SEC Form 10-Q filed by Genesis Growth Tech Acquisition Corp.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 001-41138

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

+41 78 607 99 01

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of November 9, 2023, 101,039 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 6,325,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, were issued and outstanding.

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

BALANCE SHEETS

UNAUDITED

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023  

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

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GENESIS GROWTH TECH ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

References to the “Company,” “Genesis Growth Tech Acquisition Corp.,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Genesis Growth Tech Acquisition Corp. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

In addition, unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this Report only:

This information should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the audited financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2023 (the “Annual Report”).

Certain capitalized terms used below and otherwise defined below, have the meanings given to such terms in the footnotes to our consolidated financial statements included above under “Part I - Financial Information” – “Item 1. Financial Statements”.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other SEC filings. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on March 17, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. We intend to effectuate our initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the private placement of the Private Placement Warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial Business Combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing or other sources.

The issuance of additional shares in a business combination:

Similarly, if we issue debt or otherwise incur significant debt, it could result in:

As indicated in the accompanying unaudited financial statements, as of September 30, 2023, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $3.8 million. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial business combination will be successful.

Recent Developments

Extraordinary General Meeting

On August 31, 2023, GGAA held a second extraordinary general meeting of shareholders at which holders of 5,883,786 ordinary shares in the Company were present virtually or by proxy, representing approximately 92% of the voting power of the 6,426,039 ordinary shares issued and outstanding entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting at the close of business on August 7, 2023, which was the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting. In connection with the Second Extension Amendment Proposal, Shareholders holding an aggregate of 19,519 Class A ordinary shares of GGAA, representing approximately 0.3% of the issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares in GGAA, elected to redeem such shares for a pro rata portion of the funds in GGAA’s trust account. As a result, approximately $246,605.40 (approximately $12.63 per share) was debited from the Company’s trust account to pay such holders. At this meeting shareholders of the Company also proposed and approved an additional extension proposal extending the timeline in which the Company can consummate a business combination from September 13, 2023, to December 13, 2024.

Termination of Previously Planned Merger Agreement

As previously announced, on May 22, 2023, the Company, GGAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Florida corporation and newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of GGAA (“Merger Sub”); NextTrip Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (“NextTrip”); and William Kerby, solely in his capacity as the representative for NextTrip’s shareholders as discussed in the Plan of Merger entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Plan of Merger”) with the Company.

The Plan of Merger had contemplated that the Company and NextTrip would engage in a series of transactions pursuant to which, among other transactions, Merger Sub would merge with and into NextTrip, with NextTrip continuing as the surviving entity upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Plan of Merger, and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company

Effective as of August 16, 2023 and in accordance with Section 7.1(a) of the Plan of Merger, GGAA and NextTrip mutually agreed to terminate the Plan of Merger, pursuant to the terms of a termination agreement entered into by and between each of the parties to the Plan of Merger (the “Termination Agreement”). Additionally, under the Termination Agreement, each of GGAA, Merger Sub and the Purchaser Representative, released NextTrip, the Seller Representative, and each of their representatives, affiliates, agents and assigns, and each of NextTrip and the Seller Representative released GGAA, Merger Sub, the Purchaser Representative, and each of their representatives, affiliates, agents and assigns, for any claims, causes of action, liabilities or damages, except for certain liabilities that survive the termination pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Merger, or for breaches of the Termination Agreement.

Results of Operations

Our entire activity since inception up to September 30, 2023, was in preparation for our formation and our Initial Public Offering, and, subsequent to our Initial Public Offering, identifying a target company for a Business Combination. We will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial Business Combination, at the earliest.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we had net loss of approximately $309,000, which consisted of general and administrative expenses of $295,000 and $30,000 in general and administrative expenses for related party, relating to the December 8, 2021 agreement entered into with the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to reimburse the Sponsor for office space, secretarial and administrative services provided to the Company in the amount of $10,000 per month through the earlier of the consummation of the initial Business Combination and the Company’s liquidation, offset by income from investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $15,000.

