Archer Aviation Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-39668
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware |
| 85-2730902 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
399 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022 |
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code) |
(212) 883-3800 |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
N/A |
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Redeemable Warrant |
| ACIC.U |
| The New York Stock Exchange |
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
| ACIC |
| The New York Stock Exchange |
Warrants, each exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock for $11.50 per share |
| ACIC WS |
| The New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer ☐ |
| Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☒ | |
|
| Emerging growth company ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐
As of August 12, 2021, there were 50,000,000 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding, and 12,500,000 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
1 | ||
2 | ||
Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity | 3 | |
4 | ||
5 | ||
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 21 | |
26 | ||
26 | ||
27 | ||
27 | ||
44 | ||
44 | ||
44 | ||
44 | ||
45 | ||
46 |
PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| June 30, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 | |||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash | $ | 297,376 | $ | 925,923 | ||
Prepaid expenses |
| 251,628 |
| 463,999 | ||
Total Current Assets | 549,004 | 1,389,922 | ||||
Investments held in Trust Account | 500,143,016 | 500,098,582 | ||||
Prepaid insurance - non-current | 78,569 | — | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 500,770,589 | $ | 501,488,504 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY |
|
|
|
| ||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 77,617 | $ | 10,991 | ||
Accrued expenses | 7,376,317 | 48,022 | ||||
Franchise tax payable | 98,907 | 69,945 | ||||
Promissory note - related party | 300,000 | — | ||||
Other current liabilities | 4,404 | — | ||||
Total Current Liabilities |
| 7,857,245 |
| 128,958 | ||
Warrant liabilities |
| 38,226,667 |
| 47,506,670 | ||
Total Liabilities |
| 46,083,912 |
| 47,635,628 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
| ||
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, subject to possible redemption; 50,000,000 and 44,885,287 shares at redemption value at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | 500,143,016 | 448,852,870 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity: |
|
|
|
| ||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at June 30,2021 and December 31,2020 |
|
| ||||
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 50,000,000 shares issued; none and 5,114,713 shares outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively (excluding 50,000,000 and 44,885,287 shares subject to possible redemption) at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively |
| — |
| 511 | ||
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 12,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 |
| 1,250 |
| 1,250 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 23,750 |
| 15,848,758 | ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (45,481,339) |
| (10,850,513) | ||
Total Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity |
| (45,456,339) |
| 5,000,006 | ||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity | $ | 500,770,589 | $ | 501,488,504 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
1
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2021 | |||
Operating costs | $ | 3,764,636 | $ | 8,489,653 | ||
Franchise tax expense | 49,726 | 100,209 | ||||
Loss from operations | (3,814,362) | (8,589,862) | ||||
Unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account | 5,002 | 135,027 | ||||
Interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account | 8,633 | 8,633 | ||||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | 7,053,334 | 9,280,003 | ||||
Net income | $ | 3,252,607 | $ | 833,801 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Redeemable Class A Common Stock |
| 50,000,000 |
| 50,000,000 | ||
Basic and diluted net earnings per share, Redeemable Class A Common Stock | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock |
| 12,500,000 |
| 12,500,000 | ||
Basic and diluted net income per share, Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.06 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(UNAUDITED)
Common Stock | Additional | | | ||||||||||||||||
Class A | Class B | Paid-in | Accumulated | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Stockholders’ | ||||||
Balance — December 31, 2020 | 5,114,713 | $ | 511 | 12,500,000 | $ | 1,250 | $ | 15,848,758 | $ | (10,850,513) | $ | 5,000,006 | |||||||
Measurement adjustment on redeemable common stock | (5,114,713) | (511) | — | — | (15,825,008) | (35,478,970) | (51,304,489) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| (2,418,806) |
| (2,418,806) | |||||||
Balance — March 31, 2021 |
| — | — | 12,500,000 | 1,250 | 23,750 | (48,748,289) | (48,723,289) | |||||||||||
Measurement adjustment on redeemable common stock | — | — | — | — | — | 14,343 | 14,343 | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 3,252,607 | 3,252,607 | ||||||||||||
Balance - June 30, 2021 | — | $ | — | 12,500,000 | $ | 1,250 | $ | 23,750 | $ | (45,481,339) | $ | (45,456,339) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
| |
Net income | $ | 833,801 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
| |
Unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account | (135,027) | ||
Interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account | (8,633) | ||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (9,280,003) | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
| |
Prepaid expenses | 133,802 | ||
Accounts payable | 66,626 | ||
Accrued expenses |
| 7,328,295 | |
Franchise tax payable | 28,962 | ||
Other current liabilities | | | 4,404 |
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (1,027,773) | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | |||
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account to pay taxes | 99,226 | ||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 99,226 | ||
|
| ||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
| |
Proceeds from issuance of promissory note |
| 300,000 | |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 300,000 | |
|
| ||
Net change in cash |
| (628,547) | |
Cash — beginning of period |
| 925,923 | |
Cash — end of period | $ | 297,376 | |
|
|
| |
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: |
|
| |
Change in value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | $ | 51,290,146 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Atlas Crest Investment Corp. (the “Company” or “Atlas”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on August 26, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effectuating a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through June 30, 2021 relates to the Company's formation, the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”) as described below, and since the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. 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 or gains on investments on the cash and investments held in a trust account from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on October 27, 2020. On October 30, 2020, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 50,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $500,000,000, which is discussed in Note 3.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on October 30, 2020, an amount of $500,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined in Note 4) was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with maturities of 185 days or less, or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s stockholders, as described below.
Transaction costs related to the issuances described above amounted to $10,534,144, consisting of $10,000,000 of underwriting fees and $534,144 of other costs. In addition, at June 30, 2021, $297,376 of cash was held outside of the Trust Account and is available for working capital purposes.
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 the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. New York Stock Exchange rules provide that the Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable on income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the signing of a definitive agreement to enter a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.
5
The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (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. 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 are entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption are recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
The Company will proceed with the Business Combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either prior to or upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its amended and restated 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 Business Combination is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, Atlas Crest Investment LLC (the “Sponsor”) has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 6) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed Business Combination or do not vote at all.
Notwithstanding the above, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the amended and restated 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 has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination, (b) to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering and (c) not to propose an amendment to the amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Company’s initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination or (ii) with respect to any other provision 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.
6
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
The Company will have until 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 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
business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (1) $10.00 per Public Share or (2) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay our taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), 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.
Business Combination Agreement
On February 10, 2021, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as amended and restated on July 29, 2021 and as it may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, Artemis Acquisition Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Artemis Merger Sub”), and Archer Aviation Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Archer”).
The Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were approved by the boards of directors of each of the Company and Archer.
The Business Combination Agreement provides for, among other things, the following transactions on the date of closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”): (i) Atlas will amend and restate its certificate of incorporation (the “Post-Closing Atlas Certificate of Incorporation”), pursuant to which, among other things, Atlas will have a dual class share structure with (A) shares of Class A common stock that will carry voting rights in the form of one vote per share (the “New Class A Common Stock”), and (B) shares of Class B common stock that will carry voting rights in the form of ten votes per share (the “New Class B Common Stock” and, together with the New Class A Common Stock, the “New Atlas Common Stock”), and (ii) Artemis Merger Sub will merge with and into Archer, with Archer as the surviving company in the merger and, after giving effect to such merger, continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas (the “Merger”).
The Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination”.
7
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
The Business Combination is subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the required approval by Atlas’ stockholders.
In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, (i) outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock of Archer will be converted into a right to receive a number of shares of New Class B Common Stock determined on the basis of an implied Archer equity value of $1,480,000,000 (the “Implied Equity Value”), (ii) all stock awards (whether vested or unvested) to purchase Archer common stock will be converted into stock awards to purchase a number of shares of New Class B Common Stock based on an exchange ratio derived from the Implied Equity Value, and (iii) outstanding warrants (whether vested or unvested) to purchase Archer common stock will be converted into warrants to purchase a number of shares of New Archer Class A Shares or New Class B Common Stock, as applicable, determined on the basis of the Implied Equity Value. The former Archer equity holders will have the right to convert their shares of New Class B Common Stock into shares of New Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Post-Closing Atlas Certificate of Incorporation.
The Business Combination Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties thereto that are customary for transactions of this type. Atlas has also agreed to take all action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that, effective immediately after the Closing, the Atlas board of directors will be divided into three classes and be composed of a total of seven directors, which directors shall include an individual designated by Atlas, three individuals designated by Archer and three individuals to be identified by Archer in consultation with Atlas who qualify as “independent directors” under the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
The obligations of Atlas and Archer to consummate the Business Combination are subject to certain closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (ii) the absence of any law or governmental order or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Business Combination, (iii) the Registration Statement (as defined below) being declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iv) the shares of New Class A Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination having been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, (v) the approval of Atlas’ stockholders, (vi) the approval of Archer’s stockholders and (vii) Atlas having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) remaining after the Closing.
In addition, the obligation of Archer to consummate the Business Combination is subject to, among other conditions, the aggregate cash proceeds from Atlas’ trust account, together with the proceeds from the PIPE Financing (as defined below), equaling no less than $600,000,000 (after deducting any amounts paid to Atlas shareholders that exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination).
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Atlas will be treated as the “accounting acquiree” and Archer as the “accounting acquirer” for financial reporting purposes.
PIPE Financing (Private Placement)
Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, each investor agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company agreed to issue and sell to such investors, on the Closing Date (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) substantially concurrently with the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), an aggregate of 60,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $600 million (the “PIPE Financing”).
8
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
The closing of the PIPE Financing is contingent upon, among other things, the substantially concurrent consummation of the Business Combination. The Subscription Agreements provide that Atlas will grant the investors in the PIPE Financing certain customary registration rights.
Going Concern Consideration
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $297,376 in cash held outside of the Trust Account and a working capital deficit of $7,308,241. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Business Combination as discussed above. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to consummate the Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements of the Company are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021 and the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on May 24, 2021. The interim results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or for any future interim periods.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the 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.
9
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Investments Held in Trust Account
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, substantially all of the assets held in the Trust Account were held in money market funds, which are invested in U.S. Treasury securities.
Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 50,000,000 and 44,885,287 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheet, respectively.
10
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Offering Costs associated with the Initial Public Offering
The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A - Expenses of Offering. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs directly attributable to the issuance of an equity contract to be classified in equity are recorded as a reduction in equity. Offering costs for equity contracts that are classified as assets and liabilities are expensed immediately. The Company incurred offering costs amounting to $10,534,144 as a result of the Initial Public Offering (consisting of a $10,000,000 underwriting discount and $534,144 of other offering costs). The Company recorded $9,988,271 of offering costs as a reduction of equity in connection with the shares of Class A common Stock included in the Units. The Company immediately expensed $545,873 of offering costs in connection with the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants that were classified as liabilities.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations. The initial fair value of the Public Warrants was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach and the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was estimated using a Modified Black-Scholes model (see Note 9).
