TortoiseEcofin Acquisition Corp. III - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

TORTOISEECOFIN ACQUISITION CORP. III

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

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

References to the “Company,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to TortoiseEcofin Acquisition Corp. III. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 3, 2021. We were incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities that we have not yet identified.

Our sponsor is TortoiseEcofin Sponsor III LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), which is owned by Hennessy Capital Growth Partners Fund I SPV V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HCGP”), and its consolidated subsidiaries and our management (directly or indirectly, including through family trusts). On February 9, 2021, the Sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share, to cover certain expenses on behalf of the Company in consideration of 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Founder Shares”). The registration statement for our initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) was declared effective by the SEC on July 19, 2021. On July 22, 2021, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 30,000,000 units (the “Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $300.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $28.3 million, of which $10.5 million was for deferred underwriting commissions and $11.1 million was the excess of the fair value of the Founder Shares sold by the Sponsor to certain qualified institutional buyers or institutional accredited investors (the “Anchor Investors”) over the price paid by such Anchor Investors for such Founder Shares. On July 23, 2021, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full and on July 27, 2021, they purchased 4,500,000 additional Units, generating gross proceeds of $45.0 million (the “Over-Allotment”), and incurring offering costs of approximately $2.5 million, of which approximately $1.6 million was for deferred underwriting commissions. Approximately $1,329,000 of the offering costs were allocated to derivative warrant liabilities.

Simultaneously with the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we completed the sale of 6,333,333 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) in a private placement (the “Private Placement”), at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant, to TortoiseEcofin Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“TortoiseEcofin Borrower”), generating proceeds of $9.5 million. Concurrently with the consummation of the Over-Allotment on July 27, 2021, TortoiseEcofin Borrower purchased 600,000 additional Private Placement Warrants, generating proceeds of $900,000 (the “Second Private Placement”). Pursuant to that certain securities purchase agreement, dated as of July 19, 2023, HCGP acquired from TortoiseEcofin Borrower all of its limited liability company interests in the Sponsor, as well as 5,893,333 Private Placement Warrants of the Company held by TortoiseEcofin Borrower.

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Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement on July 22, 2021, and the closing of the Over-Allotment and the Second Private Placement on July 27, 2021, the net proceeds thereof consisting of $345.0 million ($10.00 per Unit) were placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and may be invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of an initial business combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering, the Over-Allotment and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating an initial business combination. If we have not completed an business combination by November 22, 2023, or a later date if extended (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish our public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (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 remaining shareholders and the board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2023, we had approximately $13,000 in operating cash and a working capital deficit of approximately $1,192,000.

Our liquidity needs prior to the consummation of our Initial Public Offering were satisfied through the payment of $25,000 from the Sponsor to cover certain expenses on behalf of our Company in exchange for the issuance of 8,625,000 Founder Shares, and the loan from our Sponsor of approximately $195,000 under an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”). We repaid the Note in full on July 22, 2021 and borrowings thereunder are no longer available. Subsequent to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, our liquidity has been satisfied through the net proceeds of $3.5 million from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Over-Allotment and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held outside of the Trust Account. In addition, in order to finance general working capital needs in connection with an initial business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide us with funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). On February 1, 2023, we issued the 2023 Note to TortoiseEcofin Borrower in the amount of $500,000 to finance our general working capital needs. On February 1, 2023, March 9, 2023 and May 9, 2023, the Company borrowed a $100,000, $50,000 and $185,000, respectively, under the 2023 Note. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were $335,000 and $0, respectively, outstanding under Working Capital Loans. On July 19, 2023, the Company issued a promissory note (the “HCGP Note”) in the principal amount of up to $1,000,000 to HCGP. The HCGP Note was issued in connection with advances HCGP may make in the future to the Company for working capital expenses. The HCGP Note bears no interest and is repayable in full upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination and (ii) the date that the winding up of the Company is effective. At the election of HCGP, all or a portion of the unpaid principal amount of the HCGP Note may be converted into warrants of the Company at a price of $1.50 per warrant (the “Conversion Warrants”). The Conversion Warrants and their underlying securities are entitled to the registration rights set forth in the HCGP Note. On August 7, 2023 and August 18, 2023, the Company borrowed $100,000 and $280,000, respectively, under the HCGP Note.