For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net income of approximately $4,700, which consisted of income from investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $1,136,000, offset by general and administrative expenses of approximately $1,102,000 and approximately $30,000 in general and administrative expenses for related party.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had net income of approximately $879,000, which consisted of income from investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $1,647,000, offset by general and administrative expenses of approximately $678,000 and $90,000 in general and administrative expenses for related party, relating to the December 8, 2021 agreement entered into with the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to reimburse the Sponsor for office space, secretarial and administrative services provided to the Company in the amount of $10,000 per month through the earlier of the consummation of the initial Business Combination and the Company’s liquidation.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of approximately $287,000, which consisted of general and administrative expenses of approximately $1,686,000 and $90,000 in general and administrative expenses for related party, offset by income from investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $1,489,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2023, we have $0 cash and a working capital deficit of $4,867,784.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had net cash used in operating activities of $978,312, compared to $855,718 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which for the 2023 period was mainly due to $1,646,715 of paid-in-kind interest income on investments held in the trust account and $878,845 of net income and $210,442 for other operating activities for the 2022 period was mainly due to $286,674 of net loss, offset by paid-in-kind interest income on investments held in the trust account of $1,489,289 And $920,245 in other operating activities.

We had net cash provided by investing activities of $264,772,614 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $986,995 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which for the 2023 period was mainly due to $263,572,019 of cash withdrawn from the trust account in connection with redemptions and 2022 was due for $986,995 operating expenses being paid by a related party.

We had $263,794,302 of net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $131,277 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which for the 2023 period was solely due to the redemption of ordinary shares and for the 2022 period was solely due to repayment of note payable to related party.

Prior to the completion of our Initial Public Offering, our liquidity needs were satisfied through (i) $25,000 paid by our Sponsor to cover certain expenses in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares to our Sponsor and (ii) the receipt of a loan of up to $500,000 from our Sponsor under the Note. Prior to the completion of our Initial Public Offering, we borrowed approximately $453,000 under the Note, which was fully repaid in March 2022. The net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in our Initial Public Offering, after deducting non-reimbursed offering expenses of approximately $738,000, underwriting commissions of $2,530,000, and (ii) the sale of the Private Placement Warrants for a purchase price of $8,875,000, was $258,645,000. Of that amount, $257,148,600 was initially placed in the Trust Account. In connection with the Extension EGM and as a result of the redemption of public shares by our public shareholders, approximately $1.2 million remained in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2023. The proceeds held in the Trust Account are 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.

We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest and other income earned on the Trust Account (less taxes payable), to complete our initial Business Combination. We may withdraw interest income (if any) to pay income taxes, if any. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account. We expect the interest income earned on the amount in the Trust Account (if any) will be sufficient to pay our income taxes. To the extent that our equity or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

Prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination, we have available to us the $689,047 of proceeds held outside the Trust Account, as well as certain funds from loans from our Sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team. We plan to primarily use these funds to work to complete and close the Merger.

We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds to meet the expenditures required for operating our business prior to our initial Business Combination, other than funds available from loans from our Sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team. However, if our estimates of the costs of completing the Merger are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial Business Combination. In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with any intended initial Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds. If we complete our initial Business Combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. In the event that our initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. The terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our Sponsor, its affiliates or our management team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our Trust Account.

We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $300,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; $100,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations; $800,000 for directors and officers insurance premiums; $120,000 for office space, administrative and support services; $100,000 for Nasdaq and other regulatory fees; and $430,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves. These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses.

As a result of our public shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights for approximately 99.6% of our public shares in connection with the Extension EGM, we will need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial Business Combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. If we have not consummated our initial Business Combination by September 13, 2023, because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. The Company currently expects to hold another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to seek approval from our public shareholders to further extend the date by which we have to consummate a business combination, provided that no definitive plans regarding a further extension have been agreed to by the Board of Directors, and any further extension may not be approved by shareholders.

