Group Nine Acquisition Corp. - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)
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 June 30, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-39935
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP. |
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
Delaware |
| 85-3841363 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
568 Broadway, Floor 10 New York, New York 10012 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(212) 227-1905 |
(Issuer’s telephone number) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which |
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one redeemable warrant |
| GNACU |
| Nasdaq Capital Markets |
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
| GNAC |
| Nasdaq Capital Markets |
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 |
| GNACW |
| Nasdaq Capital Markets |
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 August 13, 2021, there were 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Interim Financial Statements.
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
|
| June 30, | December 31, | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash | $ | 68,653 | $ | 25,000 | ||
Prepaid expenses |
| 1,373,348 |
| — | ||
Total current assets | 1,442,001 | 25,000 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||
Deferred offering costs | — | 452,399 | ||||
Cash and securities held in Trust Account | 230,009,831 | — | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 231,451,832 | $ | 477,399 | ||
| | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
| ||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 558,749 | $ | — | ||
Accrued offering costs | — | 366,056 | ||||
Advances from related party | — | 87,625 | ||||
Due to Sponsor | 434,989 | — | ||||
Convertible Promissory note – related party | 618,813 | — | ||||
Total current liabilities | 1,612,551 | 453,681 | ||||
Warrant liabilities |
| 12,539,867 |
| — | ||
Deferred underwriting fee payable | 9,890,000 | — | ||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| 24,042,418 |
| 453,681 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
| ||
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, 23,000,000 shares at June 30, 2021 (at redemption value of $10 per share) | 230,000,000 | — | ||||
|
|
|
| |||
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
|
| ||
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding |
|
| ||||
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized shares issued and (excluding 23,000,000 shares subject to possible redemption), at June 30, 2021, and shares issued and at December 31, 2020; |
| — |
| — | ||
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding, at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 |
| 575 |
| 575 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| — |
| 24,425 | ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (22,591,161) |
| (1,282) | ||
Total Stockholder’s (Deficit) Equity |
| (22,590,586) |
| 23,718 | ||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY | $ | 231,451,832 | $ | 477,399 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
1
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2021 | |||
Operating and formation costs | $ | 602,866 | $ | 1,788,280 | ||
Loss from operations | (602,866) | (1,788,280) | ||||
|
|
| ||||
Other (expense) income: |
|
| ||||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | (6,150,667) | 1,996,266 | ||||
Change in fair value of convertible promissory note | (8,813) | (8,813) | ||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 5,735 | 9,831 | ||||
Total other (expense) income, net | (6,153,745) | 1,997,284 | ||||
|
|
| ||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | (6,756,611) | 209,004 | ||||
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | — | — | ||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (6,756,611) | $ | 209,004 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Basic and diluted net loss per common share, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.89) | ||
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B Non-redeemable common stock | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.89) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
2
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Retained | | | | |
Class A | Class B | Additional | Earnings | Total | |||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Common Stock | Paid-in | (Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit) |
| Equity | ||||||
Balance — January 1, 2021 | | — | | $ | — | 5,750,000 | $ | 575 | $ | 24,425 | $ | (1,282) | $ | 23,718 | |||||
Sale of 23,000,000 Units, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses | 23,000,000 | 2,300 | — | — | 206,947,192 | — | 206,949,492 | ||||||||||||
Cash proceeds received in excess of fair value for Placement Warrants | — | — | — | — | 227,200 | — | 227,200 | ||||||||||||
Common stock subject to redemption | (23,000,000) | (2,300) | — | — | (207,198,817) | (22,798,883) | (230,000,000) | ||||||||||||
Net income |
| — |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| 6,965,615 |
| 6,965,615 | |||||||
Balance — March 31, 2021 |
| — | — | 5,750,000 | 575 | — | (15,834,550) | (15,833,975) | |||||||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| (6,756,611) |
| (6,756,611) | |||||||
Balance – June 30, 2021 |
| — | $ | — | 5,750,000 | $ | 575 | $ | — | $ | (22,591,161) | $ | (22,590,586) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
3
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
(UNAUDITED)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
| |
Net income | $ | 209,004 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
| |
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | (9,831) | ||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (1,996,266) | ||
Change in fair value of convertible promissory note | 8,813 | ||
Transaction costs related to warrant liabilities | 609,099 | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
| |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (1,373,348) | ||
Accrued expenses |
| 558,749 | |
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (1,993,780) | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | |||
Investment of cash in Trust Account | (230,000,000) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities | (230,000,000) | ||
|
| ||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
| |
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid | 227,240,000 | ||
Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Warrants | 4,260,000 | ||
Proceeds from promissory note - related party |
| 981,056 | |
Repayment of promissory note - related party |
| (458,681) | |
Due to Sponsor | 434,989 | ||
Payment of offering costs |
| (419,931) | |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 232,037,433 | |
|
| ||
Net Change in Cash |
| 43,653 | |
Cash — Beginning of period |
| 25,000 | |
Cash — End of period | $ | 68,653 | |
|
|
| |
Non-Cash investing and financing activities: |
|
| |
Initial classification of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | $ | 230,000,000 | |
Deferred underwriting fee payable | $ | 9,890,000 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
4
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Group Nine Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on November 9, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).
Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination, the Company intends to focus its search on companies in the digital media and adjacent industries, including the social media, e-commerce, events, and digital publishing and marketing sectors. 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 December 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from November 9, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the Public Offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on January 14, 2021. On January 20, 2021 the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 23,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option in the amount of 3,000,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 2,840,000 warrants (the “Private Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per Private Warrant in a private placement to Group Nine SPAC LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $4,260,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction costs amounted to $13,156,274, consisting of $2,760,000 in cash underwriting fees, $9,890,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $506,274 of other offering costs.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on January 20, 2021, an amount of $230,000,000 ($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 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 a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the 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 Trust Account, as described below.
5
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 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 Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete a Business Combination with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders 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 earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). The per-share amount to be distributed to public stockholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 6). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
If the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
6
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
The initial stockholders have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination, unless the Company provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.
The Company will have until January 20, 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
business days thereafter, redeem 100% of 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 (net of taxes payable and 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), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.The Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors 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 Company’s Sponsor, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates acquire Public Shares 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 6) 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. One of the underwriters, Code Advisors LLC, has agreed to defer its share of its transaction fee to the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) December 31, 2021. Such deferred transaction fee will be paid by the Company from funds released to the Company upon completion of a Business Combination, or if due prior to the completion of a Business Combination, through a loan to the Company from the Sponsor. Although the Sponsor currently has expressed the intention to loan funds to the Company in such circumstance, the Sponsor has no obligation to do so. The terms of any such loan have not been determined and no written agreement exists with respect to such loan. Any such loans may be repaid only from funds held outside the Trust Account or from funds released to the Company upon completion of a Business Combination. Although Group Nine Media has irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of such amounts, no assurance can be given that Group Nine Media will be able to satisfy its guarantee obligation when due. Code Advisors LLC has not executed any agreement with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account in the event that such amounts become due prior to the completion of a Business Combination and the Company and Group Nine Media fail to pay such amounts. In the event that Code Advisors LLC makes a claim against the funds in the Trust Account with respect to such amounts, the Sponsor has also agreed to indemnify the Company for any reduction in the Trust Account as a result of any payment arising from such claim. However, the Company has not independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnification obligations. Given that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company, the Sponsor may not be able to satisfy those indemnification obligations. The Company has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such obligations. 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).
7
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
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 virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
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 of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
8
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
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 and the convertible promissory notes. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and, accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of six months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Redeemable Common Stock
As discussed in Note 3, all of the 23,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480.
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.
9
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Convertible Promissory Note
The Company accounts for their convertible promissory notes under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). Under 815-15-25, the election can be at the inception of a financial instrument to account for the instrument under the fair value option under ASC 825. The Company has made such election for their convertible promissory notes. Using fair value option, the convertible promissory note 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 notes are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40 under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company classifies the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjusts the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statements of operations. The Private Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
Income Taxes
The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. As of June 30 ,2021, the Company had a deferred tax asset of approximately $246,000, which had a full valuation allowance recorded against it. The Company’s deferred tax assets were deemed to be de minimis as of December 31, 2020.
