SEP Acquisition Corp. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

☐ 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 001-40679

SEP ACQUISITION CORP. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3737 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 1750 

Houston, TX 77098 

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(713) 715-6820 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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

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

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

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 May 15, 2023, there were 1,304,259 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 4,510,375 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share issued and outstanding.

MERCURY ECOMMERCE ACQUISITION CORP. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

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

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

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

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

FOR THE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED) 

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

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

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

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN

SEP Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) formerly known as Mercury Ecommerce Acquisition Corp. (the name of the Company changed on December 21, 2022), is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on March 1, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”). The Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described in Note 3, along with costs associated with the search for a target to enter into the Business Combination with the Company. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of realized gains from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on July 27, 2021. On July 30, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 17,500,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $175,000,000 which is described in Note 3.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 7,850,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Mercury Sponsor Group I LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $7,850,000, which is described in Note 4.

The Company granted the underwriter in the Initial Public Offering a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 541,500 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”), generating gross proceeds of $5,415,000, and incurred $108,300 in cash underwriting fees and $189,525 that will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions, which is described in Note 3.

Simultaneously with the underwriter partially exercising the over-allotment option, the Sponsor purchased an additional 162,450 warrants (the “Over-Allotment Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Over-Allotment Private Placement Warrant ($162,450 in the aggregate), which is described in Note 4.

In addition, the Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to 656,250 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriter. The underwriter partially exercised its over-allotment option on August 20, 2021 and forfeited the remainder of the option; thus, 520,875 Founder Shares were forfeited by the Sponsor, which is described in Note 5.

Transaction costs amounted to $15,401,418 consisting of $3,608,300 of underwriting fees, $6,314,525 of deferred underwriting fees, $764,193 of other offering costs, and $4,714,400 of the excess fair value of the Founder Shares sold over the purchase price of $4,150 (see Note 5).

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering and partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, a total of $182,219,150 from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering, the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, and the sale of the Over-Allotment Private Placement Warrants was placed in a Trust Account (the “Trust Account”) and invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with maturities of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

The Company will provide its stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The stockholders will be entitled to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the amount held in the Trust Account (initially $10.10 per share), calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of a Business Combination, including any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.

The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of such Business Combination and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the holders of the Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased in or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination and to waive their redemption rights with respect to any such shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a Business Combination. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem its Public Shares, without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against a proposed Business Combination.

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

The initial stockholders have agreed to waive (a) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of an initial Business Combination, (b) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of Class A common stock the right to have their shares redeemed or to provide for the redemption of Public Shares in connection with an initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below), or with respect to any other material provision relating to stockholder rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity and (c) their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares held by them if the Company fails to complete an initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below). However, if the initial stockholders acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below).

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

The Company initially had 18 months, or 24 months if the Company had signed a definitive agreement with respect to an initial Business Combination within such 18-month period from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (the “Combination Period”) to complete a Business Combination. Following approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal (defined below), the Company has until July 30, 2024 to complete a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations, except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (net of permitted withdrawals and 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 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 an initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.

On December 20, 2022, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders where the Company’s stockholders approved the Extension Amendment, extending the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination from January 30, 2023 (or July 30, 2023, if the Company had executed a definitive agreement for a business combination by January 30, 2023) to July 30, 2024 (the “Extension Amendment Proposal”). In connection with the Extension Proposal, the Company was required to permit public stockholders to redeem their shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Of the 18,041,500 shares of the company’s Class A common stock outstanding, the holders of 16,737,241 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of approximately $10.22. As a result, the Company transferred cash in the amount of $185,001,686 to the Trustee, of which $171,094,003 was designated to pay such holders who had elected to redeem their shares in connection with the Extension Proposal. As of December 31, 2022, $161,957,835 had been paid to the redeeming stockholders and $22,468,765 remained in restricted cash, $9,136,168 of which was paid subsequent to December 31, 2022 to such holders who elected to redeem their shares. Following the redemptions, the Company had 1,304,259 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock outstanding and $13,332,597 remained in the Trust Account.

The underwriter has agreed to waive its rights to its 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. 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.

