UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the Quarterly Period Ended
OR
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO ________
COMMISSION
FILE NUMBER:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
| N/A |
| (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act:
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
As of May 22, 2023, the Registrant had shares of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 2 |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses, short-term portion | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||||||
| Total assets | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Income tax payable | ||||||||
| Extension note, related party | ||||||||
| Promissory note, related party | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5) | ||||||||
| Common stock subject to possible redemption; and shares outstanding at redemption values of $ and $ per share as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, par value $, shares authorized, issued and outstanding | ||||||||
| Common stock, par value $, shares authorized; issued and outstanding (excluding shares subject to possible redemption) | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 3 |
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other income: | ||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||
| Income (Loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, redeemable shares subject to redemption | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share, redeemable shares subject to redemption | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, non-redeemable shares | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share, non-redeemable shares | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 4 |
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023 AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
| Additional | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Additional | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of common stock to redemption value | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 5 |
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Changes in prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Changes in taxes payable | ||||||||
| Changes in related party payables | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Investment in Trust Account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Withdrawal of interest from Trust Account to pay taxes | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from promissory note – related party | ||||||||
| Proceeds from extension note - related party | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash - Beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash - End of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Accretion of common stock to redemption value | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 6 |
WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF THE BUSINESS
WinVest Acquisition Corp. (“WinVest,” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 1, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (the “Initial Business Combination”) with one or more businesses or entities. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
Throughout this report, the terms “our,” “we,” “us,” and the “Company” refer to WinVest Acquisition Corp.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced core operations. All activity for the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and raising funds through the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The
registration statement pursuant to which the Company registered its securities offered in the Initial Public Offering was declared effective
on September 14, 2021. On September 17, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of units (the “Units”).
Each Unit consists of one share of common stock of the Company, $ par value per share (the “Common Stock”), one redeemable
warrant (the “Public Warrants”), with each Public Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one
share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $
Simultaneously
with the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the issuance and sale of the Units, the Company completed the private sale of
warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $ per Private Placement Warrant to our sponsor,
WinVest SPAC LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $
Each
Private Placement Warrant entitles the holders to purchase one-half of one share of Common Stock at a price of $
On
September 23, 2021, the underwriters fully exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional Units (the “Over-Allotment
Units”), generating gross proceeds of $
Following
the closing of the Initial Public Offering on September 17, 2021, and the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option
in full on September 23, 2021, an aggregate amount of $
| 7 |
We
initially had 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering of September 17, 2021 to consummate our Initial Business Combination.
On November 30, 2022, we held a special meeting of stockholders, at which our stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s
amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “November 2022 Extension Amendment”) to extend the date (the “Termination
Date”) by which the Company must consummate an Initial Business Combination from December 17, 2022 (the “Original Termination
Date”) to January 17, 2023, and to allow the Company, without another stockholder vote, to elect to extend the Termination Date
on a monthly basis for up to five times by an additional one month each time after January 17, 2023, by resolution of the Company’s
board of directors, if requested by our Sponsor, and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until
June 17, 2023, or a total of up to six months after the Original Termination Date, unless the closing of the Initial Business Combination
shall have occurred prior thereto, subject to the deposit by our Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days’ advance
notice prior to the applicable deadline, of $
In
connection with the vote to approve the November 2022 Extension Amendment, the holders of shares of Common Stock issued as
part of the units sold in the Initial Public Offering properly exercised their right to redeem their shares (and did not withdraw their
redemption) for cash at a redemption price of approximately $ per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of approximately $
Accordingly,
with the stockholders of the Company having approved the November 2022 Extension Amendment, on December 5, 2022, the Company issued an
unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $
As
of March 31, 2023, the Company had deposited $
If
we are unable to consummate an Initial Business Combination by the Termination Date, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than
ten business days thereafter, redeem
| 8 |
No compensation of any kind (including finders’, consulting or other similar fees) will be paid to any of our existing officers, directors, stockholders, or any of their affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of the Initial Business Combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Since the role of present management after our Initial Business Combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after our Initial Business Combination.
Management intends to use any funds available outside of the Trust Account for miscellaneous expenses such as paying fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business and for director and officer liability insurance premiums, with the balance being held in reserve in the event due diligence, legal, accounting and other expenses of structuring and negotiating business combinations exceed our estimates, as well as for reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by our insiders, officers and directors in connection with activities on our behalf as described below.
