business combination targets and (iii) upon our request, provide their business insights as we work to create additional value in the businesses that we acquire. However, they have no written advisory agreements with us. Additionally, they have no other employment or compensation arrangements with us. They will not serve on the board or any committee thereof, nor will they have any voting or decision-making capacity on our behalf. They will also not be required to devote any specific amount of time to our efforts or be subject to the fiduciary requirements to which our board members are subject. Accordingly, if they become aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for us, they are under no obligation to introduce it to us before any other prospective acquirer.
Jeffrey N. Pollack is a sports and entertainment business executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience driving catalytic change, growth and innovation for family-owned, private-equity-backed, and corporate-based ventures. He currently serves as the President of the XFL and has held senior leadership roles with the Los Angeles Chargers, World Series of Poker, NASCAR, and the National Basketball Association. He founded The Sports Business Daily in 1994. He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and serves on the Board of Advisors of Alpine Consolidated and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and on the Community Advisory Board of WFUV Radio in New York.
Brent Bushnell is the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Two Bit Circus. Previously, he launched STEAM Carnival, a traveling showcase of high-tech entertainment and student STEAM workshops. The company captured action sports content in 360 degree videos for brands like the NFL, NBA, Indy, and the Olympics for virtual reality activations at the Super Bowl, All Star games, and in retail. Previously, Mr. Bushnell was the on-camera inventor for the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He was a founding member of Syyn Labs which was formed to create stunts for brands like Google and Disney, and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. Brent is board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, a charitable organization, that deploys STEAM-based programs to inspire students about invention and operates annual STEAM Carnivals bringing the excitement of STEM & STEAM to communities around the world. He’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow.
Marcel Barbulescu is a leading and recognized technologist in artificial intelligence and software engineering. He is the Chief Strategy Officer at Alpine Consolidated. Formerly, he served as the President & COO of AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform, with responsibility for finance, technology and operations. Mr. Barbulescu led global technical operations and product strategy for AudioNow from 2008 to its successful sale in 2017. He is currently the President of Espresoh Tech, a Washington DC-based software product development company with operations in the US and Europe. He is the recipient of multiple awards internationally and from US defense agencies, including the US Army War College and Air War College, for his publications and lectures on AI (artificial intelligence) and learning agents for security and military applications.
Fred Malek, Jr. is an entrepreneur, operator, and investor with a primary focus on the broader hospitality industry with several successful exits. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of District Hospitality Partners, an investment company focused on investments in hospitality real estate, hospitality technology, insurance, and the data center verticals. He is also the Founder of Hospitality Benefits, a hospitality insurance consolidation play initially focused on health insurance and related health and wellness offerings for hospitality employees. Mr. Malek has founded, led, and successfully exited several successful ventures. He was the founder and CEO of TIG Global, which became the largest internet marketing company in hospitality and travel (now the hospitality e-commerce services arm for Oracle); Co-founder of Hubs1, one of the largest hospitality reservation system consolidations in China (now owned by Jin Jiang Hotels — the largest hotel company in China); and HotelMe, a hospitality online review platform (now owned by Gannett and USA Today).
Mike Brodsky is the CEO of Options Solutions, LLC, a specialized asset management firm. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PowerFleet, Inc. (PWFL), a manufacturer of sensor technology and software. He served as the CEO and Chairman of two publicly traded companies: Youbet.com, which was acquired by Churchill Downs, and Determine Software, which was acquired by Corcentric, Inc. He served as CFO of a venture-backed travel media company, Away.com, whose brands also included OutsideOnline.com and GORP.com. As an investor and fund manager, Mr. Brodsky worked with the Pritzker Group and other family offices investing and guiding
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public companies and served on the board of directors of seven other public companies, five of which he was chairman. These investments have been in a range of industries, including software and hardware businesses, digital marketing, e-commerce, hospitality, land development, and home building, entertainment, and gaming.
William M. Hodges is Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Hodges Ward Elliott. Bill has been involved in all phases of the firm’s development since its founding in 1975. Hodges Ward Elliott is a fully integrated real estate brokerage and advisory firm historically focused on the hospitality industry, now expanding into all segments of commercial real estate. Hodges Ward Elliot has more than 2,000 hospitality properties sold and/or financed since 1990, totaling nearly $70 billion, with over $26 billion since 2015 alone. Bill has spoken or appeared on panels at the New York University Hotel Investors Conference, Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and REIT Finance Conference. He has also been an Entrepreneurial Studies guest lecturer in the Emory University MBA program. Bill holds a BA degree from LaGrange College, Georgia where he has served as a member of the LaGrange College Board of Trustees for over 21 years (1998 – 2014, 2015 – current) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for seven years (2007 – 2014). In May 2014, Mr. Hodges received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the past performance of our management team, Alpine Consolidated or of their respective affiliates is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s, Alpine Consolidated’s or their respective affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Initial Business Combination
We will have until 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per unit in either case per three-month extension) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the time period described above, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us (net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest that may be used for liquidation 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 of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the warrants will be worthless.
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. We believe the combination of Two Bit Circus and another target business in the entertainment space, under the Two Bit Circus umbrella, will allow the resulting combined company to leverage Two Bit Circus’ existing intellectual property, experienced game and engineering developers and offer significant synergy and long-term value creation opportunities for our investors and serve as a platform for further growth.
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We have not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement with Two Bit Circus, nor have we agreed to valuation or other key terms and conditions with respect to such a possible combination transaction. As a result, even though we intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a merger with Two Bit Circus will occur at all or, if it does, as to the timing or terms thereof. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. In addition, we will likely not consummate a merger with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not complimentary to the Two Bit Circus business. If we pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, a committee of our disinterested directors will negotiate the terms and conditions of such merger (including the valuation of Two Bit Circus) on our behalf. Such committee of disinterested directors would also obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the proposed merger with Two Bit Circus is fair to our company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including with Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus, all as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
Nasdaq rules provide that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. If our securities are not listed on Nasdaq after this offering, we would not be required to satisfy the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if our securities are not listed on Nasdaq at the time of our initial business combination. If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, we will not include the fair market value of Two Bit Circus for purposes of satisfying the 80% fair market value test.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. Similar to our approach with respect to a potential merger with Two Bit Circus, in the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view.
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own shares of common stock and warrants following this offering, and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if
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the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Additionally, each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity, including other blank check companies similar to our company, pursuant to which such officer or director may be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our executive officers will materially affect our ability to complete our business combination. For additional information regarding our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and potential conflicts of interest, see “Management — Directors and Executive Officers” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.
Private Placements
In March 2021, we issued an aggregate of 4,312,500 founder shares to our sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.006 per share. In June 2021, our sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to our capital for no consideration, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. In July 2021, our sponsor transferred an aggregate of 45,000 shares to our advisors at the same price originally paid for such shares. Up to 375,000 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Subject to certain limited exceptions, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private warrants and underlying shares of common stock until after the completion of our initial business combination.
We will also issue to Maxim Group LLC and/or its designees an aggregate of ____ shares of common stock upon closing of this offering, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as the “representative shares,” at a price of $0.0001 per share upon closing of this offering. The representative shares are deemed to be underwriters’ compensation by FINRA pursuant to Rule 5110 of the FINRA Manual.
Corporate Information
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
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We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three year period or revenues exceeds $1.07 billion, or the market value of our shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year.
Our executive offices are located at 10141 N. Canyon View Lane, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 and our telephone number is (703) 899-1028.
The Offering
In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 of this prospectus.
Securities offered | | 10,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. |
Listing of our securities and proposed symbols | | We anticipate the units, and the shares of common stock and warrants once they begin separate trading, will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “REVEU,” “REVE,” and “REVEW,” respectively.
Each of the shares of common stock and warrants may trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless Maxim determines that an earlier date is acceptable; provided that no fractional warrants will be issued and only whole warrants will trade. In no event will Maxim allow separate trading of the shares of common stock and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and the sale of the public units. Once the shares of common stock and warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component pieces. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into shares of common stock and warrants. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, including an audited balance sheet, promptly upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place two business days from the date the units commence trading. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. We will also include in the Current Report, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K, information indicating if Maxim has allowed separate trading of the shares of common stock and warrants prior to the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus. |
Shares of common stock: | | |
Number of issued and outstanding before this offering | | 2,875,000 shares (includes up to an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the over-allotment option is not fully exercised by the underwriters)
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Number to be issued and outstanding after this offering | | 12,500,000 shares (assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares have been forfeited by our sponsor as a result thereof) and _____ representative shares
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Warrants: | | |
Number outstanding before this offering | | 0 warrants
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Number to be outstanding after this offering and sale of private warrants | |
9,925,000 warrants (assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised)
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Exercisability | | Each whole warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock. We will not issue fractional warrants. You must separate your units in multiples of two in order to receive a full warrant. |
Exercise price | | $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. No public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. It is our current intention to have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock in effect promptly following consummation of an initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 90 days following the consummation of our initial business combination, public warrant holders may, until such time as there is such an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain such an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the fair market value by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of exercise. For example, if a holder held 150 warrants to purchase 150 shares and the fair market value on the trading date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 35 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. |
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| | In addition, if (x) we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founders’ shares held by our initial stockholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our shares of common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described below under “Redemption of warrants” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. |
Exercise period | | The warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of an initial business combination. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth anniversary of our completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption. |
Redemption | | We may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant: • at any time while the warrants are exercisable, • upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, • if, and only if, the last sales price of our shares of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending three trading days before we send the notice of redemption, and • if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption. |
| | If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption, each warrant holder can exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the shares of common stock may fall below the $18.00 trigger price (as adjusted) as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price (as adjusted) after the redemption notice is issued. |
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| | The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants. |
| | If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the fair market value by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. For example, if a holder held 150 warrants to purchase 150 shares and the fair market value on the trading date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 35 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our shares of common stock at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances. |
Offering proceeds to be held in the trust account | | $102,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private warrants (or $117,300,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), or $10.20 per unit sold to the public in this offering in either case, will be placed in a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus.
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| | The proceeds to be placed in the trust account include up to $3,500,000 (or up to $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions and $4,925,000 (or up to $5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) we will receive from the sale of the private warrants. The remaining estimated $750,000 of net proceeds of this offering (after deducting offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) will not be held in the trust account. |
| | Except as set forth below, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of: (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption of public shares or redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. Therefore, unless and until our |
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| | initial business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business. |
| | Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be released to us from the trust account any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we need to pay our income or other tax obligations. With this exception, expenses incurred by us may be paid prior to an initial business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account of approximately $750,000; provided, however, that in order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering if the funds not held in the trust account are insufficient, our initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our initial business combination into additional private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete an initial business combination, the loans will only be repaid with funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available. |
Limited payments to insiders | | There will be no fees, reimbursements or other cash payments paid to our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than the following payments, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private warrants held in the trust account prior to the consummation of our initial business combination: |
| | • repayment at the closing of this offering of non-interest bearing advances in an aggregate amount of $150,000 made by our sponsor; • payment of a $10,000 per month administrative fee to an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and related services; • payment of consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination; • reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations; and • repayment upon consummation of our initial business combination of any loans which may be made by our initial stockholders or their affiliates or our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. |
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| | There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval. |
Stockholder approval of, or tender offer in connection with, initial business combination | |
In connection with any proposed initial business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of such initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, for their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender all of his, her or its shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval.
We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of such business combination and, if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, we may need to have more than $5,000,001 in net tangible assets upon consummation and this may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. |
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| | Our initial stockholders and officers and directors have agreed (i) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (ii) not to redeem any shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or any amendment to our charter prior to the consummation of our initial business combination and (iii) not to sell any shares to us in a tender offer in connection with any proposed business combination. None of our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or shares of common stock from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, or choose to convert their shares, our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence any vote held to approve a proposed initial business combination or to increase the likelihood of satisfying any closing conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of shares of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock, shares or other equity securities. |
Redemption rights | | At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, any public stockholder (whether they are voting for or against such proposed business combination or not voting at all) will be entitled to demand that his, her or its shares of common stock be redeemed for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (initially $10.20 per share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account less amounts necessary to pay our taxes, without taking into account any funds deposited into the trust account in connection with extensions of the period of time to consummate a business combination). The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. We will consummate such transaction only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon such consummation and, solely if we are seeking shareholder approval of the transaction, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares redeemed) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. |
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| | Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 20% or more of the shares of common stock sold in this offering without our prior written consent. We believe this restriction will prevent an individual shareholder or “group” from accumulating large blocks of shares before the vote held to approve a proposed business combination and attempt to use the redemption right as a means to force us or our management to purchase its shares at a significant premium to the then current market price. By limiting a shareholder’s ability to redeem no more than 20% of the shares of common stock sold in this offering, we believe we have limited the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block a transaction, which is favored by our other public stockholders. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those stockholders that hold more than 20% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination. Whether we elect to effectuate our initial business combination via shareholder vote or tender offer, we will require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option prior to the expiration of the tender offer, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery at or prior to the meeting ensures that a holder’s election to redeem his shares is irrevocable once the business combination is approved. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a nominal fee and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders to deliver their shares prior to the vote on the business combination in order to exercise redemption rights. This is because a holder would need to deliver shares to exercise redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to stockholders. |
Liquidation if no business combination | | We have 12 months from the closing of this offering to complete our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust
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| | account $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per unit in either case per three-month extension) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the time period described above, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the 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 holders of shares of common stock and our board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the company, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. |
| | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the allotted time period, we may propose to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the timing by which we must consummate our initial business combination, which proposal must be approved by our stockholders. In such event, our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account if they redeem their shares in connection with such shareholder vote. In connection with our redemption of 100% of our issued and outstanding public shares for a portion of the funds held in the trust account, each public stockholder will receive a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us and less up to $100,000 for liquidation expenses. Holders of warrants will receive no proceeds in connection with the liquidation with respect to such warrants, which will expire worthless. We may not have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims. Although we will seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into valid and enforceable agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. There is also no guarantee that the third parties would not challenge the enforceability of these waivers and bring claims against the trust account for monies owed them. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months if we have extended the period of time as indicated above) and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares. |
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| | The holders of the founder shares and private warrants will not participate in any redemption distribution with respect to their founder shares or private warrants, until all of the claims of any redeeming stockholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account). If we are unable to conclude our initial business combination and we expend all of the net proceeds of this offering not deposited in the trust account, without taking into account any interest earned on the trust account, we expect that the initial per-share redemption price will be approximately $10.20. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our stockholders. In addition, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. Therefore, the actual per-share redemption price may be less than approximately $10.20. We will pay the costs of liquidating the trust account from the up to $100,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that is available to us for liquidation expenses. |
Indemnity | | Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. |
Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section titled “Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:
• Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
• We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within 12 months after the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months as described herein), in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, we would redeem our public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account, and we would liquidate. In such event, our warrants would expire worthless.
• Our public stockholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with each potential three-month extension of time to complete our initial business combination.
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• If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.
• Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
• If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock, you will lose the ability to convert all such shares in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock.
• The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination, may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, or may increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful.
• We may require stockholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their conversion rights.
• If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, which may influence a vote in favor of the business combination and may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange following consummation of such business combination.
• We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, and consequently, an independent source may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to the company or our stockholders from a financial point of view.
• We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock to complete a business combination, which would dilute the interests of our stockholders. Similarly, we may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial indebtedness, to complete a business combination, which may affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.
• Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
• Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other events, and by the status of debt and equity markets.
• As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets.
• Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
• We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
• If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to additional risks relating to the impact of foreign laws, currency risk, tariffs and trade barriers, tax risks, less developed corporate governance standards, and investors may have difficulty in enforcing judgments against us.
• If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with our initial business combination, we will become subject to risks affecting Two Bit Circus’ business.
• Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
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• Our officers and directors presently have fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
• Our officers and directors may have interests in a potential business combination that are different than yours, which may create conflicts of interest.
• You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.
• If third parties bring claims against us, and if our directors decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor or if our sponsor do not have the funds to indemnify us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.20 per share. Further, our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
• You will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our shares of common stock.
• The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry.
• There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
• Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
• Holders of warrants will not participate in liquidating distributions if we are unable to complete an initial business combination. If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, public warrant holders will only be able to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis. Further, we may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
• We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding public warrants.
• Provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to the rights and obligations attaching to our shares of common stock may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination with the approval of the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock attending and voting on such amendment.
• We may not call an annual meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, and accordingly, stockholders will not be afforded an opportunity to appoint directors and discuss company affairs with management until such time.
• We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective. Additionally, since we will have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the successful consummation of this offering, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies, such as Rule 419.
