As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2022

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

_____________________

CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________

Delaware

 

6770

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

207 West 25th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 494
-9005

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

_____________________

Eli Spiro
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

CleanTech Acquisition Corp.

207 West 25th Floor, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10001

(212) 494-9005

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

_____________________

Copies to:

Mitchell S. Nussbaum
Giovanni Caruso
Jane Tam
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Telephone: (212) 407
-4000

 

Michael Blankenship
Douglas C. Lionberger
Winston & Strawn LLP
800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400
Houston, TX 77002
-2925
Telephone: (713) 651
-2600

_____________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement and the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions under the Merger Agreement described herein.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, 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, 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. 

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

 

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)

 

   
   

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)

 

   

 

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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each class of securities to be registered

 

Amount
to be
registered
(2)

 

Maximum Offering Price Per Security(3)

 

Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price
(3)

 

Amount of
registration
fee
(4)

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share(1)

 

41,586,983

 

0.003

 

$

138,623

 

$

12.85

____________

(1)      Based on the maximum number of shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of the registrant issuable upon a business combination (the “Business Combination”) involving CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (“CLAQ”) and Nauticus Robotics, Inc., formerly known as Houston Mechatronics, Inc. (“Nauticus”). This number comprises of (i) 30,031,279 shares Common Stock issuable as consideration in connection with the Business Combination to holders of common stock of Nauticus (after the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and the Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion), (ii) securities convertible into Common Stock (which includes 4,055,704 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options resulting from the automatic conversion of options to purchase shares of common stock of Nauticus (“Nauticus Options”) into options to purchase Common Stock of the Combined Company), and (iii) 7,500,000 earnout shares.

(2)      Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from share sub-divisions, share dividends or similar transactions.

(3)      Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Nauticus is a private company, no market exists for its securities and Nauticus has an accumulated deficit. Therefore, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is one-third of the aggregate par value of the Nauticus securities expected to be exchanged in the Business Combination.

(4)      Calculated pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act by calculating the product of (i) the proposed maximum aggregate offering price and (ii) 0.0000927.

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 proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
JANUARY 31, 2022

PROPOSED MERGER

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

Dear Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of the stockholders (the “Meeting”) of CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (“CleanTech” or “CLAQ”), which will be held at            a.m./p.m., Eastern time, on             , 2022. The Board of Directors has determined to convene and conduct the Meeting in a virtual meeting format at             . Stockholders will NOT be able to attend the Meeting in-person. This proxy statement/prospectus includes instructions on how to access the virtual Meeting and how to listen, vote, and submit questions from home or any remote location with internet connectivity.

CleanTech is a Delaware blank check company established for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business transaction with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” Holders of CleanTech’s Common Stock, will be asked to approve, among other things, the Merger Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021, as amended on January 30, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among CleanTech, CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CleanTech (“Merger Sub”) and Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (formerly known as “Houston Mechatronics, Inc.”), a Texas corporation (“Nauticus”), and the other related Proposals.

Upon the closing of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Nauticus (the “Business Combination”) with Nauticus surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of CleanTech. In addition, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, CleanTech will be renamed “Nauticus Robotics, Inc.” and the current Nauticus Robotics, Inc. will be renamed “Nauticus Robotics (Texas), Inc.” The transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement relating to the Merger are referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “Business Combination” and the combined company after the Business Combination is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “Combined Company.”

Pursuant to the of the Merger Agreement, the following actions will be taken, and the following consideration will be paid, in connection with the Business Combination:

Preferred Stock.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of Nauticus Preferred Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Nauticus Common Stock”), in accordance with its Certificate of Incorporation (collectively, the “Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion”). An aggregate of 15,062,524 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Preferred Stock.

Convertible Notes.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each of (i) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated June 19, 2021, by and between Goradia Capital, LLC and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (ii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, August 3, 2021, by and between Material Impact Fund II, L.P. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated October 22, 2021, by and between In-Q-Tel, Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iv) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2020, by and between Schlumberger Technology Corporation and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, and (v) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2020, by and between Transocean Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021 (each, a “Nauticus Convertible Note” and collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes”) shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common Stock in accordance with the terms of each such Nauticus Convertible Note (collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion”). An aggregate of 5,299,543 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Convertible Notes.

Common Stock.    At the Effective Time, following the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, each share of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares of Nauticus Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, but excluding shares of the holders of which perfect rights of appraisal under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration (as defined below) and the Earnout Shares (as defined below). An aggregate of 9,669,216 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Common Stock.

 

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Stock Options.    At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Nauticus Common Stock (a “Nauticus Option”), whether or not then vested and exercisable, will be assumed by CLAQ and converted automatically (and without any required action on the part of such holder of outstanding option) into an option to purchase shares of the CLAQ’s Common Stock equal to the number of shares determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Nauticus Common Stock subject to such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (as defined below), which product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, at a per share exercise price determined by dividing the per share exercise price of such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio. Options to purchase an aggregate of 4,055,704 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Options.

Earnout Shares.    Following the closing of the merger, former holders of shares of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares received as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock conversion and the Nauticus Convertible Notes conversion) shall be entitled to receive their pro rata share of up to 7,500,000 additional shares of CleanTech Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”) if, within a 5-year period following the signing date of the Merger Agreement, the closing share price of the CleanTech Common Stock equals or exceeds any of three thresholds over any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period (each, a “Triggering Event”) .

It is anticipated that upon completion of the Business Combination, CLAQ’s public stockholders (other than the PIPE Investment investors) would retain an ownership interest of approximately 28.5% in the Combined Company, the PIPE Investment investors will own approximately 5.6% of the Combined Company (such that the public stockholders, including the PIPE Investment investors, would own approximately 34.1% of the Combined Company), the Co-Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 6.8% of the Combined Company and the Nauticus stockholders will own approximately 59.1% (including the 7,500,000 Earnout Shares) of the Combined Company. The ownership percentage with respect to the Combined Company does not take into account (i) the redemption of any shares by the CLAQ’s public stockholders or (ii) the issuance of any additional shares upon the closing of the Business Combination under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. If the actual facts are different from these assumptions (which they are likely to be), the percentage ownership retained by the CLAQ stockholders will be different. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

As of January 24, 2022, there was approximately $174.2 million in CLAQ’s trust account (the “Trust Account”). On            , 2022, the record date for the Meeting of stockholders, the last sale price of CLAQ’s Common Stock was $            per share.

Each stockholder’s vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to participate in the virtual Meeting, please submit your proxy card without delay. Stockholders may revoke proxies at any time before they are voted at the meeting. Voting by proxy will not prevent a stockholder from voting virtually at the Meeting if such stockholder subsequently chooses to participate in the Meeting.

We encourage you to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. In particular, you should review the matters discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 32.

CLAQ’s board of directors recommends that CLAQ stockholders vote “FOR” approval of each of the Proposals.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in the Business Combination or otherwise, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this proxy statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated            , 2022, and is first being mailed to stockholders of CLAQ and Nauticus on or about            , 2022.

/s/ Eli Spiro

   

Eli Spiro

   

Chief Executive Officer

   

CleanTech Acquisition Corp.

   

            , 2022

   

 

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CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
207 West 25
th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (212) 494-9005

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP. STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on
            , 2022

To CleanTech Acquisition Corp. Stockholders:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that you are cordially invited to attend a meeting of the stockholders of CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (“CLAQ,” “we”, “our”, or “us”), which will be held at            a.m./p.m., Eastern time, on            , 2022, at            (the “Meeting”). In light of COVID-19 we will hold the Meeting virtually. You can participate in the virtual Meeting as described in “The Meeting.”

During the Meeting, CLAQ’s stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals, which we refer to herein as the “Proposals”:

1.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021, as amended on January 30, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among CleanTech, CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CleanTech (“Merger Sub”) and Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Nauticus”), (the “Business Combination”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A. This Proposal is referred to as the “Business Combination Proposal” or “Proposal 1.”

2.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CleanTech, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B (the “Amended Charter”) to, among other things, change CleanTech’s name to “Nauticus Robotics, Inc.,” to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination. This Proposal is referred to as the “Charter Approval Proposal” or “Proposal 2.”

3.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Bylaws of CleanTech, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C (the “Amended Bylaws”) to, among other things, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination. This Proposal is referred to as the “Bylaws Proposal” or “Proposal 3.”

4.        To approve and adopt, on a non-binding advisory basis, certain differences, in the governance provisions set forth in the Amended Charter, as compared to our Current Charter, which are being presented in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as five (5) separate sub-proposals. These Proposals are referred to as the “Governance Proposals” or “Proposals 4A-4E.”

5       To consider and vote upon a proposal to elect, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination,             ,            ,            ,            ,            ,            , and            , to serve on the Board until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. This Proposal is referred to as the “Directors Proposal” or “Proposal 5.”

6.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Nauticus Robotics, Inc. 2022 Incentive Award Plan (the “Incentive Award Plan”), a copy of which is to be attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination. This Proposal is referred to as the “Stock Plan Proposal” or “Proposal 6.”

7.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve: (i) for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 (a) and (b), the issuance of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock and the resulting change in control in connection with the Merger, and (ii) for purposes of complying

 

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with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 (d), the issuance of more than 20% of the common stock in connection with the PIPE Investment upon the consummation of the Business Combination. This Proposal is referred to as the “Nasdaq Proposal” or “Proposal 7.”

8.      To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Meeting by the chairman thereof to a later date, if necessary, under certain circumstances, including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor of the foregoing Proposals, in the event CleanTech does not receive the requisite stockholder vote to approve the Proposals. This Proposal is called the “Adjournment Proposal” or “Proposal 8.”

The Business Combination Proposal is conditioned upon the approval of Proposals 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Proposals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are dependent upon approval of the Business Combination Proposal. It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, CLAQ will not consummate the Business Combination. If CLAQ does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by July 19, 2022, CLAQ will be required to dissolve and liquidate, unless we seek stockholder approval to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to extend the date by which the Business Combination may be consummated.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Bylaws Proposal, Governance Proposals, the Stock Plan Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal will each require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Approval of the Charter Approval Proposal will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Directors Proposal will require the plurality of votes cast.

As of            , 2022, there were 21,562,500 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Only CLAQ stockholders who hold common stock of record as of the close of business on            , 2022 are entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus is first being mailed to CLAQ stockholders on or about            , 2022.

Investing in CLAQ’s securities involves a high degree of risk.    See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 32 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in CLAQ’s securities.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY.

Whether or not you plan to participate in the virtual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card without delay, or submit your proxy through the internet or by telephone as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Meeting no later than the time appointed for the Meeting or adjourned meeting. Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting your shares of common stock online if you subsequently choose to participate in the virtual Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other agent and you wish to vote at the Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date may vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you fail to return your proxy card or fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, and do not participate in the virtual Meeting, your shares will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at, and the number of votes voted at, the Meeting.