The allocation of the net proceeds available to us outside of the Trust Account, along with the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account available to us to pay our income and other tax liabilities, represents our best estimate of the intended uses of these funds. In the event that our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may reallocate some of such proceeds within the above-described categories. If our estimate of the costs of undertaking due diligence and negotiating our Initial Business Combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to us from the Trust Account is insufficient, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from our Sponsor or third parties, Our Sponsor and/or founding stockholders may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes that would either be paid upon consummation of our Initial Business Combination, or, at such lender’s discretion. However, our Sponsor and/or founding stockholders are under no obligation to loan us any funds or invest in us. If we are unable to obtain the necessary funds, we may be forced to cease searching for a target business and liquidate without completing our Initial Business Combination.
We
will likely use substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, the Private Placement and the sale of the Additional
Private Placement Warrants, including the funds held in the Trust Account, in connection with our Initial Business Combination and to
pay our expenses relating thereto, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in an amount
equal to
To the extent we are unable to consummate an Initial Business Combination, we will pay the costs of liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the Trust Account. If such funds are insufficient, our Sponsor has agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation and has agreed not to seek repayment of such expenses.
Risks, Uncertainties and Going Concern
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, the COVID-19 pandemic and other geopolitical factors on the economy and the capital markets and has concluded that, while it is reasonably possible that such events could have negative effects on the search for a target company and ability to raise capital in connection with a business combination, the specific impacts are not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
| 9 |
As
of March 31, 2023, the Company had $
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern, which assumes the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2023, we had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2023 relates to our formation and the Initial Public Offering. All activity for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 relates to identifying a target company for a business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. Our ability to commence operations is contingent upon consummating a business combination. Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a business combination. Although management has been successful to date in raising necessary funding, there can be no assurance that any required future financing can be successfully completed. Furthermore, our ability to consummate our initial business combination within the contractual time period is uncertain. We have until June 17, 2023 to consummate our Initial Business Combination. We will not be able to consummate a business combination by June 17, 2023. Based on these circumstances, management has determined that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to the uncertainty of liquidity requirements and the mandatory liquidation date within one year.
Management’s
plan to address the June 17, 2023 liquidation is to seek stockholder approval for, and to file, an amendment to the Company’s amended
and restated certificate of incorporation extending the Company’s current Termination Date, among other things. Pursuant to a definitive
proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 19, 2023,
| 10 |
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, and the adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of March 31, 2023, and its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023, which contains the audited financial statements and notes thereto. The financial information as of December 31, 2022 is derived from the audited financial statements presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or for any future interim periods.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of unaudited condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account
Following
the closing of the Initial Public Offering on September 17, 2021, and the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option
in full on September 23, 2021, an aggregate amount of $
| 11 |
Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable shares to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable shares are effected by charges against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
Public and Private Warrants
We account for our Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants as equity-classified instruments, based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. In that respect, the Private Placement Warrants, as well as any warrants underlying additional units the Company issues to the Sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to the Company, were identical to the warrants underlying the Units offered in the Initial Public Offering.
Rights
The Company accounts for its Rights as equity-classified instruments based on an assessment of the Rights’ specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815. The assessment considers whether the Rights are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the Rights meet all the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the Rights are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for the equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgement, is conducted at the time of Rights issuance.
Each Right may be traded separately. If the Company is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the required time period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Rights will not receive any such funds for their Rights, and the Rights will expire worthless. The Company has not considered the effect of Rights sold in the Initial Public Offering and the private placement to purchase shares of common stock, since the exercise of the Rights are contingent upon the occurrence of future events.
| 12 |
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Franchise Taxes
The Company is subject to franchise tax filing requirements in the State of Delaware.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution,
which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
| ● | Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
| ● | Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
| ● | Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
| 13 |
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
| Fair value measurements at reporting date using: | ||||||||||||||||
| Description | Fair Value | Quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities (Level 1) | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities held in Trust Account at March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Marketable securities held in Trust Account at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed like basic earnings per share, except the weighted average number of common shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of share options, if dilutive.
The
Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. The Statements of Operations
include a presentation of income (loss) per redeemable share and income (loss) per non-redeemable share following the two-class
method of income per share. In order to determine the Net income (loss) attributable to both the redeemable shares and
non-redeemable shares, the Company first considered the total income (loss) allocable to both sets of shares. This is calculated
using the total net income (loss) less any dividends paid. For purposes of calculating net income (loss) per share, any
remeasurement of the ordinary shares subject to possible redemption was considered to be dividends paid to the public stockholders.