Income Taxes
The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 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.
11
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Net Income Per Share of Common Stock
Net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase an aggregate of 24,666,667 shares in the calculation of diluted income per share, since the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met.
The Company’s statement of operations includes a presentation of income per share for common shares subject to possible redemption and applies the two-class method in calculating income per share. Net earnings per common share, basic and diluted, for Class A redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the allocable unrealized gain on investments held in the Trust Account and interest and dividend income on investments held in the Trust Account, net of applicable franchise and income taxes, by the weighted average number of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption outstanding for the period. Net income per share, basic and diluted, for Class B non-redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the net income, adjusted for income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock, by the weighted average number of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the period. Class B non-redeemable common stock includes the Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) as these shares do not have any redemption features and do not participate in the income earned on the Trust Account.
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in dollars, except share and per share amounts):
Six Months | ||||||
Three Months Ended | Ended | |||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2021 | |||
Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | ||||||
Numerator: Earnings attributable to Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption |
| |||||
Unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account | $ | 5,002 | $ | 135,027 | ||
Interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account | 8,633 | 8,633 | ||||
Less: Income available to be withdrawn for payment of taxes | (13,635) | (100,209) | ||||
Net earnings attributable to Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | $ | — | $ | 43,451 | ||
Denominator: Weighted average Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | ||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | 50,000,000 | 50,000,000 | ||||
Basic and diluted net earnings per share, Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||
Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock |
| |||||
Numerator: Non-redeemable net income | ||||||
Net income | $ | 3,252,607 | $ | 833,801 | ||
Less: Net earnings attributable to Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption | | — | (43,451) | |||
Non-redeemable net income | $ | 3,252,607 | $ | 790,350 | ||
Denominator: Weighted average Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock | ||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock |
| 12,500,000 |
| 12,500,000 | ||
Basic and diluted net income per share, Non-Redeemable Class B Common Stock | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.06 |
12
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company applies ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 generally requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The carrying amounts reflected in the balance sheet for cash, prepaid expenses and accrued offering costs approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
Level 1 — Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are determined using prices for recently traded assets and liabilities with similar underlying terms, as well as direct or indirect observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are unobservable inputs, such as estimates, assumptions, and valuation techniques when little or no market data exists for the assets or liabilities.
See Note 9 for additional information on assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
13
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on October 27, 2020. On October 30, 2020, the Company completed its Initial Public Offering of 50,000,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $500,000,000. Each Unit consisted of one share of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, and
-third of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share (see Note 7).NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 8,000,000 warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant in a private placement (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $12,000,000. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On September 4, 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000 in consideration for 14,375,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”). The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 1,875,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment was not exercised in full or in part, so that the Sponsor would collectively own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (assuming the Sponsor did not purchase any Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering). Upon the expiration of the over-allotment option in December 2020, 1,875,000 shares of Class B common stock were forfeited, resulting in an aggregate of 12,500,000 Founder Shares outstanding.
The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination, or (B) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or similar transaction that results in the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Business Combination, the Founder Shares will be released from the lock-up.
Promissory Notes — Related Party
On September 11, 2020, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company received proceeds of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering. The promissory note was non-interest bearing and was payable on the earlier of March 31, 2021 or the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The outstanding balance under the promissory note of $300,000 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on October 30, 2020.
The Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor (the “Promissory Note”) effective June 25, 2021, pursuant to which the Company can borrow an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to an initial Business Combination and general working capital. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable upon the consumation of a Business Combination. As of June 30, 2021, there was $300,000 outstanding under the Promissory Note.
14
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company entered into an agreement, commencing on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of the Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $30,000 and $60,000, respectively, under the agreement.
See Note 6, under Business Combination Marketing Agreement, for additional related party transactions.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (as defined below) (and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidating damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering the Company’s securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The Company engaged the representative of the underwriters and Moelis & Company LLC, an affiliate of the Sponsor, in connection with a Business Combination to assist the Company in holding meetings with its stockholders to discuss the potential Business Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing the Company’s securities in connection with a Business Combination, assist the Company in obtaining stockholder approval for the Business Combination and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination. The Company will pay the representative of the underwriters and Moelis & Company LLC a fee for such services upon the consummation of the Business Combination of 2.25% ($11,250,000) and 1.25% ($6,250,000), respectively, or 3.5% ($17,500,000), in the aggregate, of the gross proceeds of the Initial Public Offering including the gross proceeds from the full or partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. A portion of such fee may be re-allocated or paid to members of FINRA that assist the Company in consummating its Business Combination.
15
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. 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. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. No Working Capital Loans were outstanding as of and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
NOTE 7. WARRANTS
Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares are issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants are exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the consummation of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years from the consummation of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Public Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Public Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, it will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) business day after the closing of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elect, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption:
● | in whole and not in part; |
16
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
● | at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant; |
● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and |
● | if, and only if, the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
The exercise price and number of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of Class A common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Public Warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Public Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Public Warrants. Accordingly, the Public Warrants may expire worthless.
In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the Company’s initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of such initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants will and the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 16,666,667 Public Warrants and 8,000,000 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. The Company accounts for the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability (see Note 9).
17
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments required that the Company record the warrants as derivative liabilities at fair value upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants were allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to its fair value. The warrant liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liabilities are adjusted to current fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification.
NOTE 8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value preferred stock. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Class A common stock — The Company is authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of Class A, $0.0001 par value common stock. Holders of the Company's common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 50,000,000 shares issued and no shares and 5,114,713 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, respectively, excluding 50,000,000 and 44,885,287 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The Company determined the Class A common stock subject to redemption to be equal to the redemption value of approximately $10 per share of Class A common stock while also taking into consideration a redemption cannot result in net tangible assets being less than $5,000,001. Upon considering the impact of the PIPE Financing and associated Subscription Agreements that will close substantially concurrent with an initial Business Combination (see Note 1), which would result in an additional $600,000,000 in net tangible assets, it was concluded during the quarter ended March 31, 2021, that the redemption value would include all shares of Class A common stock resulting in the common stock subject to possible redemption being equal to $500,143,016. This resulted in a measurement adjustment to the initial carrying value of the Class A common stock subject to redemption with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
Class B common stock — The Company is authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of Class B, $0.0001 par value common stock. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 12,500,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.
Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as required by law.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock upon the consummation of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding after such conversion, including the total number of shares of Class A common stock issued, or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of a Business Combination, excluding any shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities or rights exercisable for or convertible into shares of Class A common stock issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor, officers or directors upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, provided that such conversion of Founder Shares will never occur on a less than one-for-one basis.
18
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2021, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
Amount at Fair | ||||||||||||
Description |
| Value |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 | ||||
June 30, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Money Market investments | $ | 500,143,016 | $ | 500,143,016 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Warrant liability – Public Warrants | $ | 25,666,667 | $ | 25,666,667 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Warrant liability – Private Placement Warrants | $ | 12,560,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,560,000 | ||||
December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account: | ||||||||||||
Money Market investments | $ | 500,098,582 | $ | 500,098,582 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Warrant liability – Public Warrants | $ | 31,666,670 | $ | 31,666,670 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Warrant liability – Private Placement Warrants | $ | 15,840,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 15,840,000 |
The Company utilized a Monte Carlo simulation model for the initial valuation of the Public Warrants. The subsequent measurement of the Public Warrants as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is classified as Level 1 due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market under the ticker ACIC WS. The quoted prices of the Public Warrants were $1.54 and $1.90 per warrant as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The Company utilizes a Modified Black-Scholes model to value the Private Placement Warrants at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the Private Placement warrant liability is determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a binomial options pricing model are assumptions related to expected share-price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock based on historical volatility that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero.
The aforementioned warrant liabilities are not subject to qualified hedge accounting.
Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 fair value measurement in December 2020 when the Public Warrants were separately listed and traded. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
19
ATLAS CREST INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
The following table provides the significant inputs to the Modified Black-Scholes model for the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants:
As of | As of | ||||||
| June 30, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| |||
Stock price | $ | 9.96 | $ | 10.06 |
| ||
Strike price | $ | 11.50 | $ | 11.50 | |||
Probability of completing a Business Combination |
| * |
| 86.0 | % | ||
Dividend yield |
| — | % |
| — | % | |
Term (in years) |
| 5.26 |
| 5.91 | |||
Volatility |
| 21.5 | % |
| 28.0 | % | |
Risk-free rate |
| 0.91 | % |
| 0.49 | % | |
Fair value of warrants | $ | 1.57 | $ | 1.98 |
*The probability of completing a Business Combination is considered within the volatility implied by the traded price of the Public Warrants which is used to value the Private Placement Warrants.
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities:
| Private | Warrant | |||||||
| Placement |
| Public |
| Liabilities | ||||
Fair value as of December 31, 2020 | $ | 15,840,000 | $ | 31,666,670 | $ | 47,506,670 | |||
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions |
| (3,280,000) |
| (6,000,003) |
| (9,280,003) | |||
Fair value as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 12,560,000 | $ | 25,666,667 | $ | 38,226,667 |
The Company recognized income in connection with changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $7,053,334 and $9,280,003 within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.
NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements except as disclosed in Note 1 under Business Combination Agreement.
20
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Atlas Crest Investment Corp.. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Atlas Crest Investment LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 24, 2021 and under Item 1A – Risk Factors in this report. The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on August 26, 2020 as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effectuating a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this Annual Report as our “initial business combination”. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the initial public offering and the private placement of the private placement warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of the initial public offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.
Proposed Business Combination
On February 10, 2021, we entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as amended and restated on July 29, 2021 and as it may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among Atlas, Artemis Acquisition Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Artemis Merger Sub”), and Archer Aviation Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Archer”).
The Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were approved by the boards of directors of each of Atlas and Archer.
21
The Business Combination
The Business Combination Agreement provides for, among other things, the following transactions on the date of closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”): (i) Atlas will amend and restate its certificate of incorporation (the “Post-Closing Atlas Certificate of Incorporation”), pursuant to which, among other things, Atlas will have a dual class share structure with (A) shares of Class A common stock that will carry voting rights in the form of one vote per share (the “New Class A Common Stock”), and (B) shares of Class B common stock that will carry voting rights in the form of ten votes per share (the “New Class B Common Stock” and, together with the New Class A Common Stock, the “New Atlas Common Stock”), and (ii) Artemis Merger Sub will merge with and into Archer, with Archer as the surviving company in the merger and, after giving effect to such merger, continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas (the “Merger”).
The Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination”.
Business Combination Consideration
In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, (i) outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock of Archer will be converted into a right to receive a number of shares of New Class B Common Stock determined on the basis of an implied Archer equity value of $1,480,000,000 (the “Implied Equity Value”), (ii) all stock awards (whether vested or unvested) to purchase Archer common stock will be converted into stock awards to purchase a number of shares of New Class B Common Stock based on an exchange ratio derived from the Implied Equity Value, and (iii) outstanding warrants (whether vested or unvested) to purchase Archer common stock will be converted into warrants to purchase a number of shares of New Archer Class A Shares or New Class B Common Stock, as applicable, determined on the basis of the Implied Equity Value. The former Archer equity holders will have the right to convert their shares of New Class B Common Stock into shares of New Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Post-Closing Atlas Certificate of Incorporation.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
The Business Combination Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties thereto that are customary for transactions of this type. Atlas has also agreed to take all action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that, effective immediately after the Closing, the Atlas board of directors will be divided into three classes and be composed of a total of seven directors, which directors shall include an individual designated by Atlas, three individuals designated by Archer and three individuals to be identified by Archer in consultation with Atlas who qualify as “independent directors” under the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations
The obligations of Atlas and Archer to consummate the Business Combination are subject to certain closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (ii) the absence of any law or governmental order or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Business Combination, (iii) the Registration Statement (as defined below) being declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iv) the shares of New Class A Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination having been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, (v) the approval of Atlas’ stockholders, (vi) the approval of Archer’s stockholders and (vii) Atlas having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) remaining after the Closing.
In addition, the obligation of Archer to consummate the Business Combination is subject to, among other conditions, the aggregate cash proceeds from Atlas’ trust account, together with the proceeds from the PIPE Financing (as defined below), equaling no less than $600,000,000 (after deducting any amounts paid to Atlas shareholders that exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination).
22
On March 30, 2021, one of Archer’s employees, who is a former employee of Wisk Aero LLC ("Wisk"), had a search warrant executed at his home in connection with a federal investigation into the employee. In addition, Archer and three of Archer’s employees, who are also former Wisk employees, received grand jury subpoenas from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California in relation to the same investigation. Archer has informed Atlas that it is cooperating with the investigation of the employee. As of August 16, 2021, the investigation was ongoing. On April 6, 2021, Wisk brought a lawsuit against Archer in United States District Court in the Northern District of California (the “Court’’) alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and patent infringement. On May 19, 2021, Wisk filed a motion for preliminary injunction and expedited discovery. On June 1, 2021, Archer filed a motion to dismiss and counterclaims and issued a press release in response to Wisk’s allegations. On June 15, 2021, Wisk amended its complaint, and the following day Archer filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On June 23, 2021, Archer filed an opposition to the motion for preliminary injunction and issued a press release the following day. On July 22, 2021, the Court denied Wisk’s motion for a preliminary injunction. On July 27, 2021, Wisk filed a motion to dismiss Archer’s counterclaims and strike Archer’s affirmative defenses. On August 11, 2021 there was a hearing to address Archer’s motions to dismiss Wisk's complaint and strike Wisk's trade secret disclosure, as well as to address Wisk's request for an expedited trial schedule. The Judge has tentatively denied Archer's motion to dismiss Wisk's complaint and strike Wisk's trade secret disclosure. The final order is expected to be issued shortly. The Court tentatively set trial for November 28, 2021. Archer cannot predict the timing or outcome of the litigation or federal government investigation. See “Item 1A of this Report - Risk Factors — Risks Related to Archer’s Business and Industry and New Archer Following the Business Combination — Archer has been named in civil litigation alleging misappropriation by Archer of a competitor’s trade secrets and infringement by Archer of certain of the competitor’s patents. Additionally, one of Archer’s employees was the subject of a search warrant relating to a federal government investigation, and Archer as well as three of Archer’s employees have been served with grand jury subpoenas in connection with such investigation. These civil and criminal proceedings and similar allegations or legal actions in the future may be time-consuming and expensive and, if adversely determined, could delay, limit or prevent Archer’s ability to commercialize its aircraft or otherwise execute on its business plan.”
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities for the period from August 26, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2021 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for our initial public offering (the "Initial Public Offering"), described below, and, after the Initial Public Offering, identifying a target company for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest and dividend income or gains on investments on the cash and investments held in a trust account from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we had net income of $3,252,607, which resulted from a gain on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $7,053,334, interest and dividend income on investments held in the trust account of $8,633, and an unrealized gain on investments held in the trust account of $5,002, offset in part by operating costs of $3,764,636 and franchise tax expense of $49,726.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we had net income of $833,801, which resulted from a gain on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $9,280,003, an unrealized gain on marketable securities held in the trust account in the amount of $135,027, and interest and dividend income on investments held in the trust account of $8,633, offset in part by operating costs of $8,489,653 and franchise tax expense of $100,209.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2021, we had $297,376 in cash held outside of the trust account and a working capital deficit of $7,308,241. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. We plan to address this uncertainty through a business combination as discussed above. There is no assurance that our plans to consummate the business combination will be successful.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). As of June 30, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loan.
23
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $1,027,773, which was due to a gain on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $9,280,003, unrealized gains on investments in the trust account of $135,027, and interest and dividend income on investments held in the trust account of $8,633, offset in part by changes in working capital of $7,562,089, and our net income of $833,801.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by investing activities of $99,226 was the result of cash withdrawn from trust account to pay taxes.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities of $300,000 was the result of proceeds from the issuance of the promissory note with our Sponsor.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Contractual Obligations
Registration Rights
The holders of the founder shares, private placement warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the founder shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the founder shares, only after conversion to Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a business combination. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidating damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering our securities. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
We engaged the representative of the underwriters and Moelis & Company LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor, in connection with a business combination to assist us in holding meetings with our stockholders to discuss the potential business combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection with a business combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the business combination and assist us with press releases and public filings in connection with the business combination. We will pay the representative of the underwriters and Moelis & Company LLC a fee for such services upon the consummation of the business combination of 2.25% ($11,250,000) and 1.25% ($6,250,000), respectively, or 3.5% ($17,500,000), in the aggregate, of the gross proceeds of the initial public offering. A portion of such fee may be re-allocated or paid to members of FINRA that assist us in consummating our business combination.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:
Common stock subject to possible redemption
The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features
24
redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 50,000,000 and 44,885,287 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheet, respectively.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations. The initial fair value of the public warrants was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach and the fair value of the private placement warrants was estimated using a Modified Black-Scholes model.
Net Income Per Share of Common Stock
Net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase an aggregate of 24,666,667 shares in the calculation of diluted income per share, since the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met.
The Company’s statement of operations includes a presentation of income per share for common shares subject to possible redemption and applies the two-class method in calculating income per share. Net earnings per common share, basic and diluted, for Class A redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the allocable unrealized gain on investments held in the trust account and interest and dividend income on investments held in the trust account, net of applicable franchise and income taxes, by the weighted average number of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption outstanding for the period. Net income per share, basic and diluted, for Class B non-redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the net income, adjusted for income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock, by the weighted average number of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the period. Class B non-redeemable common stock includes the founder shares as these shares do not have any redemption features and do not participate in the income earned on the trust account.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
25
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
This item is not applicable as we are a smaller reporting company.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of June 30, 2021, due solely to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures included in the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 24, 2021. In light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In connection with the evaluation of the SEC’s statement regarding SPAC accounting matters and management’s subsequent re-evaluation of its previously issued financial statements, the Company determined that there were errors in its accounting for its warrants. Management concluded that a deficiency in internal control over financial reporting existed relating to the accounting treatment for complex financial instruments and that the failure to properly account for such instruments constituted a material weakness as defined in the SEC regulations. This material weakness resulted in the restatement of the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Other than the implementation of the material weakness remediation activities described below, during the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management has enhanced our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our financial statements to address the material weakness. Our updated processes include providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.
26
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On May 21, 2021, the Company received a demand to inspect its books and records under 8 Del. C. § 220 from a purported stockholder of the Company. The demand alleges, among other things, that the Company's officers and directors may have breached or may in the future breach their fiduciary duties in relation to the lawsuit filed against Archer by Wisk in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 6, 2021. The Company has produced and is continuing to produce certain materials to the stockholder's counsel. Separately, certain other purported stockholders of the Company have demanded, by letters to Atlas’s counsel, that Atlas include certain additional disclosures in this proxy statement/prospectus and that the Company provide holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock with a separate class vote on the Class A share increase proposal. The Company does not agree with any of the stockholder’s allegations of wrongdoing.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
For the complete set of risks relating to our operations and business combination, see the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on May 24, 2021; provided, however, the Company has updated the risk factors originally set forth in its Annual Report filed on Form 10-K/A on May 24, 2021 under the heading “Risks Related to Archer’s Business and Industry and New Archer Following the Business Combination”. The updated risk factors are set forth below.
Risks Related to Archer’s Business and Industry and New Archer Following the Business Combination
Archer is an early-stage company with a history of losses, and expects to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future.
As of March 31, 2021, Archer has incurred a year-to-date net loss of $94.9 million and has incurred a net loss of approximately $120.7 million since inception through March 31, 2021. Archer believes that it will continue to incur operating and net losses each quarter until at least the time it begins significant deliveries of its eVTOL aircraft, which are not expected to begin until late 2024/2025 and may occur later or not at all. Even if Archer is able to successfully develop and sell its aircraft, there can be no assurance that they will be financially successful. Archer’s potential profitability is dependent upon the successful development and successful commercial introduction and acceptance of its aircraft, which may not occur.
Archer expects the rate at which it will incur losses to be significantly higher in future periods as Archer:
· | continues to design, develop, manufacture and market its aircraft; |
· | continues to utilize its third-party partners for design, supply and manufacturing; |
· | expands its production capabilities, including costs associated with outsourcing the manufacturing of its aircraft; |
· | builds up inventories of parts and components for its aircraft; |
· | manufactures an inventory of its aircraft; |
· | expands its design, development and servicing capabilities; |
· | increases its sales and marketing activities and develops its distribution infrastructure; |
· | works with third party partners to develop pilot training programs; and |
· | increases its general and administrative functions to support its growing operations and to operate as a public company. |
27
Because Archer will incur the costs and expenses from these efforts before it receives any incremental revenues with respect thereto, Archer’s losses in future periods will be significant. In addition, Archer may find that these efforts are more expensive than it currently anticipates or that these efforts may not result in revenues, which would further increase Archer’s losses.