• If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
• We are an emerging growth company and smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
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Summary Financial Data
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data is presented.
| | March 1, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 |
| | Actual | | Actual (unaudited) | | As Adjusted (unaudited) |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Working capital (deficiency) | | $ | (12,425 | ) | | $ | (12,425 | ) | | $ | 86,125,725 |
Total assets | | | 34,650 | | | | 184,650 | | | | 103,272,225 |
Total liabilities | | | 12,425 | | | | 162,425 | | | | 17,146,500 |
Value of shares subject to redemption | | | — | | | | — | | | | 81,125,720 |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 22,225 | | | | 22,225 | | | | 5,000,005 |
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Searching for and Consummating a Business Combination
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As of March 31, 2021, we had cash of $150,000 and a working capital deficiency of $12,425. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.
The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months if we extend the time to consummate an initial business combination as described herein) may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination and may limit the amount of time we have to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to consummate our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our stockholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning our initial business combination will be aware that we must consummate our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months if we extend the time as described herein). Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.
We must complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months if we extend the time as described herein). We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our certificate of incorporation and prior to any voluntary winding up.
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If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months of the closing of this offering (or 18 months if we have extended the time as described herein), our public stockholders may be forced to wait beyond such period of time before redemption from our trust account.
We have 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months as described herein) in which to complete a business combination. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to such date unless we consummate a business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to convert or sell their shares to us. Only after the expiration of this full time period will public security holders be entitled to distributions from the trust account if we are unable to complete a business combination. Accordingly, investors’ funds may be unavailable to them until after such date and to liquidate your investment, public security holders may be forced to sell their public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.
We will either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public stockholders may seek to convert their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or don’t vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this prospectus. Accordingly, it is possible that we will consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination we consummate. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. For instance, Nasdaq rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a stockholder meeting but would still require us to obtain stockholder approval if we were seeking to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares to a target business as consideration in any business combination. Therefore, if we were structuring a business combination that required us to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares, we would seek stockholder approval of such business combination instead of conducting a tender offer.
Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more target businesses. Because our board of directors may consummate our initial business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public stockholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 20% of our shares of common stock.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in this offering. Your inability to redeem more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in this offering will reduce your influence over our ability to consummate our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss
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on your investment in us if you sell such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 20% and, in order to dispose of such shares, you would be required to sell your shares in open market transaction, potentially at a loss.
Our initial stockholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon closing of this offering and the private placement, our initial stockholders will own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 375,000 founder shares by our sponsor as a result thereof). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our certificate of incorporation. If our initial stockholders purchase any units in this offering or if they purchase any additional shares of common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our sponsor nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, has any current intention to purchase additional securities. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our shares of common stock. In addition, our board of directors, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only one-third of the board of directors will be considered for appointment and our initial stockholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial stockholders will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of our initial business combination.
The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into our initial business combination with a target.
We may enter into a transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we may not be able to meet such closing condition, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with such business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Our certificate of incorporation requires us to provide all of our public stockholders with an opportunity to redeem all of their shares in connection with the consummation of any initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination, or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination transaction with us.
The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
In connection with the successful consummation of our initial business combination, we may redeem up to that number of shares of common stock that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. If our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, the redemption threshold may be further limited. Alternatively, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of stockholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to the target or its
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stockholders to make up for the failure to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
The requirement that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete such a business combination with.
Pursuant to the Nasdaq listing rules, the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. This restriction may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete an initial business combination with. If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, we will not include the fair market value of Two Bit Circus for purposes of satisfying the 80% fair market value test. If we are unable to locate a target business or businesses that satisfy this fair market value test, we may be forced to liquidate and you will only be entitled to receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account.
We may be unable to consummate an initial business combination if a target business requires that we have a certain amount of cash at closing, in which case public stockholders may have to remain stockholders of our company and wait until our redemption of the public shares to receive a pro rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.
A potential target may make it a closing condition to our initial business combination that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of the $5,000,001 of net tangible assets we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing. If the number of our public stockholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available to us to consummate an initial business combination below such minimum amount required by the target business and we are not able to locate an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. In that case, public stockholders may have to remain stockholders of our company and wait the full 18 months (assuming we have extended the period of time to consummate an initial business combination as described herein) in order to be able to receive a portion of the trust account, or attempt to sell their shares in the open market prior to such time, in which case they may receive less than they would have in a liquidation of the trust account.
We intend to offer each public stockholder the option to vote in favor of the proposed business combination and still seek redemption of such stockholders’ shares.
In connection with any meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public stockholder (but not our initial stockholders, officers or directors) the right to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed for cash (subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this prospectus) regardless of whether such shareholder votes for or against such proposed business combination or does not vote at all. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where stockholders are offered the right to redeem their shares only when they vote for or against a proposed business combination. This threshold and the ability to seek redemption while voting in favor of a proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.
We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.
We will require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal
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At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination. In order to obtain a physical share certificate, a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical share certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under our certificate of incorporation, we are required to provide at least 10 days advance notice of any meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares, its shares may not be redeemed.
Additionally, despite our compliance with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, stockholders may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem their shares.
Redeeming stockholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.
We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with any proposed business combination to comply with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public stockholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our shares of common stock may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish to, even while other stockholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.
Because of our structure, other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.
We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including private equity groups, venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. Therefore, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking shareholder approval of our initial business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from stockholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.
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The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
Purchases of shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial business combination.
If our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, the public “float” of our shares of common stock and the number of beneficial holders of our securities would both be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of the business combination.
Because we are not limited to any particular business or specific geographic location or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region and in any business industry or sector. Except for the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) and that we are not permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect to our initial business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we consummate our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. An investment in our units may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.
We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity, and consequently, an independent source may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view.
Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, like Two Bit Circus, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Our board of directors will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of the target acquisition. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
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A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
If:
(i) we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per share;
(ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and
(iii) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share,
then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. Potential targets may seek a SPAC that does not have warrants that contain this provision, which may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
Our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
We will be issuing warrants to purchase 5,000,000 of our shares of common stock (or up to 5,750,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), as part of the units offered by this prospectus, and private warrants to purchase 4,925,000 shares of common stock (or up to 5,412,500 shares of common stock if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the private placement, in each case, at a price of $11.50 per share. In addition, our initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, make certain loans to us, up to $1,500,000 of which may be converted upon consummation of our initial business combination into additional private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of common stock). To the extent we issue shares of common stock to effectuate a business transaction, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares of common stock upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock and reduce the value of the shares of common stock issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination, which would dilute the interest of our stockholders and likely present other risks.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination. Although no such issuance of common stock or preferred stock will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account, the issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock:
• may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, who will not have pre-emption rights in respect of such an issuance;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of shares of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights created by amendment of our certificate of incorporation by resolution of the directors senior to those afforded our shares of common stock;
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• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, shares of common stock and/or warrants.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which may adversely affect our financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete initial business combination. Furthermore, we may issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination. We and our officers and directors have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;
• our inability to pay dividends on our shares of common stock;
• using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our shares of common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
• increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
• limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, and the sale of the private warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business, which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
The net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private warrants will provide us with approximately $102,000,000 (or approximately $117,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination (including deferred underwriting commissions being held in the trust account).
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We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. Even if we consummate a business combination with multiple targets, such as Two Bit Circus and another entity, they may be in the same business line and therefore we would still not have a diversified business. A lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities, which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
• solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or
• dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, such as with Two Bit Circus and another seller, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.20 per share on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.20 per share on our redemption, and the warrants will expire worthless.
Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private warrants, together with interest earned on the trust account proceeds available to us, will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private
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warrants, together with available interest from the trust account proceeds, prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. Financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.20 per share on our redemption, and the warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The United States federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or International Financial Reporting Standard as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and consummate our initial business combination within our 24 month time frame.
Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination may have been materially and adversely affected or may be so affected in the future. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extended period of time, our ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.
As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In recent years and especially in the last several months, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition
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companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity will likely need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
We may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price which approximates the per-share amounts in our trust account at such time. The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time
Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination Company
We may seek investment opportunities outside of our management’s area of expertise and our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all significant risks associated with the target company.
There is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating our initial business combination. We may therefore be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team, but determine that such candidate offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or their evaluation of its operations.
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We may seek investment opportunities with a financially unstable business or in its early stages of development.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. These risks include volatile revenues or earnings, technology that may be unreliable, requiring additional modifications to the applications we require, difficulty recruiting software engineers and related positions given global demand exceeding supply of software professionals, and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavour to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.
Cyber-incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
We expect to depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber-incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
Additionally, because we intend to incorporate entertainment and other digital technology into the operations of any target business we seek to acquire, we cannot assure you that such a target business will have reliable systems in place to combat cyber-incidents. Further, a target business may have been subject of a cyber-incident prior to an initial business combination and we cannot assure you that a target business would not be adversely affected following an initial business combination with our company.
Although we identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we consummate our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or the rules of Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.20 per share on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
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We may attempt to consummate our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in our initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, very little public information exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in our initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
Even though we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a business combination with Two Bit Circus will occur at all, or, if it does, we cannot provide any assurance as to the timing or terms thereof.
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement with Two Bit Circus, nor have we agreed to valuation or other key terms and conditions with respect to such a possible combination transaction. As a result, even though we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a business combination with Two Bit Circus will occur at all, or, if it does, we cannot provide any assurance as to the timing or terms thereof. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus.
In addition, we will likely not consummate a business combination with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not operating within an industry or sector that is complimentary to the business of Two Bit Circus. If we pursue a business combination with Two Bit Circus concurrent with our initial business combination, a committee of our disinterested directors will negotiate the terms and conditions of such business combination (including the valuation of Two Bit Circus) on our behalf. Such committee of disinterested directors would also obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the proposed business combination with Two Bit Circus is fair to our company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus, as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with our initial business combination, we will become subject to risks affecting Two Bit Circus’ business.
Although we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with the closing of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that we will combine with Two Bit Circus. If we successfully complete a business combination with Two Bit Circus, we will become subject to risks affecting Two Bit Circus’ business including but not limited to:
• the nature and reliability of its technology;
• the ability to scale and or integrate its technology to new applications;
• obsolescence;
• vulnerability to outside interference (“hacking”) or previous unreported data breaches;
• the ability to retain its management and technology designers and developers;
• the ability to ensure its intellectual property is protected and is validly enforced against third parties; and
• other unforeseen issues commonly inherent in novel software applications.
In addition, because Two Bit Circus has only had operations for less than one year, it could be subject to claims of infringement on other third parties’ rights, which claims could be material.
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The information included in this prospectus with respect to Two Bit Circus is very limited and is subject to change and, accordingly, your evaluation of Two Bit Circus and ability make an investment decision may be limited.
Although we can provide no assurances, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrent with the closing of our initial business combination. The information with respect to Two Bit Circus in this prospectus is very limited and subject to change and does not include all of the disclosures that would be required if Two Bit Circus were pursuing an initial public offering of its common stock or in a proxy statement relating to a potential merger with Two Bit Circus. If, as part of our initial business combination, we pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus, the proxy statement relating to our initial business combination and proposed merger with Two Bit Circus will include all required and SEC-compliant disclosures with respect to Two Bit Circus. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on the Two Bit Circus disclosures included herein and refer instead to the proxy statement we subsequently file in connection with our initial business combination, assuming, as is currently planned, that we decide to pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus in connection with our initial business combination.
Subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to subsequently take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct thorough due diligence on a target business with which we combine, this diligence may not surface all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our officers, directors and key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of our officers, directors, or key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our business.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us. Additionally, we do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
The role of such persons in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of such persons may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, our assessment of these individuals may not prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
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We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of our initial business combination. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the consummation of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that some members of the management team of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
Our management team and our stockholders may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.
We may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even though we may own a majority interest in the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target. In this case, we acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock, shares or other equity securities than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.
We may not be able to integrate our operations effectively and efficiently.
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. The resulting combined company will require the integration of two management teams and operations, a process that we expect to be complex and time-consuming. We may encounter potential difficulties in the integration process including the following:
• the inability to successfully integrate the businesses, including operations, technologies, products and services, in a manner that permits the resulting company to achieve the cost savings and operating synergies anticipated to result from such transaction, which could result in the anticipated benefits of such transaction not being realized partly or wholly in the time frame currently anticipated or at all;
• the potential coordination geographically separated organizations, systems and facilities;
• potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses, delays or regulatory conditions associated with the transaction;
• the integration of personnel with diverse business backgrounds and business cultures, while maintaining focus on providing consistent, high-quality services;
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• the consolidation and rationalization of information technology platforms and administrative infrastructures as well as accounting systems and related financial reporting activities;
• the potential weakening of relationships with regulators; and
• the challenge of preserving important relationships of Two Bit Circus and the initial business combination target and resolving potential conflicts that may arise.
Furthermore, it is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of talented employees or skilled workers of Two Bit Circus and the initial business combination target. The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of Two Bit Circus and the initial business combination target. If the resulting company experiences difficulties with the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the initial business combination may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of the resulting company during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the merger and the initial business combination.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:
• rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
• laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
• exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;
• tariffs and trade barriers;
• regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
• longer payment cycles;
• tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
• currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
• rates of inflation;
• challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
• cultural and language differences;
• employment regulations;
• crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and
• deterioration of political relations with the United States. We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.
Risks Relating to our Management, Directors, and Initial Stockholders
Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.
Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team and their affiliates is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance by our management team and affiliated entities including Alpine Consolidated is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we
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may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of Alpine Consolidated or the management team’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our stockholders.
Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our stockholders.
Certain of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.
Our officers also may become aware of business opportunities, which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary duties or contractual obligations. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor or that a potential target business would not be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
The shares beneficially owned by our officers and directors may not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors have waived their right to redeem their founder shares or any other shares of common stock acquired in this offering or thereafter, or to receive distributions with respect to their founder shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination, until all of the claims of any
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redeeming stockholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only from funds held outside the trust account). Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. Any warrants they hold, like those held by the public, will also be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.
We may engage in our initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers and directors, including but not limited to Two Bit Circus. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated other than Two Bit Circus, and there have been no discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions regarding the fairness to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view of a target business affiliated with our officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest. Our directors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our stockholders, whether or not a conflict of interest may exist.
Since our initial stockholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our initial stockholders have purchased an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per share. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 private warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) for an aggregate purchase price of $4,925,000 (or up to $5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that will also be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination.
Maxim Group may have a conflict of interest in rendering services to us in connection with our initial business combination.
Maxim Group will be entitled to deferred fees upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, the representative shares to be purchased by Maxim Group and its designees will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. These financial interests may result in Maxi Group having a conflict of interest when providing the services to us in connection with an initial business combination.
Risks Relating to our Securities
You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.
Our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of a redemption to public stockholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination or our liquidation (ii) if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination
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that we consummate or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption rights or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your securities, potentially at a loss.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share liquidation price received by stockholders may be less than $10.20.
Our placing of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage and prospective target businesses we negotiate with execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, they may not execute such agreements. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, nor will the underwriters of this offering.
Even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they may seek recourse against the monies held in the trust account. A court may not uphold the validity of such agreements. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public stockholders. If we liquidate the trust account before the completion of a business combination, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us and which have not executed a waiver agreement. However, our sponsor may not be able to meet such obligation. Therefore, the per-share distribution from the trust account in such a situation may be less than $10.20 due to such claims.
Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us which is not dismissed, or if we otherwise enter compulsory or court supervised liquidation, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, we may not be able to return to our public stockholders at least $10.20 per share.
Our directors may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.20 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and our sponsor asserts that they are unable to satisfy their obligations or that they have no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine on our behalf whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce their indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf to enforce such indemnification obligations, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on our behalf, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.20 per share.
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The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.20 per share.
The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our public stockholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable. Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.20 per share.
Our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our initial stockholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per founder share (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option) and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our shares of common stock.
The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the shares of common stock and none to the warrants included in the unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our initial stockholders acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon closing of this offering, you and the other public stockholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 89.0% or $8.90 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $1.10 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per share of common stock).
Our initial stockholders stand to make a substantial profit on the founder shares even if an initial business combination subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public stockholders, and may have an incentive to recommend such an initial business combination to our stockholders.
Our initial stockholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per founder share (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option). As a result of the low acquisition cost of our founder shares, our initial stockholders could make a substantial profit even if we select and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public stockholders. Thus, they may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their founder shares.
The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to
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our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the shares of common stock and warrants underlying the units, include:
• the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
• prior offerings of those companies;
• our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
• a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions;
• our capital structure;
• an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
• general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and
• other factors as were deemed relevant.
Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
As of the date of this prospectus there is currently no market for our securities. Prospective stockholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Once listed on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. Additionally, if our securities become delisted from Nasdaq for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not listed on a national exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were listed on Nasdaq or another national exchange. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
Once initially listed on Nasdaq, our securities may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We anticipate that our securities will be initially listed on Nasdaq upon consummation of this offering. However, we cannot assure you of this or that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. Additionally, in connection with our business combination, Nasdaq will require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
• a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
• a reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;
• a determination that our shares of common stock are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our shares of common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our shares of common stock;
• a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
• a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
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The grant of registration rights to our initial stockholders and holders of the representative shares may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our shares of common stock.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on the date of this prospectus, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register for resale an aggregate of 2,500,000 (or 2,875,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) founder shares, 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 private warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and underlying shares of common stock and up to 1,500,000 warrants and underlying shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of working capital loans. The holders of the representative shares will also be entitled to registration rights. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the stockholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our shares of common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our initial stockholders or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
Holders of warrants will not participate in liquidating distributions if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, the warrants will expire and holders will not receive any of such proceeds with respect to the warrants. In this case, holders of warrants are treated in the same manner as holders of warrants of blank check companies whose units are comprised of shares and warrants, as the warrants in those companies do not participate in liquidating distributions. Nevertheless, the foregoing may provide a financial incentive to public stockholders to vote in favor of any proposed initial business combination as their warrants would entitle the holder to purchase one share of common stock, resulting in an increase in their overall economic stake in our company. If a business combination is not approved, the warrants will expire and will be worthless.
If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, public holders will only be able to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis” which would result in a fewer number of shares being issued to the holder had such holder exercised the warrants for cash.
If we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrant at the time that holders wish to exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis” provided that an exemption from registration is available. As a result, the number of shares of common stock that a holder will receive upon exercise of its public warrants will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised its warrant for cash. Further, if an exemption from registration is not available, holders would not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis and would only be able to exercise their warrants for cash if a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is available. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are unable to do so, the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company may be reduced or the warrants may expire worthless. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the private warrants may be exercisable for unregistered shares of common stock for cash even if the prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current and effective.
An investor will only be able to exercise a warrant if the issuance of shares of common stock upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.
No public warrants will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. At the time that the warrants
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become exercisable, we expect to have our securities listed on a national securities exchange, which would provide an exemption from registration in every state. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. If the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless if they cannot be sold.
Our management’s ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer shares of common stock upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.
If we call our public warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this prospectus have been satisfied, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (including the private warrants and any other warrants held by our initial stockholders or their permitted transferees) to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of shares of common stock received by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a way that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants.
Our warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The warrant agreement requires the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants (including the private warrants) in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.
The provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to the rights and obligations attaching to our shares of common stock may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination with the approval of the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock attending and voting on such amendment at the relevant meeting, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our certificate of incorporation to facilitate the consummation of our initial business combination that a significant number of our stockholders may not support.
Many blank check companies have a provision in their charter, which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those, which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s stockholders. Typically, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, its provisions related to pre-business combination activity and the rights and obligations attaching to the shares of common stock, may be amended if approved by holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock attending and voting on such amendment. Prior to our initial business combination, if we seek to amend any provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide dissenting public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote on any proposed amendments to our certificate of incorporation. Other provisions of our certificate of incorporation may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination if approved by a majority of the votes of stockholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Following the consummation of our initial business combination, the rights and obligations attaching to our shares of common stock and other provisions of our certificate of incorporation may be amended if approved by a majority of the votes of stockholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Our initial stockholders, which will beneficially own approximately 20% of our shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering (assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering, no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 375,000 founder shares by our sponsor as a result thereof), will participate in any vote to amend our certificate of incorporation and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our certificate of incorporation which govern our pre-business combination and the rights and obligations attaching to the shares of common stock more easily that many blank check companies, and
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this may increase our ability to consummate our initial business combination with which you do not agree. However, we and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance and timing of our obligation to redeem the public shares of any public stockholder without the consent of that holder, if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering.
Our certificate of incorporation permits the board of directors by resolution to amend our certificate of incorporation, including to create additional classes of securities, including shares with rights, preferences, designations and limitations as they determine which may have an anti-takeover effect.
Our certificate of incorporation permits the board of directors by resolution to amend the certificate of incorporation including to designate rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the preferred stock as they determine in their discretion, without shareholder approval with respect the terms or the issuance. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of the preferred stock would be set by the board of directors and could operate to the disadvantage of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock the holders of which would not have any pre-emption rights in respect of such an issue of preferred stock. Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, or could be used to prevent possible corporate takeovers.
If we do not hold an annual meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, stockholders will not be afforded an opportunity to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management until such time.
We may not call an annual meeting until after we consummate our initial business combination. There is no requirement under the Companies Law for us to hold annual or extraordinary meetings to appoint directors. Accordingly, stockholders would not have the right to attend such a meeting or appoint directors, unless the holders of not less than 10% in par value capital of our company request such a meeting. As a result, it is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. Until we hold an annual meeting, public stockholders may not be afforded the opportunity to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management.
General Risk Factors
We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a blank check company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning our initial business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete our initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, since we will have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our consummation of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
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If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including restrictions on the nature of our investments and restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including registration as an investment company, adoption of a specific form of corporate structure and reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application also may 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 and results of operations.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing a business combination.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
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Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this prospectus, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and any other statements of a future or forward-looking nature, constitute “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
• our ability to complete our initial business combination;
• our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
• our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;
• our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
• our pool of prospective target businesses, including their industry and geographic location;
• the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;
• failure to list or delisting of our securities from Nasdaq or an inability to have our securities listed on Nasdaq following a business combination;
• our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
• the lack of a market for our securities;
• our financial performance following this offering or an initial business combination; or
• our ability to complete a business combination with Two Bit Circus, and risks related to the business of Two Bit Circus.
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors”. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We are offering 10,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private warrants (all of which will be deposited into the trust account) will be used as set forth in the following table.
| | Without Over-Allotment Option | | Over-Allotment Option Exercised |
Gross proceeds | | | | | | | | |
From public offering | | $ | 100,000,000 | | | $ | 115,000,000 | |
From private offering | | | 4,925,000 | | | | 5,412,500 | |
Total gross proceeds | | | 104,925,000 | | | | 120,412,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Estimated offering expenses and other operating expenses(1) | | | | | | | | |
Underwriting discount (1.25% of gross proceeds from offering, excluding deferred portion) | | | 1,250,000 | (2) | | | 1,437,500 | (2) |
Legal fees and expenses | | | 250,000 | | | | 250,000 | |
Nasdaq listing fee (excluding deferred fee) | | | 5,000 | | | | 5,000 | |
Printing and engraving expenses | | | 40,000 | | | | 40,000 | |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | 35,000 | | | | 35,000 | |
FINRA filing fee | | | 36,500 | | | | 36,500 | |
D&O insurance | | | 500,000 | | | | 500,000 | |
SEC registration fee | | | 26,000 | | | | 26,000 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | | | 32,500 | | | | 32,500 | |
Total offering expenses | | | 2,175,000 | | | | 2,362,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds | | | | | | | | |
Held in the trust account | | | 102,000,000 | | | | 117,300,000 | |
Not held in the trust account | | | 750,000 | | | | 750,000 | |
Proceeds after estimated offering expenses and other operating expenses | | $ | 102,750,000 | | | $ | 118,050,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Use of net proceeds not held in the trust account(3)(4) | | | | | | | | |
Legal, accounting and other third party expenses attendant to the search for target businesses and to the due diligence investigation, structuring and negotiation of our initial business combination | | | 310,000 | | | | 41.3 | % |
Payment of administrative fee ($10,000 per month for up to 18 months) | | | 180,000 | | | | 24.0 | % |
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations | | | 100,000 | | | | 13.3 | % |
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expense and general corporate purposes | | | 160,000 | | | | 21.3 | % |
Total | | $ | 750,000 | | | | 100.0 | % |
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A total of $102,000,000 (or $117,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private warrants described in this prospectus will be placed in a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and will be held as cash or invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes and bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries. Except for all interest income that may be released to us to pay taxes, and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, none of the funds held in the trust account will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.
The payment to an affiliate of our sponsor of a monthly fee of $10,000 is for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. This arrangement is being agreed to by the sponsor for our benefit and is not intended to provide our officers or directors with compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services, that this fee is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. The monthly administrative fee will terminate upon completion of our initial business combination or the distribution of the trust account to our public stockholders. Other than the $10,000 per month fee administrative fee, the payment of consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and the repayment of the $150,000 loans from our sponsor (none of which payments will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination), no compensation of any kind will be paid to our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such entity and individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval. There is no limit on the amount of consulting, success or finder fees payable by us upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of such expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Since the role of present management after a business combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after a business combination.
The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may apply the cash released from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
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We believe that amounts not held in trust will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of our initial business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from our initial stockholders or our officers and directors or their affiliates, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.
As of the date of this prospectus, our sponsor advanced us a total of $150,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. The loan is due on the earlier of December 31, 2021, the consummation of this offering or the abandonment of this offering. The loan will be payable without interest. The loan will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us for payment of offering expenses.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds on a non-interest bearing basis as may be required. If we consummate our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the offering proceeds held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such notes may be convertible into additional private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant.
In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination. Furthermore, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) our consummation of our initial business combination, and then only in connection with those shares of common stock that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period or (iii) the redemption of our public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption of the public shares or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and private warrants in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Our initial stockholders have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any public shares purchased during or after the offering in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. In addition, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. However, if our initial stockholders acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20.0% of our issued and outstanding our shares of common stock upon the consummation of this offering (assuming the initial stockholders do not purchase units in this offering).
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DILUTION
The difference between the public offering price per share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and the private warrants, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with sale and exercise of warrants, including the private warrants. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of shares of common stock which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
At March 31, 2021, our net tangible book value was a deficiency of $12,425 or approximately $0.00 per share. After giving effect to the sale of 10,000,000 shares of common stock included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, and the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of this offering, and the sale of the private warrants, our pro forma net tangible book value at March 31, 2021 would have been $5,000,005 or $1.10 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.10 per share to the initial stockholders and an immediate dilution of 89.0% per share or $8.90 to new investors not exercising their redemption rights. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is $81,125,720 less than it otherwise would have been because if we effect our initial business combination, the redemption rights of the public stockholders (but not our initial stockholders) may result in the redemption of up to 7,953,502 shares sold in this offering. The actual number of shares of common stock that may be subject to redemption could exceed the foregoing amount so long as we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of the business combination.
The following table illustrates the dilution to our public stockholders on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units and the private warrants.
Public offering price | | | | | $ | 10.00 | |
Net tangible book value before this offering | | $ | 0.00 | | | | |
Increase attributable to new investors and private sales | | $ | 1.10 | | | | |
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering | | | | | $ | 1.10 | |
Dilution to new investors | | | | | $ | 8.90 | |
Percentage of dilution to new investors | | | | | | 89.0 | % |
The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial stockholders and the new investors:
| | Shares Purchased
| | Total Consideration | | Average Price per Share |
| | Number | | Percentage | | Amount | | Percentage | |
Initial stockholders (founder shares) | | 2,500,000 | (1) | | 20.0 | % | | $ | 25,000 | | 0.02 | % | | $ | 0.01 |
Representative shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Public stockholders | | 10,000,000 | | | 80.0 | % | | $ | 100,000,000 | | 99.98 | % | | $ | 10.00 |
Total | | 12,500,000 | | | 100.00 | % | | $ | 100,025,000 | | 100.00 | % | | | |
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) by $81,125,720 because holders of up to approximately 79.5% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two business days prior to the commencement of our tender offer or stockholders meeting, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes), divided by the number of shares of common stock sold in this offering.
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The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated as follows:
Numerator: | | | | |
Net tangible book value before the offering | | $ | (12,425 | ) |
Net proceeds from this offering and private placements of private warrants | | | 103,250,000 | |
Plus: Offering costs accrued for and paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value before this offering | | | 34,650 | |
Less: Warrant liability | | | (13,646,500 | ) |
Less: Deferred underwriting discount | | | (3,500,000 | ) |
Less: Proceeds held in the trust account subject to redemption | | | (81,125,720 | ) |
| | $ | 5,000,005 | |
Denominator: | | | | |
Shares of common stock outstanding prior to this offering(1) | | | 2,500,000 | |
Shares of common stock to be sold as part of the units in this offering | | | 10,000,000 | |
Less: Shares subject to redemption | | | (7,953,502 | ) |
| | | 4,546,498 | |
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization at March 31, 2021 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units offered by this prospectus and the private warrants, and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
| | March 31, 2021 |
| | Actual | | As Adjusted(1) |
Notes payable and advances from related parties(2) | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | — | |
Deferred underwriting discount | | | — | | | | 3,500,000 | |
Warrant liability(4) | | | — | | | | 13,646,500 | |
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, –0– and 7,953,502 shares which are subject to possible redemption/tender(3) | | | — | | | | 81,125,720 | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding | | | — | | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 4,546,498 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 7,953,502 shares subject to possible redemption/tender), as adjusted | | | 288 | | | | 455 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 24,712 | | | | 5,392,975 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (2,775 | ) | | | (383,425 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 22,225 | | | | 5,000,005 | |
Total capitalization | | $ | 172,225 | | | | 103,272,225 | |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We were incorporated on February 8, 2021 for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our securities, debt or a combination of cash, securities and debt, in effecting a business combination.
The issuance of additional shares in our initial business combination:
• may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering who would not have pre-emption rights in respect of any such issue;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of shares of common stock if the rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the shares of preferred stock are created by amendment of our certificate of incorporation by resolution of the board of directors and preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our shares of common stock;
• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
• may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our shares of common stock.
Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant indebtedness, it could result in:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if any document governing such debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;
• our inability to pay dividends on our shares of common stock;
• using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our shares of common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
• increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
• limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
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As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at March 31, 2021, we had cash of $150,000, deferred offering costs of $34,650 and a working capital deficit of $12,425. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors among others raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares and advances from our sponsor in an aggregate amount of $150,000 that is more fully described below. We estimate that the net proceeds from (1) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $925,000 and underwriting discounts and commissions of $1,250,000, or $1,437,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (excluding deferred underwriting commissions) and (2) the sale of the private warrants for a purchase price of $4,925,000 (or up to $5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $100,750,000 (or $115,750,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), of which amount $102,000,000 (or $117,300,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, which includes up to $3,500,000 (or up to $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions. The remaining estimated $750,000 will not be held in the trust account.
We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private warrants, including the funds held in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting commissions), to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our shares used in whole or in part as consideration to effect our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business’ operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders’ fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our initial business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust account were insufficient to cover such expenses.
We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the estimated $750,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account, along with interest on the funds held in the trust account that is available to us, will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 18 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. We anticipate that we will incur approximately:
• $310,000 of expenses for the search for target businesses and for the legal, accounting and other third-party expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiating of our initial business combination;
• $240,000 for the payment of the administrative fee ($10,000 per month for up to 18 months);
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• $100,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations; and
• $100,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses.
If our estimates of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to certify an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
• staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;
• reconciliation of accounts;
• proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;
• evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;
• documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and
• documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively also may take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Related Party Transactions
In March 2021, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,312,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.006 per share. In June 2021, our sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to our capital for no consideration, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20.0% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by our sponsor, we had no assets, tangible or intangible. The purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to us by the number of founder shares issued. If we increase or decrease the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, we will effect a share dividend or share contribution back to capital, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders prior to this offering at 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock upon the consummation of this offering (without giving effect to any purchases by our initial stockholders in the offering). Up to 375,000 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture, depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
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Our sponsor has agreed to advance an aggregate of $150,000 to us, on a non-interest bearing basis, for payment of offering expenses on our behalf pursuant to a promissory note. As of March 31, 2021, $150,000 had been made under the note. The loans are due on the earlier of December 31, 2021, the consummation of this offering or the abandonment of this offering. The loans will be payable without interest. The loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us for payment of offering expenses.
We are obligated, commencing on the date of this prospectus, to pay an affiliate of our sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 private warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $1.00 per warrant. Such purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from the purchase of the private warrants will be placed in the trust account described below.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. In the event that we are unable to consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. If we consummate an initial business combination, the notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued warrants to purchase an aggregate 1,500,000 shares if the full amount of notes were issued and converted).
Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The amounts in the trust account will be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of the date of this prospectus, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have conducted no operations to date.
JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
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Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company”, we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of this offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
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PROPOSED BUSINESS
General
We are a Delaware blank check company incorporated on February 8, 2021 formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration, and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with our company. As described further below, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus, a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company that is affiliated with certain members of our management team, concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. While we may pursue an initial business combination with a company in any sector, and in any stage of its corporate evolution we intend to focus our search on drive-to destination hotels, digital entertainment and gaming, and lodging technology businesses, which complements the expertise of our management team, directors and advisors.
