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Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

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

For the quarter ended September 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: 001-39857

EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

    

13-4055608

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.) 

340 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10173

(Address of principal executive offices)

(212) 468-8655

(Issuer’s telephone number)

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-half of one redeemable warrant

EPWR.U

New York Stock Exchange

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

EPWR

New York Stock Exchange

Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock, each at an exercise price of $11.50 per share

EPWR WS

New York Stock Exchange

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See 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 November 12, 2021, there were 27,600,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, $0.0001 par value per share, and 6,900,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issued and outstanding.

Table of Contents

EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020

1

Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited)

2

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited)

3

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited)

4

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)

5

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

21

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Market Risk

25

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

25

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

26

Item 1A. Risk Factors

26

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

28

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

28

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

28

Item 5. Other Information

28

Item 6. Exhibits

29

Part III. Signatures

30

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Interim Financial Statements.

EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

(unaudited)

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash

$

79,404

$

Prepaid expenses

 

667,672

 

Total Current Assets

747,076

 

 

Deferred offering costs

636,383

Cash held in Trust Account

276,019,739

TOTAL ASSETS

$

276,766,815

$

636,383

LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities

Accrued expenses

$

233,811

$

3,936

Accrued offering costs

500,000

Promissory Notes – related party

116,383

Total current liabilities

233,811

620,319

Working Capital Promissory Notes

186,000

Deferred underwriting fee payable

 

9,660,000

 

Warrant liability

 

15,990,000

 

Total liabilities

 

26,069,811

 

620,319

 

  

 

  

Commitments and contingencies

 

  

 

  

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption 27,600,000 shares at $10.00 per share

276,000,000

 

 

  

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

 

  

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

 

 

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,900,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (1)

 

690

 

690

Stock subscription receivable from stockholders

(5,000)

(5,000)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

24,310

Accumulated deficit

 

(25,298,686)

 

(3,936)

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

(25,302,996)

 

16,064

TOTAL LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

$

276,766,815

$

636,383

(1)

At December 31, 2020, included up to 900,000 shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 6).

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

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

Operating and formation costs

$

(932)

$

1,000

$

641,613

$

1,000

Income (loss) from operations

932

(1,000)

(641,613)

(1,000)

Other income (expense):

Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account

6,958

19,739

Transaction costs attributable to Warrant liabilities

(633,329)

Change in fair value of Warrant liabilities

(213,200)

Change in fair value of Working Capital Promissory Notes

89,000

89,000

Total other income (expense), net

(117,242)

(524,590)

Net loss

$

(116,310)

$

(1,000)

$

(1,166,203)

$

(1,000)

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

27,600,000

26,391,241

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class A redeemable common stock

$

(0.00)

$

$

(0.04)

$

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

 

6,900,000

 

2,032,826

 

6,860,584

1,599,197

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B common stock

$

(0.00)

$

(0.00)

$

(0.04)

$

(0.00)

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

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

REVISED

Stock

Subscription

Class B

Receivable

Additional

Total

Common Stock

from

Paid-in

Accumulated

Stockholders’

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Stockholder

    

Capital

    

Deficit

    

Equity (Deficit)

Balance — January 1, 2021

6,900,000

$

690

$

(5,000)

$

24,310

$

(3,936)

$

16,064

 

 

 

 

Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption

(1,904,310)

(24,128,547)

(26,032,857)

Sale of 7,520,000 Private Placement Warrants

1,880,000

1,880,000

Net income

 

 

 

2,635,922

 

2,635,922

Balance — March 31, 2021 (unaudited)

6,900,000

690

(5,000)

(21,496,561)

(21,500,871)

Net loss

(3,685,815)

(3,685,815)

Balance — June 30, 2021 (unaudited)

6,900,000

$

690

$

(5,000)

$

$

(25,182,376)

$

(25,186,686)

Net loss

 

 

 

(116,310)

 

(116,310)

Balance – September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

6,900,000

$

690

$

(5,000)

$

$

(25,298,686)

$

(25,302,996)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Stock

Subscription

Retained

Class B

Receivable

Additional

Earnings

Total

Common Stock

from

Paid-in

(Accumulated

Stockholders’

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Stockholder

    

Capital

    

Deficit)

    

Equity

Balance — January 1, 2020

1,380,000

$

138

$

(5,000)

$

4,862

$

$

Net income (loss)

Balance — March 31, 2020 (unaudited)

1,380,000

138

(5,000)