Archer is still developing a fully operational prototype of its demonstrator aircraft, has not yet obtained FAA type certification of its eVTOL aircraft under development and it has yet to manufacture or deliver any aircraft to customers, which makes evaluating Archer’s business and future prospects difficult and increases the risk of investment.
Archer was incorporated in October 2018 and has a limited operating history in the urban air mobility industry, which is continuously evolving. Archer’s aircraft are in the development stage and Archer does not expect its first commercial vehicle to be produced until 2024, if at all. Archer is still working to obtain FAA type certification of its eVTOL aircraft (including the G-1, G-2 and G-3 issue paper milestones, which, among other things, establish the applicable airworthiness and environmental regulations, special conditions, and procedural requirements that must be met to achieve FAA type certification). Archer’s current eVTOL aircraft prototype (the Maker aircraft) has not yet flown and is not scheduled to conduct its first test flight until later this year. As a result, Archer has no experience as an organization in high volume manufacturing of the planned aircraft. Many of Archer’s current and potential competitors are larger and have substantially greater resources than Archer has and expects to have in the future. They may also be able to devote greater resources to the development of their current and future technologies or the promotion and sale of their offerings, or offer lower prices. In particular, Archer’s competitors may be able to receive airworthiness certificates or production certificates for their aircraft prior to Archer receiving such certificates. Archer’s current and potential competitors may also establish cooperative or strategic relationships amongst themselves or with third parties that may further enhance their resources and offerings. Further, it is possible that domestic or foreign companies or governments, some with greater experience in the aerospace industry or greater financial resources than we possess, will seek to provide products or services that compete directly or indirectly with Archer’s in the future. Any such foreign competitor, for example, could benefit from subsidies from, or other protective measures by, its home country.
Archer cannot assure you that it or its partners will be able to develop efficient, automated, cost- efficient manufacturing capability and processes, and reliable sources of component supplies that will enable Archer to meet the quality, price, engineering, design and production standards, as well as the production volumes, required to successfully mass market its aircraft. You should consider Archer’s business and prospects in light of the risks and significant challenges it faces as a new entrant into its industry, including, among other things, with respect to its ability to:
· | design and produce safe, reliable and quality aircraft on an ongoing basis; |
· | obtain the necessary regulatory approvals in a timely manner, including receipt of governmental authority for manufacturing the equipment and, in turn, marketing, selling and operating Archer’s UAM service; |
· | build a well-recognized and respected brand; |
· | establish and expand its customer base; |
· | successfully market not just Archer’s aircraft but also the other services it intends to provide, such as aerial ride sharing services; |
· | successfully service its aircraft after sales and maintain a good flow of spare parts and customer goodwill; |
· | improve and maintain its operational efficiency; |
· | successfully execute its manufacturing and production model and maintain a reliable, secure, high-performance and scalable technology infrastructure; |
· | predict its future revenues and appropriately budget for its expenses; |
· | attract, retain and motivate talented employees; |
· | anticipate trends that may emerge and affect its business; |
28
· | anticipate and adapt to changing market conditions, including technological developments and changes in competitive landscape; and |
· | navigate an evolving and complex regulatory environment. |
If Archer fails to adequately address any or all of these risks and challenges, its business may be harmed.
The United Airlines purchase agreement has a conditional purchase order which constitutes all of the current orders for Archer aircraft. If the conditions to United Airlines’ order are not met, or if this order is cancelled, modified or delayed, Archer’s prospects, results of operations, liquidity and cash flow will be harmed.
The United Airlines purchase agreement has a conditional purchase order which constitutes all of the current orders for Archer aircraft. This order and the purchase agreement between Archer and United Airlines are subject to conditions, including certification of Archer’s aircraft by the FAA, and further negotiation and reaching mutual agreement on certain material terms, such as aircraft specifications, warranties, usage and transfer of the aircraft, performance guarantees, delivery periods, most favored nation provisions, the type and extent of assistance to be provided by United Airlines in obtaining certification of the aircraft, territorial restrictions, rights to jointly developed intellectual property, escalation adjustments and other matters. The obligations of United Airlines to consummate the order will arise only after all of such material terms are agreed in the discretion of each party. Further, and in addition to other termination rights set forth in the purchase agreement and the collaboration agreement, if the parties do not agree on such material terms, either party will have the right to terminate the agreements if such party determines in its discretion that it is not likely that such material terms will be agreed in a manner that is consistent with such party’s business and operational interests (as those interests may change from time to time). If this order is cancelled, modified or delayed, or otherwise not consummated, or if Archer is otherwise unable to convert its strategic relationships or collaborations into sales revenue, Archer’s prospects, results of operations, liquidity and cash flow will be affected.
Archer’s business plans require a significant amount of capital. In addition, its future capital needs may require Archer to sell additional equity or debt securities that may dilute its stockholders or introduce covenants that may restrict its operations or its ability to pay dividends.
Archer expects its capital expenditures and operating expenses to continue to be significant in the foreseeable future as it expands its business, and that its level of capital expenditures and operating expenses will be significantly affected by the aircraft certification process and subsequent customer demand for its aircraft. Archer expects that following the Closing, Archer will have sufficient capital to fund its currently planned operations based on current projections, which are subject to change. However, Archer expects to make significant investments in its business, including development of its aircraft and investments in its brand. In addition, over the next few years Archer expects to continue to incur ongoing expenses related to the Wisk litigation, which are difficult to predict. These investments and expenses may be greater than currently anticipated or there may be investments or expenses that are unforeseen, and Archer may not succeed in acquiring sufficient capital to offset these higher expenses and achieve positive revenue generation. The fact that Archer has a limited operating history means it has limited historical data on the demand for its aircraft. As a result, Archer’s future capital requirements may be uncertain and actual capital requirements may be different from those it currently anticipates. Archer may need to seek equity or debt financing to finance a portion of its future investments or expenses, including if there are significant redemptions in connection with the Business Combination. Such financing might not be available to Archer in a timely manner or on terms that are acceptable, or at all.
Archer’s ability to obtain the necessary financing to carry out its business plan is subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and investor acceptance of Archer’s business model. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms and conditions of such financing unattractive or unavailable to Archer. If Archer is unable to raise sufficient funds, it will have to significantly reduce its spending, delay or cancel its planned activities or substantially change its corporate structure. Archer might not be able to obtain any funding, and it might not have sufficient resources to conduct its business as projected, both of which could mean that Archer would be forced to curtail or discontinue its operations.
In addition, Archer’s future capital needs and other business reasons could require it to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities could dilute its stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness
29
would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict Archer’s operations or its ability to pay dividends to its stockholders.
If Archer cannot raise additional funds when it needs or want them, its operations and prospects could be negatively affected.
Archer identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. If Archer is unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if it identifies additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fails to maintain an effective system of internal controls, it may not be able to accurately or timely report its financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect Archer’s business and stock price.
In connection with the preparation and audit of Archer’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, material weaknesses were identified in Archer’s internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of Archer’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. These material weaknesses are as follows:
· | Archer did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with its financial reporting requirements. Archer lacked a sufficient number of trained professionals with (i) an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, training and experience to appropriately analyze, record and disclose accounting matters timely and accurately, and (ii) an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to establish effective processes and controls. Additionally, the limited personnel resulted in an inability to consistently establish appropriate authorities and responsibilities in pursuit of financial reporting objectives, as demonstrated by, among other things, insufficient segregation of duties in its finance and accounting functions. |
This material weakness in the control environment contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:
· | Archer did not design and maintain an effective risk assessment process at a precise enough level to identify new and evolving risks of material misstatement in Archer’s financial statements. Specifically, changes to existing controls or the implementation of new controls have not been sufficient to respond to changes to the risks of material misstatement to financial reporting. |
· | Archer did not design and maintain formal accounting policies, procedures and controls to achieve complete, accurate and timely financial accounting, reporting and disclosures, including controls over the preparation and review of business performance reviews, account reconciliations and journal entries. |
· | Archer did not design and maintain effective controls over information technology (“IT”) general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of their financial statements. Specifically, Archer did not design and maintain: |
· | user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and that adequately restrict user and privileged access to financial applications, programs, and data to appropriate company personnel; |
· | program change management controls to ensure that IT program and data changes affecting financial IT applications and underlying accounting records are identified, tested, authorized, and implemented appropriately; and |
· | computer operations controls to ensure that data backups are authorized and monitored. |
These material weaknesses resulted in immaterial audit adjustments to the research and development expense and property and equipment line items in Archer’s financial statements and related disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and a revision to Archer’s condensed financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2021 to reclassify certain costs within operating expenses from research and development expense to other warrant expense. Additionally, each of these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of substantially all of Archer’s accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
30
Archer has begun implementation of a plan to remediate these material weaknesses described above. Those remediation measures are ongoing and include the following:
· | Hiring additional accounting and IT personnel during 2021, including a new chief financial officer and other accounting personnel to bolster its accounting and IT capabilities and capacity, and to establish and maintain Archer’s internal controls; |
· | Designing and implementing controls to formalize roles and review responsibilities to align with Archer’s team’s skills and experience and designing and implementing formal controls over segregation of duties; |
· | Designing and implementing a formal risk assessment process to identify and evaluate changes in Archer’s business and the impact on its internal controls; |
· | Designing and implementing formal processes, policies and procedures supporting Archer’s financial close process, including completion of business performance reviews and creation of standard balance sheet reconciliation templates and journal entry controls; and |
· | Designing and implementing IT general controls, including controls over the review and update of user access rights and privileges, change management processes and procedures, and data backup authorization and monitoring. |
While Archer believes these efforts will remediate the material weaknesses, Archer may not be able to complete its evaluation, testing or any required remediation in a timely fashion, or at all. Archer cannot assure you that the measures it has taken to date and may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to its material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. The effectiveness of Archer’s internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. Any failure to design or maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement could increase compliance costs, negatively impact share trading prices, or otherwise harm Archer’s operating results or cause it to fail to meet its reporting obligations.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Archer’s independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph relating to Archer’s ability to continue as a going concern in its report on Archer’s audited financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Archer’s report from their independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes an explanatory paragraph stating that Archer’s recurring losses from operations and cash outflows from operating activities raise substantial doubt about Archer’s ability to continue as a going concern. Archer’s consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty and do not reflect the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination. If the Business Combination is not consummated and Archer is not able to obtain sufficient funding, its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be harmed and Archer may be unable to continue as a going concern. If Archer is unable to continue as a going concern, it may have to liquidate its assets and may receive less than the value at which those assets are carried on its audited financial statements, and it is likely that investors would lose part or all of their investment. Future reports from Archer’s independent registered public accounting firm may also contain statements expressing substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. If there remains substantial doubt about Archer’s ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to Archer on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and Archer’s business may be harmed.