ASC Topic 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 June 30, 2021. 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 may be subject to potential examination by federal, state and city taxing authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal, state and city tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
10
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) and Class B Common Stock (the “Founders Shares”). Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Private and public warrants to purchase 10,506,667 shares of Common Stock at $11.50 per share were issued on January 20, 2021. No warrants were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020. The 10,506,667 potential common shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share in 2021 as the exercise price of the warrants was less than the average market price for the period. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for the period.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 | For the six months ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||
| Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share: | ||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||
Allocation of net loss including accretion of temporary equity | $ | (5,405,289) | $ | (1,351,322) | $ | (18,385,784) | $ | (5,064,819) | ||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
| 23,000,000 |
| 5,750,000 |
| 20,572,222 |
| 5,667,127 | ||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.89) | $ | (0.89) |
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 account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximate the carrying amounts represented in the Company’s balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recent Accounting Standards
Other than below, management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
11
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 23,000,000 Units, which includes a full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 3,000,000 Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and
-third of one redeemable warrant (“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 7).All of the 23,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Given that the Class A Common Stock was issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., public warrants), the initial carrying value of Class A Common Stock classified as temporary equity is the allocated proceeds based on the guidance in ASC 470-20.
Our Class A Common Stock are subject to SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99. If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, the Company has the option to either accrete changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance (or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later) to the earliest redemption date of the instrument or to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The Company has elected to recognize the changes immediately. The accretion or remeasurement is treated as a deemed dividend (i.e., a reduction to retained earnings, or in absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital).
12
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
As of June 30, 2021, the Class A Common Stock reflected on the balance sheet are reconciled in the following table:
| As of June 30, 2021 | ||
Gross proceeds | $ | 230,000,000 | |
Less: | |||
Proceeds allocated to public warrants | $ | (10,503,333) | |
Class A shares issuance costs | $ | (13,156,274) | |
Plus: |
|
| |
Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | $ | (23,659,607) | |
Contingently redeemable Class A Common Stock | $ | 230,000,000 |
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 2,840,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.50 per Private Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,260,000 in a private placement. A portion of the proceeds from the Private Warrants were added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. The Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units to be sold in the Initial Public Offering, except as described in Note 7.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
In November 2020, the Sponsor purchased 7,187,500 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. In November 2020, the Company effectuated a 0.8-for-1 reverse split of the Founder Shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the reverse stock split. The Founder Shares will automatically convert into Class A common stock upon consummation of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments, as described in Note 7.
The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up 750,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial stockholders would own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (assuming the initial stockholders did not purchase any Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering). As a result of the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option on January 20, 2021, the total of 750,000 Founder Shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.
The initial stockholders have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination or (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Following the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 100,000 of its Founder Shares to the Company’s independent directors and consultants.
13
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Advances from Related Party
As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Sponsor paid for certain offering and other operating costs on behalf of the Company in connection with the Initial Public Offering amounting to $434,989 and $87,625, respectively. The advances are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On November 9, 2020, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and was repaid upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. There are no longer borrowings available under this note.
Convertible Promissory Note — Related Party
On March 29, 2021, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $1,000,000 pursuant to a new promissory note (the “New Note”). The New Note is non-interest bearing and payable upon consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination. At the lender’s discretion, the New Note may be repayable in warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant. At June 30, 2021, there was $610,000 of borrowings under the New Note. This note was valued using the fair value method. The fair value of the note as of June 30, 2021, was $618,813, which resulted in a change in fair value of the convertible promissory note of $8,813 recorded in the statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 (see Note 9).
