Annual Statements Open main menu

5:01 Acquisition Corp. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

 

OR

 

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

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-39612   85-2790755
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

501 Second Street
Suite 350
San Francisco, California 94107

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 993-8570

 

Not Applicable

 

(Former name or former address, 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
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share   FVAM   The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes x No ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x
    Emerging growth company x

 

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

 

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

 

As of November 13, 2020, 8,621,399 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001, and 2,300,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001, were issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5:01 Acquisition Corp.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended September 30, 2020

Table of Contents

 

  Page No.
   
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
   
ITEM 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) 1
     
  UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET 1
     
  UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 2
     
  UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 3
     
  UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 4
     
  NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14
     
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 17
     
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures 18
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 19
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 19
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities 43
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 43
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 44
     
Item 5. Other Information 44
     
Item 6. Exhibits 45
     
SIGNATURE 46

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

 

   September 30, 2020 
   (unaudited) 
Assets:     
Current assets:     
Cash  $288,700 
Total current assets   288,700 
Deferred offering costs associated with initial public offering   323,366 
Total Assets  $612,066 
      
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable  $275,902 
Accrued expenses   17,500 
Franchise tax payable   16,488 
Note payable - related party   300,000 
Total current liabilities   609,890 
      
Commitments and Contingencies     
      
Stockholder's Equity:     
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding   - 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized;  none issued and outstanding   - 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,064,068 shares issued and outstanding (1)   230 
Additional paid-in capital   19,770 
Accumulated deficit   (17,824)
Total stockholder's equity   2,176 
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity  $612,066 

 

(1) This number included up to 300,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter.  On November 12, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 256,273 shares of Class A common stock; thus, only 235,932 shares of Class B common stock remain subject to forfeiture.

 

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

 

1 

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 31, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

 

General and administrative expenses  $1,336 
Franchise tax expense   16,488 
Net loss  $(17,824)
      
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (1)   2,000,000 
      
Basic and diluted net loss per share  $(0.01)

 

(1) This number excluded an aggregate of up to 300,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter. On November 12, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 256,273 shares of Class A common stock; thus, only 235,932 shares of Class B common stock remain subject to forfeiture.

 

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

 

2 

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

   For The Period From August 31, 2020 (Inception) Through September 30, 2020 
   Common Stock           Total 
   Class A   Class B   Additional Paid-In   Accumulated   Stockholder's 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Equity 
Balance - August 31, 2020 (inception)   -   $-    -   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Issuance of common stock to Sponsor (1)   -    -    2,300,000    230    19,770    -    20,000 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (17,824)   (17,824)
Balance - September 30, 2020 (unaudited)   -   $-    2,300,000   $230   $19,770   $(17,824)  $2,176 

 

(1) This number included up to 300,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter.  On November 12, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 256,273 shares of Class A common stock; thus only 235,932 shares of Class B common stock remain subject to forfeiture.

 

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

 

3 

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 31, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:     
Net loss  $(17,824)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Accounts payable   1,336 
Franchise tax payable   16,488 
Net cash used in operating activities   - 
      
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:     
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to Sponsor   20,000 
Proceeds received from note payable - related party   300,000 
Deferred offering costs paid   (31,300)
Net cash provided by financing activities   288,700 
      
Net change in cash   288,700 
      
Cash - beginning of the period   - 
Cash - end of the period  $288,700 
      
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:     
Deferred offering costs included in accounts payable  $274,566 
Deferred offering costs included in accrued expenses  $17,500 

 

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

 

4 

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1—Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation

 

5:01 Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on August 31, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

 

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 31, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation and preparation for the Initial Public Offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering (as defined below). The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s sponsor is 5:01 Acquisition LLC, an entity affiliated with two of the Company’s directors (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective October 13, 2020. On October 16, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 8,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (each, a “Public Share” and collectively, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $80.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $4.9 million, inclusive of $2.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 5). The underwriter was granted a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any, at $10.00 per share. The underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option and on November 12, 2020 and purchased an additional 256,273 shares of Class A common stock (the “Additional Shares”), generating gross proceeds of approximately $2.6 million (the “Over-Allotment”). The Company incurred additional offering costs of approximately $141,000 in underwriting fees (inclusive of approximately $90,000 in deferred underwriting fees). The underwriter’s over-allotment option remains exercisable as to 943,727 shares.

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 360,000 shares of Class A common stock (each, a “Private Placement Share” and collectively, the “Private Placement Shares”), at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share to the Sponsor, generating proceeds of $3.6 million (Note 4).  Simultaneously with the closing of the Over-Allotment on November 12, 2020, the Company consummated the second closing of the Private Placement, resulting in the purchase by Sponsor of an additional 5,126 Private Placement Shares at a price of $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $51,000. If the over-allotment option is exercised as to any additional shares, the Sponsor will purchase an additional amount of up to 18,874 Private Placement Shares at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Over-Allotment  and the Private Placement, approximately $83.0 million ($10.00 per share) of the net proceeds of the sale of the Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering and of the Private Placement Shares in the Private Placement were placed in a  trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States, and invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes and bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Shares, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the 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 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

 

5

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company will provide the holders (the “Public Stockholders”) of the Company’s outstanding Public Shares with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share). The per-share amount to be distributed to Public Stockholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriter (as discussed in Note 5). These Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. The Company will not redeem the Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Stockholders (as defined below) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined below in Note 4) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors (the “Initial Stockholders”) have agreed not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or October 16, 2022 (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares (including any Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering or any Public Shares or shares that the initial stockholders or their affiliates purchased in the Initial Public Offering or later acquired in the open market or in private transactions), which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably practicable following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining holders of common stock and the board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to the Company’s obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

 

6

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Initial Stockholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Stockholders acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriter has agreed to waive its rights to the deferred underwriting commission (see Note 5) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement (a “Target”), reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or Target that executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriter of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the period presented. Operating results for the period from August 31, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected through December 31, 2020 or any future period.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Current Reports on Form 8-K and the final prospectus filed by the Company with the SEC on November 18, 2020, October 22, 2020 and October 14, 2020, respectively.

