RCFA Perception Capital Corp IV

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-41039

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 456-5300

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

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

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

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of May 23, 2024, there were 10,527,671 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, issued and outstanding, including 5,749,999 Non-Redeemable Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, and one Class B ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding.

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements 

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN REDEEMABLE CLASS A ORDINARY
SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements

PERCEPTION CAPITAL CORP IV.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

References in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Perception Capital Corp. IV. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Original Sponsor” refer to RCF VII Sponsor LLC. References to the “New Sponsor” are to Perception Capital Partners IV LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including, without limitation, statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 10-Q, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or the Company’s management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward- looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in our filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.

For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 23, 2024 and under “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on June 9, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not entered into a definitive agreement with a business combination target with respect to an initial business combination. While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry, we intend to target assets or businesses of scale across the critical minerals value chain that are poised to benefit over the long-term from the substantial market opportunity created by the global energy transition. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our Public Offering and the Private Placement of the Private Placement Warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the Public Offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.

The issuance of additional shares in connection with a business combination to the owners of the target or other investors:

Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant debt to bank or other lenders or the owners of a target, it could result in:

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, as of March 31, 2024, we had $44,202 held outside the Trust Account that is available to us to fund our working capital requirements and $53,649,992 held inside the Trust Account. We cannot assure you that our plan to complete our initial business combination will be successful.

Our registration statement for the Public Offering became effective on November 9, 2021. On November 15, 2021, we consummated the Public Offering of 23,000,000 Units, including the issuance of 3,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 11,700,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $11,700,000.

Upon the closing of the Public Offering and the Private Placement, $234,600,000 was placed in the Trust Account. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its taxes and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, if any, the funds held in the Trust Account would not be released from the Trust Account until the earliest of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by November 15, 2024, subject to applicable law, (iii) the redemption of the Company’s public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated our initial business combination by November 15, 2024 or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. The proceeds held in the Trust Account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of its public shareholders.

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the extended date from the closing of the Public Offering, or November 15, 2024, 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 and not previously released to us (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law.

On May 9, 2023, the Company held an Extraordinary General Meeting, in connection with which, shareholders holding an aggregate of 9,985,568 Class A Ordinary Shares exercised their right to redeem their shares for approximately $10.50 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $104,889,892 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

On November 2, 2023, the Original Sponsor entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Perception Capital Partners IV LLC (the “Buyer” or “New Sponsor”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Buyer will acquire certain of the Original Sponsor’s (i) Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”), of the Company and (ii) private placement warrants (together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Securities”).

On November 6, 2023, in connection with the closing (“Closing”) of the transactions contemplated by the SPA, the Company entered into a Joinder Agreement (the “Joinder”) to that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated November 9, 2021, with the Original Sponsor and New Sponsor. Pursuant the Joinder, New Sponsor will receive the same rights and benefits with respect to its newly acquired Class A Shares (as defined below) and private placement warrants as the Original Sponsor has with respect to its Class A Shares and private placement warrants.

In connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA, on November 6, 2023: (i) each of the Company’s then-current directors, James McClements, Sunny S. Shah, Thomas M. Boehlert, Hugo Dryland, Elodie Grant Goodey, Timothy Baker, and Daniel Malchuk, resigned as directors, and the Company accepted their resignations; (ii) the vacancies on the Company’s board of directors caused by such resignations were filled by Scott Honour, Rick Gaenzle, R. Rudolph Reinfrank, Thomas J. Abood and Karrie Willis (the “New Directors”); (iii) each of the Company’s then-current officers, Sunny S. Shah, Thomas M. Boehlert and Rebecca Coffelt, resigned as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary, respectively, and the Company accepted their resignations; and (iv) the appointments of Rick Gaenzle as Chief Executive Officer, John Stanfield as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Scott Honour as Chairman of the Board, and Tao Tan as President (the “New Officers”) became effective. R. Rudolph Reinfrank, Thomas J. Abood and Karrie Willis will serve as members of the Company’s Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee.

On November 6, 2023, the Original Sponsor and New Sponsor consummated the transactions contemplated by the SPA pursuant to which, among other things, New Sponsor acquired certain of the Original Sponsor’s (i) Class A Shares and (ii) private placement warrants, subject to the terms and conditions described in the SPA.