Alpine Consolidated
Our sponsor, Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC, is an entity affiliated with Alpine Consolidated. Alpine Consolidated is a private venture investing firm founded in 1996 by Elan Blutinger and D. Fraser Bullock with a focus on identifying and creating new entities in emerging segments in leisure travel where technology can accelerate growth and develop new business models. Alpine Consolidated would then capitalize these businesses through public equity markets. It has created business leaders in fragmented industries by backing and working with disciplined and practical innovators with strong operating histories that have developed new leisure travel and technology businesses. Since 1996, team members and advisors of Alpine Consolidated have experience as founders, investors and/or management (including board members) in a number of public and private companies, including Travel Services International (NASDAQ: TRVL), Resortquest International (NYSE: RZT), Hotels.Com (NASDAQ: ROOM), Online travel Company (LSE AIM: LSE). Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF), Orbitz (NASDAQ: ORBZ), YouBet (NASDAQ: UBET), and Angie’s List (NASDAQ: ANGI). Alpine Consolidated’s privately-held ventures include VacationLink (acquired by Kinderhook Industries), AudioNow (acquired by Zeno Media), Espresoh Tech [acquired by Alpine Consolidated), SIM Partners (acquired by Reputation.com), Signal Digital (a Transunion company) and ParkWhiz (now Arrive Mobility, Inc.).
Alpine Consolidated was founded on the idea that identifying and building new business models in leisure travel and hospitality, given the accelerating impact of technology on travel, succeeds by bringing together a talented group of individuals that make up the various parts of the changing leisure travel industry. Today, Alpine Consolidated’s management and advisors are highly experienced, former and current business operators, and investors, with proven track records and deep experience in the following fields:
• Technology-based family entertainment
• Lodging finance, development, and technology
• Entertainment businesses focused on millennial families
• Consumer branding and standardization
• User-experience and mobile product design and development
• Cross-platform technology integration
• Real estate based family entertainment and marketing
• Large-scale commercial real estate development
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• Capital markets
• Risk management
• Intellectual property
The result is a team that we believe is unique in the entertainment, travel and hospitality industry in both composition, experience and breadth of skills.
Alpine Consolidated typically operates as a venture investor by first identifying opportunities and then bringing to bear its collective skills, knowledge and judgment to evaluate them. Once an opportunity is selected, Alpine Consolidated makes it available to its advisors who can contribute capital and engage with the target’s management to provide hands-on support and access to Alpine Consolidated’s networks. Alpine Consolidated’s team members and advisors typically become highly engaged with the target opportunity as needed. Some or all of Alpine Consolidated’s management and advisors will likely become investors in ventures it elects to back.
We intend to utilize the Alpine Consolidated platform to help affect a business combination including the firm’s resources in sourcing, research, analytics, diligence, underwriting, structuring and execution. We believe that Alpine Consolidated’s reputation, experience, access, and network are well-suited to take advantage of the current and future opportunities present in the lodging, entertainment, and technology industries. Alpine Consolidated has a powerful network in our target industries.
Business Strategy and Target Industries
Our objective is to create, through a business combination, a new scalable family entertainment brand that is focused on millennials, currently the largest segment of travelers. We believe the last regional brand that was focused on families, which is an underserved, profitable and loyal market, was Great Wolf Lodge, which was launched 25 years ago. We intend to try to develop a similar type of family brand through the consummation of our initial business combination, targeting existing business conference hotels with ample space to support the integration of family-based digital entertainment, which our management team understands and has significant experience working with. We then intend to further enhance stockholder value by identifying and completing additional acquisitions, implementing operational improvements and expanding the targets’ product offerings and geographic footprints into the top 100 markets in North America.
We expect to utilize our management team’s unique experience to simultaneously identify opportunities while staying current with technological advances and consumer preferences. We expect our selection process will leverage our management team’s contacts in the digital entertainment and adjacent lodging sectors, which we believe will provide us with access to attractive business combination opportunities in these sectors.
As a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) focused on drive-to destination hotels, digital entertainment and gaming, and lodging technology businesses, we believe that we are in a unique position to capitalize on the expected recovery and pent-up demand in the top drive to North American markets for safe domestic family-based entertainment.
We believe the use of interactive gaming technology in drive-to destination hotels will drive loyalty, higher rates, and occupancy, and overall strong financial results. There is an underserved market for high-quality family entertainment in the hospitality industry. Through our business combination, we will seek to provide a new family play brand that allows families to drive to their destinations and incorporate social experiences inside guest rooms as well as large entertainment zones. Millennials are now the largest purchaser of consumer services and as “digital natives” expect their experiences to give them a progressively personalized service utilizing the best in entertainment that they are accustomed to.
Hotels were materially and adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Conference Center hotels with a focus on corporate and group travel were even more adversely affected and will have a longer recovery. Our management team believes there currently is a greater opportunity to acquire these hotels and create increased occupancy and rates by offering unique digital entertainment available only to its guests.
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Our acquisition and value creation strategy will be to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, build a company that compliments the unique experience of our management team and can benefit from their operational, development and marketing and brand expertise in experience-based regional hotels. Our business combination strategy will be to leverage our management team’s network of relationships, knowledge and experience in these sectors to locate and consummate an initial business combination. We believe that given the operational and investment experience of our management team in the sectors we are focusing on, we are well positioned to identify a target business that can create strong value for its customers
Competitive Strengths
We believe that we possess several competitive strengths to successfully source, evaluate and execute an initial business combination. We believe that the background, operating history and experience of our management team provides us not only with access to a broad spectrum of investment opportunities, but also with the ability to significantly improve upon the operational and financial performance of a target business.
Experienced management
Although we may pursue a target business in any stage of its corporate evolution or in any industry, sector or geographic region, we intend to focus our search on drive-to hotels and digital platforms for immersive and experiential entertainment. We currently intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify, acquire and operate a business in these two markets and/or adjacent industries, as well as on the reputation, significant deal-making experience and relationships of our management team to complete an initial business combination. The business executives that comprise our management team are recognized leaders in the family entertainment and hospitality industry. They were involved in the creation, development, operation and evolution of Great Wolf Lodge which became a widely recognized US brand in drive-to family entertainment hotels. In addition, our management team, through long-standing industry relationships, has global access to the operating, venture capital and financial sponsor communities, providing a key portal into a pipeline of potential target acquisition opportunities.
Our management team consists of seasoned industry executives, with proven track records of:
• operating fast growing, location-based digital and technology-based entertainment businesses;
• creating, developing, and operating family entertainment hotels on a national level;
• merging hotel and immersive entertainment into award-winning family favorite destination resorts;
• growing hotel companies, both organically and through acquisitions;
• building local location-based portfolio infrastructure;
• developing businesses focused on millennial family entertainment;
• evaluating key experiential entertainment trends and building innovative hotels with content platforms;
• building cohesive and productive management and operating teams across national markets;
• sourcing, structuring, financing, acquiring and selling businesses;
• fostering relationships with sellers, investors and target management teams; and
• identifying, evaluating, and scaling consumer-facing technology development opportunities and engineering teams
We believe that a target business will benefit from the experience and involvement of our team in the lodging, technology and family entertainment industries to create improved returns in the business we invest in.
Kim Schaefer has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Since 2020, Ms. Schaefer has been the CEO of Two Bit Circus, previously serving as President from 2017 to 2019 and as a consultant from 2015 to 2016. She has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since 2018. From 2005 to 2015, Ms. Schaefer served as an executive officer and a director of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF), most recently as
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Chief Executive Officer. During Ms. Schaefer’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Great Wolf, she oversaw expansion from a single location to 12 locations spanning both coasts of the US including a site in Canada. Ms. Schaefer currently serves on the board of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV) and SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc (NYSE: SEAS) and previously served on the board of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a collegiate housing REIT.
Elan Blutinger has served as our Chairman of the Board since our inception. Since 1996, Mr. Blutinger has been the Managing Director of Alpine Consolidated, LLC, a firm he co-founded that specializes in consolidating travel and technology companies. Since April 2019, he has also been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Espresoh Tech, a Washington, DC-based, global software product development company, and from 2010 to 2018, AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform for in-language media. From 2004 to 2012, Mr. Blutinger served on the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF). He was previously chairman of VRGateway, an online lodging technology company, from 2004 until its sale to Kinderhook Industries in 2008. From 2000 until 2003, he was a director and chairman of the special committee at Hotels.com (NYSE: HOTEL). Mr. Blutinger was also a director of Resortquest International (NYSE: RQI) from 1997 to 2003, of Travel Services International (NASDAQ: TRVL) from 1996 to 2001, and of London-based Online Travel Services (LSE: OTC) from 2000 to 2004.
Alex Lombardo has served as our Chief Financial Officer since our inception. Mr. Lombardo has over 20 years of finance and development experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries, including capital markets, corporate finance, accounting, financial planning, investor relations, and treasury management. From January 2020 to February 2021, Mr. Lombardo served as the Chief Financial Officer of LTD Hospitality Group. He has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since December 2020. From 2017 to January 2020, Mr. Lombardo served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Development for Two Bit Circus, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Lombardo served in a number of positions with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc (NASDAQ: WOLF) from 2004 to 2017, including Treasurer, SVP of Finance and SVP of Development. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Lombardo served as VP of Finance for Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Inc (NYSE: IHR).
David Goldberg has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2021. Mr. Goldberg is an experienced public company and start-up CEO, board member and advisor with extensive experience in gaming, entertainment and sports. Since March 2017, he has served as a senior adviser to TPG Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. Since December 2018, he has also served as a board member and audit committee chair of GAN Limited (NASDAQ: GAN), the nation’s leading software platform provider for the burgeoning online sports betting and casino space. From April 2014 to April 2018, he was a board and audit committee member at Trans World (OTCQB: TWOC), which operates casinos in the Czech Republic and was sold in mid-2018. From 2013 to September 2016, Mr. Goldberg was Chief Executive Officer of ScoreBig, Inc., owner and operator of ScoreBig.com, which made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors under California law in October 2016. From August 2008 to June 2010, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Youbet.com (Nasdaq: UBET) which was at the time the United States’ largest online wagering company. From October 2010 to July 2012, Mr. Goldberg was co-Chief Executive Officer of Federated Sports and Gaming, Inc. In 2012, Federated filed a petition for voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Howard Silver has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2021. Since 2007, Mr. Silver has been managing his personal investments and serving on various public and private company boards. From 1994 until 2007, Mr. Silver held various positions with Equity Inns, Inc., a former NYSE-listed hospitality REIT, including Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary. Until the sale of Equity Inns to Whitehall Global Real Estate Funds in October 2007, Equity Inns was the largest hotel REIT focused on the upscale extended stay, all suite and midscale limited service segments of the hotel industry. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Silver served as Chief Financial Officer of Alabaster Originals, L.P., a fashion jewellery wholesaler. From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Silver was employed by Ernst & Young LLP and from 1978 to 1985, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, both global accounting firms. Mr. Silver has served as a member of the board of directors of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR) since 2010 and currently serves as its lead independent director. Mr. Silver has also served as an independent director and a member of the audit committee and the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee of CIM Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. (OTC: CMFT) since October 2019, and a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Jernigan Capital, Inc. (NYSE: JCAP), a mortgage REIT focused on lending to self-storage facilities, since April 2015. From January 2014 until the sale of the company in January 2016, he served as a member of the board of directors and as
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chairman of the audit committee of Landmark Apartment Trust, Inc., a publicly registered, non-listed multifamily REIT, and, from its inception in 2004 through the sale of the company in November 2013, he served as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of CapLease, Inc. (NYSE: LSE), a publicly listed net lease REIT. From 2004 until the sale of the company in May 2012, Mr. Silver also served as a member of the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc (NASDAQ: WOLF).
Alissa Nikki Nolan has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2021. Ms. Nolan has held a variety of senior positions with global leaders involved in the acquisition, planning, development and operation of branded leisure-related real estate for more than 25 years. Since 2009, she has been the principal of Nolan Consulting Services, a consulting firm she founded. Ms. Nolan formerly served as the Director of Global Strategy and Business Development of Tussauds Group/Merlin Entertainment from 2000 to 2007, a non-executive board member of Great Wolf Resorts from 2004 to 2007, and a director and principal of Economics Research Associates (London and Los Angeles) from 1993 to 2000. Ms. Nolan was a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s Advisory Panel for waterfront development in NY in 2009 and is a contributor to numerous leisure and real-estate industry publications.
Advisors
We currently expect the following individuals to (i) assist us in sourcing, negotiating and consummating a potential business combination, (ii) provide their business insights when we assess potential business combination targets and (iii) upon our request, provide their business insights as we work to create additional value in the businesses that we acquire. However, they have no written advisory agreements with us. Additionally, they have no other employment or compensation arrangements with us. They will not serve on the board or any committee thereof, nor will they have any voting or decision-making capacity on our behalf. They will also not be required to devote any specific amount of time to our efforts or be subject to the fiduciary requirements to which our board members are subject. Accordingly, if they become aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for us, they are under no obligation to introduce it to us before any other prospective acquirer.
Jeffrey N. Pollack is a sports and entertainment business executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience driving catalytic change, growth and innovation for family-owned, private-equity-backed, and corporate-based ventures. He currently serves as the President of the XFL and has held senior leadership roles with the Los Angeles Chargers, World Series of Poker, NASCAR, and the National Basketball Association. He founded The Sports Business Daily in 1994. He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and serves on the Board of Advisors of Alpine Consolidated and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and on the Community Advisory Board of WFUV Radio in New York.
Brent Bushnell is the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Two Bit Circus. Previously, he launched STEAM Carnival, a traveling showcase of high-tech entertainment and student STEAM workshops. The company captured action sports content in 360 degree videos for brands like the NFL, NBA, Indy, and the Olympics for virtual reality activations at the Super Bowl, All Star games, and in retail. Previously, Mr. Bushnell was the on-camera inventor for the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He was a founding member of Syyn Labs which was formed to create stunts for brands like Google and Disney, and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. Brent is board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, a charitable organization, that deploys STEAM-based programs to inspire students about invention and operates annual STEAM Carnivals bringing the excitement of STEM & STEAM to communities around the world. He’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow.
Marcel Barbulescu is a leading and recognized technologist in artificial intelligence and software engineering. He is the Chief Strategy Officer at Alpine Consolidated. Formerly, he served as the President & COO of AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform, with responsibility for finance, technology and operations. Mr. Barbulescu led global technical operations and product strategy for AudioNow from 2008 to its successful sale in 2017. He is currently the President of Espresoh Tech, a Washington DC-based software product development company with operations in the US and Europe. He is the recipient of multiple awards internationally and from US defense agencies, including the US Army War College and Air War College, for his publications and lectures on AI (artificial intelligence) and learning agents for security and military applications.
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Fred Malek, Jr. is an entrepreneur, operator, and investor with a primary focus on the broader hospitality industry with several successful exits. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of District Hospitality Partners, an investment company focused on investments in hospitality real estate, hospitality technology, insurance, and the data center verticals. He is also the Founder of Hospitality Benefits, a hospitality insurance consolidation play initially focused on health insurance and related health and wellness offerings for hospitality employees. Mr. Malek has founded, led, and successfully exited several successful ventures. He was the founder and CEO of TIG Global, which became the largest internet marketing company in hospitality and travel (now the hospitality e-commerce services arm for Oracle); Co-founder of Hubs1, one of the largest hospitality reservation system consolidations in China (now owned by Jin Jiang Hotels — the largest hotel company in China); and HotelMe, a hospitality online review platform (now owned by Gannett and USA Today).
Mike Brodsky is the CEO of Options Solutions, LLC, a specialized asset management firm. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PowerFleet, Inc. (PWFL), a manufacturer of sensor technology and software. He served as the CEO and Chairman of two publicly traded companies: Youbet.com, which was acquired by Churchill Downs, and Determine Software, which was acquired by Corcentric, Inc. He served as CFO of a venture-backed travel media company, Away.com, whose brands also included OutsideOnline.com and GORP.com. As an investor and fund manager, Mr. Brodsky worked with the Pritzker Group and other family offices investing and guiding public companies and served on the board of directors of seven other public companies, five of which he was chairman. These investments have been in a range of industries, including software and hardware businesses, digital marketing, e-commerce, hospitality, land development, and home building, entertainment, and gaming.
William M. Hodges is Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Hodges Ward Elliott. Bill has been involved in all phases of the firm’s development since its founding in 1975. Hodges Ward Elliott is a fully integrated real estate brokerage and advisory firm historically focused on the hospitality industry, now expanding into all segments of commercial real estate. Hodges Ward Elliot has more than 2,000 hospitality properties sold and/or financed since 1990, totaling nearly $70 billion, with over $26 billion since 2015 alone. Bill has spoken or appeared on panels at the New York University Hotel Investors Conference, Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and REIT Finance Conference. He has also been an Entrepreneurial Studies guest lecturer in the Emory University MBA program. Bill holds a BA degree from LaGrange College, Georgia where he has served as a member of the LaGrange College Board of Trustees for over 21 years (1998-2014, 2015–current) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for seven years (2007– 2014). In May 2014, Mr. Hodges received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the past performance of our management team, Alpine Consolidated or of their respective affiliates is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s, Alpine Consolidated’s or their respective affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Initial Business Combination
We will have until 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per unit in either case per three-month extension) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the time period described above, 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,
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redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us (net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest that may be used for liquidation 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 of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the warrants will be worthless.