 

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 independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

7

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. 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 that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had approximately $289,000 in its operating bank account, and working capital deficit of approximately $321,000.

 

Prior to September 30, 2020, the Company’s liquidity needs were satisfied through a capital contribution of $20,000 from the Sponsor to purchase the Founder Shares (as defined below), the loan under the Note of $300,000 (see Note 4). Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the liquidity needs had been satisfied through the net proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. The Company fully repaid the Note on October 16, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s officers, directors and initial stockholders may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans (see Note 4). As of September 30, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.

 

Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

 

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage limit of $250,000. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

 

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 had no cash equivalents as of September 30, 2020.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the unaudited condensed balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.

 

8

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Deferred Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

 

Deferred offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering and that were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering on October 16, 2020.

 

Net Loss Per Common Share

 

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares at September 30, 2020 were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 300,000 shares of Class B common stock that were subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 6). Upon the partial exercise of the Over-Allotment for the sale of the Additional Shares on November 12, 2020, 64,068 of these shares of Class B common stock were no longer subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor. At September 30, 2020, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets were deemed immaterial as of September 30, 2020.

 

FASB 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. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2020. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of September 30, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

 

The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period from August 31, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company’s management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

9

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 3—Initial Public Offering and Over-allotment Exercise

 

On October 16, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 8,000,000 Public Shares at $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $80.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $4.9 million, inclusive of $2.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions.

 

The Company granted the underwriter a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. On November 12, 2020, the underwriter exercised the Over-Allotment to purchase the Additional Shares, generating gross proceeds of approximately $2.6 million. The Company incurred additional offering costs of approximately $141,000 in underwriting fees (inclusive of approximately $90,000 in deferred underwriting fees). The over-allotment option remains exercisable as to 943,727 shares.

 

Note 4—Related Party Transactions

 

Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares

 

On September 2, 2020, the Sponsor purchased 2,300,000 shares of the Company’s initial common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for an aggregate price of $20,000. On October 7, 2020, the Company filed its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the State of Delaware and reclassified the 2,300,000 shares of initial common stock into 2,300,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Founder Shares”). The Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to 300,000 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriter. The forfeiture will be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriter so that the Founder Shares will represent 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares). The underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option on November 12, 2020, thus, only 235,932 Founder Shares remain subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor.

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the Private Placement of 360,000  Private Placement Shares at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share to the Sponsor, generating proceeds of $3.6 million.  Simultaneously with the closing of the Over-Allotment on November 12, 2020, the Company consummated the second closing of the Private Placement, resulting in the purchase of an aggregate of an additional 5,126 Private Placement Shares by the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $51,000. If the over-allotment option is exercised as to any additional shares, the Sponsor will purchase an additional amount of up to 18,874 Private Placement Shares at a price of $10.00 per share. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Shares was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account.

 

Pursuant to the letter agreement, the Initial Stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares or Private Placement Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of the Public Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and other similar transactions) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination, the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares will be released from the lock-up.

 

Related Party Loans

 

On September 17, 2020, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This promissory note did not bear interest and was payable upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. As of September 30, 2020, the Company fully borrowed the $300,000 Note and fully repaid the Note on October 16, 2020.

 

10

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Working Capital Loans

 

If needed to finance transaction costs in connection with searching for a target business or consummating an intended initial Business Combination, the Sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (the “Working Capital Loans”). In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Such loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The promissory notes would be paid upon consummation of the initial Business Combination, without interest. The terms of each promissory note may also provide that a portion of the principal amount of such loan may be repaid by conversion into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock upon completion of the initial Business Combination. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. As of September 30, 2020, there have been no borrowings on any Working Capital Loans.

 

Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and stockholder rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands that the Company registers such securities, subject to specified conditions. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of the Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. However, the registration and stockholder rights agreement will provide that the Company will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The underwriter was entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per share, or $1.6 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, $0.35 per share, or $2.8 million in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Over-Allotment on November 12, 2020, the underwriter received an additional fee of approximately $51,000 paid upon closing, and approximately $90,000 in deferred underwriting commissions.

 

Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock – The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company's board of directors. As of September 30, 2020, there were no preferred shares outstanding.

 

Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of September 30, 2020, there were no shares of Class A common stock outstanding.

 

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had 2,300,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, including an aggregate of up to 300,000 shares of Class B common stock that are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the Company for no consideration to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that the Initial Stockholders will collectively own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares). Upon the partial exercise of the over-allotment option on November 12, 2020, 64,068 of these shares of Class B common stock were no longer subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor.

 

11

 

 

5:01 ACQUISITION CORP. 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 7—Subsequent Events

 

Upon closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company agreed to pay its non-employee directors $50,000 annually, payable in equal monthly installments, for service on the board of directors. In addition, the Sponsor also agreed to transfer 30,000 of its Founder Shares to each such director, representing a transfer of an aggregate of 120,000 of its Founder Shares. The Sponsor transferred such Founder Shares to Ms. Beckman, Dr. Mackay and Mr. Patterson in October 2020 upon closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Sponsor transferred such Founder Shares to Ms. Singer in November 2020 when she became a member of the Company’s board of directors.

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred up to the date unaudited condensed financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon this review, the Company determined that, except as disclosed above and in Notes 3 and 4 there have been no events that have occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

12

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or this Quarterly Report, contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this Quarterly Report, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, liquidity, future revenue, projected expenses, results of operations, expectations concerning the timing and our ability to effect an initial business combination, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “goals,” or “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.