4,862

$

$

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

Balance – June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

1,380,000

$

138

$

(5,000)

$

4,862

$

$

Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor

5,520,000

552

19,448

20,000

Net loss

 

 

(1,000)

 

(1,000)

Balance – September 30, 2020 (unaudited)

6,900,000

$

690

$

(5,000)

$

24,310

$

(1,000)

$

19,000

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

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

Nine months

Nine months

Ended

Ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

  

Net loss

$

(1,166,203)

$

(1,000)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

Change in fair value of Working Capital Promissory Notes

(89,000)

Transaction costs attributable to Warrant liabilities

633,329

Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account

(19,739)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(667,672)

Accrued expenses

 

229,875

 

1,000

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(1,079,410)

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Investment of cash in Trust Account

(276,000,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

(276,000,000)

 

  

 

  

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid

270,480,000

Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Warrants

7,520,000

Repayment of Promissory Notes – related party

 

(128,302)

 

Proceeds from Working Capital Promissory Notes

275,000

Payment of offering costs

 

(987,884)

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

277,158,814

 

 

  

 

  

Net change in cash

 

79,404

 

Cash – beginning of period

 

 

Cash – end of period

$

79,404

$

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

Offering costs included in accrued offering costs

$

$

440,902

Offering costs paid by Sponsor in exchange for issuance of founder shares

$

$

20,000

Offering costs paid through Promissory Notes – related party

$

11,919

$

35,000

Initial classification of common stock subject to possible redemption

$

276,000,000

$

Deferred underwriting fee payable

$

9,660,000

$

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

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. (the “Company”) was initially formed as a Delaware limited liability company on May 29, 1999 under the name of PHX Capital LLC. On September 17, 2020, the Company converted from a limited liability company to a Delaware C Corporation and changed its name to Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. The Company intends to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).

The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a 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 September 30, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through September 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, public company-related activities for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance and the identification of a target company for a Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on January 7, 2021. On January 12, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 27,600,000 units (the “Units”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option in the amount of 3,600,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $276,000,000, which is described in Note 4. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock (the “Public Shares”) and one-half of one redeemable warrant (each whole redeemable warrant, a “Public Warrant”).

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 7,520,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants” and together with the Public Warrants, the “Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to PNC Investment Capital Corp. (“PNC Investment”), Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (“Jefferies” and, together with PNC Investment, the “Sponsors”) and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Harold Ford Jr., generating gross proceeds of $7,520,000, which is described in Note 5.

Transaction costs relating to the foregoing amounted to $16,316,186, consisting of $5,520,000 in cash underwriting fees, $9,660,000 and $415,804 of deferred underwriting and legal fees, respectively, with such deferred fees payable contingent upon the close of a Business Combination, and $720,382 of other offering costs. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $150,000 in settlement of the outstanding deferred legal fee.

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on January 12, 2021, an amount of $276,000,000 ($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 was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States and invested only 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 a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account). 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 business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

The Company will provide the 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. The Public Stockholders will be 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 then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Warrants.

The Company will only proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 following any related redemptions 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 applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements 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 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, 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, the Sponsors have agreed to vote their 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 without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation will provide 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% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

The Sponsors have agreed (i) to waive their redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (a) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The Company will have until January 12, 2023 to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company has not completed 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 ten 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 pay taxes (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 Warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The Sponsors have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsors acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 7) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsors have 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 the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable; provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to monies held in the Trust Account, nor will it apply 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 Sponsors 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 Sponsors will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and 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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $79,404 in its operating bank account and working capital of approximately $500,000. In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, may provide the Company with Working Capital Loans (as defined below), of which up to $1,000,000 have been committed by our Sponsors (see Note 6).

On January 7, 2021, the Company issued convertible promissory notes in favor of the Sponsors pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 for working capital (the “Working Capital Promissory Notes”). In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, may but are not obligated to loan the Company additional funds as may be required (together with the Working Capital Promissory Notes, the “Working Capital Loans”).

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

On August 20, 2021, the Company drew an aggregate of $275,000 on the Working Capital Promissory Notes. The Working Capital Promissory Notes are non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of a Business Combination. The Working Capital Promissory Notes are convertible, at the lender’s option, into warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans, including the Working Capital Promissory Notes, out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the 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. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was $275,000 and $0, respectively, outstanding under the Working Capital Loans with a fair value of $186,000 and $0, respectively (see Note 10).