Based on the foregoing, we believe that we will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors to meet our needs through the consummation of a Business Combination. However, in connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” we have determined that liquidity needs, the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after September 13, 2023. The unaudited financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

The underwriter of our Initial Public Offering, Nomura, was entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.10 per Unit, or $2.5 million in the aggregate (including over-allotment), of which $2.2 million was paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and $0.3 million was paid upon the exercise of the over-allotment option. In addition, $0.55 per unit, or $13.9 million in the aggregate, was to be payable to Nomura for deferred underwriting commissions. On January 26, 2023, Nomura waived its right to receive such $13.9 million of deferred underwriting commissions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our unaudited financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our unaudited financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to fair value of financial instruments and accrued expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-03, ASC Subtopic 820 “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” The ASU amends ASC 820 to clarify that a contractual sales restriction is not considered in measuring an equity security at fair value and to introduce new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value. The ASU applies to both holders and issuers of equity and equity-linked securities measured at fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on the unaudited financial statements.

Our management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards updates, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited financial statements.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are 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, the unaudited financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’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 our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer (“Management”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, Management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023. Based upon their evaluation, Management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2023, due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting of the Company’s Cash accounts and Due from related party accounts from a failure to segregate bank accounts.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In light of the events described above, in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, we implemented additional control measures to enhance the approval process in connection with our SEC filings and committed to incorporate as appropriate other training and remedial measures. The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.

Other than as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, including any corrective actions regarding significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we are not currently a party to any material legal proceeding. In addition, we are not aware of any material legal or governmental proceedings against us or contemplated to be brought against us.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Commission on June 20, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, other than as described below, and investors are encouraged to review such risk factors in the Form 10-K and below, prior to making an investment in the Company. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and stock price.

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

Irrespective of the above, we have elected to file, and have filed, an annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, similar to U.S. domestic reporting companies.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company and foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, we have adopted certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, the Nasdaq permits a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. For instance, we are not required to:

On November 9, 2022, we filed a Form 8-K with the SEC announcing the resignations of (i) Mr. Pierre Etienne Lallia and Mr. Massimo Prelz-Oltramonti as board members and (ii) Mr. Simon Baker as a board member (including his position as Co-Executive Chairman of the board) and our Chief Operating Officer and Executive Head of M&A. Mr. Lallia and Mr. Prelz-Oltramonti each served on the board’s Audit Committee with Mr. Prelz-Oltramonti also serving on the board’s Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee. The decisions of Mr. Lallia, Mr. Prelz-Oltramonti and Mr. Baker to resign as, as applicable, our director and/or executive officer, was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with us on any matter relating to our operation, policies or practices.

Following these resignations our board is comprised of three members, including one independent director—Mr. Cem Habib. Mr. Habib serves as the sole member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees and he has been designated as the Audit Committee’s financial expert.

Initially, we sought to generally comply with the general Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. However, in light of the above resignations and to ensure continued compliance with Nasdaq’s corporate governance rules, we have adopted the following home country practices in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(a)(3):

We may be unable to add additional qualified directors to our board as contemplated above on a timely basis or at all. Accordingly, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

Certain special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) with small public floats, including the Company, have recently experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance and prospects of the respective companies. We may experience similar volatility in the future, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our securities.

Our Class A ordinary shares and units recently experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to our financial results and prospects. On July 13, 2023, the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares, traded between $12.00 and $48.99 per share and the trading price of our units traded between $13.00 and $37.00 per unit, for reasons unknown. The trading prices of certain other SPACs with small public floats also experienced extreme volatility and significant increases in trading values for seemingly unknown reasons. The trading price of our securities is likely to continue to be volatile, and our securities have been, and may continue to be, subject to rapid and substantial price volatility. Such volatility, including any stock-run up, has, and in the future, may be, unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance, financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our securities. There have been recent instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines, particularly among companies with relatively smaller public floats, and we expect that such instances may continue and/or increase in the future. Contributing to this risk of volatility are a number of factors. First, our securities are likely to be more sporadically and thinly traded than that of larger, more established companies. As a consequence of this lack of liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of securities by our securityholders may disproportionately influence the price of those securities in either direction, which may cause the price of our securities to deviate, potentially significantly, from a price that better reflects the underlying performance of our business. The price of our securities could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of our securities are sold in the market without commensurate demand as compared to a seasoned issuer that could better absorb those sales without an adverse impact on its security price. Second, we are a speculative investment due to our status as a SPAC and our business plan to complete a business combination. Third, we have an extremely small float, with only 88,502 outstanding Class A ordinary shares (when not including shares which are part of units) and only 12,537 outstanding units. As a result, orders to purchase or sell even small numbers of our Series A ordinary shares or units may have an extreme effect on the price of our securities, due to the small number of shares available for purchase and sale, and may result in extreme volatility which is unrelated to the underlying performance and prospects of the Company. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-adverse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their securities on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a larger, more established company that has a relatively large public float.

Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our securities. Such volatility, including any stock run-ups, may be unrelated or disproportionate to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our shares.

Furthermore, the stock market in general, and the market for SPACs in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance or prospects of those companies. Broad market and industry factors, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions, or changes in inflation or interest rates, may seriously affect the market price of our securities, regardless of our actual operating performance or prospects. These fluctuations may be even more pronounced in the trading market for our securities as we approach the closing date of a potential business combination, and as a result of our extremely limited public float as discussed above. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our securities. No assurance can be given that an active market in our securities will develop or be sustained. If an active market does not develop, holders of our securities may be unable to readily sell the securities they hold or may not be able to sell their securities at all. The price of our securities may decline in the future and any investment in the Company may be lost.

Our securities are currently subject to a trading halt with the Nasdaq Global Market and Nasdaq has provided us notice that it plans to delist our securities from Nasdaq.

On July 13, 2023, the Nasdaq Global Market initiated a trading halt on our Series A ordinary shares, units and warrants in connection with the request by Nasdaq for additional information regarding our public float and compliance with certain other of Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements (the “Trading Halt”).

We originally qualified for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market under Nasdaq that qualified for listing under Nasdaq Rule 5406, which provides for alternative initial listing requirements for companies whose business plan is to complete one or more acquisitions. In connection therewith, we are required to meet certain continued listing requirements under Nasdaq Rule 5452. Rule 5452 requires SPACs to meet certain requirements, and including that until a company has consummated its business combination, Nasdaq will initiate suspension and delisting procedures if: over 30 consecutive trading days the SPAC’s average market value of listed securities is below $50 million or if the average market value of publicly held shares is below $40 million. We are also required pursuant to Rule 5452 to maintain (a) at least 300 public stockholders (if a component of a unit is a warrant, at least 100 holders); (b) at least 1,200 total stockholders and average monthly trading volume of 100,000 shares (for the most recent 12 months); or (c) at least 600,000 publicly held shares.

On July 14, 2023, we received a written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market indicating that our securities (units, ordinary shares and warrants) will be suspended from The Nasdaq Global Market on July 25, 2023, due to the Company’s non-compliance with Listing Rule 5452. Pursuant to the July 14, 2023, notice, Nasdaq advised the Company that for the 30 consecutive trading days ending June 27, 2023, the Company’s average market value of listed securities has been below $50 million and the average market value of publicly held securities for its Class A ordinary shares has been below $40 million, and as a result, Nasdaq has determined to delist the Company’s securities.

Additionally, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5452(a)(2)(C), SPACs are required to hold at least 600,000 in publicly held shares. According to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, Nasdaq calculated the publicly held shares as 101,039. Nasdaq advised that this deficiency serves as an additional and separate basis for delisting.

Furthermore, as previously disclosed, on May 23, 2023, Nasdaq notified the Company that it did not comply with Listing Rule 5250(c), due to its failure to timely file its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023. The Company’s failure to timely file its periodic report also serves as an additional and separate basis for delisting; provided that such Form 10-Q has now been filed.

Accordingly, and pursuant to Listing Rule 5815(a)(1)(B)(ii)(c), unless the Company requests an appeal of this determination, trading of the Company’s listed securities will be suspended from The Nasdaq Global Market on July 25, 2023, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will remove the Company’s securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

The Company may appeal Nasdaq’s determination to a Hearings Panel, pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series. Requests for a hearing are required to be submitted electronically through the Nasdaq Listing Center, and must be received no later than 4:00 Eastern Time on July 21, 2023.  The Company is currently determining whether or not to appeal Nasdaq’s determination. In the event the Company does not appeal Nasdaq’s determination, the Company expects that its securities (units, ordinary shares and warrants) will be eligible to be quoted on the OTC Markets.