 

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including those described in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report, and under a similar heading in any other periodic or current report we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, in the future. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this Quarterly Report, may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 

13

 

 

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

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this report. This discussion and other parts of this report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section of this report entitled “Risk factors.”

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, we use the terms “5:01,” “company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this report to refer to 5:01 Acquisition Corp.

 

Overview

 

We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on August 31, 2020 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, or the business combination. We are an emerging growth company and, as such, we are subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

 

Our sponsor is 5:01 Acquisition LLC, an entity affiliated with two of our directors, or our sponsor. The registration statement for our Initial Public Offering was declared effective October 13, 2020. On October 16, 2020, we consummated our initial public offering, or the IPO, of 8,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, or, each, a public share and, collectively, the public shares, at $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $80.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $4.9 million, inclusive of $2.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions. The underwriter was granted a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus relating to our IPO to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any, at $10.00 per share. The underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option on November 12, 2020 and purchased an additional 256,273 shares of Class A common stock, or the Additional Shares, generating gross proceeds of approximately $2.6 million, or the Over-Allotment. We incurred additional offering costs of approximately $141,000 in underwriting fees (inclusive of approximately $90,000 in deferred underwriting fees). The over-allotment option remains exercisable as to 943,727 shares.

 

Concurrently with the closing of our IPO, we consummated the private placement, or the private placement, of 360,000 shares of Class A common stock, or each, a private placement share and, collectively, the private placement shares, at a price of $10.00 per private placement share to our sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $3.6 million.  Simultaneously with the closing of the Over-Allotment on November 12, 2020, we consummated the second closing of the private placement, resulting in the purchase of an additional 5,126 private placement shares by our sponsor, generating gross proceeds of approximately $51,000. If the over-allotment option is exercised as to any additional shares, the sponsor will purchase an additional amount of up to 18,874 private placement shares at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

Upon the closing of the IPO, the Over-Allotment and the private placement, approximately $83.0 million ($10.00 per share) of the net proceeds of the sale of the public shares in the IPO and of the private placement shares in the private placement were placed in a  trust account, or the trust account, located in the United States, and invested only in U.S. government treasury bills, notes and bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and which invest solely in U.S. Treasuries, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a business combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

 

We will provide the holders of our outstanding public shares, or the public stockholders, with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of a business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer.

 

14

 

 

If we are unable to complete a business combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO, or October 16, 2022, or the Combination Period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares (including any public shares that our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchased in the IPO or later acquired in the open market or in private transactions), which redemption will completely extinguish the public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably practicable following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining holders of common stock and the board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of our company, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

 

The issuance of additional shares in our business combination:

 

may significantly dilute the equity interest of our stockholders, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the shares of Class B common stock resulted in the issuance of shares of Class A common stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the shares of Class B common stock;

 

may subordinate the rights of holders of shares of Class A common stock if shares of preferred stock are issued with rights senior to those afforded our shares of Class A common stock;

  

could cause a change in control if a substantial number of our shares of Class A common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;

  

may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and

  

may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A common stock.

  

Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:

 

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;

  

acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

  

our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and

  

our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such security is outstanding.

 

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2020, we had approximately $289,000 in its operating bank account, and working capital deficit of approximately $321,000.

 

Prior to September 30, 2020, our liquidity needs were satisfied through a capital contribution of $20,000 from our sponsor to purchase the 2,300,000 shares of our common stock, which were latter re-classified into 2,300,000 shares of Class B common stock, or the founder shares, the loan under our promissory note of $300,000, or the Note. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, our liquidity needs have been satisfied through the net proceeds from the consummation of the private placement not held in the trust account. We fully repaid the Note on October 16, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, our sponsor, officers, directors and their permitted transferees may, but are not obligated to, provide us working capital loans. As of October 16, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under any working capital loans.

 

15

 

 

Based on the foregoing, management believes that we will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet our needs through the earlier of the consummation of a business combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial business combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination.

 

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements. The unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Results of Operations

 

Our entire activity since inception up to September 30, 2020 was in preparation for our formation and the IPO. We will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial business combination.

 

For the period from August 31, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020, we had net loss of approximately $18,000, which consisted of approximately $1,300 in general and administrative expenses and approximately $16,500 in franchise tax expense.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of founder shares and private placement shares are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and stockholder rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands that we register such securities, subject to specified conditions. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of the business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. However, the registration and stockholder rights agreement will provide that we will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The underwriter was entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per share, or $1.6 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the IPO. In addition, $0.35 per share, or $2.8 million in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Over-Allotment on November 12, 2020, the underwriter received an additional fee of approximately $51,000 paid upon closing, and approximately $90,000 in deferred underwriting commissions.

 

Director Compensation

 

Upon closing of the IPO, we agreed to pay our non-employee directors $50,000 annually, payable in equal monthly installments, for service on our board of directors. In addition, our sponsor also agreed to transfer 30,000 of its founder shares to each such director, representing a transfer of an aggregate of 120,000 of its founder shares. Our sponsor transferred such founder shares to Ms. Beckman, Dr. Mackay and Mr. Patterson in October 2020 upon closing of the IPO. Our sponsor transferred such founder shares to Ms. Singer in November 2020 when she became a member of our board of directors.

 

16

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Deferred Offering Costs Associated with the IPO

 

Deferred offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that were directly related to the IPO and that were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the IPO in October 2020.