The Company may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsors or its stockholders, officers, directors or third parties. The Company’s officers and directors and the Sponsors may but are not obligated to (except as described above), loan the Company funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs. Based on the foregoing, the Company believes it will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or at least one year from the date that the financial statements were issued.

NOTE 2. REVISION OF PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2021, the Company concluded it was appropriate to revise the presentation of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption to reflect all such shares within temporary equity after determining the Class A common stock redemption feature is not solely within the control of the Company. The Company previously determined the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption to be equal to the redemption value of $10.00 per share of Class A common stock while also taking into consideration a redemption associated with a business combination cannot result in net tangible assets being less than $5,000,001. The revision resulted in an adjustment to the initial carrying value of the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption with the offset recorded to Additional paid-in capital (to the extent available), Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) and Class A common stock. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, “Materiality,” the Company evaluated the changes and has determined that the related impact was not material to any previously presented financial statements. As such the Company is reporting upon revisions to those periods in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The following table reflects the revision to the impacted line items on the Company’s historical balance sheets.  

In connection with the change in presentation for the Class A common stock subject to redemption, the Company also revised its earnings per share calculation to allocate net income (loss) evenly to Class A and Class B common stock. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of common stock share pro rata in the income (loss) of the Company.

The impact of the revision on the Company’s financial statements is reflected in the following table.

As Previously

    

Reported

    

Adjustment

    

As Revised

Balance Sheet as of January 12, 2021 (audited)

 

  

 

  

 

  

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

$

246,646,410

$

29,353,590

$

276,000,000

Class A common stock

$

294

$

(294)

$

Additional paid-in capital

$

5,640,553

$

(5,640,553)

$

Accumulated deficit

$

(636,533)

$

(23,712,743)

$

(24,349,276)

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

$

5,000,004

$

(29,353,590)

$

(24,353,586)

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

NOTE 3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X 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 complete 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 29, 2021. The interim results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or for any future 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.

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 that 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 the condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

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. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

Offering Costs

Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounted to $16,316,186, of which $15,682,857 was charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering and $633,329 was expensed to the condensed statements of operations (see Note 1).

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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”). Class A 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 Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at September 30, 2021, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheet.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid in capital and accumulated deficit.

At September 30, 2021, the Class A common stock reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheet is reconciled in the following table:

Gross proceeds

    

$

276,000,000

Less:

 

  

Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants

$

(10,350,000)

Class A common stock issuance costs

 

(15,682,857)

Plus:

 

  

Accretion of carrying value to redemption value

$

26,032,857

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

$

276,000,000

Warrant Liability

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 and FASB ASC Topic 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 meet all the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares, 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.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The Company accounts for the Warrants as liabilities in accordance with the guidance contained in FASB ASC Topic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”), under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of operations (see Note 10).

For issued or modified warrants that meet all 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 fair value of the Warrants was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach (see Note 10). For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the closing price of the Public Warrants was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.

Income Taxes

Effective September 17, 2020, the Company converted to a C Corporation. Prior to September 17, 2020, the Company was a limited liability company and taxed as a partnership; the income or loss was required to be reported by each respective member on their separate income tax returns. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been provided in the accompanying financial statements for periods prior to September 17, 2020.

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740’). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had a deferred tax asset of approximately $245,000, which had a full valuation allowance recorded against it of approximately $245,000. The Company’s deferred tax assets were deemed to be de minimis as of December 31, 2020.

The Company’s current taxable income primarily consists of interest earned on the Trust Account. The Company’s general and administrative costs are generally considered start-up costs and are not currently deductible. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded no income tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was approximately 0%, which differs from the expected income tax rate due to the start-up costs (discussed above), which are not currently deductible.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 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.

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The calculation of diluted income (loss) per share does not consider the effect of the Warrants issued in connection with (i) the Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the Warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The Warrants are exercisable to purchase 21,320,000 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any dilutive securities or other contracts that could potentially be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for the periods presented.

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars, except per share amounts):

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Class A

    

Class B

    

Class A

    

Class B

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

Allocation of net loss, as adjusted

$

(93,048)

$

(23,262)

$

$

(1,000)

$

(924,980)

$

(241,223)

$

$

(1,000)

Denominator:

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

27,600,000

6,900,000

2,032,826

26,391,241

6,882,482

1,599,197

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

$

(0.00)

$

(0.00)

$

$

(0.00)

$

(0.04)

$

(0.04)

$

$

(0.00)

Concentration of Credit Risk

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

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

Recent Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 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 adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed financial statements.