Related Party Loans
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Warrants. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no Working Capital Loans outstanding.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, its results of operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
14
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Registration Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on January 20, 2021, the Founder Shares, Private Warrants (and their underlying shares), and warrants (and their underlying shares) that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the foregoing and upon conversion of the Founder Shares. The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Warrants, and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and in each case holders of their underlying shares, as applicable) will have registration rights to require the Company to register the sale of any of the securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The holders of the majority of these securities will be entitled to certain demand rights that the Company register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have certain “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $9,890,000. 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. Additionally, the deferred fee includes $0.08 per unit, or $1,840,000 in the aggregate, payable to one of the underwriters on the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) December 31, 2021. Such amounts will be paid from funds released to the Company upon completion of a Business Combination, or if due prior to the completion of a Business Combination, the Company anticipates such amounts will be paid with a loan from the Sponsor. Although the Sponsor currently has expressed the intention to loan funds to the Company in such circumstance, the Sponsor has no obligation to do so. The terms of any such loan have not been determined and no written agreement exists with respect to such loan.
Attorney’s Fees
Pursuant to an agreement between the Company and its attorneys, certain fees have been deferred and will become payable only if the Company consummates a Business Combination. If a Business Combination does not occur, the Company will not be required to pay these contingent fees. As of the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the amount of these contingent fees was approximately $342,690. There can be no assurances that the Company will complete a Business Combination.
NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDER’S 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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were shares of preferred stock issued or .
Class A Common Stock—The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 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 June 30, 2021, there were 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and At December 31, 2020, there were shares of Class A common stock or outstanding.
15
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock and .
Only holders of Class B common stock will have the right to elect directors or remove directors prior to the completion of the initial Business Combination. These provisions in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may only be amended by a resolution passed by the holders of a majority of the Class B common stock. Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all other matters to be voted on by stockholders, including any vote in connection with the initial Business Combination, and vote together as a single class, except as required by law or the applicable rules of the stock exchange.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time 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 excess of the amounts offered in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination).
NOTE 8. WARRANT LIABILITIES
Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 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 any 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.
16
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days, after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file, and within 60 business days following a Business Combination being declared effective, a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but will be required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Redemptions of Warrants for Cash — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:
● | 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 reported last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and certain issuances of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to each warrant holder. |
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
Redemption of Warrants for Shares of Class A Common Stock — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:
● | in whole and not in part; |
● | at $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 prior to redemption and receive that number of shares of Class A common stock to be determined, based on the redemption date and the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock; |
● | if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) (the “Reference Value”) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; |
17
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
● | if the Reference Value is less than $18.00 per share, the Private Warrants are also concurrently called for redemption at the same price (equal to a number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) as the Company’s outstanding Public Warrants, as described above; and |
● | if, and only if, there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating thereto is available throughout the 30-day period after the written notice of redemption is given. |
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption for cash, 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, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of Class A common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the 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 (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors, and in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor, initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by them prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the consummation of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s Class A common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates a Business Combination (such priced, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of each warrant will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of (i) the Market Value and (ii) the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted to be equal to 180% of the higher of (i) the Market Value and (ii) the Newly Issued Price.
The Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable (subject to certain exceptions) so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
18
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
NOTE 9. 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. |
At June 30, 2021, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $230,009,831 in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities. Through June 30, 2021, the Company has not withdrawn any of interest earned on the Trust Account.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
|
| June 30, | |||
Level |
| 2021 | |||
Assets: |
|
|
|
| |
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account |
| 1 | $ | 230,009,831 | |
Derivative Liabilities: |
|
|
|
| |
Warrant Liability – Public Warrants | 1 | $ | 9,046,667 | ||
Warrant Liability – Private Placement Warrants |
| 3 | $ | 3,493,200 |
The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities on our accompanying June 30, 2021 condensed balance sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the condensed statements of operations.