On December 5, 2023, the Company held another Extraordinary General Meeting, in connection with which, shareholders holding an aggregate of 8,236,760 Class A Ordinary Shares exercised their right to redeem their shares for approximately $10.99 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $90,510,679 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

On December 5, 2023, the Company, Blue Gold Limited, a Cayman Islands company limited by shares (“PubCo”), and Blue Gold Holdings Limited, a private company limited by shares formed under the laws of England and Wales (“BGHL”), entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions contained in the Business Combination Agreement, (i) BGHL and PubCo shall consummate a share exchange (the “Exchange”) pursuant to which PubCo will purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of BGHL in exchange for PubCo Ordinary Shares; (ii) the Company and a to-be-formed subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”) will merge (the “Merger”) with the Company surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of PubCo.

Results of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had a net loss of $92,983, and a loss from operations of $615,794, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income, net of $522,811. Non-operating income, net was comprised of change in fair value of derivative liability of $16,436, interest expense – debt discount of $49,296, loss on warrant liability of $83,520, and interest earned in the Trust Account of $672,063.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had a net income of $535,788, and a loss from operations of $1,313,385, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income of $1,849,173. Non-operating income was comprised of interest earned in the Trust Account of $2,545,173, offset by a change in fair value of the warrant liability of $696,000.

Our only activities from inception to March 31, 2024, have been organizational activities and preparation for our public offering, and activities related to pursuing merger opportunities. Since the consummation of our Public Offering through March 31, 2024, our activity has been limited to the evaluation of potential initial business combination candidates, and we will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after the public offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. We are incurring increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On November 15, 2021, we consummated our Public Offering in which we sold 23,000,000 of the Company’s Units (“Units”, held by “Public Shareholders”), each consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share (“Public Share”) and one-half warrant (“Redeemable Warrant”) to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50, at a price of $10.00 per Unit generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000 before underwriting fees and expenses. Simultaneously with the consummation of our Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 11,700,000 Private Placement Warrants, each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, to the Sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $11,700,000.

In connection with our Public Offering, the Company incurred offering costs of $13,267,977, consisting of $12,650,000 of underwriters fees of which $8,050,000 was recorded as Deferred Underwriting Commissions and $617,977 of other offering costs. Other offering costs consisted principally of formation and preparation fees related to our Public Offering. Of the total offering costs, $671,494 of which was allocated to the Warrants, were immediately expensed and $12,596,483 was allocated to redeemable Class A Ordinary Shares, reducing the carrying amount of such shares.

Of the $241,700,000 total proceeds from the Public Offering and Private Placement, $234,600,000 was placed in our U.S.-based Trust Account, established for the benefit of our public shareholders. Prior to the closing of our Public Offering, the Sponsor had made $296,235 in loans and advances to the Company. The loans and advances were non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of our Public Offering. The loans of $296,235 were fully repaid upon the consummation of our Public Offering on November 15, 2021.

On May 9, 2023 we held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”). At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved several proposals to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “Charter”) to (i) extend the date by which the Company must consummate a Business Combination from May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024 (the “Extended Date”), (ii) permit the Company’s board of directors, in its sole discretion, to elect to wind up the Company’s operations on an earlier date than the Extended Date as determined by the Board and included in a public announcement, (iii) eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause the Company’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 in connection with the Company’s Business Combination, and (iv) provide for the right of a holder of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share to convert into Class A Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of Business Combination at the election of the holder.

In connection with the Extended Date, shareholders holding an aggregate of 9,985,568 Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company exercised their right to redeem their ordinary shares for approximately $10.50 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $104,889,892 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

In connection with the above extension, beginning on May 16, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day), the Company shall deposit additional funds into the Trust Account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $0.03 per public share multiplied by the number of Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, then outstanding and not redeemed in connection with the Extension Amendment and (ii) $300,000 (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a full month), until the earlier of (a) the completion of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses and (b) the announcement of the Company’s intention to wind up its operations. The Company deposited $464,516 and $900,000 in the Trust Account in second quarter and third quarter of 2023, respectively. On November 6, 2023, as required by the SPA, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement with the Original Sponsor. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company terminated the Extension Convertible Promissory Note in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA. In connection with the termination of the Extension Convertible Promissory Note, the Original Sponsor agreed to cancel and waive all indebtedness under the Extension Convertible Promissory Note, including the draws made through December 5, 2023.

On December 5, 2023, at an Extraordinary General Meeting (the “Meeting”), shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “Memorandum”) extending the deadline by which the Company must consummate an initial business combination from May 15, 2024 to November 15, 2024 provided that the Company make a payment into the trust account for the first three-month extension (from December 15, 2023 through March 15, 2024) equal to the lesser of $150,000 or $0.045 per share of Class A Ordinary Shares entitled to redemption rights and thereafter, a payment of equal to the lesser of $50,000 or $0.015 per Public Share per month through November 15, 2024. On December 14, 2023, the Company deposited $184,623 into the trust account. Shareholders also approved an amendment to change the name of the Company from RCF Acquisition Co. to Perception Capital Corp. IV.