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 condensed financial statements.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

NOTE 4. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 27,600,000 Units, which includes a full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 3,600,000 Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one Public Warrant. Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 9).

NOTE 5. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsors and the Company’s CEO purchased an aggregate of 7,520,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant ($7,520,000 in the aggregate) from the Company in a private placement. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 9). 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 held in the Trust Account 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.

Pursuant to a letter agreement entered into between the Sponsors and the Company’s CEO dated September 21, 2020, the Sponsors transferred to the CEO a number of Private Placement Warrants equal to 20% of the outstanding Private Placement Warrants acquired by the Sponsors upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering (the “CEO Warrants”).

Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors of the Company, if prior to the consummation of the Business Combination the CEO (i) resigns from the Company as CEO or (ii) is removed or otherwise terminated by the board of directors of the Company, the CEO Warrants shall be forfeited at no cost back to the Sponsors (on a pro rata basis).

No shares of Class A common stock of the Company will be delivered pursuant to any exercise of a CEO Warrant until payment in full of the exercise price is received by the Company and the holder has paid to the Company an amount equal to any taxes required to be withheld or paid upon exercise of the CEO Warrants.

Pursuant to a letter agreement entered into between the Sponsors and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) dated November 4, 2020, the Sponsors transferred to the CFO a number of Private Placement Warrants equal to 7% of the outstanding Private Placement Warrants acquired by the Sponsors upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering (the “CFO Warrants”).

Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors of the Company, if prior to the consummation of the Business Combination the CFO (i) resigns from the Company as CFO, (ii) is removed or otherwise terminated by the board of directors of the Company or (iii) dies, the CFO Warrants shall be forfeited at no cost back to the Sponsors (on a pro rata basis).

No shares of Class A common stock of the Company will be delivered pursuant to any exercise of a CFO Warrant until payment in full of the exercise price is received by the Company and the holder has paid to the Company an amount equal to any taxes required to be withheld or paid upon exercise of the CFO Warrants.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

NOTE 6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In 1999, Jefferies subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000 shares of the Company’s membership interests for $5,000. On September 17, 2020, in connection with the Company’s conversion to a C Corporation, the Company converted the 1,000 membership interests owned by Jefferies into 1,150,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock. Also, on September 17, 2020, PNC Investment paid $20,000 to cover certain offering costs of the Company in consideration for 4,600,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock. As a result, there were 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding (the “Founder Shares”). On January 7, 2021, the Company effected a 1:1.2 stock split of its Class B common stock, resulting in an aggregate of 6,900,000 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. All share and per share amounts have been retroactively restated to give effect to this stock split as of January 1, 2019.

Excluding the effect of the stock split discussed above, on September 21, 2020, PNC Investment transferred 1,150,000 Founder Shares to the Company’s CEO. On November 4, 2020, PNC Investment transferred 301,875 Founder Shares to the Company’s CFO, and Jefferies transferred 100,625 Founder Shares to the CFO.

The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 900,000 shares subject to forfeiture, to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares would equal, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Initial Public Offering. As a result of the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, no Founder Shares are currently subject to forfeiture.

The Sponsors have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of a Business Combination or (ii) subsequent to a Business Combination, (a) if the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (b) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Administrative Services Agreement

The Company entered into an agreement, commencing on January 12, 2021 through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay an affiliate of PNC Investment a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, and secretarial and administrative support. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred and paid $29,211 and $77,896, respectively, in fees for these services.

Promissory Note — Related Party

On September 17, 2020, the Company issued unsecured promissory notes in favor of the Sponsors (the “Promissory Notes”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The Promissory Notes were non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) March 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. The outstanding balance under the Promissory Notes of $128,302 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on January 12, 2021.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

Related Party Loans

On January 7, 2021, the Company issued the Working Capital Promissory Notes in favor of the Sponsors pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 for working capital. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, may but are not obligated to provide the Company with Working Capital Loans. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company drew an aggregate of $275,000 on the Working Capital Promissory Notes, of which $206,250 was drawn from a Working Capital Promissory Note with PNC Investment and $68,750 was drawn from a Working Capital Promissory Note with Jefferies.

If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans, including the Working Capital Promissory Notes, out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the 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. 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 made to the Company may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was $275,000 and $0, respectively, outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.

