If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved then the Sponsor or its designees have agreed to contribute to us loans (the “Loans”)
of (i) the lesser of (x) $75,000 per month or (y) $0.05 for each Public Share that is not redeemed (such amount, the “Monthly
Amount”) plus (ii) if the Business Combination is not consummated by January 29, 2023, the Monthly Amount for each calendar
month (commencing on January 30, 2023 and ending on the 29th day of each subsequent month), or portion thereof, that is needed
by the Company to complete the Business Combination until July 29, 2023. Accordingly, the amount deposited per share will depend on the
number of Public Shares that remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments and the length of
the extension period that will be needed to complete the Business Combination. If more than 1,500,000 Public Shares remain outstanding
after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount paid per share will be reduced proportionately. For
example, if we complete the Business Combination on July 29, 2023, which would represent six calendar months, no Public Shares
are redeemed and all of our Public Shares remain outstanding in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the aggregate amount
deposited per share will be approximately $0.036 per share, with the aggregate maximum contribution to the Trust Account being
$450,000. However, if 11,150,000 Public Shares are redeemed and 1,500,000 of our Public Shares remain outstanding
after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount deposited per share for such six-month period will
be approximately $0.30 per share.
Assuming the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved and the Board implements the Charter Amendments and the Extension, the initial Monthly
Amount will be deposited in the Trust Account on or around January 29, 2023. Each additional Monthly Amount will be deposited
in the Trust Account within seven calendar days from the 29th of such calendar month (or portion thereof). The Loans are conditioned
upon the implementation of the Charter Amendments. The Loans will not occur if the Charter Amendments are not approved
or the Extension is not completed. The amount of the Loans will not bear interest and will be repayable by us to the Sponsor or its designees
upon consummation of a Business Combination. If the Sponsor or its designees advises us that it does not intend to make the Loans, then
the Charter Amendments and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the stockholders at the Meeting and we will dissolve
and liquidate in accordance with our Charter. Our Board will have the sole discretion whether to extend for additional calendar months
until July 29, 2023 and if our Board determines not to continue extending for additional calendar months, the Sponsor or its designees’
obligation to make Additional Loans following such determination will terminate.
PROXY
STATEMENT
The
special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting of stockholders (the “Meeting”), of Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp. (“we”,
“us”, “our” or the “Company”), to be held at [__:__] a.m. Eastern time on [_____].
You
will be able to attend, vote your shares, and submit questions during the Meeting via a live webcast available at [_____]. The
Meeting will be held for the sole purpose of considering and voting upon the following proposals (the “Proposals”):
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1) |
a
proposal to amend the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”),
in the form set forth in Annex A hereto (the “Extension Amendment” and such proposal, the “Extension
Amendment Proposal”), to extend the date by which the Company must [(i) consummate a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”,
and the Company’s initial Business Combination, the “Business Combination”), (ii) cease all operations except
for the purpose of winding up, and (iii) redeem or repurchase 100% of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A
Common Stock”) included as part of the units (the “Public Shares”) sold in the Company’s initial
public offering that was consummated on October 29, 2021 (the “IPO”), from January 29, 2023 to July 29, 2023
(the “Extension”, and such later date, the “Extended Date”), or such earlier date as determined
by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”)); |
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2) |
A
proposal to amend the Charter — to provide for the right of a holder of Class B common stock of the Company (“Founder
Shares”) to convert into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a Business Combination (“The
Founder Share Amendment Proposal,” and together with the Extension Amendment Proposal, the “Charter Amendment
Proposals,” and such Charter amendments being herein referred to collectively as the “Charter Amendments”); |
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3) |
a
proposal to re-elect each of Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang as Class I directors of the Board until annual meeting of
the Company to be held in the 2024 or until their successors are appointed and qualified (the “Director Election Proposal”);
and |
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4) |
a
proposal to approve the adjournment of the Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote
of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other proposals
(the “Adjournment Proposal”). The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented at the Meeting if there are not
sufficient votes to approve any of the other proposals. |
The
Charter Amendment Proposals are required for the implementation of the plan of the Board to extend the date by which the
Company has to complete the Business Combination. The purpose of the Charter Amendments is to allow the Company more time to complete
the Business Combination and to permit us to convert the Founder Shares into Class A Common Stock. While we are currently in discussions
regarding various Business Combination opportunities, our Board currently believes that there will not be sufficient time before January
29, 2023 to complete the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board believes that in order to be able to consummate the Business Combination,
we will need to obtain the Extension and convert the Founder Shares to Class A Common Stock. Therefore, the Board has determined
that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination
to the Extended Date and permit the conversion of the Founder Shares to Class A Common Stock in order for our stockholders to
have the opportunity to participate in our future investment.
In
connection with the Charter Amendment Proposals, public stockholders may elect (the “Election”) to redeem
their Public Shares for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Company’s trust
account (the “Trust Account”), including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number
of then outstanding Public Shares, regardless of whether such public stockholders vote on the Charter Amendment Proposals.
If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved by the requisite vote of stockholders, the remaining holders of Public
Shares will retain their right to redeem their Public Shares when the Business Combination is submitted to the stockholders, subject
to any limitations set forth in our Charter, as amended by the Charter Amendments. In addition, public stockholders who do not
make the Election would be entitled to have their Public Shares redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed a Business Combination
by the Extended Date. Our sponsor, Bright Vision Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), owns 257,869 shares of our Class A Common
Stock and 2,764,089 shares of our Class B Common Stock (the “Founder Shares”), that were issued to the Sponsor prior
to our IPO, and 257,869 private placement units (the “Private Placement Units”), which were purchased by the Sponsor
in a private placement that occurred simultaneously with the completion of the IPO.
To
make the Election, you must demand that the Company redeem your Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account
and tender your shares to the Company’s transfer agent at least two business days prior to the Meeting (or [_____], 2022).
You may tender your shares by either delivering your share certificate to the transfer agent or by delivering your shares electronically
using the Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (“DWAC”) system. If you hold
your Public Shares in street name, you will need to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to withdraw the Public Shares from your
account in order to make the Election.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved then the Sponsor or its designees have agreed to contribute to us loans
(the “Loans”) of (i) the lesser of (x) $75,000 per month or (y) $0.05 for each Public Share that is
not redeemed (such amount, the “Monthly Amount”) plus (ii) if the Business Combination is not consummated by January
29, 2023, the Monthly Amount for each calendar month (commencing on January 30, 2022 and ending on the 29th day of each subsequent
month), or portion thereof, that is needed by the Company to complete the Business Combination until July 29, 2023. Accordingly, the
amount deposited per share will depend on the number of Public Shares that remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the
Charter Amendments and the length of the extension period that will be needed to complete the Business Combination. If more than
1,500,000 Public Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount
paid per share will be reduced proportionately. For example, if we complete the Business Combination on July 29, 2023, which would
represent six calendar months, no Public Shares are redeemed and all of our Public Shares remain outstanding in connection with
the Charter Amendments, then the aggregate amount deposited per share will be approximately $0.036 per share, with the
aggregate maximum contribution to the Trust Account being $450,000. However, if 11,150,000 Public Shares are redeemed and
1,500,000 of our Public Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the
amount deposited per share for such six-month period will be approximately $0.30 per share.
Assuming
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and the Board implements the Charter Amendments and the Extension,
the initial Monthly Amount will be deposited in the Trust Account on or around January 29, 2023. Each additional Monthly Amount
will be deposited in the Trust Account within seven calendar days from the 29th of such calendar month (or portion thereof). The Loans
are conditioned upon the implementation of the Charter Amendments. The Loans will not occur if the Charter Amendments are
not approved or the Charter Amendments are not completed. The amount of the Loans will not bear interest and will be repayable
by us to the Sponsor or its designees upon consummation of a Business Combination. If the Sponsor or its designees advises us that it
does not intend to make the Loans, then the Charter Amendments and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the stockholders
at the Meeting and we will dissolve and liquidate in accordance with our Charter. Our Board will have the sole discretion whether to
extend for additional calendar months until July 29, 2023 and if our Board determines not to continue extending for additional calendar
months, the Sponsor or its designees’ obligation to make Additional Loans following such determination will terminate.
The
withdrawal of funds from the Trust Account in connection with the Election will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account following
the Election and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be significantly less than the approximately $130 million that was in
the Trust Account as of October 31, 2022. In such event, the Company may need to obtain additional funds to complete the Business Combination,
and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on terms acceptable to the parties or at all.
The
Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow our Board to adjourn the Meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation
of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our stockholders in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or
otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other Proposals.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are not approved and we do not consummate the Business Combination by January 29, 2023,
as contemplated in our IPO Prospectus and in accordance with our Charter, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of
winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held
in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided
by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders
(including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such
redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our
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 our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our Business Combination
within the Combination Period (defined below). There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our rights,
which will expire worthless in the event of our winding up. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect
to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete a Business Combination by January 29, 2023, 15 months from the closing
of the IPO (the “Combination Period”). In the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will
not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units.
As a consequence, a liquidating distribution will be made only with respect to the Public Shares.
If
the Company liquidates, the Sponsor has agreed to indemnify us to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products
sold to us, or any claims by a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into an acquisition agreement, reduce
the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $[10.10] per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the
Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case
net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any (x) any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any
and all rights to seek access to our Trust Account and (y) claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover,
in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the
extent of any liability for such third-party claims. We cannot assure you, however, that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations.
As of the Record Date (as defined below), based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $[130] million as of such date, the pro
rata portion of the funds available in the Trust Account for the redemption of Public Shares was approximately $10.[28] per share (before
taking into account the removal of the accrued interest in the Trust Account to pay our taxes). Nevertheless, the Company cannot assure
you that the per-share distribution from the Trust Account, if the Company liquidates, will not be less than $[10.10], plus interest,
due to unforeseen claims of creditors.
Under
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), stockholders may be held liable for claims by third
parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. If the corporation complies with certain
procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including
a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation
may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders,
any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata
share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third
anniversary of the dissolution.
Because
the Company will not be complying with Section 280 of the DGCL, as described in our IPO Prospectus, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires
us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims
that may be potentially brought against us within the 10 years following our dissolution. However, because we are a blank check company,
rather than an operating company, and our operations have been limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the
only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers or investment bankers) or prospective target businesses.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, the Company, pursuant to the terms of the investment management trust agreement,
dated October 26, 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company (“AST”), will (i) remove from the Trust Account an amount (the “Withdrawal Amount”), equal
to the number of Public Shares properly redeemed multiplied by the per-share price, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in
the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public
Shares, and (ii) deliver to the holders of such redeemed Public Shares their portion of the Withdrawal Amount. The remainder of such
funds shall remain in the Trust Account and be available for use by the Company to complete a Business Combination on or before the Extended
Date. Holders of Public Shares who do not redeem their Public Shares now will retain their redemption rights and their ability to vote
on a Business Combination through the Extended Date, if the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved.