You may revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one, by participating in the virtual Meeting and casting your vote by hand or by ballot (as applicable) or by submitting a written revocation to Advantage Proxy, that is received by the proxy solicitor before we take the vote at the Meeting. If you hold your shares through a bank or brokerage firm, you should follow the instructions of your bank or brokerage firm regarding revocation of proxies.

CLAQ’s board of directors recommends that CLAQ stockholders vote “FOR” approval of each of the Proposals.    When you consider CLAQ’s Board of Director’s recommendation of these Proposals, you should keep in mind that CLAQ’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that may conflict

 

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or differ from your interests as a stockholder. See the section titled “Proposals to be Considered by CLAQ Stockholders: The Business Combination — Interests of CLAQ’s Directors, Officers and Certain Stockholders in the Business Combination.”

On behalf of the CLAQ Board of Directors, I thank you for your support and we look forward to the successful consummation of the Business Combination.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

   

/s/ Eli Spiro

   

Eli Spiro

   

Chief Executive Officer

   

CleanTech Acquisition Corp.

   

            , 2022

   

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.

TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST (I) IF YOU:    (A) HOLD PUBLIC COMMON STOCK, OR (B) HOLD PUBLIC COMMON STOCK THROUGH PUBLIC UNITS AND YOU ELECT TO SEPARATE YOUR PUBLIC UNITS INTO THE UNDERLYING PUBLIC COMMON STOCK PRIOR TO EXERCISING YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC COMMON STOCK; AND (II) PRIOR TO            A.M./P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON            , 2022, (A) SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST TO CONTINENTAL THAT CLAQ REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC COMMON STOCK FOR CASH AND (B) DELIVER YOUR PUBLIC COMMON STOCK TO CONTINENTAL, PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. IF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION IS NOT CONSUMMATED, THEN THE PUBLIC SHARES WILL NOT BE REDEEMED FOR CASH. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BANK OR BROKER TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS. SEE “THE MEETING — REDEMPTION RIGHTS” IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS FOR MORE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

 

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HOW TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about CLAQ that is not included or delivered herewith. If you would like to receive additional information or if you want additional copies of this document, agreements contained in the appendices or any other documents filed by CLAQ with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such information is available without charge upon written or oral request. Please contact our proxy solicitor:

ADVANTAGE PROXY
P.O. Box 13581
Des Moines, WA 98198
Toll Free: (877) 870-8565
Collect: (206) 870-8565
Email: ksmith@advantageproxy.com

If you would like to request documents, please do so no later than            , to receive them before the Meeting.    Please be sure to include your complete name and address in your request. Please see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” to find out where you can find more information about CLAQ and Nauticus.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by CLAQ, constitutes a prospectus of CLAQ under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of common stock of CLAQ to be issued to Nauticus’ stockholders under the Merger Agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement of CLAQ under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote on the Business Combination. Neither CLAQ nor Nauticus has authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this proxy statement. Do not rely upon any information or representations made outside of this proxy statement. The information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus may change after the date of this proxy statement. Do not assume after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is still correct.

Information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding CLAQ and its business, operations, management and other matters has been provided by CLAQ and information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Nauticus and its business, operations, management and other matters has been provided by Nauticus.

This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy or consent, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Certain information contained in this document relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and CLAQ’s and Nauticus’ own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source.

TRADEMARKS

This document contains references to trademarks, trade names and service marks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the applicable licensor will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PAGE

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

 

1

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

4

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

 

6

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

15

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF CLAQ

 

29

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND DATA OF NAUTICUS

 

30

TRADING MARKET AND DIVIDENDS

 

31

RISK FACTORS

 

32

THE MEETING

 

66

PROPOSAL 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

 

70

PROPOSAL 2 — THE CHARTER APPROVAL PROPOSAL

 

91

PROPOSAL 3 — THE BYLAWS PROPOSAL

 

94

PROPOSALS 4A-4E — THE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS

 

95

PROPOSAL 5 — THE DIRECTORS PROPOSAL

 

98

PROPOSAL 6 — THE STOCK PLAN PROPOSAL

 

100

PROPOSAL 7 — THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL

 

106

PROPOSAL 8 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

 

108

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

109

CLAQ’S BUSINESS

 

114

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF CLAQ

 

117

INFORMATION ABOUT NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.

 

120

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF NAUTICUS

 

131

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

143

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

149

DESCRIPTION OF CLAQ’S SECURITIES

 

152

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDERS’ RIGHTS

 

159

CLAQ’S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

170

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NAUTICUS

 

176

2021 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

178

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2020 FISCAL YEAR-END

 

180

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

180

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMBINED COMPANY AFTER THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

181

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

185

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

187

LEGAL MATTERS

 

192

EXPERTS

 

192

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

 

192

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

 

193

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 

193

SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

193

FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

193

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

194

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-1

ANNEX A — MERGER AGREEMENT

 

A-1

ANNEX B — FORM OF SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

B-1

ANNEX C — AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

C-1

ANNEX D — NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC. 2022 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

D-1

ANNEX E — SECTION 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS

 

E-1

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

Unless otherwise stated in this proxy statement, the terms, “we,” “us,” “our” “CleanTech” or “CLAQ” refer to CleanTech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation. Further, in this document:

•        “Amended Charter” means the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CLAQ.

•        “Board” means the board of directors of CLAQ.

•        “Business Combination” means the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

•        “CLAQ Rights” or “Rights” refers to the rights as part of the Units sold by CLAQ in its IPO.

•        “CLAQ Warrants” or “Warrants” refers to the redeemable warrants that entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share.

•        “Certificate of Incorporation” or “Current Charter” means CLAQ’s current Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

•        “Chardan” or “Chardan Capital Markets, LLC” means Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters in CLAQ’s initial public offering.

•        “CleanTech Investments” means CleanTech Investments, LLC, an entity affiliated with certain of CLAQ’s investors and Chardan.

•        “CleanTech Sponsor” means CleanTech Sponsor I LLC, an entity affiliated with certain of CLAQ’s directors and officers.

•        “Closing” means the consummation of the Business Combination.

•        “Closing Date” means date of the consummation of the Business Combination.

•        “Co-sponsors” means CleanTech Sponsor and CleanTech Investments.

•        “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

•        “Closing Share Price” means $10.00 per share.

•        “Combined Company” means CLAQ after the Business Combination, renamed “Nauticus Robotics, Inc.”

•        “Combination Period” means the period of time from the closing of the IPO to consummate the initial Business Combination pursuant to CLAQ’s Current Charter.

•        “common stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of CLAQ prior to the Closing, and the Common Stock of the Combined Company following the Closing.

•        “Continental” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, CLAQ’s transfer agent.

•        “Effective Time” means the time at which the Business Combination becomes effective.

•        “Equity Value” means the sum of (i) Three Hundred Million ($300,000,000) plus (ii) the amount by which (x) the outstanding liabilities and obligations of CLAQ with respect to the Transactions (including with respect to Indebtedness of CLAQ and Outstanding CLAQ Expenses) at the Closing (but prior to repayment thereof at the Closing) exceeds (y) $35,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount described in sub-clause (ii) of this definition of Equity Value shall not be less than zero (0) and the Equity Value shall not be less than Three Hundred Million ($300,000,000).

•        “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

•        “Exchange Ratio” means the ratio determined by dividing (a) the Per Share Merger Consideration Value, by (b) the Closing Share Price.

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•        “founder shares” means an aggregate of 4,312,500 shares of common stock held by our co-sponsors, directors and officers, consisting of (i) 2,595,000 shares of common stock held by CleanTech Investments; (ii) 1,437,500 shares of common stock held by CleanTech Sponsor; and (iii) an aggregate of 280,000 shares of common stock held by CLAQ officers, directors and certain advisors.

•        “GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

•        “Incentive Award Plan” means the Nauticus Robotics, Inc. 2022 Incentive Award Plan.

•        “Initial Stockholders” means the Co-sponsors and any other initial holders of CLAQ common stock and Private Warrants.

•        “IPO” refers to the initial public offering of 15,000,000 Units of CLAQ consummated on July 19, 2021, including the additional 2,250,000 Units sold to cover the over-allotment option on July 28, 2021.

•        “IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

•        “Meeting” means the special meeting of the stockholders of CLAQ, which will be held at            a.m./p.m.., Eastern time, on            , 2022.

•        “Merger Agreement” means that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021, as amended on January 30, 2022, by and among CLAQ, Merger Sub and Nauticus.

•        “Merger Sub” means CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CLAQ.

•        “Nauticus” means Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Texas corporation, formerly known as Houston Mechatronics, Inc.

•        “Nauticus Convertible Notes” means (i) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated June 19, 2021, by and between Goradia Capital, LLC and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (ii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, August 3, 2021, by and between Material Impact Fund II, L.P. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated October 22, 2021, by and between In-Q-Tel, Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iv) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2020, by and between Schlumberger Technology Corporation and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, and (v) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2020, by and between Transocean Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021 (each, a “Nauticus Convertible Note” and collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes”).

•        “Per Share Merger Consideration” means with respect to any share of Nauticus Common Stock, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, including those issued in connection with the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and the Nauticus Convertible Note Conversion, a number of shares of the Combined Company’s Common Stock equal to (i) the Per Share Merger Consideration Value divided by (ii) the Closing Share Price.

•        “Per Share Merger Consideration Value” means $142.069.

•        “PIPE Investment” means the sale and issuance of (i) 3,530,000 shares of common stock to certain investors for an aggregate purchase price of $35.3 million in a private placement immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination; and (ii) up to an aggregate of $40,000,000 in principal amount of secured debentures (the “Debentures”) and warrants to certain investors named in the Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 16, 2021, immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination.

•        “public stockholders” means holders of Public Common Stock.

•        “Public Common Stock” means Common Stock sold in the IPO as part of the Units, whether they were purchased in the IPO or thereafter in the open market.

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•        “Private Warrants” mean the 7,175,000 Warrants issued to the Co-Sponsors, consisting of (i) 4,333,333 Private Warrants issued to CleanTech Sponsor; (ii) 2,166,667 Private Warrants issued to CleanTech Investments, in a private placement in connection with the consummation of the IPO on July 19, 2021; and (iii) 675,000 Private Warrants issued CleanTech Sponsor in connection with the over-allotment exercise by the underwriters on July 28, 2021.

•        “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

•        “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

•        “Trust Account” means CLAQ’s trust account maintained by Continental.