Initial Public Offering

Jefferies, one of our Sponsors, acted as a lead underwriter in our Initial Public Offering. Solebury Capital LLC, an affiliate of one of our Sponsors, acted as a financial advisor in connection with our Initial Public Offering. We have agreed to pay Solebury Capital LLC up to 3.5% of the gross spread earned by the underwriters for their services. As of September 30, 2021, we paid Jefferies $5,520,000 of underwriting fees of which Solebury Capital LLC received $193,200. An additional $9,660,000 of underwriting fees have been deferred and are payable contingent upon the close of a Business Combination.

We are under no obligation to engage any of the underwriters or financial advisors that provided services to us in our Initial Public Offering to provide any services for us in the future, including with respect to a Business Combination, although we are not prohibited from doing so. Any of the underwriters or financial advisors that provided services to us in our Initial Public Offering may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future.

NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS

Risks and Uncertainties

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the continuing impacts of the pandemic could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, a specific material adverse 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.

Registration Rights

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on January 12, 2021, the holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any 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) will be entitled to registration rights requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the Company’s Class A common stock). The holders of at least 15% of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, these holders will have certain “piggy-back” registration rights to include such securities in other registration statements filed by the Company and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period. 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 costs and expenses incurred in connection with filing any such registration statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Jefferies may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion.

Underwriting and Legal Agreement

The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $9,660,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

The legal counsel who advised in connection with our Initial Public Offering was entitled to a deferred fee of $415,804. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $150,000 in settlement of the outstanding deferred legal fee.

NOTE 8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At September 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 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At September 30, 2021, there were 27,600,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding subject to possible redemption which are presented as temporary equity. At December 31, 2020, there were no shares of Class A common stock issued or outstanding.

Class B Common Stock— The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 6,900,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.

Holders of Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders except as otherwise required by law; provided that only holders of Class B common stock will have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to the Business Combination. The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock concurrently with or immediately following 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, 20% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding after such conversion (after giving effect to any redemptions of shares of Class A common stock by Public Stockholders), 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 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-equivalent warrants issued to the Sponsors, 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.

NOTE 9. WARRANTS

As of September 30, 2021, there were 13,800,000 Public Warrants outstanding. Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (i) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the 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, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided, however, that the Private Placement Warrants issued to Jefferies will not be exercisable more than five years from the effective date of the registration statement in accordance with FINRA rules. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is not effective by the 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 shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise the Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption.

Redemption of warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00. Once the Warrants become exercisable, the Company may call the Warrants for redemption:

in whole and not in part;
at a price of $0.01 per Warrant;
upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each Warrant holder; and
if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A 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 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 not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or the Company is unable to effect such registration or qualification.

Redemption of Warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00. Once the Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Warrants:

in whole and not in part;
at a price of $0.10 per Warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares based on the redemption date and the fair market value of the shares of Class A common stock;
if the closing price of the shares of Class A common stock for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the Warrant holders is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), the Private Placement Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding Public Warrants.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances, including in the event of a stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Warrants will not be adjusted for the issuance of Class A common stock at a price below their exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the 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 Warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such Warrants. Accordingly, the Warrants may expire worthless.

In addition, if the Company issues additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of 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 Company’s initial stockholders or their respective affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsors, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), the exercise price of the Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Newly Issued Price.

As of September 30, 2021, there were 7,520,000 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. 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 and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 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, except as described above, 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.

NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:

Level 1:

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2:

Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

    

September 30, 

Description

    

Level

2021

Assets:

 

  

 

  

Investments held in Trust Account - U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund

 

1

$

276,019,739

Liabilities:

 

  

 

Working Capital Promissory Notes

2

$

186,000

Warrant liability - Public Warrants

1

$

10,350,000

Warrant liability - Private Placement Warrants

2

5,640,000

Total Warrant liability

 

$

15,990,000

At September 30, 2021, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $276,019,739 in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities. Through September 30, 2021, the Company had no withdrawals of interest earned on the Trust Account.

The Warrants are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of operations.

At issuance, the Warrant liability for the Warrants was valued as of January 12, 2021 using a Monte Carlo simulation, which is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement. Subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrants are valued based on the quoted market price, under the ticker EPWR WS, which is a Level 1 fair value measurement. As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was equivalent to that of the Public Warrants as they had substantially the same terms; however, they are not actively traded, and as such are listed as a Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy table above.