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For the three months ended March 31, 2023
| Common shares subject to redemption | Non-redeemable Common Shares | |||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | ||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||
| Allocation of net loss | ( | ) | ||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2022
| Common shares subject to redemption | Non-redeemable Common Shares | |||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | ||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||
| Allocation of net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
The Company has not considered the effect of Warrants and Rights sold in the Initial Public Offering and the private placement to purchase shares of common stock in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the exercise of the Warrants and Rights are contingent upon the occurrence of future events. As a result, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for the period presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2022-03”). The amendments in ASU 2022-03 clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The amendments in this Update also require additional disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The provisions in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt this ASU. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the balance sheets, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 3 - INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant
to the Initial Public Offering, on September 17, 2021, the Company sold Units at a price of $ per Unit for a total of
$
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In
connection with its Initial Public Offering, the Company incurred offering costs of $
NOTE 4 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Sponsor Shares
On
March 16, 2021, our Sponsor purchased shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s common stock for an
aggregate price of $
Prior to the effective date of our registration statement in connection with our Initial Public Offering, the Company entered into agreements with its directors in connection with their board service and certain members of its advisory board in connection with their advisory board service for its Sponsor to transfer an aggregate of of its founder shares to the Company’s directors for no cash consideration and an aggregate of of its founder shares to certain members of the Company’s advisory board for no cash consideration, for a total of shares, approximating the fair value of the shares on such date, or $. The shares were subsequently transferred prior to the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement. The founder shares do not have redemption rights and will be worthless unless the Company consummates its Initial Business Combination.
Private Placement Warrants
Our
Sponsor purchased from us an aggregate of
As
previously disclosed, on December 5, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $
During
2023, the Company effected drawdowns of $
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During
2023, the Company effected drawdowns of $
Related Party Advances
As
of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were
Promissory Note – Related Party
On
March 16, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor (extended by amendment in March 2022 to the consummation
of an initial business combination) (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate
principal amount of $
The Company analyzed the conversion feature of the Promissory Note into private warrants under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASC 450, Contingencies, ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). Prior to any Business Combination, the outstanding amounts under the Promissory Note are recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The conversion feature for any such outstanding amounts requires liability treatment on the balance sheet and should be recorded at fair value with changes to the fair value being recorded through the income statement. Once converted, the private warrants, being identical to the Public Warrants, will be classified under equity treatment. However, given that the fair value of such conversion feature is not material as of the fourth drawdown date, and the reporting date, or March 31, 2023, management has not recorded any such adjustment to the Company’s financial statements.
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Extension Note – Related Party
On
December 5, 2022, we issued the Extension Note to our Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan to us up to $
The Company analyzed the conversion feature of the Extension Note into private warrants under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASC 450, Contingencies, ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). Prior to any Business Combination, the outstanding amounts under the Extension Note are recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The conversion feature for any such outstanding amounts requires liability treatment on the balance sheet and should be recorded at fair value with changes to the fair value being recorded through the income statement. Once converted, the private warrants, being identical to the Public Warrants, will be classified under equity treatment. However, given that the fair value of such conversion feature is not material as of the fourth drawdown date, and the reporting date, or March 31, 2023, management has not recorded any such adjustment to the Company’s financial statements.
Administrative Support Agreement
The
Company entered into an agreement to pay our Sponsor a monthly fee of $
NOTE 5 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering. The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands that the Company register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Founder Shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which the Founder Shares are to be released from escrow. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of our Initial Business Combination.
Underwriting Agreement
The
Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of its prospectus to purchase up to additional Units to cover
over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On September 23, 2021,
the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full and purchased an additional Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”),
generating gross proceeds of $
The
underwriters received a cash underwriting discount of $per Unit, or $
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Finder’s Fee Agreement
On July 12, 2022, the Company entered into a finder’s fee agreement with a third-party finder (“Finder”), payable only upon the successful consummation of the Finder’s identification of merger target companies which shall occur only if the merger target companies are identified and introduced by the Finder and acknowledged by the Company in writing during the retention period, which shall be one year after origination and will continue for one year after such period, unless terminated earlier, and provided an Initial Business Combination is consummated with a merger target company identified within such period. For purposes of the agreement, the finder’s fee shall be calculated as 1% of the sum of any cash and noncash consideration actually delivered and paid in connection with an Initial Business Combination.
Agent Agreement
On July 19, 2022, the Company entered an agent agreement with a FINRA registered broker-dealer (“Agent”), by which the Company engaged the Agent as its non-exclusive agent to use commercially reasonable efforts to refer the Company to potential target companies for an Initial Business Combination. If the Company completes a transaction with any such target company referred to by the Agent within 18 months after such referral, the Agent shall be paid a success fee based upon the transaction value, which shall become due and payable concurrently with the Initial Business Combination.