Our
Board has fixed the close of business on November 16, 2022 (the “Record Date”) as the date for determining the Company
stockholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only holders of record of the Company’s
common stock on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. On the Record Date of the
Meeting, there were 13,270,700 shares of our Class A Common Stock and 3,162,500 shares of Class B common stock of the Company (“Class
B Common Stock”) outstanding. The Company’s rights do not have voting rights in connection with the Proposals.
This
proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) contains important information about the Meeting and the Proposals. Please
read it carefully and vote your shares.
We
will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies from our working capital. We have engaged Advantage Proxy, Inc. (the “Solicitation
Agent”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. We have agreed to pay the Solicitation Agent approximately
$7,500 in connection with such services for the Meeting. We will also reimburse the Solicitation Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
and will indemnify the Solicitation Agent and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. In addition
to these mailed proxy materials, our Board and the management of the Company (the “Management”) may also solicit proxies
in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting
proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
While the payment of these expenses will reduce the cash available to us to consummate the Business Combination if the Charter Amendments
are approved, we do not expect such payments to have a material effect on our ability to consummate an initial Business Combination.
This
Proxy Statement is dated [_____], 2022 and is first being mailed to stockholders on or about [_____], 2022.
[_____],
2022 |
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By
Order of the Board of Directors |
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Humphrey
P. Polanen
Chief Executive Officer |
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MEETING
These
Questions and Answers are only summaries of the matters they discuss. They do not contain all of the information that may be important
to you. You should read carefully the entire document, including the annexes to this Proxy Statement.
Why
am I receiving this Proxy Statement?
This
Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being sent to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use
at the Meeting, which is a special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting of stockholders, to be held at [__:__] a.m. Eastern time on [_____],
2022, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. This Proxy Statement summarizes the information that you need to make an informed
decision on the proposals to be considered at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card were first sent to our stockholders
on or about [_____], 2022.
We
are a blank check company formed in Delaware on July 8, 2020, for the purpose of effecting a Business Combination with one or more businesses.
On October 29, 2021, we consummated our IPO, as well as a private placement, from which we derived gross proceeds of approximately $131,695,000
($10.00 per unit) in the aggregate. Following the closing of the IPO, an amount of $127,765,000 from the net proceeds of the sale of
the units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Units was placed in the Trust Account. Like most blank check companies, our
Charter provides for the return of our IPO proceeds held in the Trust Account to the holders of our Public Shares if there is no qualifying
Business Combination consummated on or before a certain date (in our case, January 29, 2023). Our Board believes that it is in the best
interests of the stockholders to continue our existence until the Extended Date and to permit for the conversion of the Founder Shares
to Class A Common Stock in order to allow us more time to complete the Business Combination. Approval of the Charter Amendment
Proposals is a condition to the implementation of the Extension.
The
Meeting is being held, in part, to allow us additional time to complete the Business Combination.
Why
does the Company need to hold an annual meeting?
The
Meeting is also being held, in part, to satisfy the annual meeting requirement of Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”).
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a) requires that we hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors within 12 months after
our fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
In
addition to sending our stockholders this Proxy Statement, we are also sending our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March
31, 2022, so that at the Meeting, stockholders may discuss and ask questions of the Company with respect to such financial statements.
The
Proposals
What
is being voted on?
You
are being asked to vote on four Proposals:
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Extension
Amendment Proposal. A proposal to amend our Charter to extend the date by which we have to either consummate a Business Combination
or wind up the Company and redeem 100% of the Public Shares sold in the IPO from January 29, 2023 to July 29, 2023 (or such earlier
date as determined by the Board); |
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Founder
Share Amendment Proposal. A proposal to amend our Charter to provide for the right of a holder of Founder Shares to
convert into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a Business Combination. |
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Director
Election Proposal. A proposal to re-elect each of Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang as Class I directors of the Board
until the annual meeting of the Company to be held in 2024 or until their successors are appointed and qualified; and |
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Adjournment
Proposal. A proposal to approve the adjournment of the Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation
and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other
Proposals. |
The
Charter Amendment Proposals are required for the implementation of our Board’s plan to extend the date that we have
to complete our Business Combination. The purpose of the Charter Amendments is to allow the Company more time to complete the
Business Combination. Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals is a condition to the implementation of the Extension.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, we will, pursuant to the Trust Agreement, remove the Withdrawal Amount from
the Trust Account, deliver to the holders of redeemed Public Shares their portion of the Withdrawal Amount and retain the remainder of
the funds in the Trust Account for our use in connection with consummating a Business Combination on or before the Extended Date.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved and the Charter Amendments are implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from
the Trust Account in connection with the Election will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account following the Election. We cannot
predict the amount that will remain in the Trust Account if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved. In such event, we may
need to obtain additional funds to complete the Business Combination, and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available
on terms acceptable to the parties or at all.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate the Business Combination by January 29, 2023, as contemplated
by our IPO Prospectus and in accordance with our Charter, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii)
as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable
in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust
Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number
of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including
the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our 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 our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our Business Combination
within the Combination Period. There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless
in the event of our winding up. In the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive any monies
held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units.
Why
is the Company proposing the Charter Amendment Proposals?
Our
Charter provides for the return of our IPO proceeds held in the Trust Account to the holders of Public Shares if there is no qualifying
Business Combination consummated on or before January 29, 2023. As explained below, we will not be able to complete the Business Combination
by that date and therefore, we are asking for an extension of this timeframe.
The
purpose of the Charter Amendment Proposals and, if necessary, the Adjournment Proposal, is to allow us additional time
to complete the Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to consummate the Business Combination, given
the actions that must occur prior to closing of the Business Combination.
The
Company believes that given its expenditure of time, effort and money on finding a Business Combination, circumstances warrant providing
public stockholders an opportunity to consider the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board is proposing the Charter Amendment
Proposal to amend our Charter in the form set forth in Annex A hereto to, among other things, (i) extend the date by which
we must (a) consummate a Business Combination, (b) cease our operations if we fail to complete such Business Combination,
and (c) redeem or repurchase 100% of the Public Shares sold in our IPO from January 29, 2023 to July 29, 2023 (or such earlier
date as determined by the Board) and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Founder Shares to convert into Class A Common Stock
on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a Business Combination. The Charter Amendment Proposals are a condition of the Extension.
You
are not being asked to vote on the Business Combination at this time. If the Charter Amendments are implemented and you do not
elect to redeem your Public Shares, provided that you are a stockholder on the record date for a meeting to consider the Business Combination,
you will retain the right to vote on the Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your Public
Shares for cash in the event the Business Combination is approved and completed or we have not consummated a Business Combination by
the Extended Date.
Why
is the Company proposing the Adjournment Proposal?
The
Company is proposing the Adjournment Proposal to provide flexibility to adjourn the Meeting to give the Company more time to seek approval
of the Charter Amendment Proposals and the Director Election Proposal, if necessary. If the Adjournment Proposal is not
approved, the Company will not have the ability to adjourn the Meeting to a later date for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies.
In such event, the Charter Amendments would not be completed, the Company would cease all operations except for the purpose of
winding up, redeeming 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for cash and, subject to the approval of its remaining stockholders and the
Board, dissolving and liquidating.
Why
should I vote “FOR” the Charter Amendment Proposals?
Our
Board believes stockholders should have an opportunity to evaluate the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board is proposing the
Charter Amendment Proposals to amend our Charter in the form set forth in Annex A hereto to extend the date by which
we must (i) consummate a Business Combination, (ii) cease our operations if we fail to complete such Business Combination, and (iii)
redeem or repurchase 100% of the Public Shares sold in our IPO from January 29, 2023 to July 29, 2023 (or such earlier date as determined
by the Board). The Charter Amendments would give the Company the opportunity to complete the Business Combination.
Our
Charter provides that if our stockholders approve an amendment to our Charter that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation
to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our Business Combination before January 29, 2023, we will provide our public
stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable
in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes
payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. We believe that this Charter provision was included to protect our
stockholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period if we failed to find a suitable Business Combination
in the timeframe contemplated by the Charter.
Our
Board recommends that you vote in favor of the Charter Amendment Proposals.
Why
should I vote “FOR” the Director Election Proposal?
Both
Ms. Spires and Mr. Ren have served on our Board since our IPO. Mr. Chiang joined our board in October 2022. Our Board believes that the
stability and continuity on our Board is important as we continue to search for and complete the Business Combination.
Our
Board recommends that you vote in favor of each of the nominees set forth in the Director Election Proposal.
Why
should I vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal?
If
the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our stockholders, our Board may not be able to adjourn the Meeting to a later date in the
event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other Proposals.
What
vote is required to adopt the Proposals?
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Extension
Amendment Proposal. The approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal will require the affirmative vote of holders of at least
65% of our outstanding shares of common stock on the Record Date. |
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Founder
Share Amendment Proposal. The approval of the Founder Share Amendment Proposal will require the affirmative vote of holders of
a majority our outstanding shares of common stock, including the Founder Shares, on the Record Date. |
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Director
Election Proposal. The election of the nominees in the Director Election Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a plurality
of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock represented in person (including virtually) or by proxy
at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. “Plurality” means that the individuals who receive the largest number of
votes cast “FOR” are elected as directors. |
Adjournment
Proposal. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented, requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by
stockholders present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon.
What
if I don’t want to vote “FOR” any of the Proposals?
If
you do not want the Charter Amendment Proposals to be approved, you may abstain, not vote, or vote “AGAINST”
such proposal. You will be entitled to redeem your Public Shares for cash in connection with this vote whether or not you vote on the
Charter Amendment Proposals, so long as you make the Election. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved,
and the Charter Amendments are implemented, then the Withdrawal Amount will be withdrawn from the Trust Account and paid to the
redeeming holders.
If
you do not want the director nominees to be elected, you must withhold or vote against each nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes
(as described below) will have no effect on the Director Election Proposal.
If
you do not want the Adjournment Proposal to be approved, you must vote against such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as described
below) will have no effect on such proposal.
How
do the Company insiders intend to vote their shares?
All
of our directors, executive officers and their respective affiliates are expected to vote any common stock over which they have voting
control (including any Public Shares owned by them) in favor of the Extension Amendment Proposal, the Founder Share Amendment Proposal,
the Director Election Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. Currently, our Sponsor, Board and Management own approximately 17.3%
of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, including 2,839,089 Founder Shares and 257,869 shares of Class A Common Stock.