As of issuance, the estimated fair value of the Warrants was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation and based on the following significant inputs:

January 12,

2021

(Issuance

    

Date)

    

Exercise price

$

11.50

Stock price

$

9.87

Volatility

15

%

Probability of completing a Business Combination

90

%

Term in Years

5.00

Risk-free rate

0.50

%

Dividend yield

0.0

%

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EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

The Monte Carlo simulation’s primary unobservable input utilized in determining the fair value of the Warrants is the probability of consummation of a Business Combination. The probability assigned to the consummation of a Business Combination was 90%, which was estimated based on the observed success rates of business combinations for special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”).

The following table presents the changes in the fair value of Warrant liabilities:

Private 

Warrant 

    

Placement

    

Public

    

Liabilities

Fair value as of January 1, 2021

$

$

$

Initial measurement on January 12, 2021

 

5,640,000

 

10,350,000

 

15,990,000

Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions

 

 

 

Fair value as of September 30, 2021

$

5,640,000

$

10,350,000

$

15,990,000

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which a change in valuation technique or methodology occurs. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 fair value measurement during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $10,350,000. The estimated fair value of the Private Placement Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 2 fair value measurement during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $5,640,000.

The Company elected the fair value option for the Working Capital Promissory Notes. The Working Capital Promissory Notes are convertible into warrants identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As noted above, similar to the Private Placement Warrants, as of September 30, 2021, the fair value of the Working Capital Promissory Notes was equivalent to that of the Public Warrants as they had substantially the same terms; however, they are not actively traded, and as such are listed as a Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy table above.

The following table presents the changes in the fair value of the Level 2 Working Capital Promissory Notes:

Fair value as of January 1, 2021

    

$

Proceeds received Working Capital Promissory Notes

 

275,000

Change in fair value

 

(89,000)

Fair value as of September 30, 2021

$

186,000

NOTE 11. 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, other than as described above, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.

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

References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer to Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. References to our “management” refer to our officers and directors. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the 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 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 Quarterly Report, including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position and business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” or the negative of these terms and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements inherently involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these 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. The following include some, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated: (i) our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses; (ii) our ability to complete our initial Business Combination; (iii) our expectations around the performance of the prospective target business or businesses; (iv) our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial Business Combination; (v) our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial Business Combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements; (vi) our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial Business Combination; (vii) our pool of prospective target businesses; (viii) the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential Business Combination opportunities; (ix) our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; (x) the lack of a market for our securities; (xi) the use of proceeds not held in the Trust Account or available to us from interest income on the Trust Account balance; (xii) the Trust Account not being subject to claims of third parties; or (xiii) our financial performance following our Initial Public Offering.

For additional risk factors, please refer to the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 29, 2021 (the “Form 10-K”), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on May 28, 2021 (the “First Quarter Form 10-Q”), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on August 10, 2021 (the “Second Quarter Form 10-Q”), and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report. 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 initially formed as a Delaware limited liability company on May 29, 1999 under the name of PHX Capital LLC. On September 17, 2020, we converted to a Delaware C Corporation and changed our name to Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. for the purpose of effecting a Business Combination.

We are a special purpose acquisition company driven by a unique and critical mission: to use our significant experience and resources to acquire a diverse-led business or a business focused on promoting an inclusive economy and society and provide strategic advice in support of its ongoing growth and success to create enduring shareholder value. To share in that value creation, our Sponsors, PNC Investment and Jefferies, intend to each donate all of their respective Founders Shares and Warrants to initiatives supporting the economic empowerment and inclusion of underrepresented groups. It is our and our Sponsors’ core belief that by empowering diverse or inclusive businesses and by our Sponsors using their profits and at-risk capital to reinvest in our communities, we and our Sponsors can deliver significant shareholder value while also promoting racial equity and a shift to a more inclusive economy and society.

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On January 12, 2021, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 27,600,000 Units, which included the full exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option in the amount of 3,600,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $276,000,000. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one Public Warrant. Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 7,520,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to PNC Investment, Jefferies and our CEO, generating gross proceeds of $7,520,000.

On January 7, 2021, we issued the Working Capital Promissory Notes in favor of our Sponsors, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 for working capital. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of our officers and directors, may but are not obligated to provide us with Working Capital Loans.

On August 20, 2021, we drew aggregate of $275,000 on the Working Capital Promissory Notes. The Working Capital Promissory Notes are non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of a Business Combination. The Working Capital Promissory Notes are convertible, at the lender’s option, into warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

If we complete a Business Combination, we expect to repay the Working Capital Loans, including the Working Capital Promissory Notes, out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the 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.