31
If Archer experiences harm to its reputation and brand, Archer’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Continuing to increase the strength of its reputation and brand for high-performing, sustainable, safe and cost-effective urban air mobility is critical to Archer’s ability to attract and retain customers and partners. In addition, Archer’s growth strategy includes international expansion through joint ventures, minority investments or other partnerships with local companies as well as event activations and cross-marketing with other established brands, all of which benefit from Archer’s reputation and brand recognition. The successful development of Archer’s reputation and brand will depend on a number of factors, many of which are outside its control. Negative perception of Archer’s platform or company may harm its reputation and brand, including as a result of:
· | complaints or negative publicity or reviews about Archer, independent third-party aircraft operators or fliers, its air mobility services or other brands or events Archer associate with, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents; |
· | changes to Archer’s operations, safety and security, privacy or other policies that users or others perceive as overly restrictive, unclear or inconsistent with Archer’s values; |
· | illegal, negligent, reckless or otherwise inappropriate behavior by fliers, independent or other third parties involved in the operation of Archer’s business or by Archer’s management team or other employees; |
· | actual or perceived disruptions or defects in Archer’s flight control software or aerial ride sharing platform, such as data security incidents, platform outages, payment processing disruptions or other incidents that impact the availability, reliability or security of Archer’s offerings; |
· | litigation over, or investigations by regulators into, Archer’s operations or those of Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators; |
· | a failure to operate Archer’s business in a way that is consistent with its values; |
· | negative responses by independent third-party aircraft operators or fliers to new mobility offerings; |
· | perception of Archer’s treatment of employees, contractors or independent third-party aircraft operators and Archer’s response to their sentiment related to political or social causes or actions of management; or |
· | any of the foregoing with respect to Archer’s competitors, to the extent such resulting negative perception affects the public’s perception of Archer or its industry as a whole. |
In addition, changes Archer may make to enhance and improve its offerings and balance the needs and interests of its independent third-party aircraft operators and fliers may be viewed positively from one group’s perspective (such as fliers) but negatively from another’s perspective (such as independent third-party aircraft operators), or may not be viewed positively by either independent third-party aircraft operators or fliers. If Archer fails to balance the interests of independent third-party aircraft operators and fliers or make changes that they view negatively, independent third-party aircraft operators and fliers may stop purchasing Archer’s aircraft or stop using Archer’s platform or take fewer flights, any of which could adversely affect Archer’s reputation, brand, business, financial condition and results of operations.
32
The markets for Archer’s offerings are still in relatively early stages of growth, and if such markets do not continue to grow, grow more slowly than Archer expects or fail to grow as large as it expects, Archer’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
The markets for Archer’s eVTOL aircraft are still in relatively early stages of growth, and Archer’s success in these markets is dependent upon its ability to effectively market and sell air urban air mobility as a substitute for conventional methods of transportation and the effectiveness of its other marketing and growth strategies. If the public does not perceive urban air mobility as beneficial, or chooses not to adopt urban air mobility as a result of concerns regarding safety, affordability or for other reasons, then the market for Archer’s offerings may not further develop, may develop more slowly than Archer expects or may not achieve the growth potential it expects, any of which could harm Archer’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Growth of Archer’s business will require significant investments in its Vertiport infrastructure, technology and marketing and sales efforts. If Archer’s business does not generate the level of available cash flow required to support these investments, Archer’s results of operations will be negatively affected. Further, Archer’s ability to effectively manage growth and expansion of its operations will also require Archer to enhance its operational systems, internal controls and infrastructure, human resources policies and reporting systems. These enhancements will require significant capital expenditures and allocation of valuable management and employee resources.
The eVTOL aircraft industry may not continue to develop, eVTOL aircraft may not be adopted by the market or Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators, eVTOL aircraft may not be certified by transportation authorities or eVTOL aircraft may not deliver the expected reduction in operating costs, any of which could adversely affect Archer’s prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.
eVTOL aircraft involve a complex set of technologies, which Archer must continue to further develop and rely on its independent third-party aircraft operators to adopt. However, before eVTOL aircraft can fly passengers, Archer must receive requisite approvals from federal transportation authorities. No eVTOL aircraft are currently certified by the FAA for commercial operations in the United States, and there is no assurance that Archer’s research and development will result in government-certified aircraft that are market- viable or commercially successful in a timely manner or at all. In order to gain government certification, the performance, reliability and safety of eVTOL aircraft must be proven, none of which can be assured. In particular, there is a risk that Archer will not obtain approval for one or more of the type certification from the FAA that are required for ultimate certification and commercial use of its aircraft, or will experience delays in receiving one or more of the type certifications from the FAA. Even if eVTOL aircraft are certified, individual operators must conform eVTOL aircraft to their licenses, which requires FAA approval, and individual pilots also must be licensed and approved by the FAA to fly eVTOL aircraft, which could contribute to delays in any widespread use of eVTOL aircraft and potentially limit the number of eVTOL aircraft operators available to partner with Archer.
Additional challenges to the adoption of eVTOL aircraft, all of which are outside of Archer’s control, include:
· | market acceptance of eVTOL aircraft; |
· | state, federal or municipal licensing requirements and other regulatory measures; |
· | necessary changes to Vertiport infrastructure to enable adoption, including installation of necessary charging equipment; and |
· | public perception regarding the safety of eVTOL aircraft. |
33
There are a number of existing laws, regulations and standards that may apply to eVTOL aircraft, including standards that were not originally intended to apply to electric aircraft. Regulatory changes that address eVTOL aircraft more specifically could delay the ability of Archer to receive type certification by transportation authorities and thus delay Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators’ ability to utilize eVTOL aircraft for their flights. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market will accept eVTOL aircraft, that Archer will be able to execute on its business strategy, or that Archer’s offerings utilizing eVTOL aircraft will obtain the necessary government operating authority or be successful in the market. There may be heightened public skepticism of this nascent technology and its adopters. In particular, there could be negative public perception surrounding eVTOL aircraft, including the overall safety and the potential for injuries or death occurring as a result of accidents involving eVTOL aircraft, regardless of whether any such safety incidents occur involving Archer. Any of the foregoing risks and challenges could adversely affect Archer’s prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Archer may be unable to manage its future growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute Archer’s business strategy.
If Archer’s operations continue to grow as planned, of which there can be no assurance, Archer will need to expand its sales, marketing, operations, and the number of partners with whom Archer does business. Archer’s continued growth could increase the strain on its resources, and it could experience operating difficulties, including difficulties in hiring, training and managing an increasing number of employees. These difficulties may result in the erosion of Archer’s brand image, divert the attention of management and key employees and impact financial and operational results. The continued expansion of Archer’s business may also require additional space for administrative support. If Archer is unable to drive commensurate growth, these costs, which include lease commitments, marketing costs and headcount, could result in decreased margins, which could have an adverse effect on Archer’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Operation of aircraft involves a degree of inherent risk. Archer could suffer losses and adverse publicity stemming from any accident involving small aircraft, helicopters or charter flights and in particular from any accident involving its independent third-party aircraft operators.
The operation of aircraft is subject to various risks, and demand for air transportation, including Archer’s urban air mobility offerings, has and may in the future be impacted by accidents or other safety issues regardless of whether such accidents or issues involve Archer flights, its independent third-party aircraft operators or aircraft flown by Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators. Air transportation hazards, such as adverse weather conditions and fire and mechanical failures, may result in death or injury to personnel and passengers and which could impact client or passenger confidence in a particular aircraft type or the air transportation services industry as a whole and could lead to a reduction in passenger volume, particularly if such accidents or disasters were due to a safety fault. Safety statistics for air travel are reported by multiple parties, including the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and National Transportation Safety Board, and are often separated into categories of transportation. Because Archer’s urban air mobility offerings may include a variety of transportation methods, fliers may have a hard time determining how safe urban air mobility services are and their confidence in urban air mobility may be impacted by, among other things, the classification of accidents in ways that reflect poorly on urban air mobility services or the transportation methods urban air mobility services utilize.
Archer believes that safety and reliability are two of the primary attributes fliers consider when selecting air transportation services. Archer’s failure to maintain standards of safety and reliability that are satisfactory to fliers may adversely impact its ability to retain current customers and attract new customers. Archer is at risk of adverse publicity stemming from any public incident involving Archer, our people or our brand. Such an incident could involve the actual or alleged behavior of any of Archer’s employees or independent third-party aircraft operators. Further, if Archer’s personnel, one of its independent third-party aircraft operators’ aircraft, one of Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators’ Archer-branded aircraft, or a type of aircraft in Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators’ fleet that is used by Archer is involved in a public incident, accident, catastrophe or regulatory enforcement action, Archer could be exposed to significant reputational harm and potential legal liability. The insurance Archer carries may be inapplicable or inadequate to cover any such incident, accident, catastrophe or action. In the event that Archer’s insurance is inapplicable or inadequate, Archer may be forced to bear substantial losses from an incident or accident. In addition, any such incident, accident, catastrophe or action involving Archer’s employees, one of the Archer-branded aircraft used by Archer belonging to Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators’ fleet (or personnel and aircraft of Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators), or the same type of aircraft could create an adverse public perception, which could harm Archer’s reputation, result in air travelers being reluctant to use Archer’s services, and adversely impact Archer’s business, results of operations and financial condition. If one or more of Archer’s independent third-party aircraft operators were to suffer an accident or lose the ability to fly certain aircraft due to safety concerns or investigations, Archer may be required to cancel or delay certain flights until replacement aircraft and personnel are obtained.
34
Archer’s operations may also be negatively impacted by accidents or other safety-related events or investigations that occur in or near the airports and heliports Archer plans to utilize for Archer’s urban air mobility services. For example, if an accident were to occur at a heliport Archer relies on for certain flights in the future (assuming Archer is granted government operating authority to do so), Archer may be unable to fly into or out of that heliport until the accident has been cleared, any damage to the facilities have been repaired and any insurance, regulatory or other investigations have be completed.