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC. M&A / Capital Markets Advisory Agreement
On July 23, 2022, the Company entered a M&A/Capital Markets Advisory Agreement (“M&A Agreement”) with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, (“Chardan”) by which Chardan shall assist and advise the Company in completing an Initial Business Combination. In the event an Initial Business Combination is consummated during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Chardan at the closing of the Initial Business Combination the M&A Fee. If the M&A Agreement specifies that the M&A Fee is to be based on the “Aggregate Value” of an Initial Business Combination, such term means, without duplication, an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate value of any securities issued, promissory notes delivered by the Company to a target company in connection with an Initial Business Combination, and any other cash and non-cash consideration (using such values as set forth in such Initial Business Combination’s definitive agreement) delivered and paid in connection with an Initial Business Combination, and the amount of all debt and debt-like instruments of the Targets immediately prior to closing that (a) are assumed or acquired by the Company or (b) retired or defeased in connection with such Business Combination less any amounts of Financing that are the basis of a Financing Fee. Even if an Initial Business Combination is not consummated prior to the expiration or termination of the M&A Agreement, Chardan shall be entitled to the full M&A Fee with respect to any transaction consummated involving an Introduced Party that occurs within 18 months of the expiration or termination of the M&A Agreement or within 12 months of the expiration or termination of the M&A Agreement for any party not deemed an introduced party by Chardan.
In
the event an Initial Business Combination is consummated involving a party other than an introduced party by Chardan, the Company will
pay to Chardan an M&A Fee equal to the greater of $
| ● | 3%
of the first $ | |
| ● | 2%
of the aggregate value greater than $ | |
| ● | 1%
of the aggregate value greater than $ |
The M&A Fee will be paid either in cash out of the flow of funds from the Trust Account or in registered and free trading securities of the Company, as the parties may agree.
The
Company will pay a cash fee equal to
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The
Company will pay Chardan up to $
As
of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company recorded deferred underwriting commissions of $
NOTE 6 – COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION
The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
| Common Shares Subject to Possible Redemption | ||||
| Gross proceeds from initial public offering | $ | |||
| Less: | ||||
| Offering costs allocated to common stock subject to possible redemption | ( | ) | ||
| Proceeds allocated to public warrants | ( | ) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Deposit to Trust Account from private placement | ||||
| Accretion on common stock subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Accretion of common stock subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Redemption of common stock | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||
| Deposits to Trust Account | ||||
| Accretion of common stock subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Taxes withdrawn from Trust Account | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, March 31, 2023 | ||||
NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Common Stock
The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of shares of common stock, par value $, and shares of undesignated preferred stock, $ par value.
In March 2021, the Company issued founder shares of common stock at a price of approximately $ per share for total cash of $. There are shares of preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December, 31, 2022.
Rights
The registration statement pursuant to which the Company registered its securities offered in the Initial Public Offering was declared effective on September 14, 2021. On September 17, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of Units. Each Unit consists of one share of common stock of the Company, $ par value per share, one redeemable warrant, with each Public Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $ per whole share, subject to adjustment and one Right, with each Right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-fifteenth (1/15) of one share of Common Stock upon the consummation by the Company of an Initial Business Combination. Each Right may be traded separately. If the Company is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the required time period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Rights will not receive any such funds for their Rights, and the Rights will expire worthless.
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Public Warrants
Each redeemable warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one half of one share of common stock at a price of $ per full share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of the completion of an Initial Business Combination and 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. No warrants will be exercisable for cash unless the Company has an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within 90 days from the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis. The warrants will expire five years from the consummation of an initial Business Combination.
The
Company may call the outstanding warrants for redemption (excluding the Private Placement Warrants and warrants underlying the units
that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans), in whole and not in part, at a price of $
| ● | at any time while the warrants are exercisable; |
| ● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; |
| ● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders (the “Force-Call Provision”), and |
| ● | if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption. |
The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.
The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.
If the Company calls the warrants for redemption as described above, management of the Company will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.”
In
addition, if (x) the
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The Private Placement Warrants, as well as any warrants underlying additional units the Company issues to the Sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to the Company, will be identical to the warrants underlying the Units being offered in the Initial Public Offering.
NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES
The
Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, was (
The Company has evaluated its income tax positions and has determined that it does not have any uncertain tax positions. The Company will recognize interest and penalties related to any uncertain tax positions through its income tax expense.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., Delaware and Massachusetts jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities since inception.
On
August 16, 2022,
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NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date, up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than as set forth below, management did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
Extension Note Drawdowns
On
April 17, 2023, the Company effected the fifth drawdown of $
Special Meeting of Stockholders
On
May 19, 2023, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC to amend to amend its amended and restated certificate of
incorporation to (i) eliminate the limitation that the Company may not consummate an Initial Business Combination unless it has net
tangible assets of at least $
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in the section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, statements in the discussion and analysis set forth below may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would” and variations and similar words and expressions may identify forward looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those factors set forth under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
References in this discussion and analysis to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer to WinVest Acquisition Corp.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”), our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
As of March 31, 2023 and the date of this filing, we had not commenced core operations. All activity for the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2023 related to our formation and raising funds through our Initial Public Offering and identifying a target company for a business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of an initial business combination, at the earliest. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The stock exchange listing rules provide that the initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the assets held in a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trust Account”) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable) at the time of the our signing a definitive agreement in connection with the initial business combination. We will only complete an initial business combination if the post-initial business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully effect an initial business combination.