We intend to effectuate our Business Combination using the net cash from the Initial Public Offering and sale of Private Placement Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt, including proceeds from the Working Capital Loans.

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a Business Combination will be successful.

The issuance of additional shares of our stock in a Business Combination:

may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B common stock resulted in the issuance of Class A common stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B common stock;
may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A common stock if shares of preferred stock are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A common stock;
could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our shares and/or Warrants.

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

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial Business Combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding;
our inability to pay dividends on our Class A common stock;

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increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes, and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

Results of Operations

Since our inception on May 29, 1999 through September 30, 2021, we have only engaged in activities related to our organization, our Initial Public Offering, post-Initial Public Offering public company related activities for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance, and the identification and evaluation of target businesses for a Business Combination. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination. We generate small amounts of non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held after the Initial Public Offering. We will continue to incur public company expenses, as well as expenses for due diligence activities until we complete a Business Combination.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $116,310, which consisted of a loss on the change in the fair value of Warrant liabilities of $213,200, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $6,958, change in the fair value of the Working Capital Promissory Notes of $89,000 and operating income of $932.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $1,166,203, which consisted of operating costs of $641,613 and transaction costs attributable to Warrant liabilities of $633,329, partially offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $19,739 and change in the fair value of the Working Capital Promissory Notes of $89,000.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we had a net loss of $1,000, which consisted of operating costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Until the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, our only source of liquidity was an initial purchase of common stock by the Sponsors of $25,000 and up to $300,000 in loans available from our Sponsors, which were repaid upon our Initial Public Offering.

Following the Initial Public Offering, the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters’ and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $276,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $16,316,186 in transaction costs, including $5,520,000 of underwriting fees, $9,660,000 of deferred underwriting fees, $415,804 of deferred legal fees and $720,382 of other offering costs. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $150,000 in settlement of the outstanding deferred legal fee.

For the nine months ended September 30,2021, cash used in operating activities was $1,079,410. Net loss of $1,166,203 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $19,739, change in the fair value of Working Capital Promissory Notes of $89,000 and transaction costs attributable to Warrant liabilities of $633,329. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $437,797 of cash for operating activities. We used $276,000,000 in investing activities to fund our Trust Account, and we generated $277,158,814 in financing activities from our Initial Public Offering, sale of Private Placement Warrants and proceeds from the Working Capital loans, net of underwriting fees, offering costs and the repayment of the Promissory Notes – related party.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $0, which consists of net loss of $1,000 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which used $1,000 of cash from operating activities.

As of September 30, 2021, we had marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $276,019,739 (including approximately $19,739 of interest) consisting of U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of 185 days or less. Interest income on the balance in the Trust Account may be used by us to pay taxes. Through September 30, 2021, we have not withdrawn any interest earned from the Trust Account.

We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less income taxes payable), to complete a Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole

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or in part, as consideration to complete a Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

As of September 30, 2021, we had $79,404 of cash held outside the Trust Account. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account and any proceeds from the Working Capital Loans as described below and in Note 1 primarily to pay public company related expenses, identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a Business Combination.

Based on the foregoing, management believes that we will have sufficient working capital due to the borrowing capacity from the Working Capital Loans to meet the Company’s needs through the earlier of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or one year from this filing.

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsors or an affiliate of the Sponsors, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may provide us with Working Capital Loans, of which up to $1,000,000 have been committed by our Sponsors. We drew an aggregate of $275,000 on the Working Capital Loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

If we complete a Business Combination, we would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the 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. 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. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to a Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete a Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our Public Shares upon consummation of a Business Combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of a Business Combination. If we are unable to complete a Business Combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following a Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2021.

Contractual Obligations

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay an affiliate of PNC Investment a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, and secretarial and administrative support. We began incurring these fees on January 12, 2021 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of a Business Combination and the Company’s liquidation.