Additionally, the battery packs in Archer’s aircraft are expected to use lithium-ion cells. On rare occasions, lithium-ion cells can rapidly release the energy they contain by venting smoke and flames in a manner that can ignite nearby materials as well as other lithium-ion cells. While Archer has taken measures to enhance the safety of its battery designs, a field or testing failure of its aircraft could occur in the future, which could subject Archer to lawsuits, product recalls, or redesign efforts, all of which would be time-consuming and expensive. Also, negative public perceptions regarding the suitability of lithium-ion cells for aerospace applications or any future incident involving lithium-ion cells such as an aircraft or other fire, even if such incident does not involve Archer’s aircraft, could seriously harm its business.
From time to time Archer is expected to store varying amounts of lithium-ion cells at its facilities. In addition, Archer’s manufacturing partners and suppliers are expected to store a significant number of lithium-ion cells at their facilities. Any mishandling of battery cells may cause disruption to the operation of our facilities or our manufacturers. A safety issue or fire related to the cells could disrupt operations or cause manufacturing delays. Such damage or injury could lead to adverse publicity and potentially a safety recall. Moreover, any failure of a competitor’s eVTOL aircraft or energy storage product may cause indirect adverse publicity for Archer and its aircraft. Such adverse publicity could negatively affect Archer’s brand and harm its business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Archer is highly dependent on Archer’s senior management team and other highly skilled personnel, and if Archer is not successful in attracting or retaining highly qualified personnel, it may not be able to successfully implement Archer’s business strategy.
Archer’s success depends, in significant part, on the continued services of its senior management team and on Archer’s ability to attract, motivate, develop and retain a sufficient number of other highly skilled personnel, including finance, marketing, sales, and technology and support personnel. Archer believes that the breadth and depth of its senior management team’s experience across multiple industries will be instrumental to our success. The loss of any one or more members of Archer’s senior management team, for any reason, including resignation or retirement, could impair Archer’s ability to execute its business strategy and harm Archer’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, Archer’s financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if Archer is unable to attract and retain skilled employees to support Archer’s operations and growth.
Archer’s business may be adversely affected by labor and union activities.
Although none of Archer’s employees are currently represented by a labor union, it is common throughout the aerospace industry generally for many employees at aerospace companies to belong to a union, which can result in higher employee costs and increased risk of work stoppages. Archer may also directly and indirectly depend upon other companies with unionized work forces, such as parts suppliers and trucking and freight companies, and work stoppages or strikes organized by such unions could harm Archer’s business, financial condition or operating results.
Archer expects that its United Airlines purchase agreement and that future purchase orders will be subject to indexed price escalation clauses which could subject Archer to losses if it has cost overruns or if increases in its costs exceed the applicable escalation rate.
Commercial aircraft sales contracts are often entered into years before the aircraft are delivered. In order to help account for economic fluctuations between the contract date and delivery date, aircraft pricing generally consists of a fixed amount as modified by price escalation formulas derived from labor, commodity and other price indices. Our revenue estimates are based on current expectations with respect to these escalation formulas, but the actual escalation amounts are outside of our control. Escalation factors can fluctuate significantly from period to period and changes in escalation amounts can significantly impact revenues and operating margins in our eVTOL business. We can make no assurance that any customer, current or future, will exercise purchase options, fulfill existing purchase commitments or purchase additional products or services from us. The terms and conditions of the United Airlines purchase agreement regarding price escalation clauses are yet to be determined, and there is no assurance that they will be determined in a manner that will mitigate the risks described above.
35
Archer currently relies and will continue to rely on third-party partners to provide and store the parts and components required to manufacture Archer’s aircraft, and to supply critical components and systems, which exposes it to a number of risks and uncertainties outside its control.
Archer is substantially reliant on its relationships with its suppliers and service providers for the parts and components in its aircraft. If any of these suppliers or service partners were to experience delays, disruptions, capacity constraints or quality control problems in its manufacturing operations, or if they choose to not do business with Archer, Archer would have significant difficulty in procuring and producing Archer’s aircraft, and Archer’s business prospects would be significantly harmed. These disruptions would negatively impact Archer’s revenues, competitive position and reputation. In addition, Archer’s suppliers or service partners may rely on certain state tax incentives that may be subject to change or elimination in the future, which could result in additional costs and delays in production if a new manufacturing site must be obtained. Further, if Archer is unable to manage successfully its relationship with its suppliers or service partners, the quality and availability of its aircraft may be harmed. Archer’s suppliers or service partners could, under some circumstances, decline to accept new purchase orders from or otherwise reduce their business with Archer. If Archer’s suppliers or service partners stopped manufacturing Archer’s aircraft components for any reason or reduced manufacturing capacity, Archer may be unable to replace the lost manufacturing capacity on a timely and comparatively cost-effective basis, which would adversely impact its operations.
The manufacturing facilities of Archer’s suppliers or service partners and the equipment used to manufacture the components for Archer’s aircraft would be costly to replace and could require substantial lead time to replace and qualify for use. The manufacturing facilities of Archer’s suppliers or service partners may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, flooding, fire and power outages, or by health epidemics, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which may render it difficult or impossible for Archer to manufacture its aircraft for some period of time. The inability to manufacture Archer’s aircraft components or the backlog that could develop if the manufacturing facilities of its suppliers or service partners are inoperable for even a short period of time may result in the loss of customers or harm Archer’s reputation.
Archer does not control its suppliers or service partners or such parties’ labor and other legal compliance practices, including their environmental, health and safety practices. If Archer’s current suppliers or service partners, or any other suppliers or service partners which it may use in the future, violates U.S. or foreign laws or regulations, Archer may be subjected to extra duties, significant monetary penalties, adverse publicity, the seizure and forfeiture of products that Archer is attempting to import or the loss of its import privileges. The effects of these factors could render the conduct of Archer’s business in a particular country undesirable or impractical and have a negative impact on Archer’s operating results.
Archer has been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by health epidemics and pandemics, including the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the duration and economic, governmental and social impact of which is difficult to predict, which may significantly harm Archer’s business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Archer faces various risks related to public health issues, including epidemics, pandemics and other outbreaks, including the recent pandemic of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. The impact of COVID-19, including changes in consumer and business behavior, pandemic fears and market downturns and restrictions on business and individual activities, has created significant volatility in the global economy and led to reduced economic activity. The spread of COVID-19 has also created a disruption in the manufacturing, delivery and overall supply chain of aircraft manufacturers and suppliers, and has led to a global decrease in aircraft sales and usage in markets around the world. The duration and long-term impact of COVID-19 on Archer’s business is currently unknown.
The pandemic has resulted in government authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. These measures may adversely impact Archer’s employees and operations and the operations of its suppliers, vendors and business partners, and may negatively impact its sales and marketing activities and the production schedule of its aircraft. In addition, various aspects of Archer’s business cannot be conducted remotely, including the testing and manufacturing of its aircraft. These measures by government authorities may remain in place for a significant period of time and they are likely to continue to adversely affect Archer’s testing, manufacturing and building plans, sales and marketing activities, business and results of operations.
36
The spread of COVID-19 has caused Archer and many of its contractors and service providers to modify their business practices (including employee travel, recommending that all non-essential personnel work from home and cancellation or reduction of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences), and Archer and its contractors and service providers may be required to take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that it determines are in the best interests of its employees, customers, suppliers, vendors and business partners. There is no certainty that such actions will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the virus or otherwise be satisfactory to government authorities. If significant portions of Archer’s workforce or contractors and service providers are unable to work effectively, including due to illness, quarantines, social distancing, government actions or other restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, Archer’s operations will be impacted.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts Archer’s business, prospects and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating activities can resume. The COVID-19 pandemic could limit the ability of Archer’s customers, suppliers, vendors and business partners to perform, including third-party suppliers’ ability to provide components and materials used in its aircraft. Archer may also experience an increase in the cost of raw materials used in its commercial production of Archer’s aircraft. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, Archer may continue to experience an adverse impact to its business as a result of COVID-19’s global economic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future.
There are no comparable recent events which may provide guidance as to the effect of the spread of COVID-19 and a pandemic, and, as a result, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. Archer does not yet know the full extent of COVID-19’s impact on its business, operations, or the global economy as a whole. However, the effects could have a material impact on Archer’s results of operations, and Archer will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Archer’s long term success and ability to significantly grow its revenue will depend, in part, on its ability to establish and expand into international markets and/or expand market segments.
Archer’s future results will depend, in part, on its ability to establish and expand its presence within international markets and into the market segments of defense or logistics/cargo. Archer’s ability to expand into these markets will depend upon its ability to obtain the necessary international certifications, adapt to international markets, understand the broader customer base, and address any unique technological requirements. Archer’s ability to expand internationally involves various risks, including, but not limited to, the need to invest significant resources in such expansion, and the possibility that returns on such investments will not be achieved in the near future or at all in these less familiar competitive environments. Archer may also choose to conduct its international business through joint ventures, minority investments or other partnerships with local companies as well as event activations and cross-marketing with other established brands. If Archer is unable to identify partners or negotiate favorable terms, its international growth may be limited. In addition, Archer may incur significant expenses in advance of generating material revenue as it attempts to establish its presence in particular international markets or market segments outside of passenger traffic.
Archer is subject to cybersecurity risks to its operational systems, security systems, infrastructure, integrated software in its aircraft and customer data processed by Archer or third-party vendors.
Archer is at risk for interruptions, outages and breaches of its: (a) operational systems, including business, financial, accounting, product development, data processing or production processes, owned by Archer or its third-party vendors or suppliers; (b) facility security systems, owned by Archer or its third-party vendors or suppliers; (c) aircraft technology including powertrain and avionics and flight control software, owned by Archer or its third-party vendors or suppliers; (d) the integrated software in Archer’s aircraft; or (e) customer data that Archer processes or its third-party vendors or suppliers process on its behalf. Such incidents could: disrupt Archer’s operational systems; result in loss of intellectual property, trade secrets or other proprietary or competitively sensitive information; compromise certain information of customers, employees, suppliers, or others; jeopardize the security of Archer’s facilities; or affect the performance of in-product technology and the integrated software in Archer’s aircraft.
37
Archer plans to include avionics and flight control software services and functionality that utilize data connectivity to monitor aircraft performance and to enhance safety and enable cost-saving preventative maintenance. The availability and effectiveness of Archer’s services depend on the continued operation of information technology and communications systems. Archer’s systems will be vulnerable to damage or interruption from, among others, physical theft, fire, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, power loss, war, telecommunications failures, viruses, denial or degradation of service attacks, ransomware, social engineering schemes, insider theft or misuse or other attempts to harm Archer’s systems. Archer intends to use its avionics and flight control software and functionality to log information about each aircraft’s use in order to aid Archer in aircraft diagnostics and servicing. Archer’s customers may object to the use of this data, which may increase Archer’s vehicle maintenance costs and harm its business prospects.