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. We believe the combination of Two Bit Circus and another target business in the entertainment space, under the Two Bit Circus umbrella, will allow the resulting combined company to leverage Two Bit Circus’ existing licenses, experienced management team and geographic footprint and offer significant synergy and long-term value creation opportunities for our investors and serve as a platform for further growth.
We have not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement with Two Bit Circus, nor have we agreed to valuation or other key terms and conditions with respect to such a possible combination transaction. As a result, even though we intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a merger with Two Bit Circus will occur at all or, if it does, as to the timing or terms thereof. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. In addition, we will likely not consummate a merger with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not within the entertainment space. If we pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, a committee of our disinterested directors will negotiate the terms and conditions of such merger (including the valuation of Two Bit Circus) on our behalf. Such committee of disinterested directors would also obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the proposed merger with Two Bit Circus is fair to our company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including with Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus, all as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
Nasdaq rules provide that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. If our securities are not listed on Nasdaq after this offering, we would not be required to satisfy the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if our securities are not listed on Nasdaq at the time of our initial business combination. If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, we will not include the fair market value of Two Bit Circus for purposes of satisfying the 80% fair market value test.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the
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target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target.
However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. Similar to our approach with respect to a potential merger with Two Bit Circus, in the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view.
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own shares of common stock and warrants following this offering, and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Additionally, each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity, including other blank check companies similar to our company, pursuant to which such officer or director may be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our executive officers will materially affect our ability to complete our business combination. For additional information regarding our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and potential conflicts of interest, see “Management — Directors and Executive Officers” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.
Our Competitive Advantages
Status as a Publicly Listed Company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to prospective target businesses. As a publicly listed company, we will offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering. We believe that target businesses will favor this alternative, which we believe is less expensive, while offering greater certainty of execution than the traditional initial public offering. During an initial public offering, there are typically expenses incurred in marketing, which would be costlier than a business combination with us. Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is approved by our stockholders (if applicable) and the transaction is consummated, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions that could prevent the offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would have greater access to capital and additional means of creating management incentives that are better aligned with stockholders’ interests than it would as a private company. It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented management staffs.
Strong Financial Position and Flexibility
With a trust account initially in the amount of $102,000,000 (or $117,300,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), we can offer a target business a variety of options to facilitate a business combination and
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fund future expansion and growth of its business. This amount assumes no redemptions, and we will need to pay $3,500,000 of deferred underwriting fees (or up to $4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) out of such amount. Because we are able to consummate a business combination using the cash proceeds from this offering, our share capital, debt or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use an efficient structure allowing us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to address the needs of the parties. However, if a business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay for the purchase price, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing. Accordingly, our flexibility in structuring a business combination may be subject to these constraints.
Effecting our initial business combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private warrants, our shares, new debt, or a combination of these, as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our shares of common stock, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, this assessment may not result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.
We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law or the rules of Nasdaq, we would seek shareholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.
Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings that will not commence until
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after the completion of this offering. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting.
Our officers and directors, as well as their respective affiliates may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will any of our existing officers, directors or initial stockholders, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction) other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, the payment of consulting, success or finder fees in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, the repayment of the $150,000 loan and reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our initial stockholders, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with our initial stockholders, officers or directors, including but not limited to Two Bit Circus, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination
Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. In any case, we will only consummate an initial business combination in which we become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes as discussed below) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
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Fair market value of target business or businesses
Nasdaq rules provide that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Accordingly, if our business combination includes Two Bit Circus, then the combined fair market value of Two Bit Circus and the other target business must be at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. If our securities are not listed on Nasdaq after this offering, we would not be required to satisfy the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if our securities are not listed on Nasdaq at the time of our initial business combination. If we combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, we will not include the fair market value of Two Bit Circus for purposes of satisfying the 80% fair market value test.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act. Even though we will own a majority interest in the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.
The fair market value of a target business or businesses or assets will be determined by our board of directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses, earnings and cash flow, book value and, where appropriate, upon the advice of appraisers or other professional consultants. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine that the target business or assets has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, like Two Bit Circus, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our stockholders.
Lack of business diversification
For an indefinite period of time after consummation of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, or with Two Bit Circus and another entity in the same business sector, our lack of diversification may:
• subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and
• cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.
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Limited ability to evaluate the target’s management team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. The future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. Consequently, members of our management team may not become a part of the target’s management team, and the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Further, it is also not certain whether one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination. Moreover, members of our management team may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Stockholders may not have the ability to approve our initial business combination
In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to convert their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the business combination and subject to the limitations described herein. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender all of his, her or its shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. Unlike other blank check companies which require shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and related conversions of public shares for cash upon consummation of such initial business combination even when a vote is not required by law, we will have the flexibility to avoid such shareholder vote and allow our stockholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules.
We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, we may need to have more than $5,000,001 in net tangible assets upon consummation and this may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public stockholders may therefore have to wait up to 18 months from the closing of this offering in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our initial stockholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to redeem any shares of common stock in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any shares of common stock in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination.
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None of our officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units or shares of common stock in this offering or from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination or to convert their shares, our officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote or increase the likelihood of satisfying the necessary closing conditions to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of shares of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock, shares or other equity securities.
Redemption rights for public stockholders upon consummation of our initial business combination
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.20 per share, whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their right to receive liquidating distributions if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the requisite time period. However, if our initial stockholders or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Alternatively, we may provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares of common stock to us through a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 20% or more of the shares sold in this offering. Such a public stockholder would still be entitled to vote against a proposed business combination with respect to all shares owned by him or his affiliates. We believe this restriction will prevent stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares before the vote held to approve a proposed business combination and attempt to use the redemption right as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then current market price. By limiting a shareholder’s ability to redeem no more than 20% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we have limited the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block a transaction which is favored by our other public stockholders.
Our initial stockholders, officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any shares of common stock owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to this offering or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket.
We may require public stockholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either (i) tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the proxy materials sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced delivery process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a nominal amount and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the holder. However, this fee
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would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to a specified date. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require stockholders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated this may result in an increased cost to stockholders.
Any proxy solicitation materials we furnish to stockholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring stockholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time the shareholder received our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his redemption rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in “street name,” in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. Please see the risk factor titled “In connection with any meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require stockholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights” for further information on the risks of failing to comply with these requirements.
Any request to redeem such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or the expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of public shares delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their redemption and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.
Permitted purchases of our securities by our affiliates
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our initial stockholders, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our initial stockholders, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Although very unlikely, our initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates could purchase sufficient shares so that the initial business combination may be approved without the majority vote of public shares held by non-affiliates.
The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (2) to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
As a consequence of any such purchases, the public “float” of our shares of common stock may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of a business combination.
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Liquidation if No Business Combination
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will have only 12 months from the closing of this offering to complete an initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per unit in either case per three-month extension) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for us to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we have not completed an initial business combination by such date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us but net of taxes payable (and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation 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 of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect our public stockholders’ ability to convert or sell their shares to us in connection with a business combination as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to convert their shares of common stock upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest not previously released to us but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, initial stockholders, executive officers, directors or any other person.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our outstanding public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. It is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our deadline, and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
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Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution.
Because we will not be complying with Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 281(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent ten years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses.
We are required to seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result, the claims that could be made against us will be limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds in the trust account to our public stockholders. Nevertheless, Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the offering, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that other vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if they execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.20 per share by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us, but we cannot assure you that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that our sponsor will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. Additionally, the agreement our sponsor entered into specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity it has given: it will have no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a target business or vendor or other entity who has executed an agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, or (2) as to any claims for indemnification by the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-share distribution from the trust account could be less than $10.20 due to claims or potential claims of creditors.
We anticipate notifying the trustee of the trust account to begin liquidating such assets promptly after our 24th month and anticipate it will take no more than 10 business days to effectuate such distribution. The holders of the founders’ shares and private shares have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to such shares. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, we will utilize the up to $100,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account available to us to pay for our liquidation expenses.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share redemption price would be $10.20. As discussed above, the proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of public stockholders.
Our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our failure to complete a business combination within the required time period, if the stockholders seek to have us convert or purchase their respective shares upon a business combination which is actually completed by us or upon certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation prior to consummating an initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
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If we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public stockholders at least $10.20 per share.
If we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, because we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public stockholders promptly after our deadline, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public stockholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from our assets. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the consummation of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of a majority of our stockholders. If we seek to amend any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect our public stockholders’ ability to convert or sell their shares to us in connection with a business combination as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within the required time period, we will provide public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director or director nominee, or any other person. Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, among other things, that:
• we shall either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein;
• we will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of such business combination and, if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination;
• if our initial business combination is not consummated within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 18 months if such 12 month date is extended as described herein), then we will redeem all of the outstanding public shares and thereafter liquidate and dissolve our company;
• upon the consummation of this offering, $100.0 million, or approximately $115.0 million if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, shall be placed into the trust account;
• we may not consummate any other business combination, merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar transaction prior to our initial business combination; and
• prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional stock that participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or that votes as a class with the common stock sold in this offering on an initial business combination.
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
| | Terms of Our Offering | | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
Escrow of offering proceeds | | $102,000,000 of the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private warrants will be deposited into a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. | | Approximately $85,875,000 of the offering proceeds, representing the gross proceeds of this offering, less allowable underwriting commissions, expenses and company deductions under Rule 419 would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account. |
Investment of net proceeds | | $102,000,000 of the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private warrants will held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries. | | Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. |
Receipt of interest on escrowed funds | | Interest on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to stockholders is reduced by any taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 payable for dissolution expenses. | | Interest on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our consummation of a business combination. |
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business | | Our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. | | The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. |
Trading of securities issued | | The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The shares of common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless Maxim informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering. | | No trading of the units or the underlying shares of common stock or warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. |
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| | Terms of Our Offering | | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
Exercise of the warrants | | The warrants cannot be exercised until 30 days after the completion of a business combination and, accordingly, will be exercised only after the trust account has been terminated and distributed. | | The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account. |
Election to remain an investor | | We will either (1) give our stockholders the opportunity to vote on the business combination or (2) provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares of common stock to us in a tender offer for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less taxes. If we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination, we will send each shareholder a proxy statement containing information required by the SEC. Alternatively, if we do not hold a meeting and instead conduct a tender offer, we will conduct such tender offer in accordance with the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as we would have included in a proxy statement. | | A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. |
Business combination deadline | | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months if such date is extended as described herein), we will, as soon as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, any interest released to us for our working capital requirements and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and prior to any voluntary winding up. | | If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. |
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| | Terms of Our Offering | | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
Release of funds | | Except for interest earned on the funds in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our tax obligations, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier: (1) of the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption rights or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. | | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and the failure to effect our initial business combination within the allotted time. |
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups, venture capital funds leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have significant experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, the requirement that we acquire a target business or businesses having a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into the business combination, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.
Facilities
We currently maintain our executive offices at 10141 N. Canyon View Lane, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268. The cost for this space is included in the $10,000 per-month fee an affiliate of our sponsor will charge us for general and administrative services commencing on the date of this prospectus pursuant to a letter agreement between us and our sponsor. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services, that the fee charged by our sponsor is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to our executive officers, adequate for our current operations.
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Employees
We currently have three executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We will register our units, shares of common stock and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, GAAP or IFRS and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and consummate our initial business combination within our 12, up to 18 month time frame.
We will be required to have our internal control procedures evaluated for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Prior to the date of this prospectus, we will file a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we will be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such.
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BUSINESS OF TWO BIT CIRCUS
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. [We believe the combination of Two Bit Circus and another target business in the entertainment space, under the Two Bit Circus umbrella, will allow the resulting combined company to leverage Two Bit Circus’ existing licenses, experienced management team and geographic footprint and offer significant synergy and long-term value creation opportunities for our investors and serve as a platform for further growth.]
We have not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement with Two Bit Circus, nor have we agreed to valuation or other key terms and conditions with respect to such a possible combination transaction. As a result, even though we intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a merger with Two Bit Circus will occur at all or, if it does, as to the timing or terms thereof. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. In addition, we will likely not consummate a merger with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not within the entertainment space. If we pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, a committee of our disinterested directors will negotiate the terms and conditions of such merger (including the valuation of Two Bit Circus) on our behalf. Such committee of disinterested directors would also obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the proposed merger with Two Bit Circus is fair to our company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including with Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus, all as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
Two Bit Circus was started in 2012 as an engineering studio developing pop-up experiences for leading brands. In 2017 after years of experience in developing intellectual property and social gaming concepts, the location-based entertainment concept was created. In 2018 it opened the world’s first micro-amusement park in downtown Los Angeles. Management believes that Two Bit Circus is a definitive future platform of immersive and experiential entertainment that can be incorporated into hotel targets. The Company believes that Two-Bit’s management is an innovator in the entertainment technology space and can provide a comprehensive suite of exciting offerings incorporating creative and cutting-edge technology with streamlined technology for upgradeable and changeable experiences in its locations.
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MANAGEMENT
Our directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name | | Age | | Position |
Elan Blutinger | | 65 | | Chairman |
Kim Schaefer | | 55 | | Chief Executive Officer |
Alex Lombardo | | 52 | | Chief Financial Officer |
David Goldberg | | 52 | | Director |
Howard Silver | | 66 | | Director |
Alissa N. Nolan | | 58 | | Director |
Elan Blutinger has served as our Chairman of the Board since our inception. Since 1996, Mr. Blutinger has been the Managing Director of Alpine Consolidated, LLC, a firm he co-founded that specializes in consolidating travel and technology companies. Since April 2019 he has also been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Espresoh Tech, a Washington, DC-based, software product development company, and from 2010 to 2018 AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform for in-language media. From 2004 to 2012, Mr. Blutinger served on the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF), a family entertainment resorts company. He was previously chairman of VRGateway an online lodging technology company, from 2004 until its sale to Kinderhook Industries in 2008. From 2000 until 2003, he was a director and chairman of the special committee at Hotels.com (NYSE: HOTEL). Mr. Blutinger was also a director of Resortquest International, (NYSE: RQI) from 1997 to 2003, of Travel Services International (NASDAQ: TRVL) from 1996 to 2001, and of London-based Online Travel Services (LSE: OTC) from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Blutinger earned a BA from the American University, a MA from the University of California at Berkeley, and a JD from the Washington College of Law. We believe Mr. Blutinger is well-qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his experience, relationships and contacts.
Kim Schaefer has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Since 2020, Ms. Schaeffer has been the CEO of Two Bit Circus. From 2017 to 2019, Ms. Schaefer served as President of Two Bit Circus, Inc. She has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since December 2020. From 2015 to 2016, Ms. Schaefer was a consultant to Two Bit Circus. From 2009 to 2015, Ms. Schaefer served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF) Prior to being appointed the Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Schaefer served as Great Wolf Resorts’ Chief Operating Officer/Chief Brand Officer from 2005 to 2015. Ms. Schaefer currently serves on the board of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV) and SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc (NYSE: SEAS) and previously served on the board of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a collegiate housing REIT. Ms. Schaefer received a B.A. in Accounting from Edgewood College and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Alex Lombardo has served as our Chief Financial Officer since our inception. Mr. Lombardo has over 20 years of finance and development experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries having led capital markets, corporate finance, accounting, financial planning, investor relations, and treasury management. Since January 2020, Mr. Lombardo has served as the Chief Financial Officer of LTD Hospitality Group. He has also served as an Advisor to Alpine Consolidated since December 2020. From 2017 to January 2020, Mr. Lombardo served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Development for Two Bit Circus, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Lombardo served in a number of positions with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF) from 2004 to 2017, including Treasurer, SVP of Finance and SVP of Development. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Lombardo served as VP of Finance for Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: IHR) Mr. Lombardo received a B.B.A. degree from James Madison University.
David Goldberg has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2021. Mr. Goldberg is an experienced public company and start-up CEO, board member and advisor with extensive experience in gaming, entertainment and sports. Since March 2017, he has served as a senior adviser to TPG Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. Since December 2018, he has also served as a board member and audit committee chair of GAN Limited (NASDAQ: GAN), the nation’s leading software platform provider for the burgeoning online sports betting and casino space. From April 2014 to April 2018, he was a board and audit committee member at Trans World (OTCQB: TWOC), which operates casinos in the Czech Republic and was sold in mid-2018. From 2013 to September 2016, Mr. Goldberg was Chief Executive Officer of ScoreBig, Inc., owner and operator of ScoreBig.com, which made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors under California law in October 2016. From August 2008 to June 2010, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Youbet.com (Nasdaq: UBET) which was at the time the United States’ largest online wagering company. From October 2010 to July 2012, Mr. Goldberg was
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co-Chief Executive Officer of Federated Sports and Gaming, Inc. In 2012, Federated filed a petition for voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Mr. Goldberg received a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. We believe Mr. Goldberg is well-qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his experience, relationships and contacts.