 

Net Loss Per Common Share

 

We comply with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares at September 30, 2020 were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 300,000 founder shares that were subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter. Upon the partial exercise of the over-allotment option on November 12, 2020, 64,068 of these founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture by our sponsor At September 30, 2020, we did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

JOBS Act

 

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 , or the JOBS Act, contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, the financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

 

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As of September 30, 2020, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. Following the consummation of our IPO, the net proceeds of our IPO and a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the private placement shares are held in the trust account invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

 

17

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer has concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period ended September 30, 2020 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

18

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We are currently not a party to any legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Our business, financial condition, and operating results may be affected by a number of factors, whether currently known or unknown, including but not limited to those described below. Any one or more of such factors could directly or indirectly cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to vary materially from past or anticipated future results of operations and financial condition. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and stock price. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report.

 

Summary Risk Factors

 

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk because our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, as fully described below. The principal factors and uncertainties that make investing in our Class A common stock risky include, among others:

 

·We are a newly formed blank check company in the early stage with no operating history and no revenues, and our stockholders have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

·Past performance by 5AM Venture Management, LLC, or 5AM, including our management team, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.

·Because we intend to seek a business combination with a target business in the healthcare industry, we expect our future operations to be subject to risks associated with the healthcare industry.

·The requirement that the target business or businesses that we acquire must satisfy the 80% of net assets test at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies with which we may complete such a business combination.

·The holders of our public shares, or our public stockholders, may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.

·If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors and officers have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.

·The only opportunity for our stockholders to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of their rights to redeem their shares from us for cash unless we seek stockholder approval of such business combination.

·The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into our initial business combination with a target.

·We may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may receive only $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances.

·Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interests of our stockholders.

·Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.

 

19

 

 

Risks Associated with our Business and Effecting a Business Combination

 

We are a newly formed blank check company in the early stage with no operating history and no revenues, and our stockholders have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

 

We are a recently formed blank check company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until consummating our initial business combination. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning our initial business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.

 

Past performance by 5AM, including our management team, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.

 

Any past experience and performance of 5AM or our management team is not a guarantee either: (1) that we will be able to successfully identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination; or (2) of any results with respect to any initial business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of 5AM or our management team’s performance as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or are likely to, generate going forward. An investment in us is not an investment in 5AM. None of our sponsor, officers, directors or 5AM has had experience with a blank check company or special purpose acquisition company in the past.

 

Because we intend to seek a business combination with a target business in the healthcare industry, we expect our future operations to be subject to risks associated with the healthcare industry.

 

Healthcare and biotechnology related companies are generally subject to greater governmental regulation than most other industries at the U.S. state and federal levels, and internationally. In recent years, both local and national governmental budgets have come under pressure to reduce spending and control healthcare costs, which could both adversely affect regulatory processes and public funding available for healthcare products, services and facilities. In March 2010, comprehensive healthcare reform legislation was enacted in the United States. These laws are intended to increase health insurance coverage through individual and employer mandates, subsidies offered to lower income individuals, tax credits available to smaller employers and broadening of Medicaid eligibility.

 

While one intent of healthcare reform is to expand health insurance coverage to more individuals, it may also involve additional regulatory mandates and other measures designed to constrain medical costs, including coverage and reimbursement for healthcare services. Healthcare reform has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry in the United States and consequently has the ability to affect companies within the healthcare industry and the biotechnology sector. The ultimate effects of federal healthcare reform or any future legislation or regulation, or healthcare initiatives, if any, on the healthcare industry, including the biotechnology sector, whether implemented at the federal or state level or internationally, cannot be predicted with certainty and such reform, legislation, regulation or initiatives may adversely affect the performance of a potential business combination.

 

Changes in governmental policies may have a material effect on the demand for or costs of certain products and services. A healthcare or biotechnology related company must receive government approval before introducing new drugs and medical devices or procedures. This process may delay the introduction of these products and services to the marketplace, resulting in increased development costs, delayed cost recovery and loss of competitive advantage to the extent that rival companies have developed competing products or procedures, adversely affecting the company’s revenues and profitability. Failure to obtain governmental approval of a key drug or device or other regulatory action could have a material adverse effect on the business of a target company. Additionally, expansion of facilities by healthcare related providers is subject to “determinations of need” by the appropriate government authorities. This process not only increases the time and cost involved in these expansions, but also makes expansion plans uncertain, limiting the revenue and profitability growth potential of healthcare related facilities operators.

 

20

 

 

Certain healthcare and biotechnology related companies depend on the exclusive rights or patents for the products they develop and distribute. Patents have a limited duration and, upon expiration, other companies may market substantially similar “generic” or “biosimilar” products that are typically sold at a lower price than the patented product, causing the original developer of the product to lose market share and/or reduce the price charged for the product, resulting in lower profits for the original developer. As a result, the expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. The profitability of healthcare and biotechnology related companies may also be affected, among other factors, by restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising or falling costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, a limited product offering, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Finally, because the products and services of healthcare and biotechnology related companies affect the health and well-being of many individuals, these companies are especially susceptible to product liability lawsuits.

 

The healthcare industry and the biotechnology sector spend heavily on research and development. Research findings (e.g., regarding side effects or comparative benefits of one or more particular treatments, services or products) and technological innovation (together with patent expirations) may make any particular treatment, service or product less attractive if previously unknown or underappreciated risks are revealed, or if a more effective, less costly or less risky solution is or becomes available. Any such development could have a material adverse effect on the companies that are target businesses for investment.

 

The requirement that the target business or businesses that we acquire must satisfy the 80% of net assets test at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies with which we may complete such a business combination.

 

Nasdaq rules and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation require that we complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. We refer to this as the 80% of net assets test. This restriction may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete a business combination with. If we are unable to locate a target business or businesses that satisfy this fair market value test, we may be forced to liquidate and our stockholders will only be entitled to receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account, which may be less than $10.00 per share.

 

The holders of our public shares, or our public stockholders, may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.