The Sponsor and our directors, executive officers and their affiliates do not intend to purchase shares of common stock in the open market
or in privately negotiated transactions in connection with the stockholder vote on the Charter Amendment Proposals.
Does
the Board recommend voting for the approval of the Proposals?
Yes.
After careful consideration of the terms and conditions of these Proposals, our Board has determined that the Extension Amendment Proposal,
the Founder Share Amendment Proposal, the Director Election Proposal and, if presented, the Adjournment Proposal are in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” the Extension Amendment
Proposal, “FOR” the Founder Share Amendment Proposal, “FOR” each of the nominees set forth in the Director
Election Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.
What
interests do the Company’s Sponsor, directors and officers have in the approval of the Proposals?
The
Sponsor, directors and officers have interests in the Proposals that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder.
These interests include ownership of (i) 257,869 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company, (ii) 2,764,089 Founder Shares (purchased
for a nominal price), (iii) 257,869 Private Placement Units (purchased for $10.00 per share), which would expire worthless if the Business
Combination is not consummated, (iv) a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $500,000 issued in connection with working capital
loans made by the Sponsor, of which $500,000 is outstanding as of September 30, 2022; (v) two promissory notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $1,265,000 issued to Sponsor’s affiliates in connection with the extension of the Company’s time to consummate
a business combination from October 29, 2022 to January 29, 2023 of which $1,265,000 is outstanding as of October 31, 2022. See the section
below entitled “The Charter Amendment Proposals — Interests of the Sponsor and our Directors and Officers”.
Do
I have appraisal rights if I object to any of the Proposals?
Our
stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the Proposals under the DGCL.
The
Charter Amendment Proposals
What
amount will holders receive upon consummation of a subsequent Business Combination or liquidation if the Charter Amendment Proposals
are approved?
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved then the Sponsor or its designees have agreed to contribute to us loans (the “Loans”)
of (i) the lesser of (x) $75,000 per month or (y) $0.05 for each Public Share that is not redeemed (such amount,
the “Monthly Amount”) plus (ii) if the Business Combination is not consummated by January 29, 2023, the Monthly
Amount for each calendar month (commencing on January 30, 2022 and ending on the 29th day of each subsequent month),
or portion thereof, that is needed by the Company to complete the Business Combination until July 29, 2023. Accordingly, the amount deposited
per share will depend on the number of Public Shares that remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments
and the length of the extension period that will be needed to complete the Business Combination. If more than 1,500,000 Public
Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount paid per share will be
reduced proportionately. For example, if we complete the Business Combination on July 29, 2023, which would represent six
calendar months, no Public Shares are redeemed and all of our Public Shares remain outstanding in connection with the Charter Amendments,
then the aggregate amount deposited per share will be approximately $0.036 per share, with the aggregate maximum contribution
to the Trust Account being $450,000. However, if 11,150,000 Public Shares are redeemed and 1,500,000 of our Public
Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter amendments, then the amount deposited per share for
such six-month period will be approximately $0.30 per share.
Assuming the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved and the Board implements the Charter Amendments and the Extension, the initial Monthly
Amount will be deposited in the Trust Account on or around January 29, 2023. Each additional Monthly Amount will be deposited
in the Trust Account within seven calendar days from the 29th of such calendar month (or portion thereof). The Loans are conditioned
upon the implementation of the Charter Amendments. The Loans will not occur if the Charter Amendments are not approved
or the Extension is not completed. The amount of the Loans will not bear interest and will be repayable by us to the Sponsor or its designees
upon consummation of a Business Combination. If the Sponsor or its designees advises us that it does not intend to make the Loans, then
the Charter Amendments and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the stockholders at the Meeting and we will dissolve
and liquidate in accordance with our Charter. Our Board will have the sole discretion whether to extend for additional calendar months
until July 29, 2023 and if our Board determines not to continue extending for additional calendar months, the Sponsor or its designees’
obligation to make Additional Loans following such determination will terminate.
When
would the Board abandon the Charter Amendment Proposals?
Our
Board will abandon the Charter Amendments if our stockholders do not approve the Charter Amendment Proposals. In
addition, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board will retain the right to abandon
and not implement the Charter Amendments at any time without any further action by our stockholders
What
happens if the Charter Amendment Proposals are not approved?
Our
Board will abandon the Charter Amendments if our stockholders do not approve the Charter Amendment Proposals.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are not approved and we do not consummate the Business Combination by January 29, 2023,
as contemplated by our IPO Prospectus and in accordance with our Charter, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of
winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held
in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided
by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders
(including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such
redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our
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 our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete a Business Combination
by January 29, 2023, 15 months from the closing of the IPO, inclusive of a three-month extension as elected by the Sponsor. In
the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result
of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions
with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our Business Combination within the Combination Period.
There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless in the event of our winding
up.
In
the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result
of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, what happens next?
We
are seeking the Charter Amendments to provide us time to compete the Business Combination. Our seeking to complete the Business
Combination will involve:
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negotiating
and executing a definitive agreement and related agreements; |
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completing
proxy materials; |
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establishing
a meeting date and record date for considering the Business Combination, and distributing proxy materials to stockholders; and |
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holding
a special meeting to consider the Business Combination. |
We
are seeking approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals because we will not be able to complete all of the tasks listed
above prior to January 29, 2023. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, we expect to seek stockholder approval
of the Business Combination. If stockholders approve the Business Combination, we expect to consummate the Business Combination as soon
as possible following such stockholder approval.
Upon
approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal by holders of at least 65% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date
and the Founder Share Amendment Proposal by holders of a majority the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, including
the Founder Shares, as of the Record Date, we will file an amendment to the Charter with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
in the form set forth in Annex A hereto. We will remain a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”) and expect that our units, Public Shares and rights included as part of the units sold in the
IPO (the “Public Rights”) will remain publicly traded.
If
the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account will reduce the
amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of our common stock held by the Sponsor and our directors
and our officers as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares.
Notwithstanding
stockholder approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the
Charter Amendments at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
What
happens to our rights if the Charter Amendment Proposals are not approved?
If
the Charter Amendment Proposal are not approved and we do not consummate the Business Combination by January 29, 2023,
there will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to
complete our Business Combination within the Combination Period. There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to
our rights, which will expire worthless in the event of our winding up. Our rights will only be converted upon the closing of a Business
Combination within the Combination Period.
What
happens to our rights if the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved?
If
the Charter Amendment Proposal are approved,
we will retain the blank check company restrictions previously applicable to us and continue to attempt to consummate a Business Combination
until the Extended Date. The Public Rights will remain outstanding and only become exercisable 30 days after the completion of a Business
Combination, provided that we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Class A Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the rights and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or we permit holders to exercise rights
on a cashless basis).
Would
I still be able to exercise my redemption rights if I vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination?
Unless
you elect to redeem your Public Shares at this time, you will be able to vote on the Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders
if you are a stockholder on the record date for a meeting to seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination. If you disagree with
the Business Combination, you will retain your right to redeem your Public Shares upon consummation of the Business Combination in connection
with the stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination, subject to any limitations set forth in our Charter.
How
do I redeem my shares of Class A Common Stock?
If
the Charter Amendments are implemented, each of our public stockholders may seek to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares
at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which
interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. You will also be able to redeem your
Public Shares in connection with any stockholder vote to approve a proposed Business Combination, or if we have not consummated a Business
Combination by the Extended Date.
In
order to exercise your redemption rights, you must, prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 (two business days before the Meeting)
tender your shares physically or electronically and submit a request in writing that we redeem your Public Shares for cash to AST, our
transfer agent, at the following address:
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219
Attn: SPAC Support Team
E-mail: SPACSUPPORT@ASTFINANCIAL.COM
Information
about the Meeting
How
do I attend the Meeting?
As
a registered stockholder, you received a proxy card from AST. The form contains instructions on how to attend the Meeting including the
URL address, [_____], along with your 12-digit control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have
your control number, contact AST at the phone number or e-mail address below. Beneficial investors who hold shares through a bank, broker
or other intermediary, will need to contact them and obtain a legal proxy. Once you have your legal proxy, contact AST to have a control
number generated. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company contact information is as follows: [PHONE], or [EMAIL].
If
you do not have internet capabilities, you can listen to the meeting by dialing: [___-___-___] (toll-free) within the U.S. and Canada,
or [___-___-___] (standard rates apply) outside of the U.S. and Canada. When prompted, enter the pin number [_____]#. This is a listen-only
option, and you will not be able to vote or enter questions during the meeting.
How
do I change or revoke my vote after I have voted?
You
may change your vote by e-mailing a later-dated, signed proxy card to our chief executive officer, Humphrey P. Polanen, at ir@dmaq-spac.com,
so that it is received by the Mr. Polanen prior to the Meeting or by attending the Meeting online and voting. You also may
revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Mr. Polanen, which must be received by Mr. Polanen prior to the
Meeting.
Please
note, however, that if on the Record Date, your shares were held not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, custodian
bank, or other nominee, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you by that organization. If your shares are held in street name, and you wish to attend the Meeting and vote at the Meeting
online, you must follow the instructions included with the enclosed proxy card.
How
are votes counted?
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Extension
Amendment Proposal. The Extension Amendment Proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least 65% of the outstanding
shares of our common stock as of the Record Date, including the Founder Shares, voting together as a single class. Accordingly, a
Company stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the Meeting or an abstention with respect to the Extension
Amendment Proposal will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” such proposal. |
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Founder Share Amendment
Proposal. The Founder Share Amendment Proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of 50% of the outstanding shares of our
common stock, including the Founder Shares, as of the Record Date. Accordingly, a Company stockholder’s failure to vote by
proxy or to vote online at the Meeting or an abstention with respect to the Founder Share Amendment Proposal will have the same effect
as a vote “AGAINST” such proposal. |
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Director
Election Proposal. The director nominees must receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the issued and outstanding shares
of common stock represented in person (including virtually) or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Any shares not
voted “FOR” any director nominee (whether as a result of an abstention, a direction to withhold authority or a broker
non-vote) will not be counted in the nominee’s favor. A stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the
Meeting will not be counted towards the number of shares of common stock required to validly establish a quorum, and if a valid quorum
is otherwise established, it will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on the Director Election Proposal. |
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Adjournment
Proposal. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented, requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast
by stockholders present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Accordingly,
a stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the Meeting will not be counted towards the number of shares
of common stock required to validly establish a quorum, and if a valid quorum is otherwise established, it will have no effect on
the outcome of any vote on the Adjournment Proposal. |
Abstentions
will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established but will have no effect on the outcome
of the Director Election Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal.