•        “Units” means the units of CLAQ, each consisting of one share of common stock, one right and one-half of one redeemable warrant.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the parties’ ability to close the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, and the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of CLAQ and/or Nauticus and may include statements for the period following the consummation of the Business Combination. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this proxy statement/prospectus including, without limitation, in the sections titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Nauticus” and “Business of Nauticus.” 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. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of CLAQ and Nauticus as applicable and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties 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 in “Risk Factors,” those discussed and identified in public filings made with the SEC by CLAQ and the following:

•        the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the Business Combination, including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect Nauticus or the expected benefits of the Business Combination, if not obtained;

•        the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination;

•        matters discovered by the parties as they complete their respective due diligence investigation of the other parties;

•        the ability of CLAQ prior to the Business Combination, and the Combined Company following the Business Combination, to maintain the listing of CLAQ’s securities on Nasdaq;

•        costs related to the Business Combination;

•        the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the approval of the definitive merger agreement by the stockholders of CLAQ, the satisfaction of the minimum cash requirements of the definitive merger agreement following any

•        redemptions by CLAQ’s public stockholders;

•        the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed by the stated deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the stated deadline; the inability to complete a PIPE Investment;

•        the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against CLAQ or Nauticus related to the Business Combination;

•        the attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees and key personnel of CLAQ and Nauticus prior to the Business Combination, and the Combined Company following the Business Combination;

•        the ability of Nauticus to compete effectively in a highly competitive market;

•        the ability to protect and enhance Nauticus’ corporate reputation and brand;

•        the impact from future regulatory, judicial, and legislative changes in Nauticus’ industry;

•        the uncertain effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;

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•        competition from larger technology companies that have greater resources, technology, relationships and/or expertise;

•        future financial performance of the Combined Company following the Business Combination including the ability of future revenues to meet projected annual bookings;

•        the ability of Nauticus to forecast and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and appropriately plan its expenses;

•        the ability of Nauticus to generate sufficient revenue from each of our revenue streams;

•        the ability of Nauticus’ patents and patent applications to protect Nauticus’ core technologies from competitors;

•        Nauticus’ ability to manage a complex set of marketing relationships and realize projected revenues from subscriptions, advertisements;

•        product sales and/or services;

•        Nauticus’ ability to execute its business plans and strategy; and

•        those factors set forth in documents of CLAQ filed, or to be filed, with SEC.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions made by the management of CLAQ and Nauticus prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Business Combination or other matters addressed in this proxy statement/prospectus and attributable to CLAQ, Nauticus or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, CLAQ and Nauticus undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

The following are answers to some questions that you, as a stockholder of CLAQ, may have regarding the Proposals being considered at the Meeting.    We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the Proposals and the other matters being considered at the Meeting. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

Q:     What is the purpose of this document?

A:     CLAQ, Merger Sub, and Nauticus, have agreed to the Business Combination under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and is incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference. The Board is soliciting your proxy to vote for the Business Combination and other Proposals at the Meeting because you owned common stock at the close of business on            , 2022, the “Record Date” for the Meeting, and are therefore entitled to vote at the Meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus summarizes the information that you need to know in order to cast your vote.

Q:     What is being voted on?

A:     Below are the Proposals that the CLAQ stockholders are being asked to vote on:

•        Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal to approve the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination.

•        Proposal 2 — The Charter Approval Proposal to approve the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.

•        Proposal 3 — The Bylaws Proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Bylaws attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C.

•        Proposals 4A-4E — The Governance Proposals to approve and adopt, on a non-binding advisory basis, certain differences, in the governance provisions set forth in the Amended Charter, as compared to our Current Charter.

•        Proposal 5 — The Directors Proposal to elect, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination,            ,            ,            ,            ,            ,            , and            , to serve on the Board until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

•        Proposal 6 — The Stock Plan Proposal to approve the Incentive Award Plan.

•        Proposal 7 — The Nasdaq Proposal to approve the issuance of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock in connection with (i) the terms of the Merger Agreement, which will result in a change of control, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a)and (b).

•        Proposal 8 — The Adjournment Proposal to approve the adjournment of the Meeting.

Q:     What vote is required to approve the Proposals?

A:     Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. An abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 1. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 1.

Proposal 2 — The Charter Approval Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 2.

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Proposal 3 — The Bylaws Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. An abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 3. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 3.

Proposals 4A-4E — The Governance Proposals require the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposals 4A-4E. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposals 4A-4E.

Proposal 5 — The Directors Proposal requires a plurality of the votes cast. Withhold votes and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 5.

Proposal 6 — The Stock Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 6. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 6.

Proposal 7 — The Nasdaq Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 8. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 8.

Proposal 8 — The Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 9. Broker-non votes have no effect on the vote for Proposal 9.

Q:     Are any of the Proposals conditioned on one another?

A:     The Business Combination Proposal is conditioned upon the approval of Proposals 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Proposals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are dependent upon approval of the Business Combination Proposal. It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, CLAQ will not consummate the Business Combination. If CLAQ does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by July 19, 2022, CLAQ will be required to dissolve and liquidate, unless we seek stockholder approval to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to extend the date by which the Business Combination may be consummated.

Q:     What will happen in the Business Combination?

A:     At the closing of the Business Combination, Merger Sub will merge with and into Nauticus, with Nauticus surviving such merger as the surviving entity. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Nauticus will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLAQ. In connection with the Business Combination, the cash held in the Trust Account after giving effect to any redemption of shares by CLAQ’s public stockholders and the proceeds from the PIPE Investment will be used to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the Business Combination, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.

Q:     How will the Initial Stockholders vote?

A:     Pursuant to a letter agreement, the Initial Stockholders agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock acquired by them prior to the IPO and any shares of common stock purchased by them in the open market after the IPO in favor of the Business Combination Proposal (“Letter Agreement”). As of            , 2022, a total of 4,312,500 shares of common stock or approximately 20.0% of the outstanding shares were subject to the Letter Agreement. In addition, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Co-Sponsors entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement with Nauticus pursuant to which they agreed to vote all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the Business Combination Proposal (“Sponsor Support Agreement”). As of            , 2022, a total of 4,032,500 shares of common stock or approximately 18.7% of the outstanding shares were subject to the Sponsor Support Agreement. As a result, only 1,078,126 shares of common stock held by

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the public stockholders will need to be present in person by virtual attendance or by proxy to satisfy the quorum requirement for the meeting. In addition, as the vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal is a majority of the then outstanding shares of common stock present and entitled to vote at the Meeting, assuming only the minimum number of shares of common stock to constitute a quorum is present, only 539,063 shares of common stock or approximately 3.1% of the outstanding shares of the common stock held by the public stockholders must vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal for it to be approved.

Q:     How many votes do I and others have?

A:     You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you held as of the Record Date. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were            outstanding shares of common stock.

Q:     What is the consideration being paid to Nauticus security holders?

Preferred Stock.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of Nauticus Preferred Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Nauticus Common Stock”), in accordance with its Certificate of Incorporation (collectively, the “Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion”). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 15,062,524 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Preferred Stock.

Convertible Notes.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each of (i) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated June 19, 2021, by and between Goradia Capital, LLC and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (ii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, August 3, 2021, by and between Material Impact Fund II, L.P. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated October 22, 2021, by and between In-Q-Tel, Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iv) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2020, by and between Schlumberger Technology Corporation and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, and (v) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2020, by and between Transocean Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021 (each, a “Nauticus Convertible Note” and collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes”) shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common Stock in accordance with the terms of each such Nauticus Convertible Note (collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion”). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 5,299,543 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Convertible Notes.

Common Stock.    At the Effective Time, following the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, each share of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares of Nauticus Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, but excluding shares of the holders of which perfect rights of appraisal under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration (as defined below) and the Earnout Shares (as defined below). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 9,669,216 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Common Stock (not including the Earnout Shares).

Stock Options.    At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Nauticus Common Stock (a “Nauticus Option”), whether or not then vested and exercisable, will be assumed by CLAQ and converted automatically (and without any required action on the part of such holder of outstanding option) into an option to purchase shares of the CLAQ’s Common Stock equal to the number of shares determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Nauticus Common Stock subject to such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (as defined below), which product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, at a per share exercise price determined by dividing the per share exercise price of such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio. As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 4,055,704 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issuable upon exercise of these options.

Earnout Shares.    Following the closing of the merger, former holders of shares of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares received as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock conversion and the Nauticus Convertible Notes conversion) shall be entitled to receive their pro rata share of up to 7,500,000 additional shares of CleanTech Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”) if, within a 5-year period following the signing date of the Merger Agreement, the closing share price of the CleanTech Common Stock equals or exceeds any of three thresholds over any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period (each, a “Triggering Event”).

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Q:     What equity stake will current stockholders of CLAQ and Nauticus stockholders hold in the Combined Company after the closing?

A:     It is anticipated that upon completion of the Business Combination, CLAQ’s public stockholders (other than the PIPE Investment investors) will retain an ownership interest of approximately 28.5% in the Combined Company, the PIPE Investment investors will own approximately 5.6% of the Combined Company, the Co-Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 6.8% of the Combined Company and the Nauticus stockholders will own approximately 59.1% (including the 7,500,000 Earnout Shares) of the Combined Company.

The ownership percentage with respect to the Combined Company does not take into account (i) the redemption of any Public Common Stock by the CLAQ public stockholders or (ii) the issuance of any additional shares upon the closing of the Business Combination under the Incentive Award Plan. If the actual facts are different from these assumptions (which they are likely to be), the percentage ownership retained by the CLAQ stockholders will be different. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

Q:     Do any of CLAQ’s directors or officers have interests that may conflict with my interests with respect to the Business Combination?

A:     In considering the recommendation of the Board to approve the Merger Agreement, CLAQ stockholders should be aware that certain CLAQ executive officers and directors may be deemed to have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, those of CLAQ stockholders generally. These interests, which may create actual or potential conflicts of interest, are, to the extent material, described in the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” beginning on page 86.

Q:     Are there any arrangements to help ensure that CLAQ will have sufficient funds, together with the proceeds in its Trust Account, to fund the consideration?

A:      Yes. CLAQ entered into subscription agreements, dated as of December 14, 2021, with the PIPE Investment investors pursuant to which, among other things, CLAQ agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement to close immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination, an aggregate of 3,530,000 shares of our common stock for $10.00 per share for a total of $35.3 million. To the extent not utilized to consummate the Business Combination, the proceeds from the Trust Account will be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital for operations, capital expenditures and future acquisitions. CLAQ will agree that it (or its successor) will file with the SEC a registration statement registering the resale of the shares purchased in the PIPE Investment and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

Q:     What are the material differences, if any, in the terms and price of securities issued at the time of the CLAQ IPO as compared to the securities that will be issued a part of the PIPE Investment at the closing of the Business Combination? Will CLAQ Sponsor or any of its directors, officers or affiliates invest in the PIPE Investment?

A:     The CLAQ units issued at the time of the CLAQ IPO consisted of one share of CLAQ Class A Common Stock and one-half of one CLAQ warrant, at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. CLAQ entered into subscription agreements, dated as of December 14, 2021, with the PIPE Investment investors pursuant to which, among other things, CLAQ agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement to close immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination, an aggregate of 3,530,000 shares of our common stock for $10.00 per share for a total of $35.3 million. The shares issued in the PIPE Investment will not be registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. CLAQ Sponsor and its directors, officers and its affiliates will not invest in the PIPE Investment.