It is currently unclear whether the Trading Halt will be lifted by Nasdaq prior to the delisting of the Company’s securities from Nasdaq and/or prior to any determination by a Hearings Panel, in the event the Company determines to appeal such determination to a Hearings Panel.

Delisting from Nasdaq will likely make trading our securities more difficult for investors, potentially leading to declines in our trading prices and liquidity. Without a Nasdaq listing, security holders may have a difficult time getting a quote for the sale or purchase of our securities, the sale or purchase of our securities would likely be made more difficult and the trading volume and liquidity of our securities could decline. Delisting from Nasdaq could also result in negative publicity, result in the termination of our pending Merger and/or make it more difficult for us to find an alternative business combination, or to complete such Merger or alternative business combination. If our securities are delisted by Nasdaq, our securities may be eligible to trade on an over-the-counter quotation system, such as the OTCQB Market, where an investor may find it more difficult to sell our securities or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our securities. In the event our securities are delisted from Nasdaq, we may not be able to list our securities on another national securities exchange or obtain quotation on an over-the counter quotation system. As a result of the above, we may be forced to abandon our business, liquidate and wind up.

In the event the Trading Halt is not lifted prior to the delisting of our securities from Nasdaq, security holders will have no way to publicly sell our securities, which may mean they are forced to hold such securities indefinitely, until or unless we determine to liquidate and wind-up.

Separate from the above, and as previously disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filings with the SEC on (a) June 30, 2023, on June 28, 2023, we received a notification letter from Nasdaq stating the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(1)(B), as a result of the number of publicly held shares of the Company as reported on the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2022 (i.e., 101,039 shares), having fallen below the minimum of 1,100,000 publicly held shares required for continued listing — The Nasdaq notification letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s units, common stock or warrants on The Nasdaq Global Market. The Nasdaq notification letter provides the Company until August 14, 2023, to submit a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance with the Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. If the plan is accepted, Nasdaq can grant an exception of up to 180 calendar days, or until December 25, 2023, for the Company to regain compliance. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s compliance plan, the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a Hearing Panel under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(a); and (b) June 16, 2023, on June 13, 2023, the Company received a notification letter from Nasdaq stating the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5452(b)(C), as a result of the aggregate market value of the Company’s outstanding warrants falling below the required minimum of $1,000,000 in aggregate market value on June 12, 2023 and for failing to meet the continued Nasdaq listing requirements under alternative standards — The Nasdaq notification letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s units, common stock or warrants on The Nasdaq Global Market. The Nasdaq notification letter provided the Company until July 28, 2023, to submit a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance with the Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. If the plan is accepted, Nasdaq can grant an exception of up to 180 calendar days, or until December 10, 2023, for the Company to regain compliance. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s compliance plan, the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a Hearing Panel under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(a).

The above deficiencies are separate from, and their potential compliance periods are separate from, the delisting notification received on July 14, 2023, as discussed above, which delisting notification takes priority over the June 28, 2023 and June 13, 2023 notification letters.

We have identified material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. If not remediated, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our securities.

Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements. As reported under “Part II” - “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, our Management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2022, due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting of the Company’s Cash accounts and Due from related party accounts from a failure to segregate bank accounts. In light of the material weaknesses, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and have restated all financial statements in Note 2 of the financial statements to the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K which were affected by such material weaknesses.

Additionally, as of September 30, 2023, as disclosed above, as required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, Management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023. Based upon their evaluation, Management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2023, due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting of the Company’s Cash accounts and Due from related party accounts from a failure to segregate bank accounts.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.

Maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures and effective internal control over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements and the Company is committed to remediating its material weaknesses in such controls as promptly as possible. However, there can be no assurance as to when these material weaknesses will be remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future. Any failure to remediate the material weaknesses, or the development of new material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting and financial obligations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our securities, and/or result in litigation against us or our management. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements or our periodic reports filed with the SEC.