Howard Silver has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2021. Since 2007, Mr. Silver has been managing his personal investments and serving on various public and private company boards. From 1994 until 2007, Mr. Silver held various positions with Equity Inns, Inc., a former NYSE- listed hospitality REIT, including Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary. Until the sale of Equity Inns to Whitehall Global Real Estate Funds in October 2007, Equity Inns was the largest hotel REIT focused on the upscale extended stay, all suite and midscale limited service segments of the hotel industry. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Silver served as Chief Financial Officer of Alabaster Originals, L.P., a fashion jewelry wholesaler. From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Silver was employed by Ernst & Young LLP and from 1978 to 1985, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, both global accounting firms. Mr. Silver has served as a member of the board of directors of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR) since 2010 and currently serves as its lead independent director. Mr. Silver has also served as an independent director and a member of the audit committee and the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee of CIM Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. (OTC: CMFT) since October 2019, a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Jernigan Capital, Inc. (NYSE: JCAP), a mortgage REIT focused on lending to self-storage facilities, since April 2015. From January 2014 until the sale of the company in January 2016, he served as a member of the board of directors and as chairman of the audit committee of Landmark Apartment Trust, Inc., a publicly registered, non-listed multifamily REIT, and, from its inception in 2004 through the sale of the company in November 2013, he served as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of CapLease, Inc. (NYSE: LSE), a publicly listed net lease REIT. From 2004 until the sale of the company in May 2012, Mr. Silver also served as a member of the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF). Mr. Silver received a B.S. (cum laude) in Accountancy from the University of Memphis and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1980. We believe Mr. Nolan is well-qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his experience, relationships and contacts.
Alissa Nikki Nolan has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2021. Ms. Nolan has held a variety of senior positions with global leaders involved in the acquisition, planning, development and operation of branded leisure-related real estate for more than 25 years. Since 2009, she has been the principal of Nolan Consulting Services, a consulting firm she founded. Ms. Nolan formerly served as the Director of Global Strategy and Business Development of Tussauds Group/Merlin Entertainment from 2000 to 2007, a non-executive board member of Great Wolf Resorts (NASDAQ: WOLF) from 2004 to 2007, and a director and principal of Economics Research Associates (London and Los Angeles) from 1993 to 2000. Ms. Nolan was a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s Advisory Panel for waterfront development in NY in 2009 and is a contributor to numerous leisure and real-estate industry publications. Ms. Nolan received a Masters of International Management & Finance from Thunderbird. We believe Ms. Nolan is well-qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her experience, relationships and contacts.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Alissa N. Nolan, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of David Goldberg and Howard Silver will expire at the second annual meeting. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Elan Blutinger, will expire at the third annual meeting.
Special Advisors
We currently expect the following individuals to (i) assist us in sourcing, negotiating and consummating a potential business combination, (ii) provide their business insights when we assess potential business combination targets and (iii) upon our request, provide their business insights as we work to create additional value in the businesses that we acquire. However, they have no written advisory agreements with us. Additionally, they have no other employment or compensation arrangements with us. They will not serve on the board or any committee thereof, nor will they have any voting or decision making capacity on our behalf. They will also not be required to devote any specific amount of time to our efforts or be subject to the fiduciary requirements to which our board members are subject. Accordingly, if they become aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for us, they are under no obligation to introduce it to us before any other prospective acquiror.
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Jeffrey N. Pollack is a sports and entertainment business executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience driving catalytic change, growth and innovation for family-owned, private-equity-backed, and corporate-based ventures. He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the XFL and has held senior leadership roles with the Los Angeles Chargers, World Series of Poker, NASCAR, and National Basketball Association. He founded The Sports Business Daily in 1994. He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and serves on the Board of Advisors of Alpine Consolidated and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and on the Community Advisory Board of WFUV Radio in New York.
Brent Bushnell is the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Two Bit Circus. Previously, he launched STEAM Carnival, a traveling showcase of high-tech entertainment and student STEAM workshops. The company captured action sports content in 360 degree videos for brands like the NFL, NBA, Indy, and the Olympics for VR activations at the Super Bowl, All Star games, and in retail. Previously, Mr. Bushnell was the on-camera inventor for the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He was a founding member of Syyn Labs which was formed to create stunts for brands like Google and Disney, and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. Brent is board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, a charitable organization, that deploys STEAM-based programs to inspire students about invention and operates annual STEAM Carnivals bringing the excitement of STEM & STEAM to communities around the world. He’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow.
Marcel Barbulescu is a leading and recognized technologist in AI and software engineering. He is the Chief Strategy Officer at Alpine Consolidated. Formerly, he served as the President & COO of AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform, with responsibility for finance, technology and operations. Mr. Barbulescu led global technical operations and product strategy for AudioNow from 2008 to its successful sale in 2017. He is currently the President of Espresoh Tech, a Washington DC-based software product development company with operations in the US and Europe. He is the recipient of multiple awards internationally and from US defense agencies, including the US Army War College and Air War College, for his publications and lectures on AI (artificial intelligence) and learning agents for security and military applications.
Fred Malek, Jr. is an entrepreneur, operator, and investor with a primary focus on the broader hospitality industry with several successful exits. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of District Hospitality Partners, an investment company focused on investments in hospitality real estate, hospitality technology, insurance, and the data center verticals. He is also the Founder of Hospitality Benefits, a hospitality insurance consolidation play initially focused on health insurance and related health and wellness offerings for hospitality employees. Mr. Malek has founded, led, and successfully exited several successful ventures. He was the founder and CEO of TIG Global, which became the largest internet marketing company in hospitality and travel (now the hospitality e-commerce services arm for Oracle); Co-founder of Hubs1, one of the largest hospitality reservation system consolidations in China (now owned by Jin Jiang Hotels — the largest hotel company in China); and HotelMe, a hospitality online review platform (now owned by Gannett and USA Today).
Mike Brodsky is the CEO of Options Solutions, LLC, a specialized asset management firm. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PowerFleet, Inc. (PWFL). a manufacturer of sensor technology and software. He served as the CEO and Chairman of two publicly traded companies: Youbet.com, which was acquired by Churchill Downs, and Determine Software, which was acquired by Corcentric, Inc. He served as CFO of a venture-backed travel media company, Away.com, whose brands also included OutsideOnline.com and GORP.com. As an investor and fund manager, Mr. Brodsky worked with the Pritzker Group and other family offices investing and guiding public companies and served on the board of directors of seven other public companies, five of which he was chairman. These investments have been in a range of industries, including software and hardware businesses, digital marketing, e-commerce, hospitality, land development, and home building, entertainment, and gaming.
William M. Hodges is Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Hodges Ward Elliott. Bill has been involved in all phases of the firm’s development since its founding in 1975. Hodges Ward Elliott is a fully integrated real estate brokerage and advisory firm historically focused on the hospitality industry, now expanding into all segments of commercial real estate. Hodges Ward Elliot has more than 2,000 hospitality properties sold and/or financed since 1990, totaling nearly $70 billion, with over $26 billion since 2015 alone. Bill has spoken or appeared on panels at the New York University Hotel Investors Conference, Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and REIT Finance
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Conference. He has also been an Entrepreneurial Studies guest lecturer in the Emory University MBA program. Bill holds a BA degree from LaGrange College, Georgia where he has served as a member of the LaGrange College Board of Trustees for over 21 years (1998 – 2014, 2015 – current) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for seven years (2007 – 2014). In May 2014, Mr. Hodges received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.
Director Independence
Currently David Goldberg, Howard Silver and Alissa Nolan would each be considered an “independent director” under the Nasdaq listing rules, which is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Our board of directors will review and approve all affiliated transactions with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date of this prospectus through the acquisition of a target business or our liquidation of the trust account, we will pay an affiliate of our sponsor $10,000 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide our officers or directors compensation in lieu of a salary.
Other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, the payment of consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and the repayment of the aggregate $150,000 of loans made by our sponsor to us, no compensation or fees of any kind will be paid to our sponsor, initial stockholders, members of our management team or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, they will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of consulting, success or finder fees payable by us upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us, may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommenced, to the board of directors for determination, either by a committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after the initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their
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positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Audit Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors. Howard Silver, David Goldberg and Alissa Nolan will serve as members of our audit committee, each of whom is an independent director.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Silver and Howard qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
Responsibilities of the audit committee include:
• the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;
• pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;
• reviewing and discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;
• setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm;
• setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within, the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;
• reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and
• reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
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Compensation Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and subject to the requirement of law or the Nasdaq market rules, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors. The members of our Compensation Committee will be Howard Silver, David Goldberg and Alissa Nolan. We will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
• reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our
• Chief Executive Officer’s based on such evaluation in executive session at which the Chief Executive Officer is not present;
• reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other officers;
• reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
• implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
• assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
• approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;
• producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
• reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
The charter will also provide that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Director Nominations
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish a nominating committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Howard Silver, David Goldberg and Alissa Nolan, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The nominating committee considers persons identified by its members, management, stockholders, investment bankers and others.
Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the Nominating Committee Charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:
• should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
• should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and
• should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the stockholders.
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The Nominating Committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background, integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by stockholders and other persons.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. We will file a copy of our form of Code of Ethics and our audit committee charter as exhibits to the registration statement. You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Conflicts of Interest
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
• the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
• the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
• it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that:
• except as may be prescribed by any written agreement with us, we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue; and
• our officers and directors will not be liable to our company or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any of our activities or any of our sponsor or its affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Our officers and directors are, and may in the future become, affiliated with other companies. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from such other corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has contractually agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, until the earliest of our execution of a definitive agreement for a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have. The foregoing agreement does not restrict our officers and directors from becoming affiliated with other companies in the future which could take priority over our company. However, we believe that such agreement still benefits us because our officers and directors are obligated to present suitable business opportunities to us to the extent that none of their other fiduciary or contractual obligations require them to present it to another entity.
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Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our officers, directors and director nominees currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations which will take priority over us.
Individual | | Entity |
Elan Blutinger | | Alpine Consolidated, LLC |
| | Espresoh Tech |
Kim Schaefer | | Two Bit Circus |
| | Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company |
| | SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. |
Alex Lombardo | | LTD Hospitality Group |
David Goldberg | | TPG Capital |
| | GAN Limited |
Howard Silver | | Education Realty Trust, Inc. |
| | CIM Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. |
| | Jernigan Capital, Inc. |
Alissa Nikki Nolan | | Nolan Consulting Services |
While the foregoing may limit the pool of potential business combination candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
Investors should also be aware of the following additional potential conflicts of interest:
• None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.
• Unless we consummate our initial business combination, our officers, directors and sponsor will not receive reimbursement or repayment for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them, or loans made to us, to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account.
• The founders’ shares beneficially owned by our initial stockholders and the private units purchased by our sponsor, and any warrants which our officers or directors may purchase in the aftermarket will expire worthless if a business combination is not consummated. This is because our officers and directors and affiliates will not receive liquidation distributions from the trust account with respect to any of the founders’ shares, private shares or warrants.
For the foregoing reasons, our board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate to effect a business combination with.
To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors, sponsor or initial stockholders, including Two Bit Circus, unless we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view. We will also need to obtain the approval of a majority of our disinterested independent directors. Furthermore, in no event will any of our sponsor, members of our management team or their respective affiliates be paid any compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, the payment of consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, repayment of the $150,000 loan and reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to certain limitations, the company shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings.
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Such indemnity only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful and is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the certificate of incorporation, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our certificate of incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation also will permit us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer or director who at the request of the Company is or was serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability as provided in the certificate of incorporation. We will purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.
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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our shares of common stock as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our shares of common stock included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
• each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock;
• each of our officers and directors that beneficially owns shares of common stock; and
• all our officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants, including the private warrants, as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
| | Prior to Offering | | After Offering(2) |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | | Approximate Percentage of Issued and outstanding ordinary shares(2) | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | | Approximate Percentage of Issued and outstanding ordinary shares(2) |
Elan Blutinger | | 2,830,000 | (3) | | 98.4 | % | | 2,455,000 | (3) | | 19.6 | % |
Kim Schaefer | | 2,830,000 | (3) | | 98.4 | % | | 2,455,000 | (3) | | 19.6 | % |
Alex Lombardo | | 2,830,000 | (3) | | 98.4 | % | | 2,455,000 | (3) | | 19.6 | % |
David Goldberg | | — | (4) | | — | | | — | (4) | | — | |
Howard Silver | | — | (4) | | — | | | — | (4) | | — | |
Alissa Nolan | | — | (4) | | — | | | — | (4) | | — | |
Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC | | 2,830,000 | | | 98.4 | % | | 2,455,000 | | | 19.6 | % |
All directors and officers as a group (six individuals) | | 2,830,000 | (3) | | 98.4 | % | | 2,455,000 | | | 19.6 | % |
Immediately after this offering (without the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), our initial stockholders will beneficially own 20% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering). Because of this ownership block, our initial stockholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the appointment of directors, amendments to our certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions.
To the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option, up to an aggregate of 375,000 founder shares held by our sponsor will be subject to forfeiture. Our sponsor will be required to forfeit only a number of founder shares necessary to maintain our initial stockholders’ 20% ownership interest in our shares of common stock (assuming our initial stockholders do not purchase any units in this offering) after giving effect to the offering and without giving effect to the exercise, if any, of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
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Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
During the lock-up period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (1) to our officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of our sponsor and their affiliates, (2) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its, partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (3) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (4) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (5) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (6) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (7) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (8) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause 8 or with our prior consent) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the insider letter. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, there will be no liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, there will be no liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 private warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $1.00 per warrant. Such purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. The private warrants are identical to the warrants included in the units sold in this offering except the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. The holders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private warrants until after the completion of our initial business combination.
Registration Rights
Our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees, as well as the holders of the representative shares, can demand that we register the founder shares, representative shares, the private warrants and underlying shares of common stock and any securities issued upon conversion of working capital loans, pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the date of this prospectus. The holders of such securities are entitled to demand that we register these securities at any time after we consummate an initial business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights on registration statements filed after our consummation of a business combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Maxim Group may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, Maxim Group may participate in a “piggy-back” registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In March 2021, we issued an aggregate of 4,312,500 founder shares to our sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.006 per share. In June 2021, our sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to our capital for no consideration, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. In July 2021, our sponsor transferred an aggregate of 45,000 shares to our advisors at the same price originally paid for such shares. Up to 375,000 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full.
If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased (including pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or decreased, a share dividend or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our initial stockholders’ ownership at a percentage of the number of shares to be sold in this offering.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 4,925,000 private warrants (or up to 5,412,500 private warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per warrant in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private warrants and underlying shares of common stock until after the completion of our initial business combination.
Concurrently with our initial business combination, we currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus. We believe the combination of Two Bit Circus and another target business in the entertainment space, under the Two Bit Circus umbrella, will allow the resulting combined company to leverage Two Bit Circus’ existing licenses, experienced management team and geographic footprint and offer significant synergy and long-term value creation opportunities for our investors and serve as a platform for further growth.
We have not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement with Two Bit Circus, nor have we agreed to valuation or other key terms and conditions with respect to such a possible combination transaction. As a result, even though we intend to combine with Two Bit Circus concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, we cannot provide any assurance that such a merger with Two Bit Circus will occur at all or, if it does, as to the timing or terms thereof. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. In addition, we will likely not consummate a merger with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not within the entertainment space. If we pursue a combination with Two Bit Circus concurrently with our initial business combination, a committee of our disinterested directors will negotiate the terms and conditions of such merger (including the valuation of Two Bit Circus) on our behalf. Such committee of disinterested directors would also obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the proposed merger with Two Bit Circus is fair to our company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including with Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus, all as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
An affiliate of our sponsor has agreed that, commencing on the effective date of this prospectus through the earlier of our consummation of our initial business combination or the liquidation of the trust account, it will make available to us certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative support, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay $10,000 per month for these services. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services, that these fees are at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person.
Other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, the payment of consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and repayment of the $150,000 loan, no compensation or fees of any kind will be paid to our
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sponsor, initial stockholders, members of our management team or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of consulting, success or finder fees payable by us upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination.
As of the date of this prospectus, our sponsor has advanced to us an aggregate of $150,000 to cover expenses related to this offering. These advances are non-interest bearing and will be payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021, (ii) the consummation of this offering or (iii) the abandonment of this offering. If the offering is consummated, the loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our initial stockholders, officers and directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. In the event that we are unable to consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of the offering proceeds held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. If we consummate an initial business combination, the notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares if the full amount of notes are issued and converted).