Moreover, there are inherent risks associated with developing, improving, expanding and updating Archer’s current systems, such as the disruption of Archer’s data management, procurement, production execution, finance, supply chain and sales and service processes. These risks may affect Archer’s ability to manage its data and inventory, procure parts or supplies or manufacture, deploy, deliver and service its aircraft, adequately protect its intellectual property or achieve and maintain compliance with, or realize available benefits under, applicable laws, regulations and contracts. Archer cannot be sure that these systems upon which it relies, including those of its third-party vendors or suppliers, will be effectively implemented, maintained or expanded as planned. If Archer does not successfully implement, maintain or expand these systems as planned, its operations may be disrupted and its ability to accurately and timely report its financial results could be impaired. Moreover, Archer’s proprietary information or intellectual property could be compromised or misappropriated, and its reputation may be adversely affected. If these systems do not operate as Archer expects them to, Archer may be required to expend significant resources to make corrections or find alternative sources for performing these functions.
Failure to comply with federal, state and foreign laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and consumer protection, or the expansion of current laws and regulations or the enactment of new laws or regulations in these areas, could adversely affect Archer’s business and Archer’s financial condition.
Archer is subject to or affected by a number of federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as contractual obligations and industry standards, that impose certain obligations and restrictions with respect to data privacy and security, and govern Archer’s collection, storage, retention, protection, use, processing, transmission, sharing and disclosure of personal information including that of its employees, customers and others. Most jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals, regulatory authorities and others of security breaches involving certain types of data. Such laws may be inconsistent or may change or additional laws may be adopted. In addition, Archer’s agreements with certain customers may require New Archer to notify them in the event of a security breach. Such mandatory disclosures are costly, could lead to negative publicity, result in penalties or fines, result in litigation, may cause Archer’s customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of Archer’s security measures and require New Archer to expend significant capital and other resources to respond to and/or alleviate problems caused by the actual or perceived security breach.
The global data protection landscape is rapidly evolving, and implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Archer may not be able to monitor and react to all developments in a timely manner. For example, California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act (the ‘‘CCPA’’), which became effective in January 2020. The CCPA establishes a privacy framework for covered businesses, including an expansive definition of personal information and data privacy rights for California residents. The CCPA includes a framework with potentially severe statutory damages and private rights of action. The CCPA requires covered businesses to provide new disclosures to California residents, provide them new ways to opt-out of certain disclosures of personal information, and allow for a new cause of action for data breaches. As Archer expands its operations, the CCPA may increase Archer’s compliance costs and potential liability. Some observers have noted that the CCPA could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in the United States. Other states have begun to propose similar laws. Compliance with any applicable privacy and data security laws and regulations is a rigorous and time-intensive process, and Archer may be required to put in place additional mechanisms to comply with such laws and regulations.
Archer publishes privacy policies and other documentation regarding its collection, processing, use and disclosure of personal information and/or other confidential information. Although Archer endeavors to comply with its published policies and other documentation, Archer may at times fail to do so or may be perceived to have failed to do so. Moreover, despite its efforts, Archer may not be successful in achieving compliance if Archer’s employees, contractors, service providers or vendors fail to comply with its published policies and documentation. Such failures can subject Archer to potential local, state and federal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair, or misrepresentative of its actual practices. Claims that Archer has violated individuals’ privacy rights or failed to comply with data protection laws or applicable privacy notices even if Archer is not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm its business.
38
Archer is subject to risks associated with climate change, including the potential increased impacts of severe weather events on our operations and infrastructure.
The potential physical effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, fires, fog, mist, freezing conditions, sea-level rise and other climate-related events, could affect Archer’s operations, infrastructure and financial results. Certain of the airports where Archer’s terminal facilities are expected to initially be located in connection with its aerial ride sharing operations are susceptible to the impacts of storm-related flooding and sea-level rise, which could result in costs and loss of revenue. Archer could incur significant costs to improve the climate resiliency of its infrastructure and otherwise prepare for, respond to, and mitigate such physical effects of climate change. Archer is not able to accurately predict the materiality of any potential losses or costs associated with the physical effects of climate change.
Archer intends to retain certain personal information about its aircraft, customers, employees or others that, if compromised, could harm Archer’s financial performance and results of operations or prospects.
Archer is subject to a wide variety of laws in the United States and other jurisdictions related to privacy, data protection and consumer protection that are often complex and subject to varying interpretations. As a result, these privacy, data protection and consumer protection laws may change or develop over time through judicial decisions or as new guidance or interpretations are provided by regulatory and governing bodies and such changes or developments may be contrary to Archer’s existing practices. This may cause Archer to expend resources on updating, changing or eliminating some of our privacy and data protection practices.
Archer plans to collect, store, transmit and otherwise process data from aircraft, customers, employees and others as part of its business and operations, which may include personal data or confidential or proprietary information. Archer also works with partners and third-party service providers or vendors that collect, store and process such data on its behalf and in connection with its aircraft. There can be no assurance that any security measures that Archer or its third-party service providers or vendors have implemented will be effective against current or future security threats. If a compromise of data were to occur, Archer may become liable under its contracts with other parties and under applicable law for damages and incur penalties and other costs to respond to, investigate and remedy such an incident. Archer’s systems, networks and physical facilities could be breached, or personal information could otherwise be compromised due to employee error or malfeasance, if, for example, third parties attempt to fraudulently induce Archer’s employees or Archer’s customers to disclose information or user names and/or passwords. Third parties may also exploit vulnerabilities in, or obtain unauthorized access to, platforms, systems, networks and/or physical facilities utilized by Archer’s service providers and vendors.
Archer’s aircraft contain complex information technology systems and built-in data connectivity to share aircraft data with ground operations infrastructure. Archer plans to design, implement and test security measures intended to prevent unauthorized access to its information technology networks, its aircraft and related systems. However, hackers may attempt to gain unauthorized access to modify, alter and use such networks, aircraft and systems to gain control of or to change Archer’s aircraft’s functionality, performance characteristics, or to gain access to data stored in or generated by the aircraft. A significant breach of Archer’s third-party service providers’ or vendors’ or its own network security and systems could have serious negative consequences for Archer’s business and future prospects, including possible fines, penalties and damages, reduced customer demand for its aircraft or urban aerial ride sharing services and harm to its reputation and brand.
Archer may not have adequate insurance coverage. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against Archer that exceeds its available insurance coverage, or results in changes to its insurance policies (including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements), could have an adverse effect on its business. In addition, Archer cannot be sure that its existing insurance coverage will continue to be available on acceptable terms or that Archer’s insurers will not deny coverage as to any future claim.
39
Archer will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and its management will devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
If Archer completes the Business Combination and becomes a public company, it will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that it did not incur as a private company, and these expenses may increase even more after Archer is no longer an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act. As a public company, Archer will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and NYSE. Archer’s management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, Archer expects these rules and regulations to substantially increase its legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. The increased costs will increase Archer’s net loss. For example, Archer expects these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for it to obtain director and officer liability insurance and it may be forced to accept reduced policy limits or incur substantially higher costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. Archer cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs it may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for Archer to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on its board of directors, its board committees or as executive officers.
Archer is or may be subject to risks associated with strategic alliances or acquisitions and may not be able to identify adequate strategic relationship opportunities, or form strategic relationships, in the future.
Archer has entered into strategic alliances, and may in the future enter into additional strategic alliances or joint ventures or minority equity investments, in each case with various third parties for the production of its aircraft as well as with other collaborators with capabilities on data and analytics and engineering. These alliances subject Archer to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance by the third-party and increased expenses in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may adversely affect Archer’s business. Archer may have limited ability to monitor or control the actions of these third parties and, to the extent any of these strategic third parties suffers negative publicity or harm to their reputation from events relating to their business, Archer may also suffer negative publicity or harm to its reputation by virtue of its association with any such third-party.
Strategic business relationships will be an important factor in the growth and success of Archer’s business. However, there are no assurances that Archer will be able to continue to identify or secure suitable business relationship opportunities in the future or Archer’s competitors may capitalize on such opportunities before Archer does. Moreover, identifying such opportunities could require substantial management time and resources, and negotiating and financing relationships involves significant costs and uncertainties. If Archer is unable to successfully source and execute on strategic relationship opportunities in the future, its overall growth could be impaired, and its business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
When appropriate opportunities arise, Archer may acquire additional assets, products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to its existing business. In addition to possible stockholder approval, Archer may need approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities for the acquisitions and to comply with any applicable laws and regulations, which could result in increased delay and costs, and may disrupt Archer’s business strategy if it fails to do so. Furthermore, acquisitions and the subsequent integration of new assets and businesses into Archer’s own require significant attention from Archer’s management and could result in a diversion of resources from Archer’s existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on Archer’s operations. Acquired assets or businesses may not generate the financial results Archer expects. Acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the occurrence of significant goodwill impairment charges, amortization expenses for other intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Moreover, the costs of identifying and consummating acquisitions may be significant.
40
Archer has been named in civil litigation alleging misappropriation by Archer of a competitor’s trade secrets and infringement by Archer of certain of the competitor’s patents. Additionally, one of Archer’s employees was the subject of a search warrant relating to a federal government investigation, and Archer as well as three of Archer’s employees have been served with grand jury subpoenas in connection with such investigation. These civil and criminal proceedings and similar allegations or legal actions in the future may be time-consuming and expensive and, if adversely determined, could delay, limit or prevent Archer’s ability to commercialize its aircraft or otherwise execute on its business plan.