In connection with the extensions amendment proposal voted on at the Meeting, shareholders holding an aggregate of 8,236,760 Class A Ordinary Shares exercised their right to redeem their shares for approximately $10.99 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $90,510,679 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

As of March 31, 2024, we have available to us $44,202 of cash on our balance sheet and a working capital deficit of $1,177,665. We will use the available cash primarily to find and evaluate target businesses, perform business, legal, and accounting due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination. The interest income earned on the investments in our Trust Account are unavailable to fund operating expenses.

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with the initial business combination, prior to November 6, 2023,our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. On November 6, 2023, as required by the SPA, the Company entered into an Omnibus Termination and Release Agreement with the Original Sponsor (the “Termination Agreement”). Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company terminated the Sponsor Convertible Note in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA. In connection with the termination of the Sponsor Convertible Note, the Original Sponsor agreed to cancel and waive all indebtedness under the Sponsor Convertible Note.

We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. We anticipate that the cash held outside of the Trust Account as of March 31, 2024, will not be sufficient to allow us to operate until November 15, 2024, the extended date at which we must complete a Business Combination. If we are unable to complete a Business Combination by November 15, 2024, then we will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating.

In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” no assurances can be provided that such additional capital will ultimately be available if necessary. Management also has determined that if the Company will be unable to complete a Business Combination by November 15, 2024, the extended date of which the Company must complete a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by November 15, 2024, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. Management has determined that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern due to the need to obtain additional capital from the Sponsor to address the Company’s liquidity condition, which the Sponsor is not obligated to advance, and the date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after November 15, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, we have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or entered into any non-financial assets.

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and the most recent escalation of ongoing global conflicts, including in the Middle East and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that these various global conflicts could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

On June 9, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 5,750,000 Founder Shares of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares for an aggregate price of $25,000. The Sponsor subsequently transferred an aggregate of 402,500 Founder Shares to members of the Company’s board of directors, management team, board of advisors and/or their estate planning vehicles for the same per-share consideration that it originally paid for such shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding 5,347,500 Founder Shares. The Founder shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A Ordinary Shares at the time of the Company’s initial business combination.

Our initial shareholders have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares and any Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof until the earlier to occur of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

On May 9, 2023, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Charter, as amended by the amendments to the Charter, the holders of the Class B ordinary shares, totaling 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, elected to convert 5,749,999 Class B ordinary share held by them on a one-for-one basis into nonredeemable Class A Ordinary Shares, with immediate effect. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had an aggregate of 5,749,999 Non-Redeemable Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding, and one Class B ordinary share issued and outstanding.

Sponsor Notes

Sponsor Convertible Note

On April 1, 2022, we issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Note”) to our Sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $5,000,000 from the Sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to the business of the Company and the consummation of a Business Combination. The Sponsor Convertible Note is non-interest bearing and all unpaid principal will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) May 15, 2024 and (ii) the effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving us and one or more businesses (such earlier date, the “Maturity Date”).

Up to $1,500,000 of such loans were convertible into Private Placement Warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Our Sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to the Maturity Date, to convert any amounts outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note, into warrants to purchase the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants sold concurrently with the Company’s Public Offering. The Sponsor Convertible Note is accounted for within the scope of ASC 815 and as a result, the Company bifurcated from the proceeds allocated to the debt host the fair value of a single derivative that comprises all of the individual features requiring bifurcation. Any remaining debt proceeds will be allocated to the debt host. The fair value of the embedded conversion feature upon the issuance of the Sponsor Convertible Note is de minimis.

On May 11, 2023, the Company amended and restated the Sponsor Convertible Note to extend the maturity date from the earlier of (i) May 15, 2023 and (ii) the effective date of a Business Combination to the earlier of (i) May 15, 2024 and (ii) a Business Combination.

On November 6, 2023, as required by the SPA, the Company entered into an Omnibus Termination and Release Agreement with the Original Sponsor (the “Termination Agreement”). Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company terminated the Sponsor Convertible Note in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA.

In connection with the termination of the Sponsor Convertible Note, the Original Sponsor agreed to cancel and waive all indebtedness under the Sponsor Convertible Note.