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any member of our management team or his or her respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us at that time, based upon other similar arrangements known to us, to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to obtain estimates from unaffiliated third parties for similar goods or services to ascertain whether such transactions with affiliates are on terms that are no less favorable to us than are otherwise available from such unaffiliated third parties. If a transaction with an affiliated third party were found to be on terms less favorable to us than with an unaffiliated third party, we would not engage in such transaction.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our initial stockholders, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with our initial stockholders, officers or directors, including but not limited to Two Bit Circus, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company (or stockholders) from a financial point of view.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares and private warrants, among other securities, which is described under the heading “Principal Stockholders — Registration Rights.”
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
As of the date of this prospectus, we will be authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001. As of the date of this prospectus, 2,875,000 shares of common stock are outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding. The following description summarizes the material terms of our securities. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the form of warrant agreement, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Units
Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock exercisable at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.
In no event will the shares of common stock and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private warrants. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Common Stock
Our stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, our sponsor, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock owned by them immediately prior to this offering and any shares purchased in this offering or following this offering in the open market in favor of the proposed business combination.
We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of such business combination and, solely if a vote is held to approve a business combination, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, if we do not consummate an initial business combination by 12 months from the closing of this offering (or 18 months from the closing of this offering if the 12-month date is extended as described herein), our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. If we are forced to liquidate prior to an initial business combination, our public stockholders are entitled to share ratably in the trust account, based on the amount then held in the trust account.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account occurring upon our failure to consummate an initial business combination with respect to the founder’s common stock and private shares. Our sponsor, officers and directors will therefore not participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to such shares. They will, however, participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to any shares of common stock acquired in, or following, this offering.
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Our stockholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the shares of common stock, except that public stockholders have the right to sell their shares to us in a tender offer or have their shares of common stock converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account in connection with the consummation of our business combination. Public stockholders who sell or convert their stock into their share of the trust account still have the right to exercise the warrants that they received as part of the units.
Preferred Stock
There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the common stock on a business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred stock to effect a business combination. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
Warrants
No warrants are currently outstanding. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of an initial business combination. However, no public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 90 days from the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. The warrants will expire five years from the closing of our initial business combination at 5:00 p.m., New York City time or earlier redemption.
The private warrants will be identical to the public warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus except that such private warrants will be exercisable for cash (even if a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective) or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by us, in each case so long as they are still held by the initial purchasers or their affiliates.
If (x) we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founders’ shares held by our initial stockholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described below will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
We may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the private warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:
• at any time while the warrants are exercisable,
• upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder,
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• if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders, and
• if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.
The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.
The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the fair market value by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. For example, if a holder held 150 warrants to purchase 150 shares and the fair market value on the trading date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 35 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our shares of common stock at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances.
The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding warrants (including the private warrants) in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.
The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of common stock at a price below their respective exercise prices.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Except as described above, no public warrants will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and the shares of common stock have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the
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expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, if we do not maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the shares of common stock is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless.
Warrant holders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their warrants such that an electing warrant holder would not be able to exercise their warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the shares of common stock outstanding.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our shares of common stock and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
Staggered board of directors
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors of approximately equal size. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings.
Special meeting of stockholders
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our president or by our chairman or by our secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority of our issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of the annual meeting of stockholders. In the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is given, a stockholder’s notice shall be timely if delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of our annual meeting of stockholders is first made or sent by us. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
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Authorized but unissued shares
Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Exclusive Forum Selection
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction or (D) arising under the Securities Act. If an action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and therefore bring a claim in another appropriate forum. Additionally, we cannot be certain that a court will decide that this provision is either applicable or enforceable, and if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
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SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Immediately after this offering we will have 12,500,000 (or 14,375,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) shares of common stock outstanding. Of these shares, the 10,000,000 (or 11,500,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining 2,500,000 shares (or 2,875,000 if the over-allotment is exercised in full) and private warrants are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of common stock or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of common stock and warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
• 1% of the total number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which will equal 125,000 shares immediately after this offering (or 143,750 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or
• the average weekly reported trading volume of the shares of common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
• the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;
• the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
• the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and
• at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
As a result, our sponsor will be able to sell their founder shares and private warrants, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
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Registration Rights
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on the date of this prospectus, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register for resale the founder shares, the private warrants and underlying shares of common stock and any securities issued upon conversion of working capital loans. The holders are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Listing of Securities
We have applied to list our units, shares of common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “REVEU,” “REVE,” and “REVEW,” respectively. We anticipate that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the shares of common stock and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the shares of common stock and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq.
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TAXATION
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following are the material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations with respect to your ownership and disposition of our units or components thereof, which we refer to collectively as our securities, assuming you purchase the securities in this offering and will hold them as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, and it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to persons subject to special rules, such as:
• certain financial institutions;
• insurance companies;
• dealers and traders in securities or foreign currencies;
• persons holding our securities as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction;
• former citizens or residents of the United States;
• U.S. persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
• partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
• persons liable for the alternative minimum tax; and
• tax-exempt organizations.
The following does not discuss any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxation. This discussion is based on current provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations, judicial opinions, published positions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and all other applicable authorities, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
If an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our securities, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the entity. If you are a partner in such an entity, you should consult your tax advisor.
WE URGE PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME, ESTATE AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR SECURITIES.
Each unit will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one share of our common stock and one-half of one warrant, each whole warrant to acquire one share of our common stock, subject to adjustment. In determining your basis for the common stock and half warrant composing a unit, you should allocate your purchase price for the unit between the components on the basis of their relative fair market values at the time of issuance.
Personal Holding Company Status
We could be subject to United States federal income tax at rates in excess of those generally applicable to corporations on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company, or PHC, for United States federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation will generally be classified as a PHC for United States federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds, and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the
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corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).Depending on the date and size of our initial business combination, it is possible that at least 60% of our adjusted ordinary gross income may consist of PHC income as discussed above.
In addition, depending on the concentration of our stock in the hands of individuals, including the members of our sponsor and certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds, and charitable trusts, it is possible that more than 50% of our stock will be owned or deemed owned (pursuant to the constructive ownership rules) by such persons during the last half of a taxable year. Thus, no assurance can be given that we will not become a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed taxable income, subject to certain adjustments.
U.S. Holders
This section is addressed to U.S. holders of our securities. For purposes of this discussion, you are a “U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a security that is:
• an individual citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
• a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in, or under the laws of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or
• an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
Dividends and Distributions
As discussed under “Dividend Policy” above, we do not anticipate that any dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. If we do make distributions on our common stock, such distributions generally will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits generally will first reduce your basis in the common stock (but not below zero) and then will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock (as described in the first paragraph under “— Sale or Other Disposition or Conversion of Common Stock” below).
The conversion feature of the common stock described under “Proposed Business — Effecting a Business Combination — Conversion Rights” may be viewed as a position with respect to substantially similar or related property which diminishes your risk of loss and thereby affects your ability to satisfy the holding period requirements for the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income with respect to the time period prior to the approval of an initial business combination.
Sale or Other Disposition or Conversion of Common Stock
Gain or loss you realize on the sale or other disposition of our common stock (other than conversion into cash but including a liquidation in the event we do not consummate a business combination within the required time) will be capital gain or loss. The amount of your gain or loss will be equal to the difference between your tax basis in the common stock disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any capital gain or loss you realize on a sale or other disposition of our common stock will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for the common stock is more than one year. However, the conversion feature of the common stock described under “Proposed Business — Effecting a Business Combination — Conversion Rights” could affect your ability to satisfy the holding period requirements for the long-term capital gain tax rate with respect to the time period prior to the approval of an initial business combination.
If you convert your common stock into a right to receive cash as described in “Proposed Business — Effecting a Business Combination — Conversion Rights,” the conversion generally will be treated as a sale of common stock described in the preceding paragraph (rather than as a dividend or distribution). The conversion will, however, be treated as a dividend or distribution and taxed as described in “— Dividends and Distributions” above if your percentage ownership in us (including shares that you are deemed to own under certain attribution rules, such as
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the shares into which the warrants are exercisable) after the conversion is not meaningfully reduced from what your percentage ownership was prior to the conversion. If you have a relatively minimal stock interest and, taking into account the effect of conversion by other stockholders, your percentage ownership in us is reduced as a result of the conversion, you may be regarded as having suffered a meaningful reduction in interest. For example, the IRS has ruled that any reduction in the stockholder’s proportionate interest will constitute a “meaningful reduction” in a transaction in which a holder held less than 1% of the shares of a corporation and did not have management control over the corporation. You should consult your own tax advisor as to whether conversion of your common stock will be treated as a sale or as a dividend under the Code and, if you actually or constructively own 5% (or, if our stock is not then publicly traded, 1%) or more of our common stock before conversion, whether you are subject to special reporting requirements with respect to such conversion.
Sale or Other Disposition, Exercise or Expiration of Warrants
Upon the sale or other disposition of a warrant (other than by exercise), you will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and your tax basis in the warrant. This capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the warrant has been held by you for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
In general, you will not be required to recognize income, gain or loss upon exercise of a warrant for its exercise price. Your basis in a share of common stock received upon exercise will be equal to the sum of (1) your basis in the warrant and (2) the exercise price of the warrant. Your holding period in the shares received upon exercise will commence on the day after you exercise the warrants. Although there is no direct legal authority as to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an exercise of a warrant on a cashless basis, we intend to take the position that such exercise will not be taxable, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because it qualifies as a tax-free recapitalization. In the former case, the holding period of the common stock should commence on the day after the warrant is exercised. In the latter case, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the exercised warrants. However, our position is not binding on the IRS and the IRS may treat a cashless exercise of a warrant as a taxable exchange. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to the consequences of an exercise of a warrant on a cashless basis.
If a warrant expires without being exercised, you will recognize a capital loss in an amount equal to your basis in the warrant. Such loss will be long-term capital loss if, at the time of the expiration, the warrant has been held by you for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Constructive Dividends on Warrants
As discussed under “Dividend Policy” above, we do not anticipate that any dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. If at any time during the period you hold warrants, however, we were to pay a taxable dividend to our stockholders and, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, the conversion rate of the warrants were increased, that increase would be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to you to the extent of our earnings and profits, notwithstanding the fact that you will not receive a cash payment. If the conversion rate is adjusted in certain other circumstances (or in certain circumstances, there is a failure to make adjustments), such adjustments may also result in the deemed payment of a taxable dividend to you. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the warrants.
Unearned Income Medicare Tax
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will generally apply to all or some portion of the net investment income of a U.S. holder that is an individual with adjusted gross income that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax will also apply to all or some portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain U.S. holders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes, dividends and gains from the taxable dispositions of the common stock and warrants will generally be taken into account in computing such a U.S. holder’s net investment income.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information returns may be filed with the IRS with respect to dividends or other distributions we may pay to you and proceeds from the sale of your shares of common stock or warrants. You will be subject to backup withholding on these payments if you fail to provide your taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and comply with certain certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld with respect to your shares of common stock or warrants under the backup withholding rules will be refunded to you or credited against your United States federal income tax liability, if any, by the IRS provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section is addressed to non-U.S. holders of the securities. For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a security (other than an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. holder.
Dividends and Distributions
As discussed under “Dividend Policy” above, we do not anticipate that any dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. If, however, we were to pay taxable dividends to you with respect to your shares of common stock (including any deemed distributions treated as a dividend on the warrants, as described in “— Constructive Dividends on Warrants” below), those dividends would generally be subject to United States withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount, unless you are eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and you provide proper certification of your eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E). A distribution generally will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under the Code. Any distribution not constituting a dividend generally will be treated first as reducing your basis in your shares of common stock and, to the extent it exceeds your basis, as gain from the disposition of your shares of common stock treated as described under “Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock or Warrants” below. The full amount of any distributions to you may, however, be subject to United States withholding tax unless the applicable withholding agent elects to withhold a lesser amount based on a reasonable estimate of the amount of the distribution that would be treated as a dividend. In addition, if we determine that we are likely to be classified as a “United States real property holding corporation”(see “Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock or Warrants” below), we will withhold at least 10% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits as provided by the Code.
Dividends we pay to you that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if certain income tax treaties apply, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by you) generally will not be subject to United States withholding tax if you comply with applicable certification and disclosure requirements (usually by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, such dividends generally will be subject to United States federal income tax, net of certain deductions, at the same graduated individual or corporate rates applicable to United States persons. If you are a corporation, effectively connected income may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Exercise of Warrants
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the exercise of the warrants into shares of common stock. However, if a cashless exercise of warrants results in a taxable exchange, as described in “— U.S. Holders — Sale or Other Disposition, Exercise or Expiration of Warrants,” the rules described below under “Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock or Warrants” would apply.
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Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock or Warrants
You generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock (which would include a dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required timeframe) or warrants (including an expiration or redemption of our warrants), unless:
• the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment you maintain);
• you are an individual, you hold your shares of common stock or warrants as capital assets, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and you meet other conditions, and you are not eligible for relief under an applicable income tax treaty; or
• we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes and, in the case where the shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, you hold or have held, directly or indirectly, at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding disposition or your holding period for your shares of common stock or warrants, more than 5% of our common stock. Special rules may apply to the determination of the 5% threshold in the case of a holder of a warrant. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the effect of holding the warrants on the calculation of such 5% threshold. We will be classified as a United States real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of (1) the fair market value of our United States real property interests, (2) the fair market value of our non-United States real property interests and (3) the fair market value of any other of our assets which are used or held for use in our trade or business. Although we currently are not a United States real property holding corporation, we cannot determine whether we will be a United States real property holding corporation in the future until we consummate an initial business combination.
Gain that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States generally will be subject to United States federal income tax, net of certain deductions, at the same rates applicable to United States persons. If you are a corporation, the branch profits tax also may apply to such effectively connected gain. If the gain from the sale or disposition of your shares of common stock or warrants is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States but under an applicable income tax treaty is not attributable to a permanent establishment you maintain in the United States, your gain may be exempt from United States tax under the treaty. If you are described in the second bullet point above, you generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the gain realized, although the gain may be offset by some United States source capital losses realized during the same taxable year. If you are described in the third bullet point above, gain recognized by you on the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of common stock or warrants will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at normal graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of your shares of common stock or warrants may be required to withhold United States income tax at a rate of 10% of the amount realized upon such disposition.
If you convert your common stock into a right to receive cash as described in “Proposed Business — Effecting a Business Combination — Conversion Rights,” the conversion generally will be treated as a sale of common stock rather than as a dividend or distribution. The conversion will, however, be treated as a dividend or distribution and taxed as described in “Dividends and Distributions” if your percentage ownership in us (including shares that you are deemed to own under certain attribution rules, such as the shares into which the warrants are exercisable) after the conversion is not meaningfully reduced from what your percentage ownership was prior to the conversion. See the discussion in “— U.S. Holders — Sale or Other Disposition or Conversion of Common Stock.” You should consult your own tax advisor as to whether conversion of your common stock will be treated as a sale or as a dividend under the Code.
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Constructive Dividends on Warrants
As discussed under “Dividend Policy” above, we do not anticipate that any dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. If at any time during the period you hold warrants, however, we were to pay a taxable dividend to our stockholders and, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, the conversion rate of the warrants were increased, that increase would be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to you to the extent of our earnings and profits, notwithstanding the fact that you will not receive a cash payment. If the conversion rate is adjusted in certain other circumstances (or in certain circumstances, there is a failure to make adjustments), such adjustments may also result in the deemed payment of a taxable dividend to you. Any resulting withholding tax attributable to deemed dividends would be collected from other amounts payable or distributable to you. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the warrants.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends or other distributions we may pay to you on your shares of common stock and the amount of tax we withhold on any such distributions regardless of whether withholding is required. The IRS may make copies of the information returns reporting those dividends and amounts withheld available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside pursuant to the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or exchange of information treaty. The United States imposes backup withholding on dividends and certain other types of payments to United States persons. You will not be subject to backup withholding on dividends you receive on your shares of common stock if you provide proper certification (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E) of your status as a non-United States person or you are a corporation or one of several types of entities and organizations that qualify for exemption (an “exempt recipient”).
Information reporting and backup withholding generally are not required with respect to the amount of any proceeds from the sale of your shares of common stock or warrants outside the United States through a foreign office of a foreign broker that does not have certain specified connections to the United States. However, if you sell your shares of common stock or warrants through a United States broker or the United States office of a foreign broker, the broker will be required to report to the IRS the amount of proceeds paid to you unless you provide appropriate certification (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E) to the broker of your status as a non-United States person or you are an exempt recipient. Information reporting also would apply if you sell your shares of common stock or warrants through a foreign broker deriving more than a specified percentage of its income from United States sources or having certain other connections to the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld with respect to your shares of common stock or warrants under the backup withholding rules will be refunded to you or credited against your United States federal income tax liability, if any, by the IRS provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Estate Tax
Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of his or her death, or by an entity the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate, will be included in the individual’s gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes and therefore may be subject to United States federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise. The foregoing may also apply to warrants.