 

We may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC subject to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. However, we will seek stockholder approval if it is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we may decide to seek stockholder approval for business or other reasons. The Nasdaq rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a stockholder meeting but would still require us to obtain stockholder approval if we were seeking to issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding shares (excluding the private placement shares) to a target business as consideration in any business combination. Therefore, if we were structuring a business combination that required us to issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock (excluding the private placement shares), we would seek stockholder approval of such business combination. However, except as required by applicable law or stock exchange rule, the decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve the business combination.

 

21

 

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors and officers have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.

 

Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, or, collectively, our common stock, owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to exercise redemption rights with respect to any shares of common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not to sell any shares of common stock in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought stockholder approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only minority of our public shares to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved. Our directors and officers have also entered into a letter agreement, imposing similar obligations on them with respect to public shares acquired by them, if any. We expect that our sponsor, directors, officers and their permitted transferees will own at least 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock at the time of any such stockholder vote. Accordingly, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be received than would be the case if such persons agreed to vote their founder shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by our public stockholders.

 

The only opportunity for our stockholders to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of their rights to redeem their shares from us for cash unless we seek stockholder approval of such business combination.

 

Because our board of directors may consummate our initial business combination without seeking stockholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination unless we seek such stockholder approval. Accordingly, if we do not seek stockholder approval, our stockholders’ only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising their redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public stockholders in which we describe our business combination.

 

The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into our initial business combination with a target.

 

We may enter into a transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we may not be able to meet such closing condition, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. The amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriter will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with a business combination and such amount of deferred underwriting discount is not available for us to use as consideration in an initial business combination. If we are able to consummate an initial business combination, the per-share value of shares held by non-redeeming stockholders will reflect our obligation to pay and the payment of the deferred underwriting commissions. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.

 

Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination transaction with us.

 

The ability of a large number of our stockholders to exercise redemption rights may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

 

In connection with the successful consummation of our business combination, we may redeem up to that number of shares of common stock that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001. If our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, the redemption threshold may be further limited. Alternatively, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of stockholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to the target or its stockholders to make up for the failure to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

 

22

 

 

At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many stockholders may exercise their redemption rights and, therefore, we will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third-party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares is submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third-party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may also limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure.

 

The requirement that we maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash could increase the probability that we cannot consummate our business combination and that our stockholders would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem their shares.

 

If, pursuant to the terms of our proposed business combination, we are required to maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash in trust in order to consummate the business combination and regardless of whether we proceed with redemptions under the tender offer or proxy rules, the probability that we cannot consummate our business combination is increased. If we do not consummate our business combination, our stockholders would not receive their pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate. As a result, our stockholders may suffer a material loss on their investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or such stockholders are able to sell their shares in the open market.

 

The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination.

 

Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning our initial business combination will be aware that we must consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO. Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.

 

We may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may receive only $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances.

 

Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein, including as a result of terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of infectious diseases. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to grow both in the U.S. and globally and, while the extent of the impact of the outbreak on us will depend on future developments, it could limit our ability to complete our initial business combination, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all. Additionally, the outbreak of COVID-19 and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases) may negatively impact businesses we may seek to acquire.

 

23

 

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter (subject to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and applicable law), distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and prior to any voluntary winding up.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from stockholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such purchases will not be made if our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates are in possession of any material non-public information that has not been disclosed to the selling stockholder. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.

 

The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the business combination or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

 

Purchases of shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to maintain the listing of our shares on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial business combination.

 

If our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, the public “float” of our shares of common stock and the number of beneficial holders of our securities would both be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of the business combination.

 

If a stockholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.

 

We will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a stockholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, such stockholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these procedures, its shares may not be redeemed.

 

24

 

 

Our public stockholders do not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate their investment, therefore, our public stockholders may be forced to sell their public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

Our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of a redemption to public stockholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination or our liquidation, if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or if we seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (1) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO or (2) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate their investment, our public stockholders may be forced to sell their public shares, potentially at a loss.

 

Our public stockholders are not entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.

 

We may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 and have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and, such rule, Rule 419. Accordingly, our stockholders are not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our Class A common stock was immediately tradable following our IPO and we will have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our shares of common stock, such stockholders will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our shares of common stock.

 

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, individually or together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our IPO. A public stockholder’s inability to redeem more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our IPO will reduce its influence over our ability to consummate our initial business combination and such stockholder could suffer a material loss on its investment in us if it sells such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, any public stockholder who continues to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell its shares in open market transaction, potentially at a loss.

 

If our working capital funds not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least 24 months following the consummation of our IPO, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

 

The funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months following our IPO, assuming that our initial business combination is not consummated during that time. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we are unable to fund such down payments or “no shop” provisions, our ability to close a contemplated transaction could be impaired. Furthermore, if we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business.

 

25

 

 

If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their respective affiliates is under any obligation to loan funds to, or otherwise invest in, us in such circumstances. Any such loans may be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination.

 

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive a pro rata portion of the amount then in the trust account (which may be less than $10.00 per share) on our redemption.

 

Subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges.

 

Even if we conduct thorough due diligence on a target business with which we combine, this diligence may not surface all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that would be possible to uncover through a customary amount of due diligence. Additionally, no matter how thorough our due diligence of any target business, we cannot guarantee that factors outside of the target business’ control or outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.

 

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

 

Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (excluding our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative.

 

Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors.

 

26

 

 

Pursuant to a letter agreement, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party (excluding our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriter of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Our sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

 

Our directors may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against our sponsor resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.

 

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per share and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine on our behalf whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on our behalf, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

 

If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

 

If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

 

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.

 

27

 

 

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. Claims may be brought against us for these reasons.

 

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, of the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.