In order to protect the amounts in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than the Company’s independent registered accounting firm) 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) $10.10 per Public Share or (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of permitted withdrawals, except as to any claims by a third party (including such target business) that executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether any such waiver is enforceable) and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity or contribution of the underwriter of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

Nasdaq Notifications

On January 22, 2023, the Company received a written notice from the listing qualifications department staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company was not in compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(4), due to the Company’s failure to meet the minimum 500,000 publicly held shares requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. On February 9, 2023, the Company submitted to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(4), pursuant to which the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Blair Garrou, agreed to sell 80,000 of the shares of Class A Common Stock he is deemed to beneficially own through Mercury Houston Partners, LLC and Mercury Affiliates XI, LLC by means of private sales to unaffiliated buyers. After the private sales of 80,000 shares of Class A common stock to unaffiliated buyers, the Company has 509,259 publicly held shares as defined in Listing Rule 5001(a)(35) of the Nasdaq Rules. Based on the Company’s submission, the Company received a letter on February 27, 2023, in which the Nasdaq staff determined to grant the Company an extension of time to regain compliance with the Listing Rule 5550(a)(4). Under the terms of the extension, the Company was required to file with the SEC and Nasdaq a public document containing the Company’s current total shares outstanding and a beneficial ownership table in accordance with SEC proxy rules on or before March 31, 2023, which the Company complied with by virtue of filing the beneficial ownership table in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. On April 4, 2023, the Company received a written notice from the listing qualifications department of Nasdaq stating that the Nasdaq staff had determined that the Company was in compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(4) and that the matter was now closed.

On March 28, 2023, the Company received a written notice from the listing qualifications department staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company’s minimum Market Value of Listed Securities (“MVLS”) was below the minimum of $35 million required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) (the “Market Value Standard”). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C), the Company will have 180 calendar days, or until September 25, 2023, to regain compliance with the Market Value Standard. To regain compliance with the Market Value Standard, the MVLS for the Company’s common stock must be at least $35 million for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days at any time during this 180-day period. If the Company regains compliance with the Market Value Standard, Nasdaq will provide the Company with written confirmation and will close the matter. If the Company does not regain compliance with the rule by September 25, 2023, Nasdaq will provide notice that the Company’s securities will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. In the event of such notification, the Nasdaq rules permit the Company an opportunity to appeal Nasdaq’s determination. The Company is monitoring the MLVS of its common stock and is evaluating options to regain compliance with the Nasdaq continued listing standards. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain or maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing criteria.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

Going Concern Consideration

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $684,374 in cash held outside of the Trust Account and a working capital deficit of $387,746. The Company anticipates that the cash held outside of the Trust Account as of March 31, 2023 will not be sufficient to allow the Company to operate for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of the condensed financial statements, assuming that a Business Combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, the Company will be using the funds held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable and accrued liabilities, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the condensed financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Business Combination as discussed above. In addition, 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 additional funds as may be required under the Working Capital Loans (as defined in Note 5). There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to consummate the Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period or that the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors will loan the Company funds as may be required under the Working Capital Loans.

As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern, management has determined that the conditions described above raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through approximately one year from the date the condensed financial statements are issued. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Risks and Uncertainties

The credit and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruptions due to the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The conflict is expected to have further global economic consequences, including but not limited to the possibility of severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in inflation rates and uncertainty about economic and political stability. In addition, the United States and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia which increases the risk that Russia, as a retaliatory action, may launch cyberattacks against the United States, its government, infrastructure and businesses. Any of the foregoing consequences, including those the Company cannot yet predict, may cause the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and the price of the Company’s common stock to be adversely affected.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed financial statements of the Company are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or for any future periods.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

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.

The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such 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 condensed 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 condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed 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 condensed financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company has $398,449 of cash equivalents in short term treasury bills as of March 31, 2023.

 Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents

Investments in Trading Securities

The Company invests auxiliary funds from the operating bank account into the trading securities held in a brokerage account. Investments consist of U.S government treasury obligations with fair value of $403,312 and $0 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any unrealized gains or losses related to its investments in trading securities.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED) 

Investments Held in Trust Account

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the assets held in the Trust Account were held in U.S. government treasury obligations with maturities of 185 days or less, which were invested in U.S. Treasury securities. Trading securities are presented on the condensed balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities are included in unrealized gains (losses) on investments held in Trust Account and realized gains (losses) on investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying condensed statements of operations.

Restricted Cash Held with Trustee

In connection with the Extension Amendment, the Company transferred cash in the amount of $185,001,686 to the Trustee. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the company had $0 and $22,468,765 in restricted cash held with Trustee, respectively. The Company does not have access to these funds. The assets held with the Trustee were solely used in the payout of redeeming stockholders. From the remaining restricted cash held with Trustee, $9,136,168 was paid to remaining redeeming stockholders and $13,332,597 was transferred back to the Trust Account.

Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”). Common stock subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity (deficit). The Company’s Class A common stock includes certain redemption rights that are outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events and therefore is classified as temporary equity. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 1,304,259 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of the Company’s balance sheets.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable Class A common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable Class A common stock are recorded against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit. The Company recorded an initial accretion of carrying value to redemption valuation of $25,012,764 upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering. The Company subsequently recorded accretion of carrying value to redemption value of $141,323 due to unrealized gains on the investments held in the Trust Account for the three months ended March 31,2023, as the holders of the Class A common stock subject to redemption have the right to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the amount held in the Trust Account including 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.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption reflected in the condensed financial statements is reconciled in the following table:

Warrant Liabilities

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.

For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations. See Note 10 for details regarding the valuation of the Public Warrants (as defined in Note 3) and the Private Placement Warrants.

Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, Expenses of Offering. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs directly attributable to the issuance of an equity contract to be classified in equity are recorded as a reduction in equity. Offering costs for equity contracts that are classified as assets and liabilities are expensed immediately. The Company incurred offering costs amounting to $15,401,418 as a result of the Initial Public Offering (consisting of $3,608,300 of underwriting fees, $6,314,525 of deferred underwriting fees, $764,193 of other offering costs, and $4,714,400 of the excess fair value of the Founder Shares sold over the purchase price of $4,150 (see Note 5). Offering costs recorded to equity amounted to $14,638,901 and offering costs that were expensed amounted to $762,517.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

Income Taxes

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception. The Company's effective tax rate from continuing operations was 0.0% and 0.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

On March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as receiver. On March 10, 2023, the Company announced that it held all of its operating cash deposits with SVB in the amount of $1,343,809. None of the Company’s Trust Account deposits are held at SVB. Following the joint announcement issued by the Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, and FDIC on March 12, 2023, whereby the FDIC will complete its resolution of the receivership of SVB in a manner that fully protects all depositors, the Company has access to all of their operating funds. On March 27, 2023, SVB was acquired by First Citizens Bank and the Company’s deposits continue to be FDIC insured.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and private placement to purchase an aggregate of 17,033,200 shares in the calculation of diluted income (loss) per share, since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. In order to determine the net income (loss) attributable to both the public Class A common stock and Class B common stock, the Company first considered the total income (loss) allocable to both sets of shares. This is calculated using the total net income (loss) less any dividends paid. For purposes of calculating net income (loss) per share, any remeasurement of the accretion to redemption value of the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption was considered to be dividends paid to the public stockholders. Subsequent to calculating the total income (loss) allocable to both sets of shares, the Company split the amount to be allocated using a ratio of 22% for the Class A common stock and 78% for the Class B common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and a ratio of 80% for the Class A common stock and 20% for the Class B common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflective of the respective participation rights.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

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

As of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, no Founder Shares remain subject to forfeiture, as such the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and share in earnings. As a result, diluted income (loss) per share is the same as basic income (loss) per share for the periods presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

The Company applies ASC 820, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 generally requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED) 

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, other than the investments held in the Trust Account and warrant liabilities, approximate the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.

Level 1 — Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are determined using prices for recently traded assets and liabilities with similar underlying terms, as well as direct or indirect observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are unobservable inputs, such as estimates, assumptions, and valuation techniques when little or no market data exists for the assets or liabilities.

See Note 10 for additional information on assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 17,500,000 Units, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share (see Note 7).

The Company had granted the underwriter in the Initial Public Offering a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 541,500 Over-Allotment Units, generating gross proceeds of $5,415,000, and incurred $108,300 in cash underwriting fees and $189,525 that will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions.

NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 7,850,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant ($7,850,000 in the aggregate). Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. Upon the purchase of the Private Placement Warrants by the Sponsor, the Company recorded the excess proceeds received over the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants as additional paid-in capital.

Simultaneously with the underwriter partially exercising the over-allotment option, the Sponsor purchased an additional 162,450 Over-Allotment Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Over-Allotment Private Placement Warrant ($162,450 in the aggregate).

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED) 

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

On March 4, 2021, the Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for the issuance of 5,031,250 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”). The outstanding Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 656,250 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the Sponsor would own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (assuming the Sponsor did not purchase any Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering). The underwriter partially exercised its over-allotment option on August 20, 2021 and forfeited the remainder of the option; thus, 520,875 Founder Shares were forfeited by the Sponsor.