If
my shares are held in “street name”, will my broker automatically vote them for me?
No.
Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, your broker, bank, or nominee cannot vote your shares with respect
to non-discretionary matters unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures provided
to you by your broker, bank, or nominee.
We
believe all the Proposals presented to the stockholders will be considered non-discretionary and therefore your broker, bank, or nominee
cannot vote your shares without your instruction. Your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares only if you provide instructions
on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide. If your shares are held
by your broker as your nominee, which we refer to as being held in “street name”, you may need to obtain a proxy form from
the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote
your shares.
How
many votes must be present to hold the Meeting?
A
quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. Holders of a majority in voting power of our common stock on the Record
Date issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy, constitute
a “quorum”.
Your
shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or
other nominee) or if you vote online at the Meeting. Abstentions will be counted towards the quorum requirement. In the absence of a
quorum, the chairman of the Meeting has the power to adjourn the Meeting. As of the Record Date for the Meeting, 8,216,601 shares of
our common stock would be required to achieve a quorum.
Who
can vote at the Meeting?
Only
holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on the Record Date, November 16, 2022, are entitled to have their vote
counted at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. On this Record Date, 13,270,700 shares of our Class A Common Stock
and 3,162,500 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.
What
is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
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Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer
agent, AST, then you are a “stockholder of record”. |
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Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank. If on the Record Date your shares were held, not in your name, but
rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the “beneficial owner”
of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. |
What
is the proxy card?
The proxy card enables you to
appoint Humphrey P. Polanen, our Chief Executive Officer as your representative at the Meeting. By completing and returning
the proxy card, you are authorizing Mr. Polanen to vote your shares at the Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the
proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, it is
strongly recommended that you complete and return your proxy card before the Meeting date in case your plans change. If a proposal comes
up for vote at the Meeting that is not on the proxy card, the proxies will vote your shares, under your proxy, according to their best
judgment.
Will
my shares be voted if I do not provide my proxy?
If
you hold your shares directly in your own name, they will not be voted if you do not provide a proxy.
Your
shares may be voted under certain circumstances if they are held in the name of a brokerage firm. Brokerage firms generally have the
authority to vote shares not voted by customers on certain “routine” matters.
Brokers are prohibited
from exercising discretionary authority on non-routine matters. The Extension Amendment Proposal, Founder Share Amendment Proposal,
Director Election Proposal and Adjournment Proposal are considered non-routine matters, and therefore brokers cannot exercise discretionary
authority regarding these proposals for beneficial owners who have not returned proxies to the brokers (so-called “broker non-votes”).
How
can I vote if I am a stockholder of record?
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Online.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the Meeting. |
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By
Mail. You may vote by proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed
postage paid envelope. |
Whether
or not you plan to attend the Meeting online, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Meeting
and vote online if you have already voted by proxy.
How
can I vote if I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
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Online
at the Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you wish to vote online at the Meeting, you must
obtain a legal proxy from the brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization that holds your shares. Please contact
that organization for instructions regarding obtaining a legal proxy. |
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By
mail. You may vote by proxy by filling out the vote instruction form and sending it back in the envelope provided by your brokerage
firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization that holds your shares. |
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By
telephone or over the Internet. You may vote by proxy by submitting your proxy by telephone or over the Internet (if those options
are available to you) in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card. This is allowed
if you hold shares in street name and your bank, broker or other nominee offers those alternatives. Although most banks, brokers
and other nominees offer these voting alternatives, availability and specific procedures vary. |
You
are also invited to attend the Meeting. For more information, see the subsection above entitled “How do I attend the Meeting”.
What
happens if I do not indicate how to vote my proxy?
If
you sign your proxy card without providing further instructions, your shares of the Company’s common stock will be voted “FOR”
the Proposals and each of the nominees set forth in the Director Election Proposal.
How
many votes do I have?
Each
share of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter that comes before the Meeting. See
the section below entitled “Beneficial Ownership of Securities” for information about the stock holdings of our Sponsor,
directors and executive officers.
Is
my vote kept confidential?
Proxies,
ballots and voting tabulations identifying stockholders are kept confidential and will not be disclosed except as may be necessary to
meet legal requirements.
What
do I need to do now?
We
urge you to read carefully and consider the information contained in this Proxy Statement, including the annexes, and to consider how
the Proposals will affect you as our stockholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided
in this Proxy Statement and on the enclosed proxy card.
What
should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You
may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting
instruction cards, if your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. For example, if you hold
your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which
you hold shares. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast
a vote with respect to all of your shares of the Company’s common stock.
Where
do I find the voting results of the Meeting?
We
will announce preliminary voting results at the Meeting. The final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election and published
in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company is required to file with the SEC within four business days following
the Meeting.
Who
is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the
entire cost of soliciting proxies from our working capital. We have engaged the Solicitation Agent to assist in the solicitation of proxies
for the Meeting. We have agreed to pay the Solicitation Agent approximately $7,500 in connection with such services for the Meeting.
We will also reimburse Solicitation Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify the Solicitation Agent and its affiliates
against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and officers
may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation
for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial
owners. While the payment of these expenses will reduce the cash available to us to consummate a Business Combination if the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved, we do not expect such payments to have a material effect on our ability to a Business Combination.
Who
can help answer my questions?
If
you have questions about the Proposals or if you need additional copies of the Proxy Statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should
contact the Solicitation Agent at:
Advantage
Proxy, Inc.
P.O.
Box 13581
Des
Moines, WA 98198
Attn:
Karen Smith
Toll
Free Telephone: (877) 870-8565
Main
Telephone: (206) 870-8565
E-mail:
ksmith@advantageproxy.com
You
may also contact us at:
Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp.
595 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Email: ir@dmaq-spac.com
You
may also obtain additional information about the Company from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section
below entitled “Where You Can Find More Information”.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Some
of the statements contained in this Proxy Statement constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities
laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends
and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect
to, among other things, the pending Business Combination, our capital resources and results of operations. Likewise, our financial statements
and all of our statements regarding market conditions and results of operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can
identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “outlook”, “believes”, “expects”,
“potential”, “continues”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “seeks”,
“approximately”, “predicts”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates”
or the negative version of these words or other comparable words or phrases.
The
forward-looking statements contained in this Proxy Statement reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ significantly
from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as
described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ
materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
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our
ability to enter into a definitive agreement and related agreements; |
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our
ability to complete the Business Combination; |
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the
anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; |
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the
volatility of the market price and liquidity of our securities; |
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the
use of funds not held in the Trust Account; |
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the
competitive environment in which our successor will operate following the Business Combination, and |
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proposed
changes in SEC rules related to special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”). |
While
forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information,
data or methods, future events or other changes after the date of this Proxy Statement, except as required by applicable law.
For
a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results, performance or transactions to differ significantly
from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see the section below entitled “Risk Factors”, and in other
reports we file with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information
currently available to us (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).
RISK
FACTORS
You
should consider carefully all of the risks described in our (i) IPO Prospectus, (ii) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
March 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on June 24, 2022, (iii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2022
and September 30, 2022, as filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022 and November 14, 2022, respectively, and (iv)
other reports we file with the SEC, before making a decision to invest in our securities. Furthermore, if any of the following
events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected or we could face
liquidation. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
The risks and uncertainties described in the aforementioned filings and below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and
uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that
adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results or result in our liquidation..
There are no assurances that the
Charter Amendment Proposals will enable us to complete a Business Combination.
Approving the Charter
Amendment Proposals involves a number of risks. Even if the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, the Company can provide
no assurances that the Business Combination will be consummated prior to the Extended Date. Our ability to consummate any Business Combination
is dependent on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved, the
Company expects to seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination. We are required to offer stockholders the opportunity to redeem
shares in connection with the Charter Amendments, and we will be required to offer stockholders redemption rights again in connection
with any stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination. Even if the Charter Amendments or the Business Combination are
approved by our stockholders, it is possible that redemptions will leave us with insufficient cash to consummate a Business Combination
on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. The fact that we will have separate redemption periods in connection with the Charter
Amendments and the Business Combination vote could exacerbate these risks. Other than in connection with a redemption offer or liquidation,
our stockholders may be unable to recover their investment except through sales of our shares on the open market. The price of our shares
may be volatile, and there can be no assurance that stockholders will be able to dispose of our shares at favorable prices, or at all.
A
new 1% U.S. federal excise tax could be imposed on us in connection with redemptions by us of our shares in connection with a Business
Combination or other stockholder vote pursuant to which stockholders would have a right to submit their shares for redemption (a “Redemption
Event”).
On
August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides
for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of stock by publicly traded
domestic (i.e., U.S.) corporations and certain domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign corporations. The excise tax is imposed
on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally
1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise
tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value
of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of the
Treasury (the “Treasury Department”) has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out,
and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax. The IR Act applies only to repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022.
As
described under the section below entitled “The Charter Amendment Proposals — Redemption Rights”,
if the deadline for us to complete a Business Combination (currently January 29, 2023) is extended, our public stockholders will have
the right to require us to redeem their Public Shares. Any redemption or other repurchase that occurs after December 31, 2022, in connection
with a Redemption Event may be subject to the excise tax. Whether and to what extent we would be subject to the excise tax in connection
with a Redemption Event would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in
connection with the Redemption Event, (ii) the structure of the Business Combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any “PIPE”
or other equity issuances in connection with the Business Combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with the Redemption Event
but issued within the same taxable year of the Business Combination) and (iv) the content of regulations and other guidance from the
Treasury Department In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any
required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. If the Charter Amendments are not completed by December 31, 2022,
the foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a Business Combination and in our ability to complete
a Business Combination.
We
may not be able to complete an initial Business Combination with certain potential target companies if a proposed transaction with the
target company may be subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or foreign laws or regulations.
Certain
acquisitions or business combinations may be subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or foreign
laws or regulations. In the event that such regulatory approval or clearance is not obtained, or the review process is extended beyond
the period of time that would permit an initial Business Combination to be consummated with us, we may not be able to consummate a Business
Combination with such target.
Among
other things, the U.S. Federal Communications Act prohibits foreign individuals, governments, and corporations from owning more than
a specified percentage of the capital stock of a broadcast, common carrier, or aeronautical radio station licensee. In addition, U.S.
law currently restricts foreign ownership of U.S. airlines. In the United States, certain mergers that may affect competition may require
certain filings and review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and investments or acquisitions that may affect
national security are subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). CFIUS is an
interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons
in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States.