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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provided that we had until December 17, 2022 to complete a business combination; provided, however, that if we anticipated we may not be able to consummate a business combination by December 17, 2022, we, by resolution of the board of directors if requested by our sponsor, WinVest SPAC LLC (the “Sponsor”), could extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (up until June 17, 2023), subject to the deposit of additional funds into the Trust Account by our Sponsor or its affiliates or designees. On November 30, 2022, we held a special meeting of stockholders to, among other things, approve an extension amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to extend the date by which we must consummate an initial business combination (the “Termination Date”) from December 17, 2022 to January 17, 2023, and to allow us, without another stockholder vote, to elect to extend the Termination Date on a monthly basis for up to five times by an additional one month each time after January 17, 2023, by resolution of our board of directors, if requested by the Sponsor, and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until June 17, 2023, or a total of up to six months after the original Termination Date of December 17, 2022, unless the closing of our initial business combination shall have occurred prior thereto (the “November 2022 Extension Amendment”). Our Sponsor agreed that if the November 2022 Extension Amendment proposal was approved at the special meeting, it or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees would lend to us up to $750,000 to be deposited into the Trust Account.
The stockholders approved the November 2022 Extension Amendment proposal at the special meeting. Accordingly, on December 5, 2022, we issued an unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $750,000 (the “Extension Note”) to our Sponsor, pursuant to which our Sponsor agreed to loan to us up to $750,000 in connection with the extension of the Termination Date. The Extension Note does not bear interest and matures upon the earlier of (a) the closing of a business combination and (b) our liquidation. In the event that we do not consummate a business combination, the Extension Note will be repaid only from amounts remaining outside of the Trust Account, if any. Upon the consummation of a business combination, our Sponsor may elect to convert any portion or all of the amount outstanding under the Extension Note into private warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued to our Sponsor at the time of our Initial Public Offering.
In connection with the vote to approve the November 2022 Extension Amendment proposal, the holders of 9,606,887 shares of Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in our Initial Public Offering properly exercised their right to redeem their shares (and did not withdraw their redemption) for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.20 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of approximately $98.0 million. Following such redemptions, 1,893,113 shares of Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in our Initial Public Offering remained outstanding and, as of March 31, 2023, approximately $20.0 million remained in the Trust Account.
On December 5, 2022, we effected the first drawdown of $125,000 under the Extension Note and caused our Sponsor to deposit such sum into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Termination Date from December 17, 2022 to January 17, 2023. During 2023, we effected drawdowns of $625,000 under the Extension Note and caused such sums to be deposited into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Termination Date from January 17, 2023 to June 17, 2023. Such amounts would be distributed either to: (i) all of the holders of our Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in the Initial Public Offering upon our liquidation or (ii) holders of shares of our Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in the Initial Public Offering who elect to have their shares redeemed in connection with the consummation of a business combination.
| 25 |
If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay our dissolution expenses), and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public stockholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the Rights and Public and Private Placement Warrants will expire and will be worthless.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
All activities through March 31, 2023 were related to our organizational activities, and preparation for our Initial Public Offering, and, after our Initial Public Offering, identifying a target company for a business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. Subsequent to our Initial Public Offering on September 17, 2021, we generate non-operating income in the form of interest and dividend income on cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities held in the Trust Account. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. We incur ongoing expenses as a result of being a public company for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance, as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the period ended March 31, 2023, our net loss was $404,527 and expenses from operating activities were $569,578, mainly due to costs associated with professional services, including legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance expenses. We intend to use our operating cash held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, structure, negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
As of March 31, 2023, we had $57,048 in our operating bank account and a working capital deficit of $1,401,576. Our liquidity needs prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering had been satisfied through proceeds from advances from a related party, our Sponsor, and from the issuance of common stock. Subsequent to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, liquidity was satisfied through the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the proceeds from our Sponsor’s purchase of Private Placement Warrants held outside of our Trust Account and loans from the Sponsor.
On March 16, 2021, we issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor, which note was amended on March 27, 2022 (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000, of which $123,000 was outstanding under the Promissory Note as of March 31, 2023. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the date on which we consummate an initial business combination. The Sponsor may elect to convert any portion or all of the amount outstanding under the Promissory Note into warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one-half share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share, commencing on the date of our initial business combination. No such conversions have yet occurred. During 2023, we effected drawdowns of $123,000 under the Promissory Note. The purpose of each drawdown is for the payment of expenses associated with operations and those necessary to initiate a business combination.