A total of ten anchor investors purchased 14,402,000 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the offering price of $10.00 per Unit; seven anchor investors purchased 1,732,500 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the offering price of $10.00 per Unit, and such allocations were determined by the underwriter; one anchor investor purchased 1,400,000 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the offering price of $10.00 per unit; and two anchor investors purchased 437,500 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the offering price of $10.00 per Unit. In connection with the purchase of such Units, the anchor investors have not been granted any stockholder or other rights in addition to those afforded to the Company’s other public stockholders. Further, the anchor investors are not required to (i) hold any Units, Class A common stock or warrants they may purchase in the Initial Public Offering or thereafter for any amount of time, (ii) vote any Class A common stock they may own at the applicable time in favor of the Business Combination or (iii) refrain from exercising their right to redeem their Public Shares at the time of the Business Combination. The anchor investors will have the same rights to the funds held in the Trust Account with respect to the Class A common stock underlying the Units they purchased in the Initial Public Offering as the rights afforded to the Company’s other public stockholders.

Each anchor investor has entered into separate investment agreements with the Company and the Sponsor pursuant to which each anchor investor purchased a specified number of Founder Shares, or an aggregate of 830,000 Founder Shares, from the Sponsor for $0.005 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $4,150 at the closing of the Initial Public Offering, which was subject to such anchor investor’s acquisition of 100% of the Units allocated to it by the underwriter in the Initial Public Offering. Pursuant to the investment agreements, the anchor investors have agreed to (a) vote any Founder Shares held by them in favor of the Business Combination and (b) subject any Founder Shares held by them to the same lock-up restrictions as the Founder Shares held by the Sponsor and independent directors.

The Company estimated the fair value of the Founder Shares attributable to the anchor investors to be $4,714,400 or $5.68 per share. The excess of the fair value of the Founder Shares sold over the purchase price of $4,150 (or $0.005 per share) was determined to be an offering cost in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A. Accordingly, the offering costs were allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the Initial Public Offering in proportion to the amount allocated to the Class A common stock and Public Warrants, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs allocated to derivative warrant liabilities were expensed immediately in the statement of operations. Offering costs allocated to the Public Shares were charged to temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.

Promissory Note - Related Party

On March 4, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and was payable on the earlier of (i) August 30, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 there was no outstanding balance under the Promissory Note. The outstanding balance under the Promissory Note was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on July 30, 2021.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

On October 11, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured Second Promissory Note (the “Second Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1,000,000 from the Second Promissory Note at a 6% interest rate on or before October 11, 2024 to cover, among other things, expenses related to a business combination. The total amount outstanding on the Second Promissory Note was $960,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Administrative Support Agreement

The Company entered into an agreement to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for administrative, financial and support services. Upon the completion of an initial Business Combination, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. As of July 1, 2022, the administrative support agreement was terminated and no further expense was incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $0 and $30,000, respectively under this agreement.

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 additional 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 held in 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 is not completed, the Company may use a portion of the proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. 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 at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no Working Capital Loans were outstanding.

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on July 27, 2021, the holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion into shares of Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of an initial 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 Company had granted the underwriter in the Initial Public Offering a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 541,500 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”), generating gross proceeds of $5,415,000, and incurred $108,300 in cash underwriting fees and $189,525 that will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

The underwriter was paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $3,608,300 in the aggregate, upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and partial exercise of the over-allotment option. In addition, $0.35 per unit, or $6,314,525 in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

NOTE 7. WARRANTS

Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) one year 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 a share of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.

The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) business days after the closing of an initial Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC 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 cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration or redemption of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) business day after the closing of an initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Company’s shares of Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (except with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. However, the Company will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period.

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

The fair market value of the Company's Class A common stock shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A common stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. The Company will provide its warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends. In no event will the warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 shares of Class A common stock per warrant (subject to adjustment).

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 an initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company's board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsors or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of an initial Business Combination on the date of the completion of an initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of the shares of Class A common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company completes an initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 and $18.00 per share redemption trigger prices described adjacent to “Redemption of warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00” and “Redemption of warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 100% and 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, respectively.

The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 9,020,750 Public Warrants and 8,012,450 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. The Company accounts for the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability.

The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments required that the Company record the warrants as derivative liabilities at fair value upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants were allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to its fair value. The warrant liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liabilities are adjusted to current fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification.

NOTE 8. STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Preferred stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 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. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no preferred shares issued or outstanding.

Class A common stock — The Company is authorized to issue 150,000,000 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. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 0 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 1,304,259 Class A common stock subject to possible redemption. In connection with the Extension Amendment holders of 16,737,241 shares of the Company's Class A common stock elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of approximately $10.18, following the redemptions, the Company had 1,304,259 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock outstanding.