Unearned Income Medicare Tax
If you are a foreign estate or trust, you may be subject to the Medicare contribution tax described under “U.S. Holders — Unearned Income Medicare Tax” above. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the Medicare contribution tax on their investments in the units.
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FATCA
A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on payments to certain foreign entities of U.S.-source dividends and the gross proceeds of dispositions of stock (including our securities) that can produce U.S.-source dividends, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied or an exemption has otherwise been established. This withholding tax will not apply, however, to payments of gross proceeds from dispositions of stock before January 1, 2019. Potential investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax on their investment in the units.
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UNDERWRITING
We are offering the units described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole book-running manager of this offering and as representative of the underwriters named below. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the number of units listed next to its name in the following table.
Underwriter | | Number of Units |
Maxim Group LLC | | |
Total | | 10,000,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters must buy all of the units if they buy any of them. However, the underwriters are not required to purchase the units covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units as described below.
Our units are offered subject to a number of conditions, including:
• receipt and acceptance of our units by the underwriters; and
• the underwriters’ right to reject orders in whole or in part.
We have been advised by the representative that the underwriters intend to make a market in our units but that they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market at any time without notice.
Option to Purchase Additional Units
We have granted the underwriters an option to buy up to an aggregate of 1,500,000 additional units. The underwriters have 45 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option. If the underwriters exercise this option, they will each purchase additional units approximately in proportion to the amounts specified in the table above.
Underwriting Discount
Units sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any units sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $ ______ per unit from the initial public offering price. Sales of units made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. If all the units are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the units at the prices and upon the terms stated therein.
The following table shows the per unit and total underwriting discount we will pay to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional units.
| | No Exercise | | Full Exercise |
Per Unit(1) | | $ | 0.475 | | $ | 0.475 |
Total(1) | | $ | 4,750,000 | | $ | 5,462,500 |
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If we do not complete our initial business combination within the allotted time period, the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account and (ii) that the deferred underwriters’ discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, together with any accrued interest thereon (which interest will be net of taxes payable) to the public stockholders.
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discount, will be approximately $925,000.
Representative Shares
We will issue to Maxim Group and/or its designees the _______ representative shares for nominal consideration upon the closing of this offering. The holders of the representative shares will agree not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without our prior consent until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, the holders of the representative shares will agree (i) to waive their conversion rights (or right to participate in any tender offer) with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the required time period.
The representative shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of the FINRA Manual. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), these securities will not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the public offering, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their officers or partners, associated persons or affiliates provided that all securities so transferred remain subject to the lockup restriction above for the remainder of the time period.
We have granted the holders of these shares the registration rights as described under the section “Shares Eligible for Future Sale — Registration Rights.” The demand and piggyback registration rights being granted to the Maxim Group and its designees are subject to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8).
Right of First Refusal
We have grated Maxim Group LLC the right of first refusal to act as lead left book running manager and lead left manager for any and all future private or public equity, convertible and debt offerings undertaken by us or any successor entity during the 12-month period following the closing of our initial business combination.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We, our executive officers and directors, and our initial stockholders will enter into lock-up agreements with the underwriters. Under the lock-up agreements, subject to certain exceptions, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of Maxim Group LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or hedge our units, warrants, shares or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our shares. These restrictions will be in effect for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus.
Maxim Group LLC may, at any time and in its sole discretion, release some or all the securities from these lock-up agreements. Maxim Group LLC will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our units, warrants and shares may become available for resale into the market, subject to applicable law, which could reduce the market price of our securities.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or
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other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under “Principal Stockholders”).
The private warrants (including the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the private warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under “Principal Stockholders”).
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Nasdaq Listing
We have applied for listing of our units on Nasdaq under the symbol “REVEU” and, once the shares of common stock and warrants begin separate trading, we expect our shares of common stock and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “REVE” and “REVEW,” respectively.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of units during and after this offering, including:
• stabilizing transactions;
• short sales;
• purchases to cover positions created by short sales;
• imposition of penalty bids; and
• syndicate covering transactions.
Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our units while this offering is in progress. Stabilization transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. These transactions may also include making short sales of our units, which involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of units than they are required to purchase in this offering and purchasing units on the open market to cover short positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered short sales,” which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units referred to above, or may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount.
The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing units in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the over-allotment option.
Naked short sales are short sales made in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased units sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
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These stabilizing transactions, short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales, the imposition of penalty bids and syndicate covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our units. As a result of these activities, the price of our units may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the units. Neither we, nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilization transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Affiliations
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their affiliates may from time to time in the future engage with us and perform services for us or in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in these securities and instruments.
Except as described above, we are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. However, any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriter’s compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of a business combination.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of units for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.
Notice to Residents of Canada
The units may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the units must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
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Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (each, a “relevant member state”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Regulation is implemented in that relevant member state (the “relevant implementation date”), an offer of units described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state
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or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of our units may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
• to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;
• to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by the issuer for any such offer; or
• in any other circumstances that do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation,
provided that no such offer of units referred to in (a) to (c) above shall result in a requirement for us or any Dealer to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation, or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Regulation.
Each purchaser of units described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purpose of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the units, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Regulation in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of units through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the units as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the units, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the units on behalf of us or the underwriters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Regulation that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as a “relevant person”). The units are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase or otherwise
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acquire such units will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Notice to Prospective Investors in France
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units has been or will be:
• released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
• used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the units to the public in France.
• Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:
• to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Article L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;
• to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
• in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1|Mbb[-or-2|Mbb[-or 3|Mbb[ of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).
The units may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The units may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the units may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to units which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The units have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the units may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the units be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where the units are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
• shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
• to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA;
• where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or
• where the transfer is by operation of law.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Graubard Miller, New York, New York, is acting as our counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act, and as such, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this offering. Loeb & Loeb LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Alpine Acquisition Corporation as of March 1, 2021 and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021 included in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report, thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Alpine Acquisition Corporation to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given upon such firm as experts in auditing and accounting..
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You also may obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | Page |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | F-2 |
Financial Statements: | | |
Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021 | | F-3 |
Statements of Operations for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021 | | F-4 |
Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021 | | F-5 |
Statements of Cash Flows for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021 | | F-6 |
Notes to Financial Statements | | F-7 |
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of
Alpine Acquisition Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Alpine Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) as of March 1, 2021, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 1, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph — Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company’s ability to execute its business plan is dependent upon its completion of the proposed initial public offering described in Note 3 to the financial statements. The Company has a working capital deficiency as of March 1, 2021 and lacks the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Melville, NY
April 28, 2021, except for the effects of the third paragraph of Note 8 as to which the date is July 20, 2021
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
| | March 31, 2021 (unaudited) | | March 1, 2021 |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | — | |
Deferred offering costs | | | 34,650 | | | | 34,650 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 184,650 | | | $ | 34,650 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Promissory Note – Related Party | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | — | |
Due to Sponsor | | | 12,425 | | | | 12,425 | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 162,425 | | | | 12,425 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholder’s Equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | | | — | | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding(1)(2) | | | 288 | | | | 288 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 24,712 | | | | 24,712 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (2,775 | ) | | | (2,775 | ) |
Total Stockholder’s Equity | | | 22,225 | | | | 22,225 | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity | | $ | 184,650 | | | $ | 34,650 | |
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| | For the period from February 8, 2021 (Inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) | | For the period from February 8, 2021 (Inception) through March 1, 2021 |
Formation costs | | $ | 2,775 | | | $ | 2,775 | |
Net loss | | $ | (2,775 | ) | | $ | (2,775 | ) |
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1) | | | 2,500,000 | | | | 2,500,000 | |
Basic and diluted net loss per common share | | $ | (0.00 | ) | | $ | (0.00 | ) |
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021
| | Common Stock
| | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Total Stockholder’s Equity |
| |
| | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance, February 8, 2021 (inception) | | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Issuance of Common stock to Sponsor(1) | | 2,875,000 | | | 288 | | | 24,712 | | | — | | | | 25,000 | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,775 | ) | | | (2,775 | ) |
Balance, March 1, 2021 | | 2,875,000 | | | 288 | | | 24,712 | | | (2,775 | ) | | | 22,225 | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | — | |
Balance, March 31, 2021 (unaudited) | | 2,875,000 | | $ | 288 | | $ | 24,712 | | $ | (2,775 | ) | | $ | 22,225 | |
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | For the period from February 8, 2021 (Inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) | | For the period from February 8, 2021 (Inception) through March 1, 2021 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (2,775 | ) | | $ | (2,775 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Due to Sponsor | | | 2,775 | | | | 2,775 | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | — | | | | — | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sponsor note | | | 150,000 | | | | — | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 150,000 | | | | — | |
Net change in cash | | | 150,000 | | | | — | |
Cash at beginning of period | | | — | | | | — | |
Cash at end of period | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-cash financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Deferred offering costs paid by Sponsor in exchange for common stock | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | |
Deferred offering costs paid by Sponsor | | $ | 9,650 | | | $ | 9,650 | |
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
Alpine Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on February 8, 2021. 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 is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies. We currently intend to combine with Two Bit Circus, Inc. (“Two Bit Circus”), a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company that is affiliated with certain members of our management team, concurrent with the completion of our initial business combination. We will not, however, complete an initial business combination with only Two Bit Circus. In addition, we will likely not consummate a merger with Two Bit Circus if the target business with respect to our initial business combination is not complimentary to the Two Bit Circus business.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (“Proposed Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a Proposed Public Offering of 10,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per Unit (or 11,500,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 4,925,000 warrants (or 5,412,500 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised on full) (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in private placements to Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Public Offering.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account). The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that an amount equal to at least $10.20 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering, including proceeds of the Private Placement Warrants, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer in connection with the Business Combination. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN (cont.)
Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.20 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
The Company will not redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that it does not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to the Business Combination. If the Company seeks stockholder approval of the Business Combination, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if a majority of the outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination, or such other vote as required by law or stock exchange rule. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation will provide that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The holders of the Founder Shares have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.
If the Company has not completed a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, or up to 18 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”) by resolution of our board if requested by us for a combination up to two times, each by an additional three months, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (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’
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN (cont.)
rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), 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. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
The holders of the Founder Shares have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the holders of Founder Shares acquire Public Shares in or after the Proposed Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Proposed Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.20 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.20 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Going Concern Consideration
At March 31, 2021 and March 1, 2021, the Company had cash and working capital deficit of $150,000 (unaudited) and $0 and $12,425 (unaudited) and $12,425, respectively. Further, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. The Company lacks the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the date of the issuance of the financial statements. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Proposed Public Offering. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise capital will be successful. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN (cont.)
Risks and Uncertainties
Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 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, close of the Proposed Public Offering and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying audited financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited financial statements as of March 31, 2021 and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 include all adjustments, which are only of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2021 and its results of operations and cash flows for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021. The results of operations for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US 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 expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of costs incurred in connection with preparation for the Proposed Public Offering. These costs, together with the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be charged to additional paid in capital upon completion of the Proposed Public Offering or charged to operations if the Proposed Public Offering is not completed. At March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, the Company had deferred offering costs of $34,650 and $34,650, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 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 included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2021 and March 1, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and for the period from February 8, 2021 (inception) through March 1, 2021. The Company’s deferred tax assets were deemed to be de minimis as of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021.
Net Loss per Common Share
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding shares of common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 375,000 shares of Common stock that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). At March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 3 — PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 10,000,000 Units (or 11,500,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one share of Common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one share of Common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7).
NOTE 4 — PRIVATE PLACEMENTS
The Sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 4,925,000 Private Placement Warrants (or 5,412,500 Private Placement Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant ($4,925,000, or an aggregate of $5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) from the Company in private placements that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7). The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be added to the net proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants (including the Common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 5 — RELATED PARTIES
Founder Shares
On March 1, 2021, the Sponsor received 4,312,500 of the Company’s Common stock (the “Founder Shares”) for $25,000. In June 2021, the Sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to the Company’s capital for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. All prior period amounts have been restated for this contribution (see Note 8). The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will equal, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock after the Proposed Public Offering.
The holders of the Founder Shares have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) six months after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On March 1, 2021, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $150,000. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering. As of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, there were $150,000 and $0, respectively outstanding under the Promissory Note.
General and Administrative Services
The Company will be obligated, commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Public Offering, to pay its Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes may be repaid upon completion of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon completion of a Business Combination into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. As of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of Proposed Public Offering requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to shares of Common stock). The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until the securities covered thereby are released from their lock-up restrictions. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Proposed Public Offering to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Proposed Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
In addition, the Company will issue to the underwriter or its designees an indeterminate number of shares of common stock upon closing of the Proposed Public Offering, at a price of $0.0001.
The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.125 per Unit, or $1,250,000 in the aggregate (or $1,437,500 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate (or $4,025,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. In June 2021, the Sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to the Company’s capital for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. (see Note 8) As of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and March 1, 2021, there were 2,875,000 shares of Common stock issued and outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares of Common stock are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part so that the number of Founder Shares will equal 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Proposed Public Offering.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (cont.)
In connection with our initial business combination, we may enter into a stockholders agreement or other arrangements with the stockholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other corporate governance arrangements that differ from those in effect upon completion of this offering.
Our public stockholders will have the same voting and redemption rights with respect to any business combination including with Two Bit Circus as are applicable to a business combination which does not include Two Bit Circus.
Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common stock is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file, and within 60 business days following a Business Combination to have declared effective, a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed. Notwithstanding the above, if the Common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Redemption of Warrants — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:
• in whole and not in part;
• at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant;
• upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period to each warrant holder; and
• if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the Warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to warrant holders.
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
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ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 1, 2021 AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)
Notes to the financial statements
NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (cont.)
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, as described above, its management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Public Warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Public Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Public Warrants. Accordingly, the Public Warrants may expire worthless.
The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Public Offering except that the holders of the Private Placement Warrants have agreed that the Private Placement Warrants and the Common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable, except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants
The Company will account for the 9,925,000 warrants to be issued in connection with the Proposed Public Offering (including 5,000,000 Public Warrants and 4,925,000 Private Placement Warrants assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised) in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability.
The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that the Company record a derivative liability upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Accordingly, the Company will classify each warrant as a liability at its fair value and the warrants will be allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to its fair value determined by the Monte Carlo simulation. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification.
NOTE 8 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through April 28, 2021 and July 20, 2021, the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, except as noted below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
On March 17, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company drew down $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, on the Promissory Note described in Footnote 5.
In June 2021, the Sponsor contributed an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares to the Company’s capital for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 founder shares. The Company has accounted for this contribution as a recapitalization. Accordingly, all share amounts have been retroactively restated.
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Until , 2021 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our shares of common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the securities offered by this prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.
10,000,000 Units
Alpine Acquisition Corporation
__________________________________
Prospectus
__________________________________
Sole Book-Running Manager
Maxim Group LLC
, 2021
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:
SEC Registration Fees | | 26,000 |
FINRA Filing Fees | | 36,500 |
Accounting fees and expenses | | 35,000 |
Printing and engraving expenses | | 40,000 |
Nasdaq Capital Market expenses (excluding deferred amount) | | 5,000 |
D&O insurance | | 500,000 |
Legal fees and expenses | | 250,000 |
Miscellaneous(1) | | 32,500 |
Total | | 925,000 |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that all directors, officers, employees and agents of the registrant shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
“Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner
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the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
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(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).”
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Paragraph B of Article Eighth of our certificate of incorporation provides:
“The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the GCL, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.”
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, we have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter and the Underwriter has agreed to indemnify us against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors a form of which is to be filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.
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Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
(a) During the past three years, we sold the following shares of common stock without registration under the Securities Act:
| | Shareholder | | Shares |
Alpine Acquisition Sponsor LLC | | 4,312,500 |
Such shares were issued in March 2021 in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as the shares were sold to an accredited investor. The shares issued were sold for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.006 per share.
In addition, our sponsor has committed to purchase from us warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $4,925,000, or up to $5,412,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The purchase of the private warrants will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of our initial public offering. These issuances will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
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Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(5) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(6) For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fountain Hills, State of Arizona, on the 21st day of July, 2021.
| | ALPINE ACQUISITION CORPORATION |
| | By: | | /s/ Kim Schaefer |
| | Name: | | Kim Schaefer |
| | Title: | | Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Elan Blutinger his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including pre- and post-effective amendments to this registration statement, any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and pre- or post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | | Position | | Date |
/s/ Elan Blutinger | | Chairman | | July 21, 2021 |
Elan Blutinger | | | | |
/s/ Kim Schaefer | | Chief Executive Officer | | July 21, 2021 |
Kim Schaefer | | (Principal executive officer) | | |
/s/ Alex Lombardo | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and | | July 21, 2021 |
Alex Lombardo | | accounting officer) | | |
/s/ David Goldberg | | Director | | July 21, 2021 |
David Goldberg | | | | |
/s/ Howard Silver | | Director | | July 21, 2021 |
Howard Silver | | | | |
/s/ Alissa Nolan | | Director | | July 21, 2021 |
Alissa Nolan | | | | |
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