Archer is currently involved in the following legal actions:
· | On March 30, 2021, one of Archer’s employees, who is a former employee of Wisk, had a search warrant executed at his home in connection with a federal investigation. In addition, Archer and three of Archer’s employees, who are also former Wisk employees, received grand jury subpoenas from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California in relation to the same investigation. The grand jury subpoenas seek documents and information about Archer’s business, including its hiring practices and intellectual property, as well as documents and information relating to the employment of such employees at Wisk, including Wisk’s intellectual property, business plans, and information relating to Wisk’s aircraft design. Archer has informed Atlas that it is cooperating with the investigation of the employee. As of August 10, 2021, the investigation is ongoing. |
· | On April 6, 2021, Wisk brought a lawsuit against Archer in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that Archer misappropriated Wisk’s trade secrets in developing Archer’s eVTOL aircraft. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that aspects of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft infringe four of Wisk’s patents. Wisk alleges that Archer carried out its purported misappropriation through one or more former Wisk employees who allegedly brought confidential trade secret materials from Wisk to Archer when joining Archer in early 2020. On May 19, 2021, Wisk filed a motion for preliminary injunction and expedited discovery. |
· | On June 1, 2021, Archer filed a motion to dismiss and counterclaims and issued a press release in response to Wisk’s allegations. |
· | On June 15, 2021, Wisk amended its complaint, and the following day Archer filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. |
· | On June 23, 2021, Archer filed an opposition to the motion for preliminary injunction and issued a press release the following day. |
· | On July 13, 2021, Archer filed amended counterclaims. |
· | On July 22, 2021, the Court denied Wisk’s motion for preliminary injunction. |
· | On July 27, 2021, Wisk filed a motion to strike and dismiss certain of Archer’s amended counterclaims. |
The proceedings are in the early stages. Due to confidentiality issues related to the litigation, Atlas and its advisors do not have full access to the record and must rely, in part, on representations from Archer and its counsel. Archer cannot predict their outcome or impact on Archer and its business. With respect to the federal investigation of the former Wisk employee, there can be no assurance that Archer itself will not be named as a subject or target of the pending investigation or other government investigations in the future. Archer has incurred and expects to continue to incur costs in responding to the proceedings. Archer’s business plan does not include the cost of defending a long-term litigation with Wisk or any meaningful award of damages or settlement with Wisk.
In addition, other holders of intellectual property rights relating to battery packs, electric motors, aircraft configurations, fly-by-wire flight control software, electronic power management systems or any other technology relevant to Archer’s business may initiate legal proceedings alleging infringement or misappropriation of such rights by Archer and its employees, either with respect to Archer’s own intellectual property or intellectual property Archer licenses from third parties.
41
Archer’s pending proceedings and other future legal proceedings against Archer or its employees, regardless of outcome or merit, could be time consuming and expensive to defend or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management and technical resources, delay, limit or prevent Archer’s ability to make, develop, commercialize or deploy its aircraft and aerial ride sharing services and deteriorate Archer’s reputation and its business relationships, any of which could make it more difficult or impossible for Archer to operate its business or otherwise execute on its business plan and significantly adversely affect Archer’s business, financial condition, or results of operations. In the event of an adverse outcome of the litigation, Archer may have to cease developing and/or using the asserted intellectual property, which could significantly adversely impact Archer’s business, financial condition, or results of operation.
In response to a determination or resolution that Archer or any of its employees have infringed upon or misappropriated a third party’s intellectual property rights, Archer may be required to take certain actions, including (without limitation) one or more of the following:
· | cease development, sales or use of its Archer aircraft or other products; |
· | pay substantial damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs and other amounts; |
· | transfer intellectual property rights to a competitor; |
· | obtain a license from the owner of the asserted intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or available at all; |
· | terminate the employment of key employees; |
· | develop or re-develop an alternative design of Archer aircraft; or |
· | re-develop one or more other aspects or systems of its aircraft or other offerings. |
A successful claim of infringement or misappropriation against Archer or any of its employees could delay, limit or prevent Archer’s ability to commercialize its aircraft and could significantly adversely affect its business, prospects, financial condition or operating results. Even if Archer is successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and distraction to the company and its management over many years.
Archer’s business may be adversely affected if it is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use by third parties.
Failure to adequately protect Archer’s intellectual property rights could result in Archer’s competitors offering similar products or services, potentially resulting in the loss of some of Archer’s competitive advantage and a decrease in its revenue, which could adversely affect Archer’s business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. Archer’s success depends, at least in part, on its ability to protect its core technology and intellectual property. To accomplish this, Archer will rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets (including know-how), employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements, copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property licenses and other contractual rights to establish and protect Archer’s rights in its technology.
The protection of Archer’s intellectual property rights will be important to its future business opportunities. However, the measures Archer takes to protect its intellectual property from unauthorized use by others may not be effective for various reasons, including the following:
· | as noted below, any patent applications Archer submits may not result in the issuance of patents (and patents have not yet issued to Archer based on its pending applications); |
· | the scope of Archer’s patents that may subsequently issue may not be broad enough to protect its proprietary rights; |
· | Archer’s issued patents may be challenged or invalidated by third parties; |
· | Archer’s employees or business partners may breach their confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use obligations to Archer; |
42
· | third parties may independently develop technologies that are the same or similar to Archer’s; |
· | the costs associated with enforcing patents, confidentiality and invention agreements or other intellectual property rights may make enforcement impracticable; and |
· | current and future competitors may circumvent or otherwise design around Archer’s patents. |
Patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws vary throughout the world. Some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Further, policing the unauthorized use of Archer’s intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions may be difficult. Therefore, Archer’s intellectual property rights may not be as strong or as easily enforced outside of the U.S.
Also, while Archer has registered and applied for trademarks in an effort to protect its investment in its brand and goodwill with customers, competitors may challenge the validity of those trademarks and other brand names in which Archer has invested. Such challenges can be expensive and may adversely affect Archer’s ability to maintain the goodwill gained in connection with a particular trademark.
To the extent Archer expands its international activities, its exposure to unauthorized use of its technologies and proprietary information may increase. Archer may also fail to detect unauthorized use of its intellectual property, or be required to expend significant resources to monitor and protect its intellectual property rights, including engaging in litigation, which may be costly, time-consuming, and divert the attention of management and resources, and may not ultimately be successful. If Archer fails to meaningfully establish, maintain, protect and enforce its intellectual property rights internationally, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Archer’s aerial ride sharing operations will initially be concentrated in a small number of metropolitan areas and airports which makes Archer’s business particularly susceptible to natural disasters, outbreaks and pandemics, economic, social, weather, growth constraints and regulatory conditions or other circumstances affecting these metropolitan areas.
Archer expects to initially launch its aerial ride sharing offering in limited jurisdictions subject to receipt of the necessary operating authority. Accordingly, Archer’s business and results of operations are particularly susceptible to adverse economic, regulatory, political, weather and other conditions in other markets that may become similarly concentrated. As a result of Archer’s geographic concentration, its business and financial results relating to its aerial ride sharing operations will be particularly susceptible to natural disasters, outbreaks and pandemics, economic, social, weather, growth constraints and regulatory conditions or other circumstances in each of these metropolitan areas. In addition, any changes to local laws or regulations within these key metropolitan areas that affect Archer’s ability to operate or increase its operating expenses in these markets would have an adverse effect on Archer’s business, financial condition and operating results.
Disruption of operations at the airports where Archer’s terminal facilities are expected to initially be located, whether caused by labor relations, utility or communications issues or fuel shortages, could harm Archer’s business. Certain airports may regulate flight operations, such as limiting the number of landings per year, which could reduce Archer’s aerial ride sharing operations. Bans on Archer’s airport operations or the introduction of any new permitting requirements would significantly disrupt its operations. In addition, demand for Archer’s urban air mobility services could be impacted if drop-offs or pick-ups of fliers become inconvenient because of airport rules or regulations, or more expensive for fliers because of airport- imposed fees, which would adversely affect Archer’s business, financial condition and operating results.
Archer’s expected concentration in large metropolitan areas and heavily trafficked airports also makes its business susceptible to an outbreak of a contagious disease, such as the Ebola virus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, H1N1 influenza virus, avian flu, Zika virus, COVID-19 or any other similar illness, both due to the risk of a contagious disease being introduced into the metropolitan area through the high volume of travelers flying into and out of such airports and the ease at which contagious diseases can spread through densely populated areas, as seen with the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York.
43
Natural disasters, including tornados, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, and severe weather conditions, such as heavy rains, strong winds, dense fog, blizzards or snowstorms, may damage Archer’s facilities, those of independent third-party aircraft operators or otherwise disrupt flights into or out of the airports from which Archer’s aircraft arrive or depart.
Major metropolitan areas, including those in which Archer expects to operate in, are also at risk of terrorist attacks, actual or threatened acts of war, political disruptions and other disruptions. The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, severe weather events, epidemic or pandemic outbreaks, terrorist attacks or disruptive political events in regions where Archer’s facilities are or will be located, or where its independent third-party aircraft operators’ facilities are located, could adversely affect Archer’s business.
Potential litigation against Archer and Atlas could result in an injunction preventing the completion of the Business Combination or a judgment resulting in the payment of damages.
On May 21, 2021, Atlas received a demand to inspect its books and records under 8 Del. C. § 220 from a purported stockholder of Atlas. The demand alleges, among other things, that Atlas’s officers and directors may have breached or may in the future breach their fiduciary duties in relation to the lawsuit filed against Archer by Wisk in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 6, 2021. Atlas has produced and is continuing to produce certain materials to the stockholder’s counsel. Separately, certain other purported stockholders of Atlas have demanded, by letters to Atlas’s counsel, that Atlas include certain additional disclosures in this proxy statement/prospectus and demanding that the Company provide holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock with a separate class vote on the Class A share increase proposal. Atlas does not agree with any of the stockholders allegations of wrongdoing. In connection with the lawsuit filed against Archer by Wisk on April 6, 2021, on May 19, 2021, Wisk filed a motion for preliminary injunction and expedited discovery. On June 1, 2021, Archer filed a motion to dismiss and counterclaims and issued a press release in response to Wisk’s allegations. On June 15, 2021, Wisk amended its complaint, and the following day Archer filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On June 23, 2021, Archer filed an opposition to Wisk’s motion for a preliminary injunction and issued a press release the following day. On July 13, 2021, Archer filed amended counterclaims. On July 22, 2021, the Court denied Wisk’s motion for preliminary injunction. On July 27, 2021, Wisk filed a motion to strike and dismiss certain of Archer’s amended counterclaims. On August 11, 2021 there was a hearing to address Archer’s motions to dismiss Wisk's complaint and strike Wisk's trade secret disclosure, as well as to address Wisk's request for an expedited trial schedule.
There can be no assurances that additional lawsuits, complaints or demands will not be filed or made with respect to the Business Combination. Such lawsuits, complaints or demands, including the matters described above, could prevent or delay the completion of the Business Combination and result in significant costs to Archer and/or Atlas, including any costs associated with the indemnification of directors and officers. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit, claim or demand, including the matters described above, that remains unresolved at the time the Business Combination is completed may adversely affect Archer’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
44
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
31.1* |
| |
31.2* |
| |
32.1** |
| |
32.2** | ||
101.INS* |
| XBRL Instance Document |
101.CAL* |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.SCH* |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
*Filed herewith.
**Furnished.
45
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Atlas Crest Investment Corp. | |||
Date: August 16, 2021 | By: | /s/ Michael Spellacy | |
Name: | Michael Spellacy | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Atlas Crest Investment Corp. | |||
Date: August 16, 2021 | By: | /s/ Christopher Callesano | |
Name: | Christopher Callesano | ||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
46