Class B common stock — The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. On March 4, 2021, the Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for the issuance of 5,031,250 Class B common stock. The underwriter partially exercised their over-allotment option on August 20, 2021 and forfeited the remainder of the option; thus, 520,875 shares of Class B common stock were forfeited by the Sponsor. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 4,510,375 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.

Only holders of Class B common stock will have the right to elect all of the Company’s directors prior to the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of an initial 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 sold in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of an initial 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 anti-dilution 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 total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon 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 an initial Business Combination (net of the number of shares of Class A common stock redeemed in connection with an initial Business Combination), excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in an initial Business Combination and any warrants issued upon the conversion of Working Capital Loans made to the Company.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 9. INCOME TAX

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax assets, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore maintained a full valuation allowance. At March 31, 2023 and 2022, the valuation allowance was $378,802 and $46,289, respectively.

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

The Company's effective tax rate from continuing operations was 0.0% and 0.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities which are not recognized for tax purposes and the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals, or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, since both Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants are subject to the certain make-whole provisions, Private Placement Warrants will have the same value as the Public Warrants and the public trading price is used.

 Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis:

SEP ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

In connection with the Extension Proposal (Note 1), the Company was required to permit public stockholders to redeem their shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Prior to the redemption of shares, the fair value amount of Investments held in the Trust Account was $185,001,686, of which $161,957,835 was redeemed by shareholders and $575,087 was transferred to the Company’s operating bank account for payment of taxes.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, since both Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants are subject to the certain make-whole provisions, Private Placement Warrants will have the same value as the Public Warrants and the public trading price is used. Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

The Company recognized a gain in connection with changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $170,333 and $1,873,651 within the statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. The gain on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities was due in large part to the decrease in the public traded price of the Public Warrants.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to SEP Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) formerly known as Mercury Ecommerce Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Mercury Sponsor Group I LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, 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 for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2023, as well as the Company’s other filings with the SEC from time to time. The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on March 1, 2021 as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effectuating a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this Quarterly Report as our “initial business combination”. On December 20, 2022, the Company changed its name from Mercury Ecommerce Acquisition Corp. to SEP Acquisition Corp. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering and the private placement of the private placement warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.

On December 20, 2022, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders where the Company’s stockholders approved the Extension Amendment, extending the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination from January 30, 2023 (or July 30, 2023 if the Company has executed a definitive agreement for a business combination by January 30, 2023) to July 30, 2024 (the “Extension Amendment Proposal”). In connection with the Extension Proposal, the Company was required to permit public stockholders to redeem their shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock. Of the 18,041,500 shares of the company's Class A common stock outstanding, the holders of 16,737,241 shares of the Company's Class A common stock elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of approximately $10.18. As a result, approximately $170.4 million was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders and approximately $13.8 million remained in the Trust Account. Following the redemptions, the Company had 1,304,259 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock outstanding.

Results of Operations

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for our initial public offering, described below and activities related to searching for a potential business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents held after our initial public offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had net income of $9,167, which resulted from gains on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $170,333, unrealized gains on investments held in the Trust Account of $141,323, and interest income earned on the Brokerage Account of $1,761, partially offset by formation and operating costs of $246,748, franchise tax expense of $43,300, and interest expense on promissory note due to related party of $14,202. The gains on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities was due in large part to the decrease in the public traded price of the public warrants.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had net income of $1,671,654, which resulted from gains on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,873,651, unrealized gains on investments held in the Trust Account of $53,063, and realized gains on investments held in the Trust Account of $18,428, partially offset by formation and operating costs of $222,890 and franchise tax expense of $50,598. The gain on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities was due in large part to the decrease in the publicly traded price of the public warrants.

Going Concern, Liquidity, and Capital Resources

On July 30, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering of 17,500,000 units generating gross proceeds to the Company of $175,000,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the initial public offering, we completed the private sale of 7,850,000 warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant (the "private placement warrants"), generating gross proceeds of $7,850,000. The proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants were added to the net proceeds from our initial public offering held in a Trust Account (the “Trust Account”). If we do not complete an initial business combination within 36 months from the closing of our initial public offering (July 30, 2024), we will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, the proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the private placement warrants will expire worthless.