Q:     When and where is the Meeting?

A:     The Meeting will take place at            , on            , 2022, at            a.m./p.m.

Q:     Who may vote at the Meeting?

A:     Only holders of record of common stock as of the close of business on            , 2022 may vote at the Meeting of stockholders. As of            , there were            shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Please see “The Meeting — Record Date; Who is Entitled to Vote” for further information.

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Q:     What is the quorum requirement for the Meeting?

A:     Stockholders representing a majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Meeting must be present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy in order to hold the Meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Shares of our common stock will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum if the stockholder (i) is present and entitled to vote at the meeting, or (ii) has properly submitted a proxy card or voting instructions through a broker, bank or custodian. In the absence of a quorum, stockholders representing a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is present.

Q:     Am I required to vote against the Business Combination Proposal in order to have my Public Common Stock redeemed?

A:     No. You are not required to vote against the Business Combination Proposal in order to have the right to demand that CLAQ redeem your Public Common Stock for cash equal to your pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (before payment of deferred underwriting commissions and including interest earned on their pro rata portion of the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). These rights to demand redemption of Public Common Stock for cash are sometimes referred to herein as “redemption rights”. If the Business Combination is not completed, holders of Public Common Stock electing to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to receive such payments and their shares of common stock will be returned to them.

Q:     How do I exercise my redemption rights?

A:     If you are a public stockholder and you seek to have your Public Common Stock redeemed, you must (i) demand, no later than            p.m., Eastern Time on            , 2022 (at least two business days before the Meeting), that CLAQ redeem your shares into cash; and (ii) submit your request in writing to Continental, at the address listed at the end of this section and deliver your shares to Continental physically or electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian) System at least two business days before the Meeting.

Any corrected or changed written demand of redemption rights must be received by Continental two business days before the Meeting. No demand for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s shares have been delivered (either physically or electronically) to Continental at least two business days before the Meeting.

CLAQ stockholders may seek to have their Public Common Stock redeemed regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination and whether or not they are holders of common stock as of the Record Date. Any public stockholder who holds shares of common stock on or before            , 2022 (two business days before the Meeting) will have the right to demand that his, her or its shares be redeemed for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid, at the consummation of the Business Combination.

The actual per share redemption price will be equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (before payment of deferred underwriting commissions and including interest earned on their pro rata portion of the Trust Account, net of taxes payable), divided by the number of shares of common stock underlying the CLAQ Units sold in the IPO. Please see the section titled “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your shares of common stock for cash.

Q:     What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights?

A:     In the event that a U.S. Holder elects to redeem its common stock for cash, the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of common stock under Section 302 of the Code or is treated as a distribution under Section 301 of the Code. Whether the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange or is treated as a distribution will depend on the facts and circumstances of each particular U.S. Holder at the time such U.S. Holder exercises his, her, or its redemption rights. If the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the common stock, the U.S. Holder will be treated as recognizing capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the redemption and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock surrendered in such redemption transaction. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for

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the common stock redeemed exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Exercising Redemption Rights” for a more detailed discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a U.S. Holder electing to redeem its common stock for cash.

Q:     What do I need to do now?

A:     You are urged to read carefully and consider the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the annexes, and to consider how the Business Combination will affect you as a stockholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card or, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided by the broker, bank or nominee.

Q:     How can I vote?

A:     If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the virtual Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, the Internet or telephone. Whether or not you plan to participate in the Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. Even if you have already voted by proxy, you may still attend the virtual Meeting and vote online, if you choose.

To vote online at the virtual Meeting, follow the instructions below under “How may I participate in the virtual Meeting?”

To vote using the proxy card, please complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you return your signed proxy card before the Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

To vote via the telephone, you can vote by calling the telephone number on your proxy card. Please have your proxy card handy when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

To vote via the Internet, please go to            and follow the instructions. Please have your proxy card handy when you go to the website. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on            , 2022. After that, telephone and Internet voting will be closed, and if you want to vote your shares, you will either need to ensure that your proxy card is received before the date of the Meeting or attend the virtual Meeting to vote your shares online.

If your shares are registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you are the “beneficial owner” of those shares and those shares are considered as held in “street name.” If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than directly from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. You may be eligible to vote your shares electronically over the Internet or by telephone. A large number of banks and brokerage firms offer Internet and telephone voting. If your bank or brokerage firm does not offer Internet or telephone voting information, please complete and return your proxy card in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.

If you plan to vote at the virtual Meeting, you will need to contact Continental at the phone number or email below to receive a control number and you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee reflecting the number of shares of common stock you held as of the Record Date, your name and email address. You must contact Continental for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. Please allow up to 48 hours prior to the meeting for processing your control number.

After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, to then register to attend the Meeting, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the number of your shares along with your name and email address to Continental. Requests for registration should be directed to 917-            -            or email proxy@continentalstock.com. Requests for registration must be received no later than ________ p.m., Eastern Time, on ________, 2022.

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You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. We encourage you to access the Meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in.

Q:     How may I participate in the virtual Meeting?

A.     If you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date for the Meeting, you should receive a proxy card from Continental, containing instructions on how to attend the virtual Meeting including the URL address, along with your control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact Continental at 917-            -            or email proxy@continentalstock.com.

You can pre-register to attend the virtual Meeting starting on            , 2022. Go to http://            , enter the control number found on your proxy card you previously received, as well as your name and email address. Once you pre-register you can vote or enter questions in the chat box. At the start of the Meeting you will need to re-log into http://            using your control number.

If your shares are held in street name, and you would like to join and not vote, Continental will issue you a guest control number. Either way, you must contact Continental for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. Please allow up to 48 hours prior to the meeting for processing your control number.

Q:     Who can help answer any other questions I might have about the virtual Meeting?

A.     If you have any questions concerning the virtual Meeting (including accessing the meeting by virtual means) or need help voting your shares of common stock, please contact Continental at 917-            -            or email proxy@continentalstock.com.

The Notice of Special Meeting, proxy statement/prospectus and form of Proxy Card are available at:            .

Q:     If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or nominee, will they automatically vote my shares for me?

A:     No. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for you, your shares will not be voted with respect to any Proposal for which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. If a Proposal is determined to be discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote on the Proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. If a Proposal is determined to be non-discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is not permitted to vote on the Proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a non-discretionary proposal because the holder of record has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

Each of the Proposals to be presented at the Meeting is a non-discretionary proposal. Accordingly, if you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for you, your shares will not be voted with respect to any of the Proposals. A broker non-vote would have the same effect as a vote against the Business Combination Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal.

Q:     What if I abstain from voting or fail to instruct my bank, brokerage firm or nominee?

A:     CLAQ will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular Proposal as present for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting. For purposes of approval, an abstention on any Proposals will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” such Proposal.

Q:     If I am not going to attend the Meeting, should I return my proxy card instead?

A.     Yes. Whether you plan to attend the Meeting virtually or not, please read the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus carefully, and vote your shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Q:     How can I submit a proxy?

A.     You may submit a proxy by (a) visiting            and following the on screen instructions (have your proxy card available when you access the webpage), or (b) calling toll-free            in the U.S. or            from foreign countries from any touch-tone phone and follow the instructions (have your proxy card available when you call), or (c) submitting your proxy card by mail by using the previously provided self-addressed, stamped envelope.

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Q:     Can I change my vote after I have mailed my proxy card?

A:     Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one, or by attending the virtual Meeting in person and casting your vote or by voting again by the telephone or Internet voting options described below, or by submitting a written revocation stating that you would like to revoke your proxy that our proxy solicitor receives prior to the Meeting. If you hold your shares of common stock through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding the revocation of proxies. If you are a record holder, you should send any notice of revocation or your completed new proxy card, as the case may be, to:

ADVANTAGE PROXY
P.O. Box 13581
Des Moines, WA 98198
Toll Free: (877) 870-8565
Collect: (206) 870-8565
Email: ksmith@advantageproxy.com

Unless revoked, a proxy will be voted at the virtual Meeting in accordance with the stockholder’s indicated instructions. In the absence of instructions, proxies will be voted FOR each of the Proposals.

Q:     What will happen if I return my proxy card without indicating how to vote?

A:     If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how to vote on any particular Proposal, the shares of common stock represented by your proxy will be voted in favor of each Proposal. Proxy cards that are returned without a signature will not be counted as present at the Meeting and cannot be voted.

Q:     Should I send in my share certificates now to have my shares of common stock redeemed?

A:     CLAQ stockholders who intend to have their Public Common Stock redeemed should send their certificates to Continental at least two business days before the Meeting. Please see “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your Public Common Stock for cash.

Q:     Who will solicit the proxies and pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting?

A:     CLAQ will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting. CLAQ has engaged Advantage Proxy to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. CLAQ has agreed to pay Advantage Proxy a fee of $10,000, plus disbursements, and will reimburse Advantage Proxy for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and indemnify Advantage Proxy and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses. CLAQ will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of common stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of the common stock and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

Q:     What happens if I sell my shares before the Meeting?

A:     The Record Date for the Meeting is earlier than the date of the Meeting, as well as the date that the Business Combination is expected to be consummated. If you transfer your shares of common stock after the Record Date, but before the Meeting, unless the transferee obtains from you a proxy to vote those shares, you would retain your right to vote at the Meeting, but will transfer ownership of the shares and will not hold an interest in CLAQ after the Business Combination is consummated.

Q:     When is the Business Combination expected to occur?

A:     Assuming the requisite regulatory and stockholder approvals are received, CLAQ expects that the Business Combination will occur as soon as possible following the Meeting.

Q:     Are Nauticus’ stockholders required to approve the Business Combination?

A:     Yes. The Nauticus stockholders are required to also approve the Business Combination and have approved it.

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Q:     Are there risks associated with the Business Combination that I should consider in deciding how to vote?

A:     Yes. There are a number of risks related to the Business Combination and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, that are discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus. Please read with particular care the detailed description of the risks described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 32 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Q:     May I seek statutory appraisal rights or dissenter rights with respect to my shares?

A:     No. Appraisal rights are not available to holders of shares of common stock in connection with the proposed Business Combination. For additional information, see the section titled “The Meeting — Appraisal Rights.”

Q:     What happens if the Business Combination is not consummated?

A:     If CLAQ does not consummate the Business Combination by July 19, 2022, then pursuant to Article Sixth its current Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, CLAQ’s officers must take all actions necessary in accordance with the DGCL to dissolve and liquidate CLAQ as soon as reasonably possible. Following dissolution, CLAQ will no longer exist as a company. In any liquidation, the funds held in the Trust Account, plus any interest earned thereon (net of taxes payable), together with any remaining out-of-trust net assets, will be distributed pro-rata to holders of shares of common stock who acquired such shares in the IPO or in the aftermarket. The estimated consideration that each share of common stock would be paid at liquidation would be approximately $10.10 per share for stockholders based on the $174,230,428.20 amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of January 24, 2022. The closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of January 24, 2022 was $9.93. The Initial Stockholders waived the right to any liquidation distribution with respect to any shares of common stock held by them.