 

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including restrictions on the nature of our investments and restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including registration as an investment company, adoption of a specific form of corporate structure and reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

 

If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination.

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination, our public stockholders may be forced to wait up to 24 months or longer before redemption from our trust account.

 

If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter (subject to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and applicable law), distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), pro rata to our public stockholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs by way of a voluntary liquidation, as further described herein. Any redemption of public stockholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation prior to our commencing any voluntary liquidation. Except as otherwise described herein, we have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of any redemption required as a result of our failure to consummate our initial business combination within the period described above or our liquidation, unless we consummate our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their shares of common stock. Only upon any such redemption of public shares as we are required to effect or any liquidation, will public stockholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our initial business combination.

 

The grant of registration rights to sponsor and certain other stockholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our shares of Class A common stock.

 

Our sponsor (and/or our sponsor’s designees), certain of our stockholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register shares of our common stock for their benefit. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of Class A common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the stockholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our shares of Class A common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our sponsor and other stockholders or their respective permitted transferees are registered.

 

Because we have not selected a particular business or specific geographic location or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, our public stockholders are unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.

 

28

 

 

Although we have a stated focus on certain target businesses in North America or Europe, we may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region. While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we intend to initially focus on those industries or sectors that complement our management team’s background. Except for the limitations that a target business must satisfy the 80% of net assets test at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination and that we are not permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to our initial business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we consummate our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or an early stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. In addition, investors will be relying on the business judgment of our board of directors, which will, subject to limited exceptions, have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of a particular target business. An investment in our Class A common stock may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.

 

We may seek investment opportunities outside our management’s area of expertise and our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all significant risks associated with the target company.

 

There is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating our initial business combination. We may therefore be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team, but determine that such candidate offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or their evaluation of its operations.

 

Although we identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.

 

Although we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these attributes. If we consummate our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain stockholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less on our redemption.

 

We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private or early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue or earnings about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

 

29

 

 

In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company, an early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings. As a result, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include investing in a business without a proven business model and with limited historical financial data, volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our directors and officers will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business with which we pursue a business combination. Additionally, very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

 

Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must satisfy the 80% of net assets test at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. Management’s flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interests of our stockholders, which would be the case if the trading price of our shares of common stock after giving effect to such business combination was less than the per-share trust liquidation value that our stockholders would have received if we had dissolved without consummating our initial business combination.

 

We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, and consequently, an independent source may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the price we are paying is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.

 

We may issue additional shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or pursuant to an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue shares of Class A common stock upon the conversion of our shares of Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our public stockholders and likely present other risks.

 

30

 

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or pursuant to an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue shares of Class A common stock upon conversion of the Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, among other things, that prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination or on any other proposal presented to stockholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote. The issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock:

 

may significantly dilute the equity interest of our public stockholders, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the shares of Class B common stock resulted in the issuance of shares of Class A common stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the shares of Class B common stock;

may subordinate the rights of holders of shares of Class A common stock if shares of preferred stock are issued with rights senior to those afforded our shares of Class A common stock;

could cause a change in control if a substantial number of our shares of Class A common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;

may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and

may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A common stock.

 

Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated.

 

We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less on our redemption.

 

Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our officers, directors and key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination.

 

Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us.

 

The role of such persons in the target business following the initial business combination cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our officers or directors may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, our assessment of these individuals may not prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.

 

31

 

 

Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.

 

Our key personnel may be able to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. Our key personnel may not remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.

 

We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effectuate our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.

 

When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we thought they had. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.

 

The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of our initial business combination. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

 

The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the consummation of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that some members of the management team of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.

 

Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.

 

Our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not currently anticipate having any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Certain of our independent directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our executive officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.

 

32

 

 

Certain of our officers and directors are affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Certain of our officers and directors may be affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business to the type of business we may combine with. Our officers may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. If any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for one or more entities to which he or she has fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties, he or she will honor these obligations and duties to present such business combination opportunity to such entities first, and only present it to us if such entities reject the opportunity and he or she determines to present the opportunity to us.

 

Any conflict of interest may not be resolved in our favor and potential target businesses may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.

 

Certain shares beneficially owned by our officers and directors will not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.

 

Our officers and directors have waived their right to redeem any shares in connection with our initial business combination, or to receive distributions with respect to their founder shares and private shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination. Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.

 

We may engage in our initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our officers, directors or existing holders, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.

 

We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary discussions concerning a business combination with any entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for our initial business combination and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire, regarding the fairness to our stockholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest. Our directors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our stockholders, whether or not a conflict of interest may exist.

 

33

 

 

Our officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

 

Until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including private funds under the management of 5AM and their respective portfolio companies, pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. In addition, existing and future funds managed by 5AM and their respective portfolio companies may compete with us for business combination opportunities and, if such opportunities are pursued by such entities, we may be precluded from pursuing such opportunities. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation. In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or ventures may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination.

 

Because our sponsor will lose its entire initial investment in us if our initial business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.

 

Our sponsor holds 2,180,000 shares of our Class B common stock, which include an aggregate of up to 235,932 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised in full. These shares of Class B common stock will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor previously purchased from us an aggregate of 365,126 private placement shares at $10.00 per share for a total purchase price of $3,651,260. The private placement shares will also be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. Accordingly, our directors and officers and our sponsor may have a conflict of interest in approving an initial business combination in order to avoid achieving no return on these investments.

 

We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which may adversely affect our financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.

 

We may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. If we incur any indebtedness without a waiver from the lender of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:

 

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;

acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;

our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;

our inability to pay dividends on our shares of common stock;

using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our shares of common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;

 

34

 

 

increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and

limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

 

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our IPO, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business, which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.

 

The net proceeds from our IPO together with the funds we received from the sale of the private placement shares provided us with approximately $82.6 million (or approximately $92.0 million if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination.

 

We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities, which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry.

 

Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products or services.

 

We may attempt to simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.

 

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need each such seller to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and operations.

 

We may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.

 

We may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we become the majority stockholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, or, to the extent permitted by law we may acquire interests in a variable interest entity, in which we may have less than a majority of the voting rights in such entity, but in which we are the primary beneficiary. Even though we may own a majority interest in the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.

 

35

 

 

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise their redemption rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

 

If our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many public stockholders may exercise redemption rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such redemption, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our initial business combination. In the event that the acquisition involves the issuance of our stock as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our stock to make up for a shortfall in funds. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

 

In connection with any stockholder meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public stockholder the option to vote in favor of the proposed business combination and still seek redemption of his, her or its shares.

 

In connection with any stockholder meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public stockholder (but not our sponsor, officers or directors) the right to have his, her or its shares of common stock redeemed for cash (subject to specified limitations in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) regardless of whether such stockholder votes for or against (or votes at all with respect to) such proposed business combination. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where stockholders are offered the right to redeem their shares only when they vote against a proposed business combination. This threshold and the ability to seek redemption while voting in favor of a proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination even if it would not have been approved if voted on solely by our stockholders who choose not to have their shares redeemed.

 

A public stockholder who fails to vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination will not be able to have his or her shares redeemed for cash.

 

In order for a public stockholder to have his or her shares redeemed for cash in connection with any proposed business combination, that public stockholder must vote either in favor of or against a proposed business combination. If a public stockholder fails to vote in favor of or against a proposed business combination, whether that stockholder abstains from the vote or simply does not vote, that stockholder would not be able to have his or her shares of common stock so redeemed to cash in connection with such business combination.

 

We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with a proposed business combination or amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we fail to timely complete a business combination or with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

 

We may also require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials, up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination or amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (1) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our IPO or (2) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the DWAC System, at the holder’s option. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under Delaware law and our bylaws, we are required to provide at least 10 days advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, depending on how long it takes for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares.

 

36

 

 

Redeeming stockholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.

 

We will require public stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of common stock in connection with any proposed business combination to comply with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the redeeming public stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our shares of our Class A common stock may decline during this time and our public stockholders may not be able to sell their securities when they wish, even while other stockholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.

 

Because of our structure, other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.

 

We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. Therefore, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking stockholder approval of our initial business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

 

We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less on our redemption.

 

Although we believe that the net proceeds of our IPO and the sale of our private placement shares will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we have not yet selected any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction or our costs to operate or locate a transaction. If the net proceeds of our IPO and the sale of our private placement shares prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. Financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment has made it especially difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share or even less on our redemption. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.

 

37

 

 

Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting, or GAAP, principles or international financial reporting standards, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.

 

The federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination that meets certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, GAAP or international financial reporting standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. We will include substantially the same financial statement disclosure in connection with any tender offer documents we use, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may consummate our initial business combination with because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.

 

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

 

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in, and a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases could result in, a widespread health crisis that has, and in the future could, adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if concerns relating to COVID-19 continue to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors, limit the ability to conduct due diligence, or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of and perceptions to COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue, our ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.

 

In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by COVID-19 and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.

 

Finally, the outbreak of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, such as those related to the market for our securities.

 

38

 

 

Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business outside of the United States

 

We may effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States.

 

If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:

 

rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;

laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;

exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;

tariffs and trade barriers;

regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

longer payment cycles;

tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;

currency fluctuations and exchange controls;

rates of inflation;

challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

cultural and language differences;

employment regulations;

changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak or the outbreak of other infectious diseases;

crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and

deterioration of political relations with the United States. We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.

 

There are costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations.

 

Managing a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether based abroad or in the United States) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.

 

Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments may occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination.

 

Political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.

 

Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience.

 

Our ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition.

 

Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent.

 

Delay with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.

 

39

 

 

If relations between the United States and foreign governments deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.

 

The relationship between the United States and foreign governments could be subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance, the United States may announce its intention to impose quotas on certain imports. Such import quotas may adversely affect political relations between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the foreign government in industries that may affect our ultimate target business. Changes in political conditions in foreign countries and changes in the state of U.S. relations with such countries are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our operations or cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, there is no basis for our public stockholders to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on our ultimate operations if relations are strained between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or move our principal manufacturing or service operations.

 

Currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.

 

In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.

 

Because foreign law could govern our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere.

 

Foreign law could govern our material agreements. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or enforce remedies outside of such foreign jurisdiction’s legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The judiciaries in certain foreign countries may be relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation, any such jurisdictions may not favor outsiders or could be corrupt. As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business and business opportunities.

 

Risks Related to Ownership of our Class A Common Stock

 

Our sponsor, directors and officers control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

 

We have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor. Further, our sponsor, officers and directors own a significant portion of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, our sponsor, officers and directors may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. If our sponsor, officers and directors purchase any shares of Class A common stock in the public markets or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control.

 

40

 

 

Our Class A common stock may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

 

Our Class A common stock is currently listed on Nasdaq. However, we cannot assure you of this or that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. Additionally, in connection with our business combination, Nasdaq may require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

 

a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

a reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;

a determination that our shares of common stock are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our shares of common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our shares of common stock;

a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and

a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

 

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.” Because our shares of Class A common stock are on Nasdaq, our shares of Class A common stock will qualify as covered securities under such statute. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by special purpose acquisition companies, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, 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.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or the Court of Chancery, as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company or our company’s directors, officers or other employees.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court therefrom shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (1) any derivative claim or cause of action brought on our behalf; (2) any claim or cause of action for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees, to us or our stockholders; (3) any claim or cause of action against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (4) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (5) any claim or cause of action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (6) any claim or cause of action against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees, governed by the internal-affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This exclusive forum provision shall not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in any our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the exclusive forum provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

 

This choice-of-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company or its directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.