Issuance of Extension Convertible Promissory Note

In the second quarter of 2023, the Company issued a convertible promissory note (the “Extension Convertible Promissory”) Note to the Sponsor with a principal amount up to $3,600,000. The Extension Convertible Promissory Note bears no interest and is repayable in full upon the earlier of (a) the effective date of a Business Combination, or (b) the date of the Company’s liquidation. If the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by the Extended Date, the Extension Convertible Promissory Note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven. Upon maturity, the outstanding principal of the Extension Convertible Promissory Note may be converted into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the Sponsor. Such warrants will have terms identical to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the IPO.

In the second quarter and third quarter of 2023, the Company borrowed $450,000 and $900,000, respectively, from the Extension Convertible Promissory Note.

On November 6, 2023, as required by the SPA, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement with the Original Sponsor. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company terminated the Extension Convertible Promissory Note in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA.

In connection with the termination of the Extension Convertible Promissory Note, the Original Sponsor agreed to cancel and waive all indebtedness under the Extension Convertible Promissory Note.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

At March 31, 2024, we did not have any long-term debt, finance lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities.

Service and Administrative Fees

We agreed, commencing on November 10, 2021, to pay an affiliate of our Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to our management team. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has incurred $0 and $30,000, respectively, in these fees.

Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company terminated the Administrative Services Agreement, dated November 9, 2021, in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA. The Original Sponsor forgave and discharged all outstanding fees owed, or $237,000, under the Administrative Services Agreement.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering, or $4,600,000. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a Deferred Underwriting Commission of 3.5% or $8,050,000 of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering held in the Trust Account upon the completion of the Company’s initial business combination subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The Deferred Underwriting Commissions will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an initial business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Registration and Shareholder Rights

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

Employment Agreement

On September 1, 2022, we entered into the Employment Agreement with Mr. Shah. The Employment Agreement has a term commencing September 1, 2022 and terminates automatically on the later of (i) May 15, 2023, (ii) August 15, 2023 if the Company has executed a letter of intent or agreement in principle in connection with a business combination, and (iii) the closing date of a business combination. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Shah is entitled to earn an annual salary of $50,000 and will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses necessary for him to carry out his duties. Mr. Shah or the Company may terminate the employment with three months’ written notice; however, no notice is required in the case of an automatic termination as described above, or for the Company to terminate the employment for cause, such as due to gross misconduct or material breach of obligations, as set forth under the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement also provides for post termination obligations for Mr. Shah, including customary non-compete covenants for up to six months following any termination.

In connection with Mr. Shah’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the SPA, the Company and Mr. Shah entered into a letter agreement on November 6, 2023 (the “Employment Termination Date”), terminating his Employment Agreement with the Company dated September 1, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”). The letter agreement between Mr. Shah and the Company provides that the Company will (i) pay the sum of $12,500 to Mr. Shah as a payment in lieu of notice owed under the Employment Agreement through the next available payroll following the Employment Termination Date and (ii) make a payment in lieu of Mr. Shah’s accrued but untaken holiday entitlement.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting estimates:

Warrant Liabilities

We evaluated the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants (collectively, “Warrant Securities”) in accordance with ASC 815-40, “Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity” and concluded that the Warrant Securities could not be accounted for as components of equity. As the Warrant Securities meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with ASC 815, the Warrant Securities are recorded as derivative liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value at inception (the Closing Date) and remeasured at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations in the period of change.

Convertible Senior Secured Promissory Note

We evaluated the Convertible Senior Secured Promissory Note (“Blue Capital Note”) in accordance with ASC 815-15, “Derivatives and Hedging” and concluded that with the exception of the Private Placement Warrants feature for which the fair value of the embedded derivative feature was bifurcated, the remaining debt proceeds received have been allocated to the debt host at Par (i.e., recorded at proceeds received). Pursuant to ASC 470, the Company recorded the fair value of the embedded derivative feature on the consolidated balance sheets using the relative fair value method and the related amortization of the debt discount on its statements of operations.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

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

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our current chief executive officer and chief financial officer (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Certifying Officers concluded that, as of March 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with accounting for complex financial reporting transactions.

We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us or any of our officers or directors in their corporate capacity.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 23, 2024. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.

As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 23, 2024. However, we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable. 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

On May 16, 2024, Tao Tan, who served as President of the Company informed the Board of Directors that he would be resigning his position as President. This resignation was not due to any disagreement with the registrant on any matter relating to the registrant’s operations, policies or practices. Mr. Tan’s resignation will be effective May 23, 2024.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

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

SIGNATURES

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