19
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
The Private Warrants were initially valued using a Modified Black Scholes Option Pricing Model, which is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement. The Modified Black Scholes model’s primary unobservable input utilized in determining the fair value of the Private Warrants is the expected volatility of the common stock. The expected volatility as of the Initial Public Offering date was derived from observable public warrant pricing on comparable ‘blank-check’ companies without an identified target. The expected volatility as of subsequent valuation dates was implied from the Company’s own public warrant pricing. A Monte Carlo simulation methodology was used in estimating the fair value of the public warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available, using the same expected volatility as was used in measuring the fair value of the Private Warrants. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the warrants from the Units, the close price of the public warrant price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities:
| Private Placement |
| Public |
| Warrant Liabilities | ||||
Fair value as of January 1, 2021 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||
Initial measurement on January 20, 2021 |
| 4,032,800 |
| 10,503,334 |
| 14,536,134 | |||
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions |
| (539,600) |
| (1,456,667) |
| (1,996,267) | |||
Fair value as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 3,493,200 | $ | 9,046,667 | $ | 12,539,867 |
Transfers to/from Levels
, and 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 six months ended June 30, 2021 was $4,600,000.The estimated fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes was based on the following significant inputs:
| June 30, 2021 |
| ||
Risk-free interest rate | $ | 1.00 | % | |
Trading days per year | $ | 252 | ||
Expected volatility |
| 19.84 | % | |
Exercise price | $ | 11.50 | ||
Stock Price | $ | 9.78 | ||
Probability of transaction |
| 81.4 | % |
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of the Level 3 Convertible Promissory Notes:
| Convertible | ||
Promissory | |||
| Note | ||
Fair value as of January 1, 2021 | $ | — | |
Proceeds received through Convertible Promissory Note |
| 610,000 | |
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions |
| 8,813 | |
Fair value as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 618,813 |
There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 from other levels in the fair value hierarchy during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 for the convertible promissory notes.
20
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. The Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.
21
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Group Nine Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Group Nine SPAC LLC. 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 of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 9, 2020, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”). We intend to effectuate our Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering (“Initial Public Offering”) and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below), our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
On November 9, 2020, our Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 7,187,500 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of our Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B common stock”), for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 or approximately $0.003 per share. On November 19, 2020, we effectuated a 0.8-for-1 reverse split of the Founder Shares, resulting in an aggregate outstanding amount of 5,750,000 Founder Shares. Our Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 100,000 of its Founder Shares to the Company’s independent directors (together with our Sponsor, the “Initial Stockholders”).
22
On January 20, 2021 (“IPO Closing Date”), we consummated our Public Offering of 23,000,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company, including 3,000,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A common stock” and, together with the Class B common stock, the “common stock”), and one-third of one redeemable warrant of the Company (“Public Warrant”), each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Class A common stock. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds to us of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the IPO Closing Date, we completed the private sale of an aggregate of 2,840,000 warrants to our Sponsor (the “Private Placement Warrants” and together with the Public Warrants “Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, generating gross proceeds to us of $4,260,000. The Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public Warrants sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants may be physical (cash) or net share (cashless) settled and are not redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. The sale of the Private Placement Warrants was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
On the IPO Closing Date, $230,000,000 of the gross proceeds from the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were deposited in a U.S.-based trust account (the “Trust Account”) with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company acting as trustee (the “Trustee”). Of the $4,260,000 held outside of the Trust Account, $2,760,000 was used to pay underwriting discounts and commissions, $458,681 was used to repay notes payable to our Sponsor and advances from our Sponsor and the balance was available to pay accrued offering and formation costs, business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. Funds held in the Trust Account have been invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred and eighty-five (185) days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earliest of (i) the completion of the Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of any shares of Class A common stock properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of such shares of Class A common stock if we do not complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the IPO Closing Date and (iii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of Class A common stock if we are unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the IPO Closing Date (subject to applicable law).
On March 8, 2021, we announced that the holders of our Units may elect to separately trade the Class A common stock and Warrants included in the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “GNAC” and “GNACW,” respectively. Those Units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market LLC under the symbol “GNACU.”
Although we may pursue a target business in any stage of its corporate evolution or in any industry, sector or geographic region, we initially intend to focus our search on target businesses in the digital media and adjacent industries, including the social media, e-commerce, events, and digital publishing and marketing sectors.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial Business Combination will be successful.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. Our only activities from inception through June 30, 2021 were organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for our Initial Public Offering, described below. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial Business Combination. We expect to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held after our initial public offering. We expect that we will incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses in connection with searching for, and completing, a business combination.