Outside
the United States, laws or regulations may affect our ability to consummate a Business Combination with potential target companies incorporated
or having business operations in jurisdiction where national security considerations, involvement in regulated industries (including
telecommunications), or in businesses relating to a country’s culture or heritage may be implicated. We are a Delaware company
and Ke Li, the managing member of our Sponsor, is a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of Hong Kong SAR. Additionally, certain minority
owners of our Sponsor are citizens of China.
U.S.
and foreign regulators generally have the power to deny the ability of the parties to consummate a transaction or to condition approval
of a transaction on specified terms and conditions, which may not be acceptable to us or a target. In such event, we may not be able
to consummate a transaction with that potential target.
As
a result of these various restrictions, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial Business Combination may
be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”)
that do not have similar ownership issues. Moreover, the process of government review could be lengthy. Because we have only a limited
time to complete our initial Business Combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may
require us to liquidate. If we liquidate, our public stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, and our warrants will expire worthless.
This will also cause you to lose any potential investment opportunity in a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on
your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company.
BACKGROUND
We
are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on July 8, 2020, for the purpose of effecting a Business Combination
with one or more businesses.
There
are currently 13,270,700 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,162,500 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition,
we issued (i) Public Rights that are convertible into 1,265,000 shares of Class A Common Stock as part of our IPO and (ii) rights included
in our Private Placement Units (the “Private Placement Rights”) that are convertible into 51,950 shares of Class A
Common Stock as part of the private placement with the Sponsor and I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (“I-Bankers”), a representative
of the underwriters of our IPO, that we consummated simultaneously with the consummation of our IPO. In addition, we issued warrants
to purchase 632,500 shares of Class A Common Stock, exercisable at $12.00 per share (the “Representative’s Warrants”),
to I-Bankers in connection with its services as the representative of the underwriters for the IPO and as a result of the full exercise
of the over-allotment option. The Representative’s Warrants may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s
option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the IPO Registration
Statements and the closing of the Company’s initial business combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness
date. The Representative’s Warrants and such shares purchased pursuant to the Representative’s Warrants are subject to a
lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement date of sales in the IPO. The Representative’s Warrants
grant to holders demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the commencement
date of sales in the IPO with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Representative’s Warrants.
As
of the Record Date, approximately $[130] million from our IPO and the simultaneous sale of the Private Placement Units is being held
in our Trust Account in the United States maintained by AST, acting as trustee, invested in U.S. “government securities”,
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open ended investment
company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by us meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act
, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the proceeds in the Trust Account
as described below.
As
of September 30, 2022, the Company had a loan payable to the Sponsor in the amount of $500,000 with zero interest. Pursuant to the promissory
note between the Company and the Sponsor, the loan is unsecured, and the Sponsor agrees to fund the Company in an amount of up to $500,000.
Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or stockholder of the Company,
be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Loan. The proceeds of the loan were used to pay a portion of the offering
expenses of the IPO. These amounts will be repaid upon completion of the Business Combination.
On
October 15, 2022, the Company issued two promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1,265,000 (collectively, the “Notes”),
to two affiliates of the Company’s Sponsor, in connection with the extension of the Company’s time to consummate a business
combination from October 29, 2022 to January 29, 2023. The Notes bear no interest and are repayable in full upon the earlier of (a) the
date of the consummation of the Company’s Business Combination, or (b) the date of the liquidation of the Company.
You are not being
asked to vote on the Business Combination at this time. If the Charter Amendments are implemented and you do not elect to redeem
your Public Shares, provided that you are a stockholder on the record date for a meeting to consider the Business Combination, you will
retain the right to vote on the Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your Public Shares
for cash in the event the Business Combination is approved and completed or we have not consummated a Business Combination by the Extended
Date.
THE
MEETING
Overview
Date,
Time and Place
The
Meeting of the stockholders will be held at [__:__] a.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 as a virtual meeting. You will be able to attend,
vote your shares and submit questions during the Meeting via a live webcast available at [_____]. The Meeting will be held virtually
over the internet by means of a live audio webcast. Only stockholders who own shares of our common stock as of the close of business
on the Record Date will be entitled to attend the Meeting.
To
register for the Meeting, please follow these instructions as applicable to the nature of your ownership of our common stock:
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Record
Holders. If your shares are registered in your name with our transfer agent, AST, and you wish to attend the online-only virtual
Meeting, go to [_____], enter the control number you received on your proxy card and click on the “Click here”
to preregister for the online meeting link at the top of the page. Just prior to the start of the Meeting you will need to log back
into the Meeting site using your control number. Pre-registration is recommended but is not required in order to attend. |
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Beneficial
Holders. Beneficial stockholders who own shares of the Company in “street name”, who wish to attend the online-only
virtual Meeting must obtain a legal proxy by contacting their account representative at the bank, broker, or other nominee that holds
their shares and e-mail a copy (a legible photograph is sufficient) of their legal proxy to [EMAIL]. Beneficial stockholders who
e-mail a valid legal proxy will be issued a meeting control number that will allow them to register to attend and participate in
the online-only virtual Meeting. After contacting our transfer agent, AST, a beneficial holder will receive an e-mail prior to the
Meeting with a link and instructions for entering the virtual Meeting. Beneficial stockholders should contact our transfer agent
by [_____], 2022 at the latest (five business days prior to the Meeting). |
Quorum
A
quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. Holders of a majority of the voting power of our issued and outstanding
common stock on the Record Date that are (i) entitled to vote at the Meeting and (ii) present in person (including virtually) or represented
by proxy, constitute a quorum. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on
your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote online at the Meeting. Abstentions will be counted towards the quorum
requirement. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting has the power to adjourn the Meeting. As of the Record Date
for the Meeting, 8,216,601 shares of our common stock would be required to achieve a quorum.
Voting
Power; Record Date
You
will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the Meeting if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business
on the Record Date for the Meeting. You will have one vote per Proposal for each share of our common stock you owned at that time. Our
rights do not carry voting rights.
Required
Votes
Charter
Amendment Proposals
Approval
of the Extension Amendment Proposal will require the affirmative vote of holders of at least 65% of our common stock outstanding on the
Record Date, including the Founder Shares and the Founder Share Amendment Proposal will require the affirmative vote of at least 50%
of the outstanding shares of our common stock, including the Founder Shares, as of the Record Date. If you do not vote or you abstain
from voting on the Charter Amendment Proposals, your action will have the same effect as an “AGAINST” vote.
Broker non-votes will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes.
Director
Election Proposal
The
election of the nominees in the Director Election Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the issued and outstanding
shares of the Company’s common stock represented in person (including virtually) or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote
thereon. “Plurality” means that the individuals who receive the largest number of votes cast “FOR” are elected
as directors. Any shares not voted “FOR” any director nominee (whether as a result of an abstention, a direction to withhold
authority or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in the nominee’s favor. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is otherwise established,
a stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or online at the Meeting will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on the Director
Election Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established, but will
have no effect on the outcome of the Director Election Proposal. If you do not want a director nominee elected, you must vote “AGAINST”
the director nominee.
Adjournment
Proposal
Approval
of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented, requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in
person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is otherwise
established, a stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or online at the Meeting will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on
the Adjournment Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established,
but will have no effect on the outcome of the Adjournment Proposal. If you do not want the Adjournment Proposal approved, you must vote
“AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal.
At
the close of business on the Record Date of the Meeting, there were 13,270,700 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,162,500 shares of
Class B Common Stock outstanding, each of which entitles its holder to cast one vote per proposal.
Redemption
Rights
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved, and the Charter Amendments are implemented, public stockholder may seek to redeem
their Public Shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including
interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. As of the Record Date,
based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $[130] million as of such date, the pro rata portion of the funds available in the
Trust Account for the redemption of Public Shares was approximately $10.[28] per share (before taking into account the removal of the
accrued interest in the Trust Account to pay our taxes). If you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares in connection with the Charter
Amendments, you will retain the right to redeem your Public Shares in connection with any stockholder vote to approve a proposed
Business Combination, or if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination, by the Extended Date. See the section below entitled
The Charter Amendment Proposal — Redemption Rights”.
Appraisal
Rights
Our
stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with any of the Proposals under the DGCL.
Proxies;
Board Solicitation; Proxy Solicitor
Your
proxy is being solicited by the Board on the Proposals being presented to stockholders at the Meeting. The Company has engaged the Solicitation
Agent to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. No recommendation is being made as to whether you should elect to redeem
your Public Shares. Proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone. If you grant a proxy, you may still revoke your proxy and vote
your shares online at the Meeting if you are a holder of record of our common stock as of the Record Date. You may contact the Solicitation
Agent at:
Advantage
Proxy, Inc.
P.O.
Box 13581
Des
Moines, WA 98198
Attn:
Karen Smith
Toll
Free Telephone: (877) 870-8565
Main
Telephone: (206) 870-8565
E-mail:
ksmith@advantageproxy.com
Recommendation
of the Board
After
careful consideration, the Board determined unanimously that each of the Proposals is fair to and in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders. The Board has approved and declared advisable and unanimously recommends that you vote or give instructions to
vote “FOR” each of the Proposals and each of the nominees set forth in the Director Election Proposal.
THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSALS
Overview
The Company is proposing to amend
its Charter to (i) extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination to the Extended Date so as to
provide the Company with additional time to complete the Business Combination and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Founder
Shares to convert into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a Business Combination. The Charter Amendment
Proposals are a condition of the Extension.
The Charter Amendment
Proposals are required for the implementation of the Board’s plan to allow the Company more time to complete the
Business Combination. A copy of the proposed amendment to the Charter of the Company is attached to this Proxy Statement in Annex
A.
Reasons for the Charter Amendment Proposals
The Company’s Charter provides
that the Company has until January 29, 2023 to complete an initial Business Combination. The purpose of the Charter Amendment
Proposals are to allow the Company more time to complete its initial Business Combination and to permit us to convert the Founder
Shares into Class A Common Stock, which we believe would help us satisfy the listing standards of Nasdaq.
The IPO Prospectus and Charter
provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 65% of all outstanding shares of common stock, including the Founder Shares,
is required to extend our corporate existence, except in connection with, and effective upon, consummation of a Business Combination.