Q:     What happens to the funds deposited in the Trust Account following the Business Combination?

A:     Following the closing of the Business Combination, holders of public shares of CLAQ exercising redemption rights will receive their per share redemption price out of the funds in the Trust Account. The balance of the funds will be released to Nauticus to fund working capital needs of the Combined Company. As of January 24, 2022, there was approximately $174.2 million in the Trust Account. CLAQ estimates that approximately $10.10 per share of Common Stock will be paid to the public stockholders exercising their redemption rights.

Q:     Who will manage the Combined Company after the Business Combination?

A:     As a condition to the closing of the Business Combination, all of the officers and directors of CLAQ will resign, other than            , who will serve as a director of the Combined Company, subject to certain closing conditions. For information on the anticipated management of the Combined Company, see the section titled “Directors and Executive Officers of the Combined Company after the Business Combination” in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Q:     Who can help answer my questions?

A:     If you have questions about the Proposals or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact CLAQ’s proxy solicitor at:

ADVANTAGE PROXY
P.O. Box 13581
Des Moines, WA 98198
Toll Free: (877) 870-8565
Collect: (206) 870-8565
Email: ksmith@advantageproxy.com

You may also obtain additional information about CLAQ from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus but may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. Accordingly, CLAQ encourages you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A. Please read these documents carefully as they are the legal documents that govern the Business Combination and your rights in the Business Combination.

Unless otherwise specified, all share calculations assume no exercise of the redemption rights by CLAQ’s stockholders.

The Parties to the Business Combination

CleanTech Acquisition Corp.

CLAQ was incorporated as a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 18, 2020. CLAQ was 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 businesses or entities.

On July 19, 2021, CLAQ consummated the IPO of 15,000,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $150,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, CLAQ consummated the sale of 4,333,333 warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant in a private placement to CleanTech Sponsor ( “CleanTech Sponsor”), and 2,166,667 warrants (together, the “Private Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant in a private placement to CleanTech Investments LLC, an affiliate of CleanTech Sponsor (“CleanTech Investments,” together with CleanTech Sponsor, the “Co-sponsors”), generating gross proceeds of $6,500,000.

CLAQ granted the underwriters in the IPO a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,250,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any. On July 28, 2021, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full to purchase 2,250,000 Units, generating an aggregate of gross proceeds of $22,500,000. In connection with the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, CLAQ also consummated the sale of an additional 675,000 Private Warrants at $1.00 per Private Warrant to CleanTech Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $675,000.

The amounts held in the Trust Account may only be used by CLAQ upon the consummation of a business combination, except that there can be released to CLAQ, from time to time, any interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account that it may need to pay its tax obligations. The remaining interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and CLAQ’s liquidation. CLAQ executed the Merger Agreement on December 16, 2021 and it must liquidate unless a business combination is consummated by July 19, 2022, the date that is 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or January 19, 2023, the date that is 18 months from the closing of the IPO, if the Combination Period is extended by the full amount of time allowed under CLAQ’s Current Charter).

After deducting the underwriting discounts, offering expenses, and commissions from the IPO (including the over-allotment option) and the sale of the Private Warrants, a total of $174,500,000 was deposited into the Trust Account, and the remaining $1,500,000 of the net proceeds were outside of the Trust Account and made available to be used for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective business combinations and continuing general and administrative expenses.

As of September 30, 2021, CLAQ had $789,012 cash outside the Trust Account available for its working capital needs. As of September 30, 2021, there was $174,226,747 held in the Trust Account (including $1,747 of accrued interest which CLAQ can withdraw to pay taxes).

The Units, Common Stock, Rights and Warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, under the symbols “CLAQU,” “CLAQ,” “CLAQR” and “CLAQW,” respectively. The Units, Common Stock and Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market separately on or about August 4, 2021.

CLAQ’s principal executive offices are located at 207 West 25th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001 and its telephone number is (212) 494-9005.

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Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

Nauticus Robotics, Inc. is a Houston-area developer of ocean robots, cloud software, and services delivered in a modern business model to the ocean industry. Nauticus was initially incorporated as Houston Mechatronics, Inc. on March 27, 2014, in the State of Texas. Nauticus’ robotics products and services are delivered to commercial and government-facing customers through a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) business model and direct product sales for both hardware platforms and software licenses. Besides a standalone service offering and forward facing products, Nauticus’ approach to ocean robotics has also resulted in the development of a range of technology products for retrofit/upgrading legacy systems and other 3rd party vehicle platforms. Nauticus’ services provide customers with the necessary data collection, analytics, and subsea manipulation capabilities to support and maintain assets while reducing their operational footprint, operating cost, and greenhouse gas emissions, to improve offshore health, safety, and environmental exposure.

Nauticus’ mission is to disrupt the current ocean services paradigm through the introduction and integration of advanced robotic technologies. These key technologies are supervised autonomy control software, novel robotic platforms capable of implementing autonomous behaviours, acoustic communications networking protocols, force/torque controllable electric manipulation, perception, artificial intelligence, and machining learning software, and multimodal 3-D workspace sensors. Implementation of these technologies enables substantially improved operations at significantly reduced costs and greenhouse gas emissions over conventional methods.

A sample set of Nauticus’ portfolio of robotics systems include:

•        Aquanaut.    The Aquanaut is designed to be launched from shore or off the back of an autonomous surface vessel to operate as a free-swimming subsea vehicle that is controlled through an acoustic communication system and capable of performing a wide range of inspection and manipulation tasks. The defining capability of Aquanaut is to operate in two separate modes — Inspection and Intervention. The Inspection mode involves the use of sensors during vehicle transit and the Intervention mode uses work class manipulators (Nauticus’ Olympic Arms) to perform work in the subsea environment.

A derivative of the Aquanaut vehicle is the Argonaut which has enhanced capabilities for transit and autonomous operations. This vehicle has been orchestrated to provide Nauticus’ government-facing customers with the capabilities to perform their specialized mission scenarios.

•        ToolKITT.    This software suite is a multi-layered, multi-tool, software platform that can operate the Aquanaut, Argonaut, Olympic Arm, or other 3rd party ocean robotic vehicles through all mission phases. Its capabilities include navigational guidance, vehicle, and manipulator control as well as perception and planning and execution of tasks.

•        Olympic Arm.    An all-electric, work-class manipulator built to serve the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and hovering and resident AUV markets, providing an electric advantage that allows for more perception-driven decision making for semi-autonomous tasking. The current existing hydraulic solutions are undesirous for both operating costs and environmental concerns. Fully electric systems that make use of advanced sensing and control techniques will increase reliability and reduce time-on-task (vessel days saved). Further the all-electric architecture helps prevent hydraulic oil spills for the current offering for more environmentally sensitive areas. (e.g. North Sea, Canada, etc.).

•        Hydronaut.    An small, optionally crewed autonomous surface vessel that will support the real-time operations of Aquanaut in long range and deep water commercial applications. Hydronaut will ferry Aquanaut to and from the worksite and support battery recharging and the over-the-horizons communications link to shore.

Nauticus has an experienced team with deep operational expertise in bringing emerging technologies to market. Nauticus’ engineering and design efforts are led by a highly experienced robotics team with over 200 years of cumulative robotics experience. Nauticus’ core engineering team has been working together for over 15 years and has designed and deployed advanced robotics systems for both public and private market applications.

Nauticus’ engineering process is a blend of Agile principles and a traditional phase-gate development workflows. The nature of robotics is highly intra- and multidisciplinary, containing both hardware and software components and requires a blend of both design methodologies. On the hardware side, Nauticus has created two design workflows (Standard Design and Simplified Design) that allow for quick-turn development as well as rigorous and detailed engineering work. Nauticus has also implemented a modified Agile Scrum workflow that allows for continual delivery of value, ability to change priorities, and resolve problems quickly.

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Nauticus’ principal executive offices are located at 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598. Nauticus’ telephone number in the USA is (281) 942-9069. Additional company and product information is available at www.nauticusrobotics.com.

For more information on Nauticus, please see the sections titled “Information about Nauticus Robotics, Inc.” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Nauticus”

Merger Sub

Merger Sub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLAQ formed to consummate the Business Combination. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, Merger Sub will have merged with and into Nauticus, with Nauticus surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLAQ.

The Merger Agreement

On December 16, 2021, CLAQ, entered into an Merger Agreement with Merger Sub, and Nauticus. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, a business combination between CLAQ and Nauticus will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Nauticus, with Nauticus surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of CLAQ. The Board of Directors of CLAQ (the “Board”) has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination and the other transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related matters by the stockholders of CLAQ.

The Merger Consideration

The Business Combination implies a $561 million post-closing equity value and a current equity value of Nauticus at $300 million. Prior to the Closing, Nauticus will (i) effect the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion, (ii) effect the Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, and (iii) convert each share of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares of Nauticus Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, but excluding shares of the holders who perfect rights of appraisal under Delaware law) into the right to receive (a) the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration and (b) Earnout Shares. As a result of these transactions, each outstanding share of Nauticus Common Stock will have a value at the time of the Business Combination of $10.00 (based on the $300 million equity value of Nauticus).

In addition, in connection with the Closing, CLAQ will issue the Earn-Out Shares to the former holders of Nauticus Common Stock and such holders will deliver the Earnout-Out Shares to the Escrow Agent. The release of the Earn-Out Shares to the former holders of Nauticus Common Stock will be subject to restrictions linked to milestones (based on the achievement of certain target prices of CleanTech Common Stock following the Closing) as further described in the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — The Merger Agreement — Treatment of Nauticus Securities — Earn-Out Shares.” In the event such milestones are not met, all of the Earn-Out Shares will be automatically released to CleanTech for cancellation and the former holders of Nauticus Common Stock shall not have any right to receive such Earnout Shares or any benefit therefrom.

Treatment of Nauticus Securities

Preferred Stock.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of Nauticus Preferred Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Nauticus Common Stock”), in accordance with its Certificate of Incorporation (collectively, the “Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion”). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 15,062,524 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Preferred Stock.

Convertible Notes.    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each of (i) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated June 19, 2021, by and between Goradia Capital, LLC and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (ii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, August 3, 2021, by and between Material Impact Fund II, L.P. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iii) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated October 22, 2021, by and between In-Q-Tel, Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, (iv) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2020, by and between Schlumberger Technology Corporation and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021, and (v) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2020, by and between Transocean Inc. and Nauticus, as amended on December 16, 2021 (each,

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a “Nauticus Convertible Note” and collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes”) shall automatically convert into shares of Nauticus Common Stock in accordance with the terms of each such Nauticus Convertible Note (collectively, the “Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion”). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 5,299,543 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Convertible Notes.