Economic uncertainty may affect our access to capital and/or increase the costs of such capital.

Global economic conditions continue to be volatile and uncertain due to, among other things, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, fears of recession and trade wars, global conflicts, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the price of energy, increasing interest rates, the availability and cost of consumer credit, the availability and timing of government stimulus programs, levels of unemployment, increased inflation, and tax rates. These conditions remain unpredictable and create uncertainties about our ability to raise capital in the future. In the event required capital becomes unavailable in the future, or more costly, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

The Company did not issue or sell any unregistered equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and through the date of the filing of this Report.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Neither the Company, nor any affiliated purchasers, purchased any equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and through the date of the filing of this Report.

Use of Proceeds

On December 13, 2021, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 22,000,000 Units. On December 21, 2021, we issued an additional 3,300,000 units in connection with the over-allotment option. All Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds to us of approximately $256.8 million.

On our Initial Public Offering closing date, simultaneously with the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, we completed the private placement of 8,050,000 Private Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant to our Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to us of approximately $8.1 million. On December 21, 2021, we completed the private placement of an additional 825,000 Private Placement Warrants to our Sponsor in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds to us of approximately $0.8 million. In total, the private placements of our Private Placement Warrants in connection with our Initial Public Offering and the over-allotment option generated gross proceeds of approximately $8.8 million to us.

From March 17, 2021 (inception) through the closing date of our Initial Public Offering, we incurred approximately $19.0 million for costs and expenses related to our Initial Public Offering. In connection with our Initial Public Offering, we paid a total of approximately $2.5 million in underwriting discounts and commissions. In addition, the underwriters agreed to defer approximately $13.9 million in underwriting discounts and commissions, which amount was to be payable upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. Subsequent to the Initial Public Offering closing date, a total of $428,000 was repaid to our Sponsor on the Note, out of the proceeds from our Initial Public Offering.

After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions (excluding the deferred portion of approximately $13.9 million, which amount will be payable upon consummation of the initial Business Combination) and offering expenses, the total net proceeds from our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were approximately $258.6 million, of which approximately $256.8 million (or $10.15 per unit sold in our Initial Public Offering) was placed in the Trust Account.

On January 26, 2023, Nomura Securities International, Inc. (“Nomura”) the underwriter for the initial public offering of the Company, pursuant to a letter dated as of the same date, waived its entitlement to the payment of the deferred underwriting discount then payable to Nomura in connection with the initial public offering and pursuant to the prior underwriting agreement between Nomura and the Company dated December 8, 2021. Other than such waiver, the letter did not waive any rights or obligations of the Company or Nomura which survive the termination of the underwriting agreement.

The securities sold in our Initial Public Offering were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File Nos. 333-261248 and 333-261559) (the “Registration Statement”). The SEC declared the Registration Statement effective on December 8, 2021.

No payments for our expenses were made in the offering described above directly or indirectly to (i) any of our directors, officers or their associates, (ii) any person(s) owning 10% or more of any class of our equity securities or (iii) any of our affiliates, except in connection with the repayment of outstanding loans. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our offering as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) related to the Initial Public Offering, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2021.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

To the extent required by Form 8-K and in an abundance of caution, the following information is being disclosed below instead of pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission during the period pursuant to Item 1.01 of Form 8-K:

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On January 26, 2023, Nomura Securities International, Inc. (“Nomura”) the underwriter for the initial public offering of the Company, pursuant to a letter dated as of the same date, waived its entitlement to the payment of the deferred underwriting discount then payable to Nomura in connection with the initial public offering and pursuant to the prior underwriting agreement between Nomura and the Company dated December 8, 2021. Other than such waiver, the letter did not waive any rights or obligations of the Company or Nomura which survive the termination of the underwriting agreement.

terminated its association with the Company and waived any fees and compensation in connection with such association, including its entitlement to the payment of any deferred compensation in connection with its role as underwriter in the Company’s Initial Public Offering.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed or furnished as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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