23
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we had net loss of approximately $7.0 million, which consists of operating costs of approximately $0.6 million and approximately $6.2 million derived from changes in fair value of warrant liabilities, offset by interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account approximately $6 thousand.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we had net income of approximately $0.2 million, which consists of income of approximately $2.0 million derived from the changes in fair value of the warrant liability and interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account of approximately $10 thousand, offset by operation costs of approximately $2.0 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On January 20, 2021 the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 23,000,000 Units, which includes the full exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option in the amount of 3,000,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 2,840,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $4,260,000.
Following the Initial Public Offering, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $230,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $13,156,274 in transaction costs, including $2,760,000 of underwriting fees, $9,890,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $506,274 of other offering costs.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $1,993,780. Net income of $209,004 was affected by noncash items such as the change in fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $2 million, change in fair value of convertible promissory notes of $8,813, interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account of $9,831 and transaction costs associated with the Initial Public Offering of $609,099. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $814,599 of cash from operating activities.
At June 30, 2021, we had cash held in the Trust Account of $230,009,831. We are using substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (less deferred underwriting commissions and income taxes payable), to complete our business combination. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our 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.
At June 30, 2021, we had cash of $68,653 held outside of the Trust Account. We are using the funds held outside the trust account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a Business Combination, we may repay such loaned amounts 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 working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity, at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.
24
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 our Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our 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 our Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our 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 our 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 have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2021. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities other than described below.
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $9,890,000. 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. Additionally, the deferred fee includes $0.08 per unit, or $1,840,000 in the aggregate, payable to one of the underwriters on the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) December 31, 2021. Such amounts will be paid from funds released to the Company upon completion of a Business Combination, or if due prior to the completion of a Business Combination, the Company anticipates such amounts will be paid with a loan from the Sponsor. Although the Sponsor currently has expressed the intention to loan funds to the Company in such circumstance, the Sponsor has no obligation to do so. The terms of any such loan have not been determined and no written agreement exists with respect to such loan.
Pursuant to an agreement between the Company and its attorneys, certain fees have been deferred and will become payable only if the Company consummates a Business Combination. If a Business Combination does not occur, the Company will not be required to pay these contingent fees. As of the closing of the Public Offering, the amount of these contingent fees was approximately $342,690. There can be no assurances that the Company will complete a Business Combination.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies.
25
Warrant Liabilities
We account for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15-7D and 7F under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statements of operations. The Private Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
We apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Net income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted for Class A redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the interest income earned on the Trust Account, net of applicable franchise and income taxes, by the weighted average number of Class A redeemable common stock outstanding for the period. Net income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted for Class B non-redeemable common stock is calculated by dividing the net income, less income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock, by the weighted average number of Class B non-redeemable common stock outstanding for the period presented.
Recent Accounting Standards
Other than below, management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, including the standard referenced in the next paragraph, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our condensed financial statements.
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As of June 30, 2021, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. Following the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering, including amounts in the Trust Account, have been invested in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in certain money market funds that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
26
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2021, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that as of June 30, 2021 our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
Our internal control over financial reporting did not result in the proper accounting classification of certain of the Warrants we issued in January 2021. This mistake in classification was brought to our attention only when the SEC issued a Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”) dated April 12, 2021 (the “SEC Statement”). The SEC Statement addresses certain accounting and reporting considerations related to warrants of a kind similar to those we issued at the time of our initial public offering in January 2021.
In addition, as part of a subsequent review of our accounting for more complex equity situations, we also changed our accounting methodology for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption to be in accordance with guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Redeemable equity instruments (including equity instruments that feature redemption rights that are either with the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. Accordingly, we have determined that all outstanding shares of our Class A common stock should be presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholder’s equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
Due to the impact of these two mistakes on our financial statements, we determined that a material weakness exists in our internal control over financial reporting.
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 June 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, other than as described herein. Management has implemented remediation steps to address the material weakness and to improve our internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, we enhanced the supervisory review of accounting procedures in this financial reporting area and expanded and improved our review process for complex securities and related accounting standards. As of June 30, 2021, this had not been fully remediated.
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 report include the risk factors described in our final prospectus for its Initial Public Offering filed with the SEC. As of the date of this Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our final prospectus for its Initial Public Offering filed with the SEC.