Common Stock.    At the Effective Time, following the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, each share of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares of Nauticus Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock Conversion and Nauticus Convertible Notes Conversion, but excluding shares of the holders of which perfect rights of appraisal under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration (as defined below) and the Earnout Shares (as defined below). As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 9,669,216 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Nauticus Common Stock (not including the Earnout Shares).

Stock Options.    At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Nauticus Common Stock (a “Nauticus Option”), whether or not then vested and exercisable, will be assumed by CLAQ and converted automatically (and without any required action on the part of such holder of outstanding option) into an option to purchase shares of the CLAQ’s Common Stock equal to the number of shares determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Nauticus Common Stock subject to such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (as defined below), which product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, at a per share exercise price determined by dividing the per share exercise price of such Nauticus Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio. As a result of the Merger, an aggregate of 4,055,704 shares of CLAQ Common Stock will be issuable upon exercise of these options.

Earnout Shares.    Following the closing of the merger, former holders of shares of Nauticus Common Stock (including shares received as a result of the Nauticus Preferred Stock conversion and the Nauticus Convertible Notes conversion) shall be entitled to receive their pro rata share of up to 7,500,000 additional shares of CleanTech Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”) if, within a 5-year period following the signing date of the Merger Agreement, the closing share price of the CleanTech Common Stock equals or exceeds any of three thresholds over any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period (each, a “Triggering Event”).

Representations and Warranties

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto with respect to, among other things, (a) entity organization, good standing and qualification, (b) capital structure, (c) authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement, (d) compliance with laws and permits, (e) taxes, (f) financial statements and internal controls, (g) real and personal property, (h) material contracts, (i) environmental matters, (j) absence of changes, (k) employee matters, (l) litigation, and (m) brokers and finders.

Covenants

The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to operation of their respective businesses prior to consummation of the Merger and efforts to satisfy conditions to consummation of the Merger. The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, covenants providing for CleanTech and Nauticus to use reasonable best efforts to cooperate in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement (as each such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) required to be filed in connection with the Merger and to obtain all requisite approvals of their respective stockholders including, in the case of CleanTech, approvals of the restated certificate of incorporation, the share issuance under Nasdaq rules and the omnibus incentive plan. CleanTech has also agreed to include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of its board that stockholders approve all of the proposals to be presented at the special meeting.

Nauticus Robotics, Inc. Incentive Plan

CleanTech has agreed to approve and adopt a 2022 omnibus incentive plan (the “Incentive Plan”) to be effective as of the Closing and in a form mutually acceptable to CleanTech and Nauticus. The Incentive Plan shall provide for an initial aggregate share reserve equal to 5% of the number of shares of CleanTech Common Stock on a fully diluted basis at the Closing. Subject to approval of the Incentive Plan by the CleanTech’s stockholders, CleanTech has agreed to file a Form S-8 Registration Statement with the SEC following the Effective Time with respect to the shares of CleanTech Common Stock issuable under the Incentive Plan.

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Non-Solicitation Restrictions

Each of CleanTech and Nauticus has agreed that from the date of the Merger Agreement to the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, it will not initiate any negotiations with any party, or provide non-public information or data concerning it or its subsidiaries to any party relating to an Acquisition Proposal or Alternative Transaction (as such terms are defined in the Merger Agreement) or enter into any agreement relating to such a proposal. Each of CleanTech and Nauticus has also agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to prevent any of its representatives from doing the same.

Conditions to Closing

The consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) receipt of the CleanTech stockholder approval and Nauticus stockholder approval, (ii) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (iii) the absence of any governmental order, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, (iv) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (v) CleanTech having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), (vi) solely with respect to CleanTech, (A) the representations and warranties of Nauticus being true and correct to applicable standards applicable and each of the covenants of Nauticus having been performed or complied with in all material respects and (B) the approval of the conversion of the convertible notes and (vii) solely with respect to Nauticus, (A) the representations and warranties of CleanTech being true and correct to applicable standards applicable and each of the covenants of CleanTech having been performed or complied with in all material respects (B) the receipt of the approval for listing by Nasdaq of the shares of CleanTech Common Stock to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (C) the effective resignations of certain directors and executive officers of CleanTech, (D) the amount of Minimum Cash Condition (as defined in the Merger Agreement) being equal to or exceeding $50,000,000.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time as follows:

(i)     by mutual written consent of CleanTech and Nauticus;

(ii)    by either CleanTech or Nauticus if the other party has breached its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement such that the conditions to closing cannot be satisfied and such breach cannot be cured within certain specified time periods, provided that the party seeking to breach is not itself in breach of the Merger Agreement;

(iii)   by either CleanTech or Nauticus if the transactions are not consummated on or before June 30, 2022, provided that the failure to consummate the transaction by that date is not due to a material breach by the party seeking to terminate and which such breach is the proximate cause for the conditions to close not being satisfied;

(iv)   by either CleanTech or Nauticus if a governmental entity shall have issued a law or final, non-appealable governmental order, rule or regulation permanently enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, provided that, the party seeking to terminate cannot have breached its obligations under the Merger Agreement and such breach has proximately contributed to the governmental action;

(v)    by either CleanTech or Nauticus if the CleanTech stockholders do not approve the Merger Agreement at a meeting held for that purpose;

(vi)   by written notice from CleanTech to Nauticus if the Nauticus stockholders do not approve the Merger Agreement due to the failure of Nauticus to hold a stockholder vote; or

(vii)  by written notice from Nauticus to CleanTech if the CleanTech board shall have publicly withdrawn, modified or changed in an adverse manner its recommendation to vote in favor of the merger and other proposals.

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The Merger Agreement and other agreements described below have been included to provide investors with information regarding their respective terms. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about CleanTech, Nauticus or the other parties thereto. In particular, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement were made as of a specified date, are modified or qualified by information in one or more confidential disclosure letters prepared in connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what might be viewed as material to investors, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties. Accordingly, the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are not necessarily characterizations of the actual state of facts about CleanTech, Nauticus or the other parties thereto at the time they were made or otherwise and should only be read in conjunction with the other information that CleanTech makes publicly available in reports, statements and other documents filed with the SEC. CleanTech and Nauticus investors and securityholders are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement.

Certain Related Agreements

Support Agreements.    In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, CleanTech Sponsor I LLC and CleanTech Investments, LLC (each, a “Sponsor,” and collectively, the “Co-Sponsors”) entered into a support agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with Nauticus pursuant to which the Sponsors have agreed to vote all shares of CleanTech Common Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the Merger.

In addition, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain stockholders of Nauticus owning approximately 88.8% of the voting power of Nauticus entered into a support agreement (the “Nauticus Support Agreement”) with CleanTech and Nauticus pursuant to which the stockholders agreed to vote all shares of Nauticus beneficially owned by them in favor of the Merger.

Subscription Agreements.    In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, CleanTech entered into subscription agreements (collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain parties subscribing for shares of CleanTech Common Stock (the “Subscribers”) pursuant to which the Subscribers have agreed to purchase, and CleanTech has agreed to sell to the Subscribers, an aggregate of 3,530,000 shares of CleanTech Common Stock, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $35.3 million. The obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements are conditioned upon, among other things, customary closing conditions and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Securities Purchase Agreement.    In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, CleanTech and Nauticus entered into Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors purchasing up to an aggregate of $40,000,000 in principal amount of secured debentures (the “Debentures”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) equal to 100% of the aggregate issued amount of the Debentures divided by the then conversion price, with an exercise price equal to $20 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment (“Debt Financing”). The obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement are conditioned upon, among other things, customary closing conditions and all conditions precedent to the Merger set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.    In connection with the Closing, Nauticus, CleanTech and certain stockholders of each of Nauticus and CleanTech who will receive shares of CleanTech Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, will enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”) mutually agreeable to CleanTech and Nauticus, which will become effective upon the consummation of the Merger.

Lock-up Agreement and Arrangements.    In connection with the Closing, the Sponsors and certain Nauticus stockholders will enter into a lock-up agreement (the “Sponsor Lock-Up Agreement” and “Company Stockholder Lock-up Agreement) with Nauticus and CleanTech, pursuant to which each will agree, subject to certain customary exceptions, not to:

(i)     offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of CleanTech Common Stock received as merger consideration and held by it immediately after the Effective Time (the “Lock-Up Shares”), or enter into a transaction that would have the same effect;

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(ii)    enter into transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of such shares, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of such shares, in cash or otherwise; or

(iii)   publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, or engage in any “Short Sales” (as defined in the Sponsor Lock-Up Agreement and Company Stockholder Lock-up Agreement) with respect to any security of CleanTech;

during a “Lock-Up Period” under their respective agreements.

Under the Sponsor Lock-up Agreement, the Lock-Up period means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (x) the one year anniversary of the Closing Date; (y) the date on which the volume weighted average price of shares of common stock equals or exceeds $13.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq, and (z) the date specified in a written waiver duly executed by Nauticus; provided that the restrictions set forth in the Sponsor Lock-up Agreement do not apply to (1) transfers or distributions to such stockholder’s current or former general or limited partners, managers or members, stockholders, other equity holders or direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or to the estates of any of the foregoing; (2) transfers by bona fide gift to a member of the stockholder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the stockholder or a member of the stockholder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes; (3) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the stockholder; or (4) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in each case where such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of the Sponsor Lock-up Agreement.

Under the Company Lock-up Agreement, the Lock-Up period means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (x) the date that is 180 calendar days after the consummation of the Business Combination, (y) the date on which the volume weighted average price of shares of common stock equals or exceeds $13.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq, and (z) the date specified in a written waiver duly executed by the Sponsors and CleanTech; provided that the restrictions set forth in the Company Lock-up Agreement do not apply to (1) transfers or distributions to such stockholders current or former general or limited partners, managers or members, stockholders, other equityholders or other direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or to the estates of any of the foregoing; (2) transfers by bona fide gift to a member of the stockholder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the stockholder or a member of the stockholder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes; (3) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the stockholder; (4) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in each case where such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; (5) transfers or distributions of, or other transactions involving, securities other than the Lock-up Shares (including, without limitation, securities acquired in the PIPE or in open market transactions); or (6) in the case of Angela Berka (or Reginald Berka with respect to any community, marital or similar interest he may have in the following shares), the transfer of up to 1,000,000 shares of Lock-up Shares in a privately negotiated sale to another company stockholder, who shall enter into a Lock-Up Agreement (or amend an existing Lock-Up Agreement) containing the same terms and conditions as this Agreement with respect to such shares, or the entry into any agreement with respect to such a sale entered into before, at or after the Effective Time.

Director Nomination Agreement.    In connection with the Closing, CleanTech, the Sponsors and Nauticus will enter into a Director Nomination Agreement (the “Director Nomination Agreement”) pursuant to which CleanTech will agree to nominate an individual designated by the Sponsors to the Board of Directors of the combined company, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Director Designation Agreement.    In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, CleanTech, Nauticus and certain Nauticus stockholders entered into a director designation agreement with Transocean, Inc. (“Transocean”) to take all necessary action to cause a member designated by Transocean (the “Transocean Designee”) to remain on, or otherwise be appointed to, the Board, from and after the effective time of the Merger, as a Class III member of the Board, for an initial term expiring at the third annual meeting following the date of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be adopted in connection with the Merger.