We had granted the underwriter in our initial public offering a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 541,500 units, generating gross proceeds of $5,415,000, and incurred $108,300 in cash underwriting fees and $189,525 that will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. Simultaneously with the underwriter partially exercising the over-allotment option, our sponsor purchased an additional 162,450 private placement warrants (the "over-allotment private placement warrants") at a price of $1.00 per over-allotment private placement warrant ($162,450 in the aggregate).

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $257,884, which was due to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $170,333, unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account of 141,323 and interest income earned on the Brokerage Account of $1,761, partially offset by our net income of $9,167, interest expense on promissory note - related party of $14,202 and changes in working capital of $32,164.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $446,749, which was due to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,873,651, changes in working capital of $173,261, unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account of $53,063 and realized gain on investments held in Trust Account of $18,428 partially offset by our net income of $1,671,654.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $13,734,148, which was due to purchases of U.S. government treasury obligations of $13,332,597 and purchases in the Brokerage Account of $401,551.

There were no investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used by financing activities was $9,136,168, which was solely a result of payments made to redeeming stockholders.

There were no financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had cash of $684,374 and $1,343,809, held outside the Trust Account, respectively, and a working capital deficit of $387,746 and $9,221,425, respectively. On October 11, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1,000,000 on or before October 11, 2024 at a 6% interest rate to cover, among other things, expenses related to a business combination. On October 11, 2022, the Company borrowed $200,000 under the promissory note. On December 21, 2022 and December 27, 2022, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $760,000 under the promissory note bringing the total drawdowns to $960,000 as of March 31, 2023.

The Company anticipates that the cash held outside of the Trust Account as of March 31, 2023 will not be sufficient to allow the Company to operate for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of the condensed financial statements, assuming that a Business Combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, the Company will be using the funds held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable and accrued liabilities, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the condensed financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Business Combination as discussed above. In addition, 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 additional funds as may be required under the Working Capital Loans (as defined in Note 5 to the condensed financial statements). There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to consummate the Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period or that the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors will loan the Company funds as may be required under the Working Capital Loans.

As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern, management has determined that the conditions described above raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through approximately one year from the date the condensed financial statements are issued. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Banking Arrangements

On March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as receiver. On March 10, 2023, the Company announced that it held all of its operating cash deposits with SVB in the amount of $1,343,809. None of the Company’s Trust Account deposits are held at SVB. Following the joint announcement issued by the Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, and FDIC on March 12, 2023, whereby the FDIC will complete its resolution of the receivership of SVB in a manner that fully protects all depositors, the Company has access to all of its operating funds. On March 27, 2023, SVB was acquired by First Citizens Bank and the Company’s deposits continue to be FDIC insured.

Contractual Obligations

Promissory Note - Related Party

On October 11, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured Second Promissory Note (the “Second Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1,000,000 from the Second Promissory Note at a 6% interest rate on or before October 11, 2024 to cover, among other things, expenses related to a business combination. The total amount outstanding on the Second Promissory Note was $960,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Underwriting Agreement

We granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional units to cover over-allotments at our initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 541,500 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $5,415,000.

The underwriter was paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $3,608,300 in the aggregate, upon the closing of our initial public offering and partial exercise of the over-allotment option. In addition, $0.35 per unit, or $6,314,525 in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete an initial business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

This item is not applicable as we are a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under 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. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2023, due to a material weakness (discussed below) in our internal control over financial reporting.

As of December 31, 2022, a material weakness existed related to the fact that we have not yet designed and maintained effective internal controls related to accounting for complex financial instruments. This material weakness continues to exist as of March 31, 2023. In addition, a material weakness related to the proper classification of purchases of trading securities by the Company in its cash flow statement was identified during the current reporting period and continues to exist as of March 31, 2023.

In light of these material weaknesses, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our condensed financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Management has enhanced our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and apply complex accounting guidance. Our updated processes include providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. In addition, Management has enhanced our processes to correctly interpret and classify cash flow activity for financial statement purposes. Our updated processes include enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex cash flow classification. The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.

Management has concluded that our condensed financial statements included in this Report are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with GAAP for each of the periods presented therein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the implementation of the remediation activities discussed above regarding the material weakness, during the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.

Our results of operations and our ability to complete an initial business combination may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond our control. Our business could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, increases in oil prices, inflation, increases in interest rates, supply chain disruptions, declines in consumer confidence and spending, and geopolitical instability, such as the military conflict in Ukraine. We cannot at this time fully predict the likelihood of one or more of the above events, their duration or magnitude or the extent to which they may negatively impact our business and our ability to complete initial business combination.

None.

None.

Not applicable.

None.

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.