On September 17, 2021, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 10,000,000 units (the “Units”). Each Unit consists of one share of Common Stock, one redeemable warrant (the “Public Warrant”), with each Public Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment and one right (the “Right”), with each Right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-fifteenth (1/15) of one share of Common Stock upon the consummation by us of an initial business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $100,000,000 (before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses).
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Simultaneously with the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the issuance and sale of the Units, we completed the private sale of 10,000,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $0.50 per Private Placement Warrant to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $5,000,000 (such sale, the “Private Placement”). Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holders to purchase one-half of one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants.
On September 23, 2021, our underwriters fully exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 1,500,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”), generating gross proceeds of $15,000,000 on September 27, 2021. Simultaneously with the sale of Over-Allotment Units, we consummated a private sale of an additional 900,000 Private Placement Warrants (the “Additional Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $0.50 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of $450,000.
We paid a total of $2,400,000 in underwriting discounts, expenses and commissions (not including deferred underwriting commissions of $4,025,000 payable only upon completion of our business combination) and $523,969 for other costs and expenses related to the Initial Public Offering, resulting in aggregate net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and overallotment of $112,076,031.
As of September 27, 2021, a total of $116,150,000 of the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants and the Additional Private Placement Warrants were deposited in the Trust Account established for the benefit of our public stockholders, and we had $638,000 of cash held outside of the Trust Account, after payment of costs related to the Initial Public Offering.
On December 5, 2022, we issued the Extension Note to our Sponsor, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan to us up to $750,000 in connection with the extension of the Termination Date. The Extension Note does not bear interest and matures upon the earlier of (a) the closing of a business combination and (b) our liquidation. In the event that we do not consummate a business combination, the Extension Note will be repaid only from amounts remaining outside of the Trust Account, if any. Upon the consummation of a business combination, the Sponsor may elect to convert any portion or all of the amount outstanding under the Extension Note into private warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per private warrant. Such private warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor at the time of our Initial Public Offering. On December 5, 2022, we effected the first drawdown of $125,000 under the Extension Note and caused the Sponsor to deposit such sum into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Termination Date from December 17, 2022 to January 17, 2023. During 2023, we effected drawdowns of $625,000 under the Extension Note and caused such sums to be deposited into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Termination Date from January 17, 2023 to June 17, 2023.
In connection with the vote to approve the November 2022 Extension Amendment proposal, the holders of 9,606,887 shares of our Common Stock properly exercised their right to redeem their shares (and did not withdraw their redemption) for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.20 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of approximately $98.0 million.
As of March 31, 2023, we had marketable securities held in the Trust Account of approximately $20.0 million. We intend to use substantially all of the remaining funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, which interest shall be net of taxes payable, to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest from the Trust Account to pay taxes and up to $100,000 of dissolution expenses, if any. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to consummate a business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
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As of March 31, 2023, we held $57,048 outside of the Trust Account. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account, in addition to additional funds we may borrow under the Promissory Note, primarily to pay corporate filing and compliance expenses, identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, structure, negotiate and complete a business combination. We believe we will need to access additional liquidity in order to consummate an initial business combination.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern, which assumes the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2023, we had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to our formation and the Initial Public Offering. All activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the three months ended March 31, 2023 relates to identifying a target company for a business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial business combination, at the earliest. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. Our ability to commence operations is contingent upon consummating an initial business combination. We have until June 17, 2023 to consummate our business combination, which is 21 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering. We will not be able to consummate our initial business combination by June 17, 2023.
Management’s plan to address the June 17, 2023 liquidation is to seek stockholder approval for, and to file, an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Pursuant to a definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 19, 2023, we are proposing to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (i) eliminate the limitation that the Company may not consummate an initial business combination unless it has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of such initial business combination (the “Redemption Limitation Amendment”) and (ii) extend the Termination Date from the original Termination Date of June 17, 2023 to July 17, 2023 (the “Charter Extension Date”) upon the deposit into the Trust Account of $65,000, to be loaned to us by our Sponsor or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees, and to allow us, without another stockholder vote, to elect to extend the Termination Date on a monthly basis for up to five times by an additional one month each time after the Charter Extension Date (each, an “Additional Extension”), by resolution of our board of directors, if requested by our Sponsor, and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until December 17, 2023, or a total of up to six months after June 17, 2023, unless the closing of an initial business combination shall have occurred prior thereto, subject to the deposit an additional $65,000 per Additional Extension into the Trust Account by our Sponsor or its affiliates, members or third-party designees (the “Charter Extension Amendment”). If the Charter Extension Amendment is approved and effective, our public stockholders may elect to redeem their shares of Common Stock issued as part of the units sold in the Initial Public Offering (“Public Stock”). An electing stockholder will be entitled to receive a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then-outstanding shares of Public Stock. This redemption right will apply to each holder of Public Stock regardless of whether and how such holder votes on the proposal. The removal from the Trust Account of such amounts would reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of the Company held by our Sponsor. Due to the reasons stated above, we believe we may not have sufficient liquidity through the date of an initial business combination, if extended through December 17, 2023.