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Indemnification Agreements.    In connection with the Closing, CleanTech has agreed to enter into customary indemnification agreements, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to CleanTech and Nauticus, with the individuals who will be nominated and, subject to stockholder approval, elected to CleanTech’s board of directors effective as of the Closing.

Management

Effective as of the closing of the Business Combination, all of the executive officers of CLAQ immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination shall resign and the individuals serving as executive officers of the Combined Company immediately after the closing the Business Combination will be the same individuals (in the same offices) as those of Nauticus immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination.

See “Directors and Executive Officers of the Combined Company after the Business Combination” for additional information.

Voting Securities

As of the Record Date, there were            shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Only CLAQ stockholders who hold shares of common stock of record as of the close of business on            , 2022 are entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal will each require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present in person by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Approval of the Charter Approval Proposal will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Directors Proposal will require the plurality of votes cast.

Attending the Meeting either in person by virtual attendance or by submitting your proxy and abstaining from voting will have the same effect as voting against all the Proposals and, assuming a quorum is present, broker non-votes will have no effect on the Proposals, other than the Charter Approval Proposal, for which it will have the same effect as voting against the Proposal.

With respect to the Business Combination, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Initial Stockholders holding an aggregate of 4,312,500 shares (or 20.0% of the outstanding shares) of common stock have agreed to vote their shares of common stock in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Co-Sponsors holding an aggregate of 4,032,500 shares of common stock have agreed to vote their shares in favor of each of the Business Combination Proposal. As a result, only 1,078,126 shares of common stock held by the public stockholders will need to be present in person by virtual attendance or by proxy to satisfy the quorum requirement for the meeting. In addition, as the vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal is a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present, assuming only the minimum number of shares of common stock to constitute a quorum is present, only 539,063 shares of common stock, or approximately 3.1% of the outstanding shares of the common stock held by the public stockholders must vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal for it to be approved.

Appraisal Rights

Appraisal rights are not available to holders of shares of common stock in connection with the proposed Business Combination under Delaware law.

Redemption Rights

Pursuant to CLAQ’s Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Public Common Stock may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest (net of taxes payable), by (ii) the total number of then-outstanding Public Common Stock. As of            , 2022, this would have amounted to approximately $10.10 per share.

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You will be entitled to receive cash for any Public Common Stock to be redeemed only if you:

(i)     (a) hold Public Common Stock, or

(b) hold Public Common Stock through Units and you elect to separate your Units into the underlying Public Common Stock prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the Public Common Stock; and

(ii)    prior to            , Eastern Time, on            , 2022, (a) submit a written request to Continental that CLAQ redeem your Public Common Stock for cash and (b) deliver your Public Common Stock to Continental, physically or electronically through DTC.

Holders of outstanding Units must separate the underlying Public Common Stock prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Public Common Stock. If the Units are registered in a holder’s own name, the holder must deliver the certificate for its Units to Continental, with written instructions to separate the Units into their individual component parts. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit the mailing of the certificates back to the holder so that the holder may then exercise his, her or its redemption rights upon the separation of the Public Common Stock from the Units.

If a holder exercises his/her redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging his/her Public Common Stock for cash and will no longer own shares of the Combined Company. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its Public Common Stock only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its Public Common Stock (either physically or electronically) to Continental in accordance with the procedures described herein. Please see the section titled “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your Public Common Stock for cash.

Ownership of the Post-Business Combination Company After the Closing

It is anticipated that upon completion of the Business Combination, CLAQ’s Public Stockholders (other than the PIPE Investors) will retain an ownership interest of approximately 28.5% in the Combined Company the PIPE Investors will own approximately 5.6%% of the Combined Company, the Co-Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 6.8% of the Combined Company, and the Nauticus Equity Holders will own approximately 59.1% (including the 7,500,000 Earnout Shares) of the Combined Company.

The following table shows all possible sources and the extent of dilution, pursuant to the exercise and conversion of Public and Private Warrants, Rights, Natuticus Options, conversion of the Debentures and associated Warrants, that our shareholders who elect not to redeem their shares may experience in connection with the Business Combination, assuming no redemption, intermediate levels of redemption and maximum redemption scenarios:

 

No Redemptions(1)

 

%

 

10% Redemption(2)

 

%

 

50% Redemption(3)

 

%

 

75% Redemption(4)

 

%

 

Maximum Redemption(5)

 

%

Nauticus stockholders(6)

 

37,531,279

 

59.1

%

 

37,531,279

 

60.8

%

 

37,531,279

 

68.4

%

 

37,531,279

 

74.3

%

 

37,531,279

 

81.2

%

CLAQ public stockholders(7)

 

18,112,500

 

28.5

%

 

16,387,500

 

26.5

%

 

9,487,500

 

17.3

%

 

5,175,000

 

10.2

%

 

862,500

 

1.9

%

Initial
Stockholders
(8)(9)

 

4,312,500

 

6.8

%

 

4,312,500

 

7.0

%

 

4,312,500

 

7.9

%

 

4,312,500

 

8.5

%

 

4,312,500

 

9.3

%

PIPE Investment investors(10)

 

3,530,000

 

5.6

%

 

3,530,000

 

5.7

%

 

3,530,000

 

6.4

%

 

3,530,000

 

7.0

%

 

3,530,000

 

7.6

%

Pro forma
common stock at September 30, 2021

 

63,486,279

 

100.0

%

 

61,761,279

 

100.0

%

 

54,861,279

 

100.0

%

 

50,548,779

 

100.0

%

 

46,236,279

 

100.0

%

Potential sources of dilution:

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

Public Warrants

 

8,625,000

 

13.6

%

 

8,625,000

 

14.0

%

 

8,625,000

 

15.7

%

 

8,625,000

 

17.1

%

 

8,625,000

 

18.7

%

Private Warrants

 

7,175,000

 

11.3

%

 

7,175,000

 

11.6

%

 

7,175,000

 

13.1

%

 

7,175,000

 

14.2

%

 

7,175,000

 

15.5

%

Nauticus Options

 

4,055,704

 

6.4

%

 

4,055,704

 

6.6

%

 

4,055,704

 

7.4

%

 

4,055,704

 

8.0

%

 

4,055,704

 

8.8

%

Debentures

 

3,036,734

 

4.8

%

 

3,036,734

 

4.9

%

 

3,036,734

 

5.5

%

 

3,036,734

 

6.0

%

 

3,036,734

 

6.6

%

Warrants

 

3,036,734

 

4.8

%

 

3,036,734

 

4.9

%

 

3,036,734

 

5.5

%

 

3,036,734

 

6.0

%

 

3,036,734

 

6.6

%

____________

(1)      Assumes that no CLAQ public stockholders are redeemed and excludes potential dilution from sources of dilution.

(2)      Assumes that 1,725,000 Public Common Stock is redeemed for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $17,422,500, assuming a $10.10 per share redemption price and based on funds in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2021. The

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Merger Agreement includes a condition to the closing that at the closing having an amount of available cash from the Trust Account and the PIPE Investment (after giving effect to the redemption of any Public Common Stock in connection with the IPO and the payment of the transaction expenses), of no less than $50,000,000.

(3)      Assumes that 8,625,000 Public Common Stock is redeemed for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $87,112,500, assuming a $10.10 per share redemption price and based on funds in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2021. The Merger Agreement includes a condition to the closing that at the closing having an amount of available cash from the Trust Account and the Equity Financing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (after giving effect to the redemption of any Public Common Stock in connection with the IPO and the payment of the transaction expenses), of no less than $50,000,000.

(4)      Assumes that 12,937,500 Public Common Stock is redeemed for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $130,668,750, assuming a $10.10 per share redemption price and based on funds in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2021. The Merger Agreement includes a condition to the closing that at the closing having an amount of available cash from the Trust Account and the Equity Financing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (after giving effect to the redemption of any Public Common Stock in connection with the IPO and the payment of the transaction expenses), of no less than $50,000,000.

(5)      Assumes that 17,250,000 Public Common Stock is redeemed for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $174,225,000, assuming a $10.10 per share redemption price and based on funds in the Trust Account as of September 30, 2021. The Merger Agreement includes a condition to the closing that at the closing having an amount of available cash from the Trust Account and the PIPE Investment (after giving effect to the redemption of any Public Common Stock in connection with the IPO and the payment of the transaction expenses), of no less than $50,000,000.

(6)      Includes 7,500,000 Earnout Shares subject to the Triggering Events. Such shares will be deposited into escrow in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and will be subject to reduction or forfeiture in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. However, registered holders will maintain voting rights related to such shares unless forfeited.

(7)      Excludes 8,625,000 Public Warrants and includes the issuance of 862,500 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Rights. If all potential sources of dilution were exercised and converted into Common Stock the CLAQ public stockholders would hold approximately 20.3%, 18.7%, 11.7%, 6.8% and 1.2% under the No Redemptions, 10% Redemption, 50% Redemption, 75% Redemption, and Maximum Redemption scenarios, respectively. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to CLAQ’s Business and the Business Combination — The CLAQ Public Stockholders will experience dilution as a consequence of, among other transactions, the issuance of Common Stock as consideration in the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment” for additional information related to the risk of dilution to our public stockholders.

(8)      Excludes 7,175,000 Private Warrants. If all potential sources of dilution were exercised and converted into Common Stock the Initial Stockholders would hold approximately 4.8%, 4.9%, 5.3%, 5.6% and 6.0% under the No Redemptions, 10% Redemption, 50% Redemption, 75% Redemption, and Maximum Redemption scenarios, respectively. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to CLAQ’s Business and the Business Combination — The CLAQ Public Stockholders will experience dilution as a consequence of, among other transactions, the issuance of Common Stock as consideration in the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment” for additional information related to the risk of dilution to our public stockholders.

(9)      Total of 4,312,500 outstanding founder shares includes 1,437,500 founder shares held by the Sponsor, 2,595,000 founder shares held by CleanTech Investments, and 280,000 founder shares held by the officers and directors of CleanTech. Please see the section titled “Beneficial Ownership of Securities.”

(10)    Assumes the sale of an aggregate of 3,530,000 shares of CleanTech Common Stock, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $35,300,000. Excludes the dilution that could be caused by the conversion of the Debentures and Warrants issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined and consolidated financial data (the “Summary Pro Forma Information”) gives effect to the Business Combination. The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CLAQ will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination will be reflected as the equivalent of Nauticus issuing shares for the net assets of CLAQ, followed by a recapitalization whereby no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Nauticus. There will be no accounting effect or change in the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities as a result of the Business Combination. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2021 gives effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on September 30, 2021. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 gives effect to the Business Combination as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020.