27
As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity will likely need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
Our warrants are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of our 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 special purpose acquisition companies 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 warrants that have certain settlement terms and provisions related to certain tender offers or warrants which do not meet the criteria to be considered indexed to an entity’s own stock, which terms are similar to those contained in the warrant agreement governing our Warrants. As a result of the SEC Statement, we evaluated the accounting treatment of our 7,666,666 Public Warrants and 2,840,000 Private Placement Warrants, and determined that the Warrants should be recorded as derivative liabilities measured at fair value, with changes in fair value each period reported in earnings.
28
As a result, included on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report are derivative liabilities related to embedded features contained within our Warrants. Accounting Standards Codification 815-40, “Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts on an Entity’s Own Equity”, 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 statements of operations. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly, based on factors, which are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect that we will recognize non-cash gains or losses on our Warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses could be material.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021. If we are unable to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Following this issuance of the SEC Statement, after consultation with our independent registered public accounting firm, our management concluded that, in light of the SEC Statement, we identified a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting related to the accounting for the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants. We further identified a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting related to the accounting for shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption.
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 and corrected on a timely basis.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. We continue to evaluate steps to remediate the material weakness. These remediation measures may be time consuming and costly and there is no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.
If we identify any new material weaknesses in the future, any such newly identified material weakness could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements. In such case, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to applicable stock exchange listing requirements, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and our stock price may decline as a result. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, or any measures we may take in the future, will be sufficient to avoid potential future material weaknesses.
We may face litigation and other risks as a result of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
As a result of such material weakness, the change in accounting for the Warrants and the Class A common stock, 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 weaknesses 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.
29
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On November 9, 2020, our Sponsor purchased 7,187,500 Founder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share. On November 19, 2020, we effectuated a 0.8-for-1 reverse split of the Founder Shares, resulting in an aggregate outstanding amount of 5,750,000 Founder Shares. Subsequently, our Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 100,000 Founder Shares to our independent directors and consultants.
In connection with the closing of our Public Offering and the underwriters exercise of the over-allotment, we completed the private sale of an aggregate of 2,840,000 Private Placement Warrants to our Sponsor at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant, generating total proceeds, before expenses, of $4,260,000. The Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public Warrants sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants may be physical (cash) or net share (cashless) settled and are not redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than our Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Warrants.
The sales of the above securities by the Company were exempt from registration under the Securities Act, in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Use of Proceeds
On January 14, 2021, our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-251560) was declared effective by the SEC for the Public Offering pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 23,000,000 Units at an offering price to the public of $10.00 per Unit, including 3,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriter’s partial exercise of its over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000.
After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions (excluding the Deferred Discount, which amount will be payable upon the consummation of our Business Combination, if consummated) and the estimated offering expenses, the total net proceeds from our Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were $234,260,000, of which $230,000,000 (or $10.00 per share sold in the Public Offering) was placed in the Trust Account in the United States maintained by the Trustee.
Through January 20, 2021, we incurred $506,274 for costs and expenses related to the Public Offering. At the IPO Closing Date, we paid a total of $2,760,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions. In addition, the underwriters agreed to defer $8,050,000 in underwriting commissions, which amount will be payable upon consummation of our Business Combination, if consummated. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our Public Offering as described in our final prospectus dated January 14, 2021 which was filed with the SEC.
Our Sponsor, executive officers and directors have agreed, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, that we will have only 24 months from the IPO Closing Date to complete our Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our Business Combination within such 24-month period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in our Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable, and 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 stockholder’s rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
As of June 30, 2021, $230,009,831 was held in the Trust Account, and we had approximately $68,653 of unrestricted cash available to us for our activities in connection with identifying and conducting due diligence of a suitable Business Combination, and for general corporate matters.
30
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
No. |
| Description of Exhibit |
31.1* | ||
31.2* | ||
32.1** | ||
32.2** | ||
101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | Furnished. |
31
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GROUP NINE ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
Date: August 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ Ben Lerer |
Name: | Ben Lerer | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
32