 

41

 

 

General Risk Factors

 

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments, in particular, the SEC. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application also may change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to all public companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Securities Act and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three-year period or revenues exceeds $1.0 billion, or the market value of our shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and we are exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares less attractive because we may rely on these provisions. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, will not adopt the new or revised standard until the time private companies are required to adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates does not equal or exceed $250.0 million as of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100.0 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700.0 million as of the prior June 30th. To the extent we take advantage of any reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.

 

42

 

 

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

 

On October 16, 2020, we consummated the IPO of 8,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock. The Class A common stock was sold at a price of $10.00 per share, generating total gross proceeds of $80,000,000. BofA Securities, Inc. acted as the sole book-running manager of the IPO. The securities in the offering were registered under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-249036). The Securities and Exchange Commission declared the registration statements effective on October 13, 2020. Our shares of Class A common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “FVAM” on October 14, 2020.

 

Concurrently with the closing of the IPO, we completed the private sale of 360,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per private placement share to our sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $3,600,000. The private placement shares are identical to the public shares, except that, so long as private placement shares are held by our sponsor and its permitted transferees: (i) they may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and other similar transactions) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, then the private placement shares will be released from these transfer restrictions, and (ii) the private placement shares are entitled to registration rights. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to the private placement shares.

 

We granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of Class A common stock at the IPO price of $10.00 per share, less applicable underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any. On November 12, 2020, the over-allotment option was exercised as to 256,273 shares for gross proceeds of approximately $2.6 million, and remains exercisable as to 943,727 shares. Upon exercise of the over-allotment option as to 256,273 shares, our sponsor purchased an additional 5,126 private placement shares at a price of $10.00 per share, and if the over-allotment option is exercised as to any additional shares, the sponsor will purchase an additional amount of up to 18,874 private placement shares at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

A total of approximately $82.6 million, comprised of net proceeds from the IPO of approximately $80.9 million and approximately $1.7 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the private placement shares, were placed in a U.S.-based trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds in the trust account that may be released to us to pay income taxes, the proceeds will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of: (1) the completion of an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO, (2) our redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of the public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (3) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination in such required time period.

 

We paid a total of approximately $1.7 million in underwriting discounts and commissions and approximately $0.5 million for other costs and expenses related to the IPO. In addition, the underwriter agreed to defer approximately $2.9 million in underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in our IPO, see Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

43

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

Appointment of Director

 

On November 16, 2020, our board of directors unanimously voted to elect Samantha Singer as a director of the Company to fill the vacant seat on our board of directors, effective immediately. Upon appointment to our board of directors, Ms. Singer was named as a member of our compensation committee and our nominating committee. Ms. Singer will also serve as the chairperson for our nominating committee. In connection with Ms. Singer joining these committees, Daniella Beckman resigned as a member of our compensation committee and Martin Mackay resigned as a member of our nominating committee.

 

Ms. Singer was appointed to our board of directors to serve until her successor is duly appointed and qualified or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Singer is an “independent director” as defined in the listing rules of Nasdaq.

 

There were no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Singer and any other persons pursuant to which she was elected as a director of the Company.

 

Pursuant to the terms of our non-employee director compensation policy, Ms. Singer will receive annual cash compensation of $50,000 annually, payable in equal monthly installments, for her service on our board of directors. Our sponsor also agreed to transfer Ms. Singer 30,000 shares of our Class B common stock, or the Transfer Shares, upon her election to our board of directors.

 

In connection with her appointment to our board directors, Ms. Singer entered into our standard form of Indemnity Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Quarterly Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

In connection with her receipt of the Transfer Shares, Ms. Singer entered into our stockholder and registration rights agreement pursuant to which she will be entitled, with certain other stockholders, to make up to three demands that we register her securities, subject to specified conditions. In addition, the holders party to this agreement have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. However, the registration and stockholder rights agreement will provide that we will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period for such holders. A copy of the stockholder and registration rights agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Quarterly Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

In connection with her receipt of the Transfer Shares, pursuant to a letter agreement with us, Ms. Singer agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Transfer Shares until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our public shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and other similar transactions) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination the Transfer Shares will be released from the lock-up. A copy of this letter agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Quarterly Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

 

On November 16, 2020, our board of directors adopted a non-employee director compensation policy, effective retroactive to the closing of our IPO for our non-employee directors who were then serving on our board, pursuant to which we will pay each non-employee director $50,000 annually, payable in equal monthly installments, for service on our board of directors. A copy of the non-employee director compensation policy is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Quarterly Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

44

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The SEC file number for all items incorporated by reference herein from reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K is 001-39612.

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
1.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated October 13, 2020, by and between the Company and BofA Securities Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2020).
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-249036) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2020).
     
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-249036) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2020).
     
10.1   Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated October 13, 2020, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2020).
     
10.2   Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated October 13, 2020, by and among the Company, stockholders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2020).
     
10.3   Private Placement Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 13, 2020, by and among the Company and the sponsor (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2020).
     
10.4   Letter Agreement, dated October 13, 2020, by and among the Company, its officers, its directors and sponsor (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2020).
     
10.5   Form of Indemnity Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-249036) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2020).
     
10.6   Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.
     
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d- 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101.INS**   XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*            This certification is being furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof.

 

**            In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.

 

45

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized on this 18th day of November, 2020.

 

  5:01 ACQUISITION CORP.
     
     
  By: /s/ Rebecca L. Lucia
    Name: Rebecca L. Lucia
    Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  

46