The Summary Pro Forma Information has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined and consolidated financial information included in the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” in this proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes thereto. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical financial statements and related notes of CLAQ and Nauticus for the applicable periods included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The Summary Pro Forma Information has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what CLAQ’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the Business Combination been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the Summary Pro Forma Information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of CLAQ following the reverse recapitalization.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the assumptions below with respect to the potential redemption into cash of shares of CLAQ ordinary shares:

•        Assuming No Redemptions:    This scenario assumes that no public stockholders of CLAQ exercise redemption rights with respect to their public shares for a pro rata share of the funds in the Trust Account.

•        Assuming Maximum Redemptions:    This scenario assumes that 17,250,000 CLAQ Common Stock subject to redemption are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $174.2 million (based on an estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.10 that was calculated using the $174.2 million of cash in the Trust Account divided by 17,250,000 CLAQ shares of Common Stock subject to redemption assuming the pro forma maximum redemption scenario pursuant to the Merger Agreement). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the aggregate cash proceeds received from the Trust Account, together with the proceeds from the Subscription Agreements and after the payment of transaction expenses, must equal no less than $50.0 million.

 

Pro Forma Combined

   

Assuming No Redemptions

 

Assuming Maximum Redemptions

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations Data
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,801,665

)

 

$

(3,801,665

)

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.10

)

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

55,986,279

 

 

 

38,736,279

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations Data
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(13,085,874

)

 

$

(13,085,874

)

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.23

)

 

$

(0.34

)

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

55,986,279

 

 

 

38,736,279

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet Data
As of September 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

237,976,904

 

 

$

63,750,157

 

Total liabilities

 

$

39,315,100

 

 

$

39,315,100

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

$

198,661,804

 

 

$

24,435,057

 

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Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of the Board in favor of adoption of the Business Combination Proposal and other Proposals, you should keep in mind that CLAQ’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder, including:

•        If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed, CLAQ will be required to dissolve and liquidate. In such event, the 4,312,500 founder shares currently held by the Initial Stockholders, which were acquired prior to the IPO will be worthless because such holders have agreed to waive their rights to any liquidation distributions. The founder shares were purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

•        If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed, an aggregate of 7,175,000 Private Warrants purchased by our Co-Sponsors for a total purchase price of $7,175,000, will be worthless. The Warrants had an aggregate market value of approximately $3,587,500 based on the closing price of Units on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of January 24, 2022.

•        If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed, the Initial Stockholders will lose a combined aggregate amount of approximately $42.8 million base on the closing price of the CLAQ common stock at $9.93 per share on January 24, 2022. Because of these interests, CLAQ’s Initial Stockholders could benefit from the completion of a business combination that is not favorable to its public shareholders and may be incentivized to complete an acquisition of a less favorable target company or on terms less favorable to public shareholders rather than liquidate. For example, if the share price of the CLAQ common stock declined to $5.00 per share after the close of the business combination, CLAQ’s public shareholder that purchased shares in the initial public offering, would have a loss of $5.00 per share, while CLAQ’s Sponsor would have a gain of $4.99 per share because it acquired the founder shares for a nominal amount. In other words, CLAQ’s Initial Stockholders can earn a positive rate of return on their investment even if public shareholders experience a negative rate of return in the post-combination company.

•        If the Business Combination, is not completed, CLAQ’s Initial Stockholders will not have the potential ownership interest of approximately 6.8% (assuming no redemption) or 8.6% (assuming maximum redemption) in the combined company, assuming exercise and conversion of all securities.

•        If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) will not receive a marketing fee of $6,037,500 for certain services pursuant to a Business Combination Marketing Agreement, or a placement fee of $2,118,000 (i.e., 6.0% of the PIPE Investment) for certain services pursuant to the Financial Advisory Agreement. CleanTech Investments is an affiliate of Chardan, and CLAQ’s director, Mr. Jonas Grossman, is a managing partner and head of capital markets for Chardan.

•        The exercise of CLAQ’s directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the terms of the transaction may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes or waivers are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.

•        If the Business Combination is completed, Nauticus will designate all members of the Combined Company’s Board of Directors, except for the Transocean Designee).

See “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” for additional information.

Anticipated Accounting Treatment

For a discussion summarizing the anticipated accounting treatment of the Business Combination, please see “Anticipated Accounting Treatment.”

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Recommendations of the Board and Reasons for the Business Combination

After careful consideration of the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Board has determined that Business Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, CLAQ and its stockholders. In reaching its decision with respect to the Business Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Board reviewed various industry and financial data and the evaluation of materials provided by Nauticus. The Board did not obtain a fairness opinion on which to base its assessment. The Board recommends that CLAQ stockholders vote:

•        FOR the Business Combination Proposal;

•        FOR the Charter Approval Proposal;

•        FOR the Bylaws Proposal;

•        FOR the Governance Proposals;

•        FOR the Stock Plan Proposal;

•        FOR the Nasdaq Proposal; and

•        FOR the Adjournment Proposal.

Summary Risk Factors

In evaluating the Business Combination and the Proposals to be considered and voted on at the Meeting, you should carefully review and consider the risk factors set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 32 of this proxy statement/prospectus. Some of these risks related to are summarized below. References in the summary below to “Nauticus” generally refer to Nauticus in the present tense or the Combined Company from and after the Business Combination.

The following summarizes certain principal factors that make an investment in the Combined Company speculative or risky, all of which are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section below. This summary should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” section and should not be relied upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing CLAQ’s, Nauticus’ and/or the Combined Company’s business.

Risks Related to Nauticus’ Business and Industry

•        Nauticus is an early-stage company with a history of losses, and it expects to incur significant expenses for the foreseeable future.

•        Almost all of Nauticus’ revenues in 2019 and 2020 were derived from three customers. A substantial portion of Nauticus’ current revenue is generated by sales to government entities, which are subject to a number of uncertainties, challenges, and risks.

•        If Nauticus fails to effectively manage its growth, Nauticus may not be able to design, develop, manufacture, market, and launch new generations of its robotic systems successfully.

•        Nauticus’ operating and financial projections rely on management assumptions and analyses. If these assumptions or analyses prove to be incorrect, Nauticus’ actual operating results may be materially different from its forecasted results.

•        Nauticus’ business plans require a significant amount of capital. Nauticus’ future capital needs may require Nauticus to sell additional equity or debt securities that may dilute its stockholders or introduce covenants that may restrict its operations or its ability to pay dividends.

•        Nauticus will incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

•        Nauticus operates in a competitive industry that is subject to rapid technological change, and Nauticus expects competition to increase.

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•        Nauticus’ financial results may vary significantly from period to period due to fluctuations in its operating costs, product demand and other factors.

•        Nauticus has yet to achieve positive operating cash flow and, given its projected funding needs, its ability to generate positive cash flow is uncertain.

Risks Related to CLAQ’s Business

•        Failure to comply with applicable anti-corruption legislation and other governmental laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal penalties and materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

•        The continuation or worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other similar public health developments, could have an adverse effect on business, results of operations, and financial condition.

•        CLAQ will be forced to liquidate the Trust Account if it cannot consummate a business combination by July 19, 2022, the date that is 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or January 19, 2023, the date that is 18 months from the closing of the IPO, if the Combination Period is extended by the full amount of time allowed under CLAQ’s Current Charter). In the event of a liquidation, CLAQ’s public stockholders will receive $10.10 per share and the CLAQ Warrants and Rights will expire worthless.

Risks Related to the Business Combination

•        You must tender your Public Common Stock in order to validly seek redemption at the Meeting of stockholders.

•        If third parties bring claims against CLAQ, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share liquidation price received by CLAQ’s stockholders may be less than $10.10.

•        Any distributions received by CLAQ stockholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, CLAQ was unable to pay its debts as they fell due in the ordinary course of business.

•        If CLAQ’s due diligence investigation of Nauticus was inadequate, then stockholders of CLAQ following the Business Combination could lose some or all of their investment.

Risks Related to the Combined Company’s Common Stock

•        The market price of the Combined Company’s Common stock is likely to be highly volatile, and you may lose some or all of your investment.

•        Volatility in the Combined Company’s share price could subject the Combined Company to securities class action litigation.

Risks Related to the Combined Company Operating as a Public Company

•        Our management team has limited skills and experience related to managing a public company.

•        We will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.

•        Our stock price has fluctuated historically and may continue to fluctuate.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF CLAQ

CLAQ is providing the following summary historical financial information to assist you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination.

CLAQ’s statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and balance sheet data as of September 30, 2021 are derived from CLAQ’s unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. CLAQ’s balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 are derived from CLAQ’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with CLAQ’s financial statements and related notes and the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of CLAQ” included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The historical results included below and elsewhere in this proxy statement are not indicative of the future performance of CLAQ.

 

As of
September 30,
2021

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

789,012

 

Investments held in Trust Account

 

$

174,226,747

 

Total assets

 

$

175,599,558

 

Total liabilities

 

$

12,926,457

 

Common stock subject to possible redemption

 

$

174,225,000

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

$

(11,551,899

)

 

For the
Nine Months
ended
September 30,
2021

 

For the
Period from
June 18,
2020
(inception)
through
December 31,
2020

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

$

(441,295

)

 

$

(1,000

)

Warrant issuance costs

 

$

(256,379

)

 

$

 

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

 

$

4,037,000

 

 

$

 

Net gain on investments held in Trust Account

 

$

1,747

 

 

$

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,341,073

 

 

$

(1,000

)

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

9,904,182

 

 

 

3,750,000

 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

(0.00

)

Statement of Cash Flows Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(769,706

)

 

$

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(174,225,000

)

 

$

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

$

175,758,718

 

 

$

25,000

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF NAUTICUS

The following tables contain selected historical financial data of Nauticus for the periods and as of the dates indicated. Such data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are derived from the audited financial statements of Nauticus, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Such data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are derived from the unaudited financial statements of Nauticus included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The following selected historical financial data should be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Nauticus”, Nauticus’ audited financial statements and related notes thereto, and unaudited interim financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected historical financial data in this section is not intended to replace our audited financial statements, unaudited consolidated financial statements, and related notes and are qualified in their entirety thereby. The historical results included below and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus are not indicative of the future performance of Nauticus.

 

For the
Nine Months
ended
September 30,
2021

 

For the
Nine Months
ended
September 30,
2020

 




Year Ended December 31,

2020

 

2019

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

3,245,713

 

 

$

3,464,002

 

 

$

3,994,440

 

 

$

5,822,793

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

3,609,236

 

 

 

4,279,887

 

 

 

5,472,581

 

 

 

6,934,033

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

263,032

 

 

 

294,264

 

 

 

400,432

 

 

 

359,085

 

Research and development

 

 

2,411,100

 

 

 

3,773,977

 

 

 

4,951,619

 

 

 

5,707,316

 

General and administrative

 

 

2,066,941

 

 

 

1,405,813

 

 

 

1,906,865