To the extent we are unable to consummate a business combination, we will need to pay the costs of liquidation as well from our current available funds outside the Trust Account, as well as the approximate amount of $177,000 still available to us under the Promissory Note. If such funds are insufficient, our Sponsor has agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation and has agreed not to seek repayment of such expenses. Based on these circumstances, management has determined that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to the uncertainty of liquidity requirements and the mandatory liquidation date within one year.
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Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2023, other than an agreement to pay our Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, secretarial, and administrative support services provided to the Company. We began incurring these fees on September 14, 2021 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation.
Deferred underwriting discounts and commissions in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds raised in the Initial Public Offering, or $4,025,000, will be payable to the underwriters upon the consummation of our initial business combination and will be held in the Trust Account until the consummation of such initial business combination.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. See Note 2 to our financial statements for further information on our critical accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2022-03”). The amendments in ASU 2022-03 clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The amendments in this Update also require additional disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The provisions in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect to early adopt this ASU. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the balance sheets, results of operations and cash flows.
We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our current chief executive officer and chief financial officer (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Certifying Officers concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2023.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting due to an exemption established by the rules of the SEC for “emerging growth companies.”
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 31, 2023, except as set forth below:
There are no assurances that the Charter Extension Amendment will enable us to complete a business combination.
Approving the Charter Extension Amendment involves a number of risks. Even if the Charter Extension Amendment is approved, we can provide no assurances that a business combination will be consummated prior to the Charter Extension Date. Our ability to consummate any business combination is dependent on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We are required to offer stockholders the opportunity to redeem shares in connection with the vote to approve the Charter Extension Amendment, and we will be required to offer stockholders redemption rights again in connection with any stockholder vote to approve a business combination. Even if the Charter Extension Amendment or a business combination are approved by our stockholders, it is possible that redemptions will leave us with insufficient cash to consummate a business combination on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. The fact that we will have separate redemption periods in connection with the Charter Extension Amendment vote and the business combination vote could exacerbate these risks. Other than in connection with a redemption offer or liquidation, our stockholders may be unable to recover their investment except through sales of our Common Stock on the open market. The price of our Common Stock may be volatile, and there can be no assurance that stockholders will be able to dispose of their shares of Common Stock at favorable prices, or at all.
The SEC has issued proposed rules to regulate special purpose acquisition companies. Certain of the procedures that we, a potential business combination target, or others may determine to undertake in connection with such proposals may increase our costs and the time needed to complete our initial business combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial business combination.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “SPAC Rule Proposals”) relating to, among other items, disclosures in SEC filings in connection with business combination transactions between SPACs such as us and private operating companies; the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, including a proposed rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. The SPAC Rule Proposals have not yet been adopted and may be adopted in the proposed form or in a different form that could impose additional regulatory requirements on SPACs. Certain of the procedures that we, a potential business combination target, or others may determine to undertake in connection with the SPAC Rule Proposals, or pursuant to the SEC’s views expressed in the SPAC Rule Proposals, may increase the costs of negotiating and completing an initial business combination and the time required to consummate a transaction, and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial business combination. Regardless of the SPAC Rule Proposals, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the IPO, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to our Initial Public Offering, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate. The risk of being deemed subject to the Investment Company Act increases the longer the Company holds securities, and also increases to the extent the funds in the trust account are not held in cash.
If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we would be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities would be severely restricted. As a result, in such circumstances, unless we are able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would expect to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead to liquidate the Company.
As described further above, the SPAC Rule Proposals relate, among other matters, to the circumstances in which SPACs such as the Company could potentially be subject to the Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder. The SPAC Rule Proposals would provide a safe harbor for such companies from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, provided that a SPAC satisfies certain criteria, including a limited time period to announce and complete a de-SPAC transaction. Specifically, to comply with the safe harbor, the SPAC Rule Proposals would require a company to file a report on Form 8-K announcing that it has entered into an agreement with a target company for a business combination no later than 18 months after the effective date of its registration statement for its initial public offering (the “IPO Registration Statement”). The company would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of the IPO Registration Statement. In addition, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the IPO, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the IPO, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate. The risk of being deemed subject to the Investment Company Act increases the longer the Company holds securities, and also increases to the extent the funds in the trust account are not held in cash.