The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $9,660,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC 480. Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and 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 Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at September 30, 2021 Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheet.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

Warrant Liabilities

We account for the Warrants in accordance with ASC 815-40 under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity classification and must be recorded as liabilities. As the Warrants meet the definition of a derivative as contemplated in ASC 815, the Warrants are measured at fair value at inception and at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations in the period of change.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our condensed financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

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

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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 as of September 30, 2021. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e) under the Exchange Act) were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2021 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness discussed below was remediated during the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Remediation of a Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We recognize the importance of the control environment as it sets the overall tone for the Company and is the foundation for all other components of internal control. Consequently, we designed and implemented remediation measures to address the material weakness previously identified and enhance our internal control over financial reporting. In light of the material weakness, we 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, including 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 foregoing actions, which we believe remediated the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, were completed as of June 30, 2021 and remained effective through September 30, 2021.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report include the risk factors described in the Form 10-K, the First Quarter Form 10-Q and the Second Quarter Form 10-Q, as well as those described below. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, other than as described below and in our other filings with the SEC, there have been no material changes to such risk factors as previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.

The securities in which we invest the funds held in the Trust Account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

The proceeds held in the Trust Account are invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial Business Combination or make certain amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation, our Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the Trust Account, plus any interest income not released to us, net of taxes payable. Negative interest rates could impact the per-share redemption amount that may be received by Public Stockholders.

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The Warrants are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of the Warrants could have a material effect on our financial results.

On April 12, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Corporation Finance and Acting Chief Accountant of the SEC together issued a statement regarding the accounting and reporting considerations for warrants issued by SPACs entitled “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”)” (the “SEC Statement”). Specifically, the SEC Statement focused on certain settlement terms and provisions related to certain tender offers following a business combination, which terms are similar to those contained in the warrant agreement governing the Warrants. As a result of the SEC Statement, we reevaluated the accounting treatment of our 13,800,000 Public Warrants and 7,520,000 Private Placement Warrants and determined to classify the Warrants as derivative liabilities measured at fair value, with changes in fair value each period reported in earnings. We corrected the accounting for the Warrants (the “Restatement”) in the First Quarter Form 10-Q. The effect of the Restatement on specific line items in our January 12, 2021 audited closing date balance sheet can be found in Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements included in the First Quarter 2021 Form 10-Q.

As a result, included on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2021 contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report are derivative liabilities related to the Warrants. ASC 815 provides for the remeasurement of the fair value of such derivatives at each balance sheet date, with a resulting non-cash gain or loss related to the change in the fair value being recognized in earnings in the statement of operations. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly, based on factors that are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect that we will recognize non-cash gains or losses on the Warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses could be material.

We previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, which could adversely affect our ability to report our results of operations and financial condition accurately and in a timely manner.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our management is likewise required, on a quarterly basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and to disclose any changes and material weaknesses identified through such evaluation of those internal controls. 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 our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As described in the First Quarter Form 10-Q and the Second Quarter Form 10-Q, as of the end of the quarter ended March 31, 2021, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the accounting for a significant and unusual transaction related to the Warrants we issued in connection with our Initial Public Offering and private placement in January 2021. As a result of this material weakness, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. For a discussion of management’s consideration of the material weakness identified related to our accounting for a significant and unusual transaction related to the Warrants we issued in connection with the January 2021 Initial Public Offering and private placement, see Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements included in the First Quarter Form 10-Q.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, we completed the remediation measures related to the material weakness and have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2021. Completion of remediation does not provide assurance that our remediation or other controls will continue to operate properly. If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, we may be unable to provide required financial information in a timely and reliable manner and we may incorrectly report financial information. Likewise, if our financial statements are not filed on a timely basis, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to timely file will cause us to be ineligible to utilize short form registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-4, which may impair our ability to obtain capital in a timely fashion to execute our business strategies or issue shares to effect an acquisition. In either case, there could result a material adverse effect on our business. The existence of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of us, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock. In addition, we will incur additional costs to remediate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

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We may face litigation and other risks as a result of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.

Following the issuance of the SEC Statement, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. As a result of such previously-identified material weakness, the Restatement, the change in accounting for the Warrants, and other matters raised or that may in the future be raised by the SEC, we face potential for litigation or other disputes which may include, among others, claims invoking the federal and state securities laws, contractual claims or other claims arising from the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, we have no knowledge of any such litigation or dispute. However, we can provide no assurance that such litigation or dispute will not arise in the future. Any such litigation or dispute, whether successful or not, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or our ability to complete a Business Combination.

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

Not applicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits

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

No.

    

Description of Exhibit

31.1*

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d)-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d)-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL 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

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File - The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

** Furnished herewith.

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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.

EMPOWERMENT & INCLUSION CAPITAL I CORP.

Date: November 12, 2021

By:

/s/ Harold Ford Jr.

Name:

Harold Ford Jr.

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

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