The Charter provides for the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 50% of all outstanding shares of common stock, including
the Founder Shares, is required to approve the amendment of the Charter to provide for Founder Share conversion rights prior to the closing
of a Business Combination. Additionally, our IPO Prospectus and Charter provide for all public stockholders to have an opportunity
to redeem their Public Shares if our corporate existence is extended as described above. Because we continue to believe that a Business
Combination would be in the best interests of our stockholders, and because we will not be able to conclude a Business Combination within
the Combination Period, the Board has determined to seek stockholder approval to extend the date by which we have to complete a Business
Combination beyond January 29, 2023 to the Extended Date. We intend to hold another stockholder meeting prior to the Extended Date in
order to seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination.
We believe that the foregoing
Charter provision was included to protect Company stockholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period
if the Company failed to find a suitable Business Combination in the timeframe contemplated by the Charter.
If the Charter Amendment Proposals
are Not Approved
Stockholder approval of the Charter
Amendment Proposals is required for the implementation of our Board’s plan to extend the date by which we must consummate
our initial Business Combination. Therefore, our Board will abandon and not implement the Charter Amendments unless our stockholders
approve the Charter Amendment Proposals.
If the Charter Amendment
Proposals are not approved and we do not consummate the Business Combination by January 29, 2023, as contemplated by our
IPO Prospectus and in accordance with our Charter, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly
as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash,
equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account
(which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then
outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the
right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our 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 our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our Business Combination
within the Combination Period. There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless
in the event of our winding up. In the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive any monies
held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units. There will be no redemption
rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial Business
Combination by January 29, 2023. There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our warrants, which will expire
worthless in the event of our winding up. In the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive
any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units.
If the Charter Amendment Proposals
are Approved
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved, the Company will file an amendment to the Charter with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware in the form set forth in Annex A hereto to extend the time it has to complete a Business Combination until the Extended
Date and provide for certain changes in the rights for holder of Founder Shares, including the right to convert the Founder Shares
into Class A Common Stock. The Company will remain a reporting company under the Exchange Act and expects that its units, Public
Shares and Public Rights will remain publicly traded. The Company will then continue to work to consummate the Business Combination by
the Extended Date.
Notwithstanding stockholder
approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the Charter
Amendments at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved then the Sponsor or its designees have agreed to contribute to us loans (the “Loans”)
of (i) the lesser of (x) $75,000 per month or (y) $0.05 for each Public Share that is not redeemed (such amount,
the “Monthly Amount”) plus (ii) if the Business Combination is not consummated by January 29, 2023, the Monthly
Amount for each calendar month (commencing on January 30, 2022 and ending on the 29th day of each subsequent month),
or portion thereof, that is needed by the Company to complete the Business Combination until July 29, 2023. Accordingly, the amount deposited
per share will depend on the number of Public Shares that remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments
and the length of the extension period that will be needed to complete the Business Combination. If more than 1,500,000 Public
Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount paid per share will be
reduced proportionately. For example, if we complete the Business Combination on July 29, 2023, which would represent six calendar
months, no Public Shares are redeemed and all of our Public Shares remain outstanding in connection with the Charter Amendments,
then the aggregate amount deposited per share will be approximately $0.036 per share, with the aggregate maximum contribution
to the Trust Account being $450,000. However, if 11,150,000 Public Shares are redeemed and 1,500,000 of our Public
Shares remain outstanding after redemptions in connection with the Charter Amendments, then the amount deposited per share for
such six-month period will be approximately $0.30 per share.
Assuming the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved and the Board implements the Charter Amendments and the Charter Amendments, the initial
Monthly Amount will be deposited in the Trust Account on or around January 29, 2023. Each additional Monthly Amount will be deposited
in the Trust Account within seven calendar days from the 29th of such calendar month (or portion thereof). The Loans are conditioned
upon the implementation of the Charter Amendments. The Loans will not occur if the Charter Amendments are not approved
or the Charter Amendments is not completed. The amount of the Loans will not bear interest and will be repayable by us to the
Sponsor or its designees upon consummation of a Business Combination. If the Sponsor or its designees advises us that it does not intend
to make the Loans, then the Charter Amendments and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the stockholders at the Meeting
and we will dissolve and liquidate in accordance with our Charter. Our Board will have the sole discretion whether to extend for additional
calendar months until July 29, 2023 and if our Board determines not to continue extending for additional calendar months, the Sponsor
or its designees’ obligation to make Additional Loans following such determination will terminate.
You are not being asked to
vote on the Business Combination at this time. If the Charter Amendments are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public
Shares, provided that you are a stockholder on the record date for a meeting to consider the Business Combination, you will retain the
right to vote on the Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your Public Shares for cash in
the event the Business Combination is approved and completed or we have not consummated a Business Combination by the Extended Date.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved, and the Charter Amendments are implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount
from the Trust Account in connection with the Election will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account. The Company cannot predict the
amount that will remain in the Trust Account if the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved and the amount remaining in
the Trust Account may be significantly less than the approximately $[130] million that was in the Trust Account as of October 31, 2022.
Redemption
Rights
If the Charter
Amendment Proposals are approved, and the Charter Amendments are implemented, each public stockholder may seek to redeem its
Public Shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest
(which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. As of the Record Date, based
on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $130 million as of such date, the pro rata portion of the funds available in the Trust
Account for the redemption of Public Shares was approximately $10.28 per share (before taking into account the removal of the accrued
interest in the Trust Account to pay our taxes). Holders of Public Shares who do not elect to redeem their Public Shares in connection
with the Charter Amendments will retain the right to redeem their Public Shares in connection with any stockholder vote to approve
a proposed Business Combination, or if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination by the Extended Date.
TO
EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST SUBMIT A REQUEST IN WRITING THAT WE REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES FOR CASH TO AST AT THE ADDRESS
BELOW, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, ENSURE YOUR BANK OR BROKER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED ELSEWHERE HEREIN, INCLUDING DELIVERING
YOUR SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON [_____], 2022.
In connection with tendering
your shares for redemption, prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 (two business days before the Meeting), you must elect either
to physically tender your stock certificates to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
11219, Attn: SPAC Support Team, SPACSUPPORT@ASTFINANCIAL.COM, or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent electronically using DTC’s
DWAC system, which election would likely be determined based on the manner in which you hold your shares. The requirement for physical
or electronic delivery prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 (two business days before the Meeting) ensures that a redeeming
holder’s election is irrevocable once the Charter Amendment Proposals are approved. In furtherance of such irrevocable
election, stockholders making the election will not be able to tender their shares after the vote at the Meeting.
Through
the DWAC system, this electronic delivery process can be accomplished by the stockholder, whether or not the stockholder is a record
holder or the stockholder’s shares are held in “street name”, by contacting the Company’s transfer agent or the
stockholder’s broker and requesting delivery of the shares through the DWAC system. Delivering shares physically may take significantly
longer. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC, and the Company’s
transfer agent will need to act together to facilitate this request. There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering
process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge
the tendering broker $100 and the broker will determine whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. It is the Company’s
understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. The
Company does not have any control over this process, the brokers or DTC, and it may take longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock
certificate. Such stockholders will have less time to make their investment decision than those stockholders that deliver their shares
through the DWAC system. Stockholders who request physical stock certificates and wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for
tendering their shares before exercising their redemption rights and thus will be unable to redeem their shares.
Certificates that
have not been tendered in accordance with these procedures prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 (two business days before
the Meeting) will not be redeemed for cash held in the Trust Account on the redemption date. If a public stockholder tenders its shares
and decides prior to the vote at the Meeting that it does not want to redeem its shares, the stockholder may withdraw the tender. If
you delivered your shares for redemption to our transfer agent and decide prior to the vote at the Meeting not to redeem your Public
Shares, you may request that our transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting
our transfer agent at the address listed above. In the event that a public stockholder tenders shares and the Charter Amendment
Proposals are not approved, these shares will not be redeemed and the physical certificates representing these shares will be
returned to the stockholder promptly following the determination that the Charter Amendment Proposals will not be approved.
The Company anticipates that a public stockholder who tenders shares for redemption in connection with the vote to approve the Charter
Amendment Proposals would receive payment of the redemption price for such shares soon after the completion of the Charter
Amendments. The transfer agent will hold the certificates of public stockholders that make the election until such shares are redeemed
for cash or returned to such stockholders.
If
properly demanded, the Company will redeem each Public Share for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then
on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding
Public Shares. As of the Record Date, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $130 million as of such date, the pro rata
portion of the funds available in the Trust Account for the redemption of Public Shares was approximately $10.28 per share (before
taking into account the removal of the accrued interest in the Trust Account to pay our taxes). The closing price of the Company’s
Class A Common Stock on [_____], 2022 as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market was $[___].
If you exercise your
redemption rights, you will be exchanging your shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock for cash and will no longer own the
shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand redemption and tender your stock certificate(s)
to the Company’s transfer agent prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on [_____], 2022 (two business days before the Meeting). The Company
anticipates that a public stockholder who tenders shares for redemption in connection with the vote to approve the Charter Amendment
Proposals would receive payment of the redemption price for such shares soon after the completion of the Extension.
Vote
Required for Approval
The affirmative vote
by holders of at least 65% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, including the Founder Shares, is required to approve
the Extension Amendment Proposals and the affirmative vote by holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares of common
stock, including Founder Shares, is required to approve the Founder Share Amendment Proposal. If the Charter Amendment Proposals are
not approved, the Charter Amendments will not be implemented and, if the Business Combination has not been consummated, the Company
will be required by its Charter to (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 (which interest shall be
net of taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares,
which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further
liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of
our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our 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 our rights, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our Business Combination within the Combination Period.
There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless in the event of our winding
up. In the event of a liquidation, our Sponsor and our officers and directors will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as
a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares or the Private Placement Units. Stockholder approval of the Charter Amendments
is required for the implementation of our Board’s plan to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial Business Combination.
Therefore, our Board will abandon and not implement such amendment unless our stockholders approve the Charter Amendment Proposals.
Notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals, our Board will retain the right to abandon
and not implement the Charter Amendments at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
The Sponsor and all
of our directors, executive officers and their affiliates are expected to vote any common stock owned by them in favor of the Charter
Amendment Proposals. On the Record Date, the Sponsor and our directors and executive officers of the Company and their affiliates
beneficially owned and were entitled to vote an aggregate of 2,839,089 Founder Shares, representing approximately 17.3% of the Company’s
issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The Sponsor and our directors, executive officers and their affiliates do not intend to
purchase shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in connection with the stockholder vote on
the Charter Amendments.