In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern,” management has determined that liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. We intend to complete an initial business combination before the mandatory liquidation date; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to consummate any business combination within the Combination Period. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after the Combination Period. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

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Results of Operations

Our entire activity from February 3, 2021 (inception) through July 22, 2021 was in preparation for an Initial Public Offering, and since the completion of our Initial Public Offering through September 30, 2023, our activity had been limited to the searching, negotiation and completing an initial business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial business combination.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we had net income of approximately $0.8 million, which consisted of approximately $3.8 million in interest income from cash held in the Trust Account and other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs of $205,000, partly offset by approximately $1.9 million in change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities and approximately $1,231,000 of general and administrative expenses inclusive of $30,000 of administrative expenses with a related party.

For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had net income of approximately $3.0 million, which consisted of approximately $1.9 million in change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities and approximately $1.6 million in interest income from cash and investments held in the Trust Account, partly offset by approximately $412,000 of general and administrative expenses inclusive of $30,000 of administrative expenses with a related party.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had net income of approximately $9.7 million, which consisted of approximately $11.4 million in interest income from cash held in the Trust Account, approximately $467,000 in change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities and other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs of $205,000, partly offset by approximately $2.2 million of general and administrative expenses inclusive of $90,000 of administrative expenses with a related party.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had net income of approximately $11.7 million, which consisted of approximately $11.0 million in change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities and approximately $2.1 million in interest income from cash and investments held in the Trust Account, partly offset by approximately $1.4 million of general and administrative expenses inclusive of $90,000 of administrative expenses with a related party.

Contractual Obligations

Registration and Shareholder Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were paid an underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or approximately $6.0 million in the aggregate, upon the closing of our Initial Public Offering. In addition, $0.35 per Unit, or approximately $10.5 million in the aggregate, will be payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that that we complete an initial business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

We granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of our Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 4,500,000 additional Units at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full on July 23, 2021, and on July 27, 2021, the underwriters purchased 4,500,000 additional Units, generating gross proceeds of $45.0 million.

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Upon the consummation of the Over-Allotment on July 27, 2021, the underwriters were paid an additional underwriting commission of $900,000 and approximately $1.6 million in additional deferred underwriting commissions will become payable to the underwriters 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.

On July 17, 2023, three of the four underwriters for the Company’s Initial Public Offering, consisting of Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Academy Securities, Inc., agreed to waive all rights to their respective portion of the underwriting commissions (or approximately $9.96 million of the total $12.075 million of the underwriting commissions) with respect to the Company’s proposed business combination. As of September 30, 2023, one of the underwriters had further agreed to waive all rights to their respective portion of the underwriting commissions (approximately $4.83 million) with respect to the Company’s proposed business combination or to any future business combination.

Deferred Legal Fees Associated with Initial Public Offering and Certain Other Matters

We entered into an engagement letter to obtain legal advisory services in connection with our Initial Public Offering, pursuant to which our legal counsel agreed to defer half of their fees associated with the Initial Public Offering until the closing of our initial business combination and has arranged the deferral of certain other legal expenses. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we recorded an aggregate of $518,000 for such deferred legal fees in the accompanying balance sheets.

Administrative Support Agreement

On July 19, 2021, the Company entered into an administrative support agreement (the “Administrative Support Agreement”) with Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (“Tortoise Capital Advisors”), pursuant to which, commencing on the date that the Company’s securities were first listed on the New York Stock Exchange through the earlier of consummation of a business combination and the date of the Company’s liquidation, the Company agreed to pay Tortoise Capital Advisors $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support made available to the Company. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred $30,000 and $90,000, respectively, for such expenses, included as general and administrative expenses—related party on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company incurred $30,000 and $90,000, respectively, for such expenses, included as general and administrative expenses—related party on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of operations. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $50,000 and $0 amounts payable for such services. On July 19, 2023, HCGP assumed Tortoise Capital Advisors’ rights and obligations under the Administrative Support Agreement.

In addition, the Sponsor, the Company’s executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on the Company’s behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combination targets. The Company’s audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by the Company to the Sponsor, the Company’s executive officers or directors, or the Company’s or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred $354 and $21,000, respectively, of such expenses. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company incurred $16,000 and $66,000, respectively, of such expenses. Approximately $28 and $1,000 was payable as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have not identified any critical accounting estimates. 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2021 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and, under the JOBS Act, are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

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

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2023 due to the accounting of waiving the deferred underwriting fees.

As a result, our management performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted principles in the United States of America. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, result of operations and cash flows of the periods presented.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

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

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

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SIGNATURE

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

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