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If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities would be severely restricted. In addition, we would be subject to burdensome compliance requirements. Although we do not believe that our principal activities will subject us to regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, if we are deemed to be an investment company and subject to compliance with and regulation under the Investment Company Act, we would be subject to additional regulatory burdens and expenses for which we have not allotted funds. As a result, unless we were able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would expect to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead to liquidate the Company. If we liquidate, our public stockholders may only receive return of a pro rata portion of the amounts remaining in the Trust Account, and our Public Warrants and Rights will expire worthless. This will also cause you to lose any potential investment opportunity in a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company.
To mitigate the risk that we might be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, instruct the trustee to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account and instead to hold the funds in the Trust Account in cash until the earlier of the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. As a result, following the liquidation of securities in the Trust Account, we would likely receive minimal interest, if any, on the funds held in the Trust Account, which would reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
The funds in the Trust Account have, since our initial public offering, been held only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. However, to mitigate the risk of us being deemed to be an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act) and thus subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, on or prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of our IPO Registration Statement, instruct Continental, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash until the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination or liquidation of the Company. Following such liquidation, we would likely receive minimal interest, if any, on the funds held in the Trust Account. However, interest previously earned on the funds held in the Trust Account still may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, and certain other expenses as permitted. As a result, any decision to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash could reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
In addition, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of our IPO Registration Statement, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the IPO, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate. The risk of being deemed subject to the Investment Company Act increases the longer the Company holds securities, and also increases to the extent the funds in the trust account are not held in cash. Accordingly, we may determine, in our discretion, to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account at any time, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of our IPO Registration Statement, and instead hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash, which would further reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
The Excise Tax Included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may decrease the value of our securities following our initial business combination, and hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by “covered corporations” beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Excise Tax”). The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which the stock is repurchased. Because we are a Delaware corporation and our securities are trading on Nasdaq, we believe that we are a “covered corporation” for this purpose. The amount of the Excise Tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the Excise Tax.
The U.S. Department of Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the Excise Tax, and on December 27, 2022, it issued Notice 2023-2, which provided interim guidance on which taxpayers may rely. Under the interim rules, liquidating distributions made by publicly traded domestic corporations are exempt from the excise tax. In addition, any redemptions that occur in the same taxable year in which a liquidation is completed will also be exempt from such tax., However, although such notice clarifies certain aspects of the Excise Tax, the interpretation and operation of other aspects of the Excise Tax remain unclear, and such interim operating rules are subject to change.
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If the Termination Date is extended, our public stockholders will have the right to require us to redeem their shares of Common Stock. Because any redemption that occurs as a result of the Charter Extension Amendment would occur after December 31, 2022, any redemption or other repurchase that we make may be subject to the Excise Tax to the extent we do not liquidate by December 31, 2023. Whether and to what extent we would be subject to the Excise Tax would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with our initial business combination, (ii) the structure of a business combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances in connection with a business combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with a business combination but issued within the same taxable year of a business combination) and (iv) the content of regulations and other guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury. In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available to complete a business combination and could have an adverse effect on our ability to complete a business combination.
Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange following redemptions by our stockholders in connection with approval of the Charter Extension Amendment, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our Common Stock, Units and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq. After the special meeting, we may be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements in order to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. Such continued listing requirements for our Common Stock include, among other things, the requirement to maintain at least 300 public holders, at least 500,000 publicly held shares and a market value of publicly held shares of $1 million. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in connection with the Charter Extension Amendment, stockholders may elect to redeem their shares of Common Stock, and, as a result, we may not be in compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.
If our securities do not meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange. If Nasdaq delists any of our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list such securities on another approved national securities exchange, we expect that such securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: (i) a limited availability of market quotations for our securities, (ii) reduced liquidity for our securities, (iii) a determination that our public shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our public shares to adhere to more stringent rules, including being subject to the depository requirements of Rule 419 of the Securities Act, and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities, (iv) a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future, and (v) a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business in connection with a business combination. The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Our Common Stock, Units and Public Warrants qualify as covered securities under such statute. If we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under such statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in our Initial Public Offering, see Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Defaults upon senior securities
None.
Item 4. Mine safety disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other information
On May 16, 2023, the Company effected the sixth drawdown of $125,000 under the Extension Note and caused such sum to be deposited into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Termination Date from May 17, 2023 to June 17, 2023. Such amounts will be distributed either to: (i) all of the holders of Public Stock upon the Company’s liquidation or (ii) holders of Public Stock who elect to have their shares redeemed in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination.
Item 6. Exhibits.
| * | Filed herewith. |
| ** | Furnished herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| WINVEST ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Manish Jhunjhunwala | |
| Manish Jhunjhunwala | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||
Date: May 22, 2023
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