Interests
of the Sponsor, Directors and Officers
When
you consider the recommendation of our Board, you should keep in mind that the Sponsor, executive officers and members of our Board have
interests that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. These interests include, among other things:
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the
fact that the Sponsor holds 2,764,089 Founder Shares, 257,869 of our Class A Common Stock and 257,869 Private Placement Units,
all of which would expire worthless if a Business Combination is not consummated; |
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the
fact that the Sponsor holds the Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,265,000 issued in connection with an extension of the
Company’s time to consummate a Business Combination from October 29, 2022 to January 29, 2023, of which approximately $1,265,000
was outstanding as of October 31, 2022; |
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the
fact that, unless the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Sponsor will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by it on behalf of the Company (none of such expenses were incurred that had not been reimbursed as of September
30, 2022) to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the Trust
Account; |
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the
fact that, if the Trust Account is liquidated, including in the event we are unable to complete an initial Business Combination within
the Combination Period, the Sponsor has agreed to indemnify us to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced below
$[10.28] per Public Share, or such lesser per Public Share amount as is in the Trust Account on the liquidation date, by the
claims of prospective target businesses with which we have entered into an acquisition agreement or claims of any third party for
services rendered or products sold to us, but only if such a third party or target business has not executed a waiver of any and
all rights to seek access to the Trust Account; and |
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the
fact that none of our officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered to the Company, and all
of the current members of our Board are expected to continue to serve as directors at least through the date of the meeting to vote
on a proposed Business Combination and may even continue to serve following any potential Business Combination and receive compensation
thereafter. |
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the Company’s Chief Financial Officer receives
payment of $5,000 per month for services rendered to the Company. |
The Board’s Reasons for the Charter
Amendment Proposals and Its Recommendation
As discussed below,
after careful consideration of all relevant factors, our Board has determined that the Charter Amendments are in the best interests
of the Company and its stockholders. Our Board has approved and declared advisable the adoption of the Charter Amendment Proposals
and recommends that you vote “FOR” such proposal.
Our
Charter provides that the Company has until January 29, 2023 to complete the purposes of the Company including, but not limited to, effecting
a Business Combination under its terms.
Our
Charter states that if the Company’s stockholders approve an amendment to the Company’s Charter that would affect the substance
or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Company’s Public Shares if it does not complete a Business Combination
before January 29, 2023, the Company will provide its public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public
Shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account,
including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. We believe
that this Charter provision was included to protect the Company stockholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably
long period if the Company failed to find a suitable Business Combination in the timeframe contemplated by the Charter.
In addition, our IPO prospectus
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), on October 28, 2021 (the “IPO Prospectus”)
and Charter provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 65% of all outstanding shares of common stock, including the
Founder Shares, is required to extend our corporate existence, except in connection with, and effective upon the consummation of, a Business
Combination. Our Charter provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding share of common stock,
including Founder Shares, is required to amend the Charter to provide for Founder Share conversion rights prior to the closing of a Business
Combination. Because we continue to believe that a Business Combination would be in the best interests of our stockholders and because
we will not be able to conclude a Business Combination within the permitted time period, the Board has determined to seek stockholder
approval to extend the date by which we have to complete a Business Combination beyond January 29, 2023 to the Extended Date.
The Company is not asking you
to vote on the Business Combination at this time. If the Charter Amendments are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your
Public Shares, you will retain the right to vote on the Business Combination in the future and the right to redeem your Public Shares
at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which
interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, in the event the Business Combination
is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated another Business Combination by the Extended Date.
After careful consideration of
all relevant factors, the Board determined that the Charter Amendments are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Recommendation of the Board
Our Board unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals.
THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROPOSAL
Our
Board is divided into two classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of two years with only one class of directors being
elected in each year. The term of office of the Class I directors, Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang, will expire at this Meeting.
The term of office of the Class II directors, Humphrey P. Polanen, Ronald M. Razmi and Wanlei Miao, will expire at the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held in 2024.
At
the Meeting, three Class I directors will be elected to the Board to serve for the ensuing two-year period or until a successor is elected
and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. The Board has nominated Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang for election
as Class I directors. The biographies of Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang are set forth below under the section entitled “Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”.
Vote
Required for Approval
The
election of the foregoing director nominees requires a plurality vote of the shares of common stock present in person (including virtually)
or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. “Plurality” means that the individuals who receive the
largest number of votes cast “FOR” are elected as directors. Consequently, any shares not voted “FOR” a particular
nominee (whether as a result of an abstention, a direction to withhold authority or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in the nominee’s
favor.
Unless
authority is withheld or the shares are subject to a broker non-vote, the proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “FOR”
the election of the foregoing nominees. In case any director nominee becomes unavailable for election to the Board, an event that is
not anticipated, the persons named as proxies, or their substitutes, will have full discretion and authority to vote or refrain from
voting in accordance with their judgment.
Recommendation
of the Board
Our
Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees.
THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Overview
The
Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow our Board to adjourn the Meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation
of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our stockholders in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or
otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other Proposals. In no event will our Board adjourn the Meeting beyond January 29,
2023.
Consequences
if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If
the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our stockholders, our Board may not be able to adjourn the Meeting to a later date in the
event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other Proposals.
Vote
Required for Approval
Approval
of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented, requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in
person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is otherwise
established, a stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or online at the Meeting will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on
the Adjournment Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established,
but will have no effect on the outcome of the Adjournment Proposal.
Recommendation
of the Board
Our
Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.
UNITED
STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion
is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations for holders of our Class A Common Stock with respect to the exercise
of redemption rights in connection with the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposals. This summary is based upon the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department, current
administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and judicial decisions,
all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain a position contrary to any of the tax considerations
described below.
This
summary does not discuss all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light
of their individual circumstances, such as investors (i) subject to special tax rules (e.g., financial institutions, insurance companies,
mutual funds, pension plans, S corporations, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, regulated investment
companies, real estate investment trusts, trusts and estates, partnerships and their partners, and tax-exempt organizations (including
private foundations)), (ii) that will hold Class A Common Stock as part of a “straddle”, “hedge”, “conversion”,
“synthetic security”, “constructive ownership transaction”, “constructive sale”, or other integrated
transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, (iii) subject to the applicable financial statement accounting rules of Section
451(b) of the Code, (iv) subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code, U.S. Holders (as defined below) that have a functional
currency other than the United States dollar, U.S. expatriates, (v) that actually or constructively own five percent or more of the Class
A Common Stock of the Company, and (vi) that are Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below, and except as otherwise discussed below), all of
whom may be subject to tax rules that differ materially from those summarized below. In addition, this summary does not discuss any state,
local, or non-United States tax considerations, any non-income tax (such as gift or estate tax) considerations, alternative minimum tax
or the Medicare tax. In addition, this summary is limited to investors that hold our Class A Common Stock as “capital assets”
(generally, property held for investment) under the Code.
If
a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our Class
A Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner, the activities
of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Class A Common
Stock, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of a redemption.
WE
URGE HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK CONTEMPLATING EXERCISE OF THEIR REDEMPTION RIGHTS TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING
THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES THEREOF.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations to U.S. Holders
This
section is addressed to U.S. Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that elect to have their Class A Common Stock of the
Company redeemed for cash. For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner that so redeems
its Class A Common Stock of the Company and is:
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an
individual who is a United States citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a
corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an
estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source;
or |
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a
trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United
States persons (within the meaning of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that
has in effect a valid election under applicable the Treasury Department regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
Redemption
of Class A Common Stock
In
the event that a U.S. Holder’s Class A Common Stock of the Company is redeemed, the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal
income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Class A Common Stock under Section 302 of the Code.
Whether the redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of the Company’s stock treated
as held by the U.S. Holder (including any stock constructively owned by the U.S. Holder as a result of owning rights) relative to all
of the Company’s shares both before and after the redemption. The redemption of Class A Common Stock generally will be treated
as a sale of the Class A Common Stock (rather than as a distribution) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate”
with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in us or (iii)
is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In
determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only stock actually owned by the U.S.
Holder, but also shares of the Company’s stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition
to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have
an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any stock the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally
include Class A Common Stock that could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the rights. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate
test, the percentage of the Company’s outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately
following the redemption of Class A Common Stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the Company’s outstanding
voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination
of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of the Company’s stock actually and constructively owned by the
U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of the Company’s stock actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the
U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of stock owned by certain
family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other stock. The redemption of the Class A Common Stock will not be
essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. Holder’s conversion results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S.
Holder’s proportionate interest in the Company. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s
proportionate interest in the Company will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published
ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises
no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction”.
If
none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a distribution and the tax effects will be as described
in the subsection below entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions”.
U.S.
Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock considering exercising their redemption rights should consult their own tax advisors
as to whether the redemption of their Class A Common Stock of the Company will be treated as a sale or as a distribution under the Code.
Gain
or Loss on a Redemption of Class A Common Stock Treated as a Sale
If
the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A Common Stock, a U.S. Holder must treat any gain or loss recognized as capital gain or loss.
Any such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A Common
Stock so disposed of exceeds one year. Generally, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between
(i) the amount of cash received in such redemption (or, if the Class A Common Stock is held as part of a unit at the time of the disposition,
the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the Class A Common Stock based upon the then fair market
values of the Class A Common Stock and the right to receive one-tenth of a Class A Common Stock included in the unit) and (ii) the U.S.
Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Common Stock so redeemed. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Common
Stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to
a share of Class A Common Stock or the U.S. Holder’s initial basis for Class A Common Stock received upon exercise of a whole right)
less any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally
will be taxable at a reduced rate. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Taxation
of Distributions
If
the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Class A Common Stock, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a distribution. In general,
any distributions to U.S. Holders will constitute dividends for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from the
Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions
in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce
(but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Any remaining excess will
be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Class A Common Stock and will be treated as described in the subsection
above entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on a Redemption of Class A Common Stock
Treated as a Sale”. Dividends the Company pays to a U.S. Holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends
received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions, and provided certain holding period requirements
are met, dividends the Company pays to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will
be taxable at a reduced rate.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders
This
section is addressed to Non-U.S. Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that elect to have their Class A Common Stock redeemed
for cash. For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership) that
so redeems its Class A Common Stock of the Company and is not a U.S. Holder.
Redemption
of Class A Common Stock
The
characterization for United States federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. Holder’s Class A Common Stock generally
will correspond to the United States federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. Holder’s Class A Common
Stock, as described in the subsection above entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to U.S. Holders”.
Non-U.S.
Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock considering exercising their redemption rights should consult their own tax advisors
as to whether the redemption of their Class A Common Stock will be treated as a sale or as a distribution under the Code.
Gain
or Loss on a Redemption of Class A Common Stock Treated as a Sale
If
the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A Common Stock, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal
income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale of its Class A Common Stock of the Company, unless:
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the
gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, under
certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S.
Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Holder with respect to the redemption,
and a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable
income tax treaty); |
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the
Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year in which the redemption
takes place and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s
net capital gain for the year; or |
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the
Company is or has been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes at any
time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the
Company’s Class A Common Stock, and, in the case where shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are regularly traded
on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. Holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of the Company’s
Class A Common Stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. We do not believe the Company is or has been a U.S. real
property holding corporation. |
Taxation
of Distributions
If
the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Class A Common Stock, the Non-U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a distribution. In
general, any distributions the Company makes to a Non-U.S. Holder of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, to the extent
paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles),
will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, the Company will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount
of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income
tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate. Any distribution not constituting a dividend will
be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of the Company’s
Class A Common Stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from
the sale or other disposition of the Class A Common Stock, which will be treated as described above in the subsection entitled “U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A
Common Stock”. Dividends the Company pays to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s
conduct of a trade or business within the United States generally will not be subject to United States withholding tax, provided such
Non-U.S. Holder complies with certain certification and disclosure requirements. Instead, such dividends generally will be subject to
United States federal income tax, net of certain deductions, at the same graduated individual or corporate rates applicable to U.S. Holders
(subject to an exemption or reduction in such tax as may be provided by an applicable income tax treaty). If the Non-U.S. Holder is a
corporation, dividends that are effectively connected income may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30%
(or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
As previously
noted above, the foregoing discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences is included for general information purposes
only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice to any stockholder. We once again urge you to consult
with your own tax adviser to determine the particular tax consequences to you (including the application and effect of any U.S. federal,
state, local or foreign income or other tax laws) of the receipt of cash in exchange for shares in connection with the Charter
Amendment Proposals.
DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information
About Executive Officers, Directors and Nominees
As
of the Record Date, our directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name |
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Position |
Humphrey
P. Polanen |
|
73 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Weixuan
Luo |
|
49 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
Ronald
M. Razmi, MD |
|
52 |
|
Director |
Tina
Spires |
|
45 |
|
Director |
HongLiang
Ren |
|
42 |
|
Director |
John
Chiang |
|
60 |
|
Director |
Wanlei
Miao |
|
38 |
|
Director |
The
experience of our directors and executive officers is as follows:
Humphrey
P. Polanen, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since September 2020, is the Chief Executive Officer and managing
member of NeoVista Ventures LLC, a healthcare focused holding company. Mr. Polanen was the director of Heritage Commerce Corp (Nasdaq:
HTBK), a bank holding company offering a wide array of business and personal banking services, from 1994 to April 2016. Since 1999, Mr.
Polanen has been actively involved as an investor and director in various venture capital backed companies in the technology industry,
and has served as a director of various private equity funds. He was the Managing Director of Internet Venture Partners BV, an investment
firm, from 2000 to 2004. Prior to joining Internet Ventures, he served in various executive positions with Sun Microsystems and Tandem
Computers. Mr. Polanen was a director (and former Chairman of the Board) of St. Bernard Software, a publicly traded Internet security
company. Mr. Polanen has been a director of TechFlow Inc., an information technology service company, since June 2016. Mr. Polanen practiced
corporate law for over ten years at the beginning of his career. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College and a Juris Doctor
degree from Harvard University. Mr. Polanen is well qualified to serve as a director due to his experience as an executive, investor,
director and business manager with advanced technology companies and private equity firms.
Weixuan
Luo, our Chief Financial Officer since inception, is a founding partner of L&L CPAS, PA, an accounting firm since October 2013.
She has also been serving as the President of American Aeolian Travel Inc., a travel agency, since May 2012. She has been a Senior Manager
at Greentree Financial Group Inc. providing financial advisory services to public companies since May 2003. From July 2018 to June 2020,
Ms. Luo was a founder and Chief Financial Officer of Proficient Alpha Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: PAAC), a special purpose acquisition
company, which completed its initial business combination in June 2020. Ms. Luo has worked with publicly traded companies for over a
decade in a broad array of services, including audits, tax preparation, risk assessment, financial analysis and financial statements
preparation. Ms. Luo is Certified Public Accountant in Florida and a member of American Institute of CPAs. Ms. Luo received her Master’s
degree in Economics and Finance from the University of North Carolina.
Ronald
M. Razmi, MD, our director since December 2020, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kinders, a medical AI advisory and
technology company with focus on applications of AI in life sciences and healthcare delivery systems, which was founded in September
2016. Prior to that, Dr. Razmi was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acupera, Inc., a software platform to enable population
health management at scale and intelligent automation of clinical workflows, from 2011 to 2016. From 2009 to August 2011, he was an associate
director of Navigant Consulting, Inc., a management consulting company. From 2006 to 2009, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Company,
a management consultant company, with a focus on strategy and commercialization of novel technologies in clinical environments. Dr. Razmi
was a cardiologist at the Care Group, LLC from September 2003 to December 2006. He completed his medical training at the Mayo Clinic
and holds a B.S. in biology from Southern Methodist University, a Doctor of Medicine from University of Texas Health Science Center and
an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Dr. Razmi is well qualified to serve as a director due to his
extensive clinical, business, and technical expertise to addressing key issues facing healthcare organizations.
Tina
Spires, our director since June 2021, is an emergency medicine physician at The Cleveland Clinic in Florida. She is a director of
Hope Women’s Center, a medical clinic. Prior to The Cleveland Clinic, she was clinical faculty for the emergency medicine program
for the University of Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Spires was core and clinical faculty for the Emergency Medicine residency
at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She is a National Board examiner for emergency medicine boards. She is the medical director for Florida
Tems, an education institution serving first responders and military personnel. She is the president of Spires Cattle, a company that
breeds black angus cows and boards livestock for clients. Dr. Spires is the president of Tina Spires Inc., an insurance Adjusting company.
She attended Baylor University followed by Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine where she simultaneously earned her Master’s
degree in public health and medical degree. Dr. Spires is well qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive clinical expertise
in the medical field.
HongLiang
Ren, our director since March 2021, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Excellent Asset Management Co., Ltd., an
asset management company which was founded in December 2017. Prior to that, he was the U.S. Chief Executive Officer and Overseas Smart
Terminal President of Le.com, an internet information and technology company, from July 2016 to July 2017. From August 2004 to April
2016, he served as Regional President at Huawei Consumer Business Group and was responsible for smartphones and other consumer products.
He was the General Manager of ODM Department at Shenzhen Interchange Data Technology Co., Ltd., an internet technology company in China
from September 2003 to July 2004. He served as the General Manager of Nanjing Branch of Konka Telecommunication Technology Co., Ltd.,
a manufacturer of electronics products in China, from July 2001 to August 2003. Mr. Ren is the chairman of the board of directors of
FeiDi Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., a ride-sharing platform. He received his Bachelor’s degree in business administration from
Nanjing University. Mr. Ren is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive expertise in technology research.
Wanlei
Miao, our director since June 2021, has been a partner at SAIFAMC, a subsidiary of SAIF Partners, a private equity firm, since August
2016. Prior to that, Mr. Miao was the general manager and head of the Beijing branch of Bank of Huaxing from January 2016 to August 2016.
From December 2014 to January 2016, Mr. Miao was the general manager at the financial market department of Lion Asset Management Company.
Mr. Miao received his Bachelor’s degree in International Business Management from University of Westminster and his Master’s
degree in Msc-Marketing Management from University of Surrey. Mr. Miao is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive
experience in capital investment.
John
Chiang, our director since October 2022, been serving as a member of the board of directors of Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:
AMEH) since January 2019. In addition, he has been serving on the corporate advisory boards of Pasadena Private Lending, LLC since February
2019, Adept Urban since January 2021, and Calyx Peak Companies since February 2019. Mr. Chiang also served as a fellow at the University
of Southern California Center for the Political Future during the Fall of 2020. From December 2020 to March 2022, he served on the advisory
board of Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc (Nasdaq: FFIE). From January 2019 to March 2021, he served on the board of directors
of Zeuss Technologies, Inc. From January 2015 to January 2019, Mr. Chiang served as the California State Treasurer, where he oversaw
transactions and managed investment portfolio. Prior to that, Mr. Chiang served as California State Controller from January 2007 to January
2015. Mr. Chiang graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in finance from the University of South Florida and received his J.D.
from Georgetown University Law Center.
To
the knowledge of Management, there is no litigation currently pending or contemplated against us, any of our officers or directors in
their capacity as such or against any of our property.
Corporate
Governance
Number
and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
We
have six directors. Our Board is divided into two classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class
(except for those directors appointed prior to the Meeting) serving a two-year term. The term of office of the Class I directors, consisting
of Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren and John Chiang will expire at the Meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting
of Humphrey P. Polanen, Ronald M. Razmi and Wanlei Miao, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. Our second amended
and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our Board may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the voting power of all of our outstanding stock.
Our
officers are appointed by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board, rather than for specific terms of office. Our Board is
authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may
consist of a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer,
Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the Board.
Nasdaq
listing standards require that a majority of our Board be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as
a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in
the opinion of the Company’s Board, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out
the responsibilities of a director. Our Board has determined that Tina Spires, HongLiang Ren, John Chiang and Wanlei Miao are “independent
directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled
meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
Our
Board has two standing committees: an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and a compensation committee (the “Compensation
Committee”). Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the
Audit Committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and Nasdaq rules require that the Compensation Committee
of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit
Committee
We
have established an Audit Committee of the Board. John Chiang, HongLiang Ren and Wanlei Miao serve as members of our Audit Committee,
and John Chiang chairs the Audit Committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least
three members of the Audit Committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of John Chiang, HongLiang Ren and Wanlei Miao meets the independent
director standard under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.
Each
member of the Audit committee is financially literate and our Board has determined that Mr. Chiang qualifies as
an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We
have adopted an Audit Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Audit Committee, including:
|
● |
the
appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of MaloneBailey, LLP (“MaloneBailey”), an
independent registered public accounting firm, engaged by us; |
|
● |
pre-approving
all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by Malone Bailey engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies
and procedures; |
|
● |
setting
clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of Malone Bailey, including but not limited to, as required by applicable
laws and regulations; |
|
● |
setting
clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
|
● |
obtaining
and reviewing a report, at least annually, from Malone Bailey describing (i) Malone Bailey’s internal quality-control procedures,
(ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any
inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent
audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between Malone Bailey and
us to assess Malone Bailey’s independence; |
|
● |
reviewing
and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC
prior to us entering into such transaction; and |
|
● |
reviewing
with Management, Malone Bailey, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any
correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues
regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |