ITEM
1. BUSINESS
General
We are a blank check
company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on June 3, 2020, as a business company with limited liability and formed for
the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement
with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar initial business combination with
one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this Annual Report as our “initial business combination.”
While we may pursue an initial business combination in any region or sector, we have initially focused our efforts on companies
in the telecommunications infrastructure, internet and technology and consumer goods and services sectors operating in Russia as
targets for our initial business combination.
On
June 8, 2020, our sponsor subscribed for, and we issued to it, an aggregate of 6,250,000 of our ordinary shares for a total subscription
price of $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share. On July 15, 2020, we effected a share split whereby each of our 6,250,000
then issued ordinary shares was sub-divided into 1.23 shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,687,500 ordinary
shares. The founder shares held by our sponsor included an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent
that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units was not exercised in full, so that our sponsor would own 20%
of our issued and outstanding shares after our initial public offering plus the number of ordinary shares that were to be sold
pursuant to the forward purchase agreement. On September 17, 2020, the underwriters notified us that the over-allotment was not
exercised, and as a result, 937,500 Kismet ordinary shares were forfeited and cancelled, effective as of September 19, 2020.
The
registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239972) for our initial public offering was declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 5, 2020. On August 10, 2020, we consummated our initial public offering
of 25,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $250,000,000. Each unit consists of one ordinary share and
one-half of one warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of
$11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.
Simultaneously
with the consummation of our initial public offering, we consummated a private placement of 6,750,000 private placement warrants
to our sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant, generating gross proceeds of $6,750,000.
A
total of $250,000,000 from the net proceeds of the sale of the units in our initial public offering and the sale of the private
placement warrants, including as a result of the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, was placed in
a trust account established for the benefit of our public shareholders, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
acting as trustee, and were initially held in cash and subsequently invested in U.S. “government securities” within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) having
a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment
Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a business
combination and (ii) the distribution of the trust account as described elsewhere in this Annual Report.
We
incurred offering costs of approximately $14.3 million, inclusive of approximately $8.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions.
Our
units began trading on August 6, 2020 on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “KSMTU.”
Commencing on September 28, 2020, the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units began separate trading on Nasdaq under
the symbols “KSMT” and “KSMTW”, respectively. Those units not separated continue to trade on Nasdaq under
the symbol “KSMTU.”
Proposed
Business Combination
On January 31, 2021,
we entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Nexters Inc., a British
Virgin Islands business company (“Pubco”), our sponsor, solely in its capacity as our Representative, Nexters Global
Ltd. (“Nexters Global”), a private limited liability company domiciled in Cyprus, Fantina Holdings Limited, a private
limited liability company domiciled in Cyprus, solely in its capacity as Nexters Global Shareholders Representative, and the shareholders
of Nexters Global. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, among other things, we agreed to combine with Nexters Global
in a business combination whereby we will merge with and into Pubco with Pubco surviving the merger and the security holders of
Kismet (other than security holders of Kismet electing to redeem their Kismet ordinary shares) becoming security holders of Pubco
(the “Merger”) and Pubco will purchase all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Nexters Global from the holders
of the Nexter Global’s share capital for a combination of cash and Pubco ordinary shares, making Nexters Global a direct
wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (the “Share Acquisition”). Pubco is a newly formed entity that was formed for the
sole purpose of entering and consummating the transactions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement. Nexters Global is one
of the largest and most seasoned European gaming unicorns with deep expertise in mobile game development and marketing. It is a
developer and publisher of Hero Wars mid-core RPG franchise, currently available on mobile (iOS, Android) and PC (via web and Facebook)
and is looking to launch three new titles in 2021.
The transaction, which
we refer to as the proposed business combination, is subject to certain conditions, including: (i) our shareholders having approved,
among other things, the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; (ii) the absence of any law or governmental
order that would prohibit the proposed transactions; (iii) the termination or expiration of all required waiting periods under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “Hart-Scott-Rodino Act”) (iv) our company
having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) remaining after the closing; (v) our company and Pubco having at least
$100 million of cash either in or outside of the trust account, after taking into accounts payments by us for the redemption and
any proceeds received by Pubco under the A&R Forward Purchase Agreement (defined below); (vi) the Registration Statement having
been declared effective by the SEC and remaining effective; and (vii) the Pubco ordinary shares and Pubco warrants having been
approved for listing on Nasdaq, subject only to official notice thereof. The proposed business combination is more fully described
in Note 1 to the financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
A copy of the Business
Combination Agreement was included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1, 2021 and
is also filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report. The foregoing description of the Business Combination Agreement is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the full text of the proposed business combination.
Unless specifically
stated, this Annual Report does not give effect to the proposed business combination and does not contain the risks associated
with the proposed business combination. Such risks and effects relating to the proposed business combination will be included in
our preliminary prospectus/proxy statement to be included in a Registration Statement on Form F-4 that Nexters Inc. will file with
the SEC relating to the proposed business combination.
Amended and Restated Forward Purchase
Agreement
On January 31, 2021, we, Pubco and the
sponsor entered into an amended and restated forward purchase agreement (the “A&R Forward Purchase Agreement”).
The A&R Forward Purchase Agreement amends the forward purchase agreement, dated August 5, 2020, between us and the sponsor
by, among other things, increasing the sponsor’s purchase commitment thereunder from $20 million to $50 million and replacing
the sponsor’s commitment to acquire our public units with a commitment to acquire Pubco ordinary shares and Pubco public
warrants in a private placement to occur after, and subject to, the Merger closing and prior to the Share Acquisition closing.
The foregoing description of the A&R Forward Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text
of the form of A&R Forward Purchase Agreement, a copy of which was included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 1, 2021 and is also filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with
the proposed business combination with Nexters Global, by no later than the Merger closing date the three Holders will enter into
a lock-up agreement with Pubco, and our sponsor will enter into a separate lock-up agreement with Pubco (collectively, the “Lock-Up
Agreements”), pursuant to which, among other things, subject to certain exceptions as set forth therein, for a period of
one year following the Share Acquisition closing (in the case of the three Holders) and for a period of one year following the
Merger closing (in the case of our sponsor), as applicable, each such holder will not transfer any of such holder’s Pubco
securities. The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
form of the Lock-Up Agreements, copies of which are included as Exhibits B-1 and B-2 to the Business Combination Agreement, which
was included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1, 2021 and is also filed as an exhibit
to this Annual Report.
New
Registration Rights Agreement
In
connection with the proposed business combination with Nexters Global, Pubco, our sponsor and three current significant shareholders
of Nexters Global (collectively, the “Holders”) will enter into a new registration rights agreement (the “New
Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions,
including with regard to the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Holders may demand at any time or from time to
time, that Pubco file a registration statement with the SEC to register the securities of Pubco held by such Holders. The New
Registration Rights Agreement will also provide the Holders with “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain
requirements and customary conditions. The foregoing description of the New Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the form of the New Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit
A to the Business Combination Agreement which was included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on February 1, 2021 and is also filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
Kismet
Acquisition Two Corp.
In
September 2020, Mr. Tavrin, our Chairman and CEO, founded Kismet Acquisition Two Corp. (“Kismet Two”), a blank check
company incorporated in the Cayman Islands for the purpose of effecting a business combination. Kismet Two completed its initial
public offering in February 2021, in which it sold 23,000,000 units, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’
option to purchase additional units. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.001 per share, and one-third
of one redeemable warrant, and was sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $230,000,000.
Kismet Two’s units currently trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “KAIIU”. Once the securities comprising the units
begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and redeemable warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols
“KAII” and “KAIIW,” respectively. Mr. Tavrin is the Chairman and CEO of Kismet Two and two of our directors,
Verdi Israelyan and Clifford Tompsett, serve as directors of Kismet Two. Each of the foregoing owe fiduciary duties under Cayman
Islands law to Kismet Two. Kismet Two has not yet announced or consummated its business combination.
Kismet
Acquisition Three Corp.
In
September 2020, Mr. Tavrin, also founded Kismet Acquisition Three Corp. (“Kismet Three”), a blank check company incorporated
in the Cayman Islands for the purpose of effecting a business combination. Kismet Three completed its initial public offering
in February 2021, in which it sold 28,750,000 units, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase
additional units. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.001 per share, and one-third of one redeemable
warrant, and was sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $287,500,000. Kismet Three’s
units currently trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “KIIIU”. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate
trading, the Class A ordinary shares and redeemable warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “KIII”
and “KIIIW,” respectively. Mr. Tavrin is the Chairman and CEO of Kismet Three, and one of our directors, Clifford
Tompsett, also serves as a director of Kismet Three. Each of the foregoing owes fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law to Kismet
Three. Kismet Three has not yet announced or consummated its business combination.
Business
Strategy
We
have and continue to capitalize on the substantial deal sourcing, investing and operating expertise of our founder, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Tavrin. Mr. Tavrin is a Russian entrepreneur with substantial experience in building, operating
and investing in businesses, predominantly in TMT and consumer industries, both in the private and public markets. Mr. Tavrin
is a founder of UTH Russia Limited (operating under Media-1 brand), or UTH, one of the largest independent media broadcasting
groups in Russia, which comprises 3 television networks, including leading musical channel Muz-TV, reality TV channel U and the
Disney Channel (Russia) owned pursuant to a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company, or Disney (NYSE: DIS). Mr. Tavrin
is an indirect controlling shareholder in a leading regional radio network “Vyberi Radio”, in the largest digital
out-of-home advertising operator in Russia “Gallery” and in a leading telecommunications infrastructure provider
“Vertical”. His past experience includes serving, from 2012 to 2016, as the chief executive officer of PJSC MegaFon
(“MegaFon”), the second largest telecommunications operator in Russia as of December 31, 2016, having led its US$1.8
billion initial public offering and dual listing on the London Stock Exchange and Moscow Exchange in 2012. He also served as a
board member at Mail.ru Group Limited (“Mail.ru Group”), one of the largest companies in the Russian-speaking internet
market.
While
we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any industry or sector and in any region, we have initially focused on industries
that complement our management team’s background so we can capitalize on their ability to identify, acquire and operate
a business. We have initially focused on companies in the telecommunications infrastructure, internet and technology and consumer
goods and services sectors operating in Russia (which may include a business based in Russia which has operations or opportunities
outside of Russia or a business based outside of Russia which has operations or opportunities in Russia); however, we may decide
to enter into an initial business combination with a target business that is not based in, and does not have any operations or
opportunities in Russia.
We
believe our sponsor’s and management team’s deal sourcing, investing and operating expertise, as well as their network
of contacts have uniquely positioned us to take advantage of proprietary opportunities in the telecommunications, internet and
technology and consumer goods and services sectors, where we believe opportunities exist to employ a “buy and build”
(roll-up) strategy to consolidate assets across fragmented sub-sectors, creating new majors with improved efficiencies and network
effects through scale. We believe this expertise and network of contacts have allowed us to generate a number of acquisition opportunities.
As a result of our investing and operating expertise, we believe there are a number of high-quality telecommunications, internet
and technology and consumer goods and services sector businesses in Russia with adequate scale to be attractive public companies
in the United States, in particular operating within the following sub-sectors:
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Telecommunications
infrastructure
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In
recent years there has been significant growth in demand for mobile data in Russia with the improvement in 3rd and
4th generation connectivity standards, which are now moving towards 5th generation connectivity
standards. There has also been increasing coverage of more rural and remote areas as well as data transmission growth. Meeting
such demand will require investment in the infrastructure network. In the current marketplace there is limited infrastructure
sharing in Russia. We believe that there is growing recognition among mobile network operators that some elements of telecommunications
infrastructure do not deliver competitive benefits relative to the benefits provided by portfolio sharing, which we believe may
in turn lead to the establishment of independent infrastructure players providing services to multiple operators as is evident
in many other developed and emerging markets. We believe that there may be an opportunity in the Russian market to invest in telecommunications
infrastructure businesses to provide services to multiple mobile network operators, and to employ a roll-up strategy to seek
to achieve trading multiples arbitrage, increased operating leverage through scale and improved operational efficiency.
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Internet
and technology
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The
Russian internet market is the largest in Europe and the 8th largest in the world based on the number of internet
users and we believe that the market will continue to grow, driven by the increase in penetration of mobile internet usage and
a further shift from offline to online channels changing consumers’ behavior patterns. However, at the time of our initial
public offering there were only three publicly traded companies operating internet businesses in Russia, and we believe that there
may be an opportunity to establish a holding company which would bring to the public market one or more existing private companies
that operate within the internet and technology sector.
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Consumer
goods and services
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The
Russian economy has low but growing penetration of consumer oriented businesses across multiple verticals, including food and
non-food retail, hospitality, private healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods, out of home dining, entertainment and
others. We believe that many of the industries in the consumer space remain highly fragmented, especially in the Russian regions,
and that there may be opportunities to acquire one or more consumer focused businesses and pursue a “buy and build”
consolidation strategy.
We
seek out potential targets that we believe have proven business models and attractive growth profiles. We also believe our sponsor’s
and management team’s extensive experience in deal sourcing from private and public sources, as well as their advisory and
consulting engagements, provide unique insight when identifying potential business combination opportunities and creating value.
We believe their experience and proximity to real-time information positions us to obtain access to differentiated deal flow,
frequently in a non-competitive manner and prior to other parties with an interest in such transactions.
Furthermore,
we believe that limited access to capital markets and a scarcity of long-term private equity capital in Russia has created
significant demand from companies seeking to raise capital or otherwise achieve liquidity. Under conditions where the Russian
capital markets are less developed than the U.S. capital markets, we believe we can provide the target company with an attractive
alternative path to a public listing or sale. In particular, due to limited liquidity in the last six years, there is a subset
of private equity and venture capital portfolio companies where a liquidity event is required due to an end of the investment
cycle. We believe the reduced liquidity and increased market volatility in the Russian economy will allow us to capture opportunities
on attractive terms.
We
believe the following factors represent a strong rationale for pursuing our business strategy:
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Portfolio
rationalization (including optimization of corporate structure, divestment of non-core assets or transformation from an asset-heavy to
asset-light business model) is especially relevant for businesses in the turbulent and competitive environment prevalent
today, particularly in the telecommunications industry, and may lead to acquisition opportunities for the Company.
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Devaluation
of the Russian Ruble has created opportunities in salary arbitrage, which aided many companies in strengthening their competitive
advantage in export potential, especially in information technology and software, production, outsourcing and other sectors.
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Import
substitution in pharmaceuticals, food, consumer and other industries is strongly supported by the Russian Government and may also
lead to growth of consumer expenditures by creating low-cost substitutes to imported products which benefit Russian businesses.
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Acquisition
Criteria
Consistent
with this strategy, we identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective
target businesses. We have used these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter
into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet any of these criteria and guidelines.
We
seek to acquire companies that we believe:
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have
strong competitive positions, proven business models and attractive growth prospects;
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have
limited access to capital markets due to external factors;
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could
benefit from the substantial expertise, experience and network of our sponsor and management team, who could assist with, for
example, growth strategy, international expansion, operations and the evaluation and integration of acquisitions;
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are
well positioned to participate in sector consolidation and would benefit from a public acquisition currency;
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would
avoid the potentially onerous terms, such as liquidation preferences, that are often characteristic of late stage private growth
financing rounds; and
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offer
attractive risk-adjusted returns.
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These
criteria and guidelines are not exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination
may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general criteria and guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria
that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into an initial business combination with a target
business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above
criteria and guidelines in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in
this Annual Report, would be in the form of proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we would file with
the SEC.
Initial
Business Combination
Nasdaq
rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate
fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and
taxes payable, if any, on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business
combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we
will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA, or from an independent accounting
firm, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination
must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We
anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders
own shares will own or acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may,
however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100%
of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders
or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires
50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business
sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities
of the target, our shareholders prior to our initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company,
depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in our initial business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue
a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target.
In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial
number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of
our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the outstanding equity interests or
assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business
or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. Nasdaq rules require
that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market
value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and
taxes payable, if any, on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business
combination. If our initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based
on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses and we will treat the target businesses together as our initial business
combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking shareholder approval, as applicable. If our securities are not listed
on Nasdaq, we would not be required to satisfy the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if
our securities are not listed on Nasdaq at the time of our initial business combination.
Our
Acquisition Process
In
evaluating a prospective target business, we have and will continue to conduct a thorough due diligence review that will encompass,
among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, inspection of facilities, as well as a
review of financial and other information that will be made available to us. We have and will continue to utilize our operational
and capital planning experience.
Given
our experience, we have the capacity to appropriately source opportunities and conduct a substantial portion of due diligence
ourselves, relying less on third parties than many other similar companies.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers
or directors, although we do not intend to do so. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company
that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm, that our initial
business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Post-Acquisition
Leadership
After
the initial business combination, we will seek to apply a rigorous approach to enhancing shareholder value through our participation
on the board of directors or through direct involvement with company operations or both. We intend to rely on the extensive professional
network of our founder including, long term associates and former employees and will assemble a team of industry experts that
have the most relevant expertise to enhance the shareholder value.
Our
Management Team
For
a description of our management team, See Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of this Annual Report.
Assistance
from Affiliated Persons
In
addition to the members of our management team, our investment team includes investment partners at affiliates of our sponsor.
These individuals have dedicated, and we expect will continue to dedicate, some of their professional time to our affairs:
Evgeny
Fridman worked at MegaFon between 2009 and 2014, and most recently served as head of investment analysis and investor
relations. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Fridman worked as an investment analyst and portfolio manager at Eden Financial, a London-based investment
management firm and prior to that held various finance and IT related roles starting from 2001. He holds an MSc in Finance from
Cranfield University in the UK.
Svetlana
Ushakova served as a deputy to the chief financial officer at MegaFon and was responsible for MegaFon’s corporate
finance and treasury activities between 2012 and 2017. Prior to MegaFon, between 2010 and 2012, she was a director for Capital
Markets at UC Rusal, the largest aluminum producer in the world, where she was responsible for public capital markets and structuring
products of the group. From 2004 to 2010, Ms. Ushakova served as part of the senior E&R coverage investment banking team
of ABN AMRO Bank covering the largest Russian and CIS O&G and P&U clients across all spectrums of financial products.
Prior to ABN Amro, she spent two years within a London coal desk at Noble group, a leading global commodity trading firm. She
holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from London School of Economics and Political Science.
Oleg
Bibergan worked at Goldman Sachs between 2007 and 2020, first as an analyst, then as an associate and later as an
executive director of Special Situations Group, a principal investments unit of Goldman Sachs. As an executive director, he was
responsible for Goldman Sachs’ investments in IXCellerate, the leading carrier-neutral datacenter platform in Russia;
Headhunter, the leading Russian job board (Nasdaq: HHR); Cian, the leading Russian real estate classified platform; OneTwoTrip,
the leading Russian online travel agency; and Kaspi.kz, the leading Kazakh fintech/e-commerce ecosystem. Mr Bibergan also
serves as an observer on the board of several global VC-backed businesses including Miro and Dostavista. Mr. Bibergan
holds a degree in Economics from Harvard University.
Competition
In
identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we have encountered intense competition
from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups
and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established
and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of
these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target
businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing
the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash to our public shareholders who exercise their redemption
rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. Either of these factors may place us at
a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Employees
We
currently have one executive officer. Members of our management team are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours
to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our
initial business combination. The amount of time that any member of our management team devotes in any time period varies based
on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the current stage of the business combination
process. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Periodic
Reporting and Financial Information
We
have registered our ordinary shares under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file
annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports
will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
The
federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on an initial business combination meeting certain financial
significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the
same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the
tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements
may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some
targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules
and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
We
will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to have our internal
control procedures audited. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding
adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described
in this section, alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part
of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:
Summary
of Risk Factors
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We
are a newly incorporated development stage company with no operating history and no revenues,
and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
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Our
public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business
combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though
a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
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Your
only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination
will be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash,
unless we seek shareholder approval of such business combination.
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If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors,
executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may elect to purchase shares
from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination
and reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares.
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The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large
number of our ordinary shares could increase the probability that our initial business
combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in
order to redeem your shares.
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The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large
number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination
or optimize our capital structure.
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The
requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time
frame may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating an initial
business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence
on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution
deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination
on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
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Our
search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate
a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.
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Past
performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future
performance of an investment in the Company.
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If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors,
executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may elect to purchase shares
from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination
and reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares.
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If
a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection
with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering
its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
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You
will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain
limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to
sell your public shares and/or warrants, potentially at a loss.
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Nasdaq
may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’
ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
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You
will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank
check companies.
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Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities,
it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are
unable to complete our initial business combination within the required time period,
our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in certain
circumstances, on our redemption of their shares, and our warrants will expire worthless.
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If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United
States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact
our operations.
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If
the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement
warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient, it could limit the amount
available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial
business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team
to fund our search for a business combination, to pay our taxes, if any, and to complete
our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable
to complete our initial business combination. Our sponsor is not obligated to fund such
loans.
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Our
executive officer and certain of our directors are now, and our executive officers and
directors may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities
similar to those intended to be conducted by us, including other blank check companies,
and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining
to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
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For
risk factors related to Nexters Global and our proposed business combination with Nexters Global, please review the Registration
Statement on Form F-4 to be filed by Nexters Inc., including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of the Company to be included
therein, and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to be filed by the Company.
Risks
Relating to Our Search for, Consummation of, or Inability to Consummate, a Business Combination and Post-Business Combination
Risks
We
are a blank check development stage company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate
our ability to achieve our business objective.
We
are a blank check development stage company with no operating results to date. Because we lack an operating history, you have
no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with
one or more target businesses. We may be unable to complete our initial business combination, including the business combination
with Nexters Global, which is subject to numerous closing conditions and may be terminated by either party in certain circumstances,
some of which are outside of our control. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any
operating revenues.
Our
public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may complete
our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
We
may not hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the business combination would require shareholder
approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements or if we decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or
other legal reasons. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public
shares do not approve of the business combination we complete.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors and officers have agreed to vote in favor
of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Unlike
many other blank check companies in which the sponsor agrees to vote its founder shares in accordance with the majority of the
votes cast by the public shareholders in connection with an initial business combination, our sponsor has agreed (and its permitted
transferees will agree), pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement entered into with us, to vote its founder shares as well
as any public shares purchased during or after our initial public offering, in favor of our initial business combination. As a
result, in addition to our sponsor’s founder shares, we would need 9,125,001, or 36.5%, of the 25,000,000 public shares
sold in our initial public offering to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted),
subject to any higher threshold as is required by British Virgin Islands or other applicable law, in order to have such initial
business combination approved. As of March 25, 2021, our sponsor owns approximately 21% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly,
if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, it is more likely that the necessary shareholder approval
will be received than would be the case if our sponsor agreed to vote its founder shares in accordance with the majority of the
votes cast by our public shareholders.
In
evaluating a prospective target business for our initial business combination, our management will rely on the availability of
all of the funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities to be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the
initial business combination. If the sale of the forward purchase securities does not close, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate
our initial business combination.
In
connection with the consummation of our initial public offering, we entered into a forward purchase agreement with our sponsor,
which provides for the purchase of $20,000,000 of units, with each unit consisting of one ordinary share and one half of one warrant
to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share, for a purchase price of $10.00 per unit, in a private placement to occur concurrently
with the closing of our initial business combination. The proceeds from the sale of forward purchase securities may be used as
part of the consideration to the sellers in our initial business combination, expenses in connection with our initial business
combination or for working capital in the post-transaction company. In addition, if we consummate our initial business combination
with Nexters Global, pursuant to the A&R Forward Purchase Agreement, the sponsor’s purchase commitment will be increased
from $20 million to $50 million and the sponsor’s commitment to acquire our public units will be replaced with a commitment
to acquire Pubco ordinary shares and Pubco public warrants in a private placement to occur after, and subject to, the Merger closing
and the Share Acquisition closing. However, if the sale of some of or all of the forward purchase securities, or of the Pubco
securities pursuant to the A&R Forward Purchase Agreement, does not close for any reason, we may lack sufficient funds to
consummate our initial business combination. The obligations under the forward purchase agreement will not depend on whether any
public shareholders elect to redeem their shares and will provide us with a minimum funding level for the initial business combination.
The forward purchase agreement contains customary closing conditions, the fulfillment of which is a condition for the sponsor
to purchase the forward purchase securities, including that our initial business combination must be consummated substantially
concurrently with, and immediately following, the purchase of forward purchase securities. In the event of any such failure to
fund, any obligation is so terminated or any such condition is not satisfied and not waived, we may not be able to obtain additional
funds to account for such shortfall on terms favorable to us or at all. Any such shortfall would also reduce the amount of funds
that we have available for working capital of the post-business combination company.
Your
only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination will be limited to the exercise
of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash, unless we seek shareholder approval of such business combination.
You
may not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any target businesses. Additionally, since
our board of directors may complete our initial business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders
may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder approval. Accordingly,
if we do not seek shareholder approval, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business
combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business
days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
The
ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential
business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into an initial business combination with a target.
We
may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition
that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights,
we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination.
The amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriters will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed
in connection with a business combination and such amount of deferred underwriting discount is not available for us to use as
consideration in an initial business combination. If we are able to consummate an initial business combination, the per-share value
of shares held by non-redeeming shareholders will reflect our obligation to pay and the payment of the deferred underwriting
commissions. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to
be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater
net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Consequently,
if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such
greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the
related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of
these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us
to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At
the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise
their redemption rights and, therefore, we will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of
shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the
cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need
to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third-party financing. In
addition, if a larger number of shares is submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the
transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third-party financing. Raising additional
third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels.
The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize
our capital structure.
The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the
probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order
to redeem your shares.
If
our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price,
or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful
increases. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account
until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the
open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In
either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our
redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
The
requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses
leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence
on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability
to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning an initial business combination will be aware that
we must complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over
us in negotiating an initial business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that
particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk
will increase as we get closer to the prescribed time frame. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and
may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
Our
search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be
materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.
In
December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, which has and is continuing to
spread throughout China and other parts of the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health
Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”
On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the United States, and
on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”.
The
COVID-19 outbreak has resulted, and other infectious diseases could result, in a widespread health crisis that has adversely
affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate
a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination
if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 continues to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential
investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate
a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend
on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning
the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed
by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate a business
combination, such as the proposed business combination with Nexters Global, or the operations of a target business with which
we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.
In
addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may
be impacted by COVID-19 and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity
in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.
As
the number of special purpose acquisition companies increases, there may be more competition to find an attractive target for
an initial business combination. This could increase the costs associated with completing our initial business combination and
may result in our inability to find a suitable target for our initial business combination.
In
recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many companies
have entered into business combinations with special purpose acquisition companies, and there are still many special purpose acquisition
companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many additional special purpose acquisition companies
currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, effort
and resources to identify a suitable target for an initial business combination.
In
addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with
available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could
cause target companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such
as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close
business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate
or frustrate our ability to find a suitable target for and/or complete our initial business combination.
Changes
in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate
and complete an initial business combination.
In
recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed
in ways adverse to us and our management team. Fewer insurance companies are offering quotes for directors and officers liability
coverage, the premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become
less favorable. These trends may continue into the future.
The
increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more
expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability
insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need
to incur greater expense and/or accept less favorable terms. Furthermore, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers
liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified
officers and directors.
In
addition, after completion of any initial business combination, our directors and officers could be subject to potential liability
from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to such initial business combination. As a result, in order to
protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect
to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the
post-business combination entity and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination
on terms favorable to our investors.
We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all
operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and thereafter commence a voluntary liquidation,
in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and
our warrants will expire worthless.
Our
sponsor, officers and directors agreed that we must complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022. We may not be
able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to
complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and
debt markets and the other risks described herein. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to grow both in the U.S.
and globally and, while the extent of the impact of the outbreak on us will depend on future developments, it could limit our
ability to complete our initial business combination, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity
and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all. Additionally, the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus
and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases) may negatively
impact businesses we may seek to acquire.
If
we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will: (i) cease all operations except
for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem
the public shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including
interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to
$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will
completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions,
if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the
approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal
dissolution of the company, subject in each case to our obligations under the laws of the British Virgin Islands to provide for
claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public shareholders may receive only $10.00
per share, or less than $10.00 per share, on the redemption of their shares, and our warrants will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If
third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption
amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors herein.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any
of their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination
and reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their
affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion
of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. Such a purchase may include a contractual
acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof
and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors
or any of their affiliates purchase public shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already
elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem
their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares in favor of our initial business combination and thereby
increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of our initial business combination, or to satisfy a closing condition
in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial
business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the completion of
our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
In
addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders
of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our
securities on a national securities exchange.
If
a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination,
or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials,
as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents
or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business
combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares.
For example, we may require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders
or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date
set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote
on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to
the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures, its shares
may not be redeemed.
The
shares beneficially owned by our sponsor, our officers and directors will not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore,
our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate
for our initial business combination.
Our
sponsor, officers and directors have entered into respective letter agreements with us, pursuant to which our sponsor has agreed
to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares, and our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive
their redemption rights with respect to any public shares they may acquire, in connection with the completion of our initial business
combination. Our sponsor has also waived its right to receive distributions with respect to its founder shares upon our liquidation
if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination. Accordingly, the founder shares will be worthless if we do not
consummate our initial business combination. The private placement warrants and any other warrants they acquire will also be worthless
if we do not consummate an initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our sponsor, officers and directors
may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently,
our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict
of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and
in our shareholders’ best interest.
Our
security holders are not entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since
the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants are intended to be used to complete
our initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check”
company under the U.S. securities laws. However, because we had net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the completion
of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and filed a Current Report on Form 8-K,
including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors
in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, our security holders are not afforded the benefits or protections
of those rules. Among other things, this means our units were immediately tradable upon consummation of our initial public offering
and we have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover,
offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us
unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination.
Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for
us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required
time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on our
redemption of their shares, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors
(which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international,
competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and
have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing
services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry
knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors.
While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of our initial public
offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target
businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others
an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, in the event we seek shareholder approval
of our initial business combination and we are obligated to pay cash for our ordinary shares, it will potentially reduce the resources
available to us for our initial business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully
negotiating our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required
time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on the
liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims
against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders
may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors herein.
If
the funds not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate until August 10, 2022, we may be unable
to complete our initial business combination.
The
funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate until August 10, 2022, assuming
that our initial business combination is not completed during that time. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant
costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital and potential loans from
certain of our affiliates are discussed in the section of this Annual Report titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” However, our affiliates are not obligated to make loans to us in the
future, and we may not be able to raise additional financing from unaffiliated parties necessary to fund our expenses. Any such
event in the future may negatively impact the analysis regarding our ability to continue as a going concern at such time.
We
believe that the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate until August 10,
2022; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. Of the funds available to us, we have used and in the future
may use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business.
We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters
of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors
on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do
not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity
from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise),
we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If
we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive
only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants
will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption
of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could
be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other
risk factors herein.
If
the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account
are insufficient, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our
initial business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search for a business
combination, to pay our taxes, if any, and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans,
we may be unable to complete our initial business combination. Our sponsor is not obligated to fund such loans.
As
of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $0.8 million outside of the trust account, approximately $64,000 of investment income
available in the trust account to pay for tax obligations, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses),
and a working capital of approximately $0.4 million. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds
from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members
of our management team nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to loan funds to, or otherwise invest in, us in such
circumstances. Any such loans would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon
completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial
business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available
to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In such case, our public shareholders may receive
only $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless., our public shareholders may
receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against
us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders
may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors below.
Subsequent
to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring
and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations
and the price of our securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even
if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will
identify all material issues that may be present with a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material
issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control
will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure
our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully
identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with
our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity,
the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In
addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of
assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.
Accordingly, any shareholder or warrant holder who chooses to remain a shareholder or warrant holder, respectively, following
our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders and warrant holders
are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due
to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed by them to our company, or if they are
able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the tender offer materials or proxy statement relating to
the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
If
we liquidate, distributions, or part of them, may be delayed while the liquidator determines the extent of potential creditor
claims.
If
we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, we will be required to redeem our public shares using
the available funds in the trust account pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, resulting
in our repayment of available funds in the trust account. Following this redemption, we will proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation
and thereby a formal dissolution of the company. In connection with such a voluntary liquidation, the liquidator would give notice
to our creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted
claims and by placing a public advertisement in at least one newspaper published in the British Virgin Islands newspaper and in
at least one newspaper circulating in the location where the company has its principal place of business, and taking any other
steps he considers appropriate, after which our remaining assets would be distributed.
As
soon as our affairs are fully wound-up, if we were to liquidate, the liquidator must complete his statement of account and will
then notify the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the “Registrar”) that the liquidation
has been completed. However, the liquidator may determine that he requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims
(particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). Also, a creditor or shareholder
may file a petition with the British Virgin Islands court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject
to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our remaining assets.
To
the extent that any liquidation proceedings of the company were to be commenced prior to the redemption of our public shares (and
the distribution of available funds in the trust account) referred to above under British Virgin Islands law, the funds held in
our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our
shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account we may not be able to return to our public shareholders
the full redemption amounts which would be otherwise payable to them.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance
requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
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restrictions
on the nature of our investments; and
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restrictions
on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
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In
addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
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registration
as an investment company with the SEC;
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adoption
of a specific form of corporate structure; and
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reporting,
record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations that we are not currently subject to.
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In
order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we
must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading in securities and that our
activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting
more than 40% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business
will be to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets
for the long term. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan
to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
We
do not believe that our principal activities subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust
account may only be invested in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment
Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated
under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement,
the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments,
and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and selling
businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company”
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. An investment in our securities is not for persons who are seeking a return
on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending
the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our primary business objective, which is a business combination; (ii) absent
an initial business combination, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption
of the public shares, and (iii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote
to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation
to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022 or (B) with respect
to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. If we do not
invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be
subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for
which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to
complete our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately
$10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We
are not subject to the supervision of the Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands and, as a result, our shareholders
are not protected by any regulatory inspections in the British Virgin Islands.
We
are not an entity subject to any regulatory supervision in the British Virgin Islands by the Financial Services Commission. As
a result, shareholders are not protected by any regulatory supervision or inspections by any regulatory agency in the British
Virgin Islands and we are not required to observe any restrictions in respect of our conduct, save as disclosed in our amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Changes
in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our
ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We
are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to
comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may
be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from
time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In
addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect
on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
The
British Virgin Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have introduced legislation aimed at
addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which
attract profits without real economic activity. With effect from January 1, 2019, the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited
Partnerships) Act, 2018 (the “ESA”) came into force in the British Virgin Islands introducing certain economic substance
requirements for British Virgin Islands tax resident companies which are engaged in certain “relevant activities.”
However, it is not anticipated that we will be subject to any such requirements prior to any business combination and thereafter
we may still remain out of scope of the legislation or else be subject to more limited substance requirements. Although it is
presently anticipated that the ESA will have little material impact on the Company or its operations, as the legislation is new
and remains subject to further clarification and interpretation it is not currently possible to ascertain the precise impact of
these legislative changes on the Company.
If
we are unable to consummate our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, our public shareholders may be forced to wait
beyond the ten business day period thereafter before redemption from our trust account.
If
we are unable to consummate our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but
not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem all public shares then outstanding at a per-share price, payable in cash,
equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the
trust account not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, less up to $100,000 of interest for our dissolution expenses,
divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our
affairs by way of a voluntary liquidation, as further described elsewhere in this Annual Report. Any redemption of public shareholders
from the trust account shall be effected automatically by function of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
prior to our commencing any voluntary liquidation. If we are required to liquidate prior to distributing the aggregate amount
then on deposit in the trust account, then such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions
of the Companies Act and/or the Insolvency Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond the ten business days following
August 10, 2022 before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their
portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of our redemption
or liquidation unless, prior thereto, we consummate our initial business combination or amend certain provisions of our amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association and then only in cases where investors have sought to redeem their ordinary
shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to
complete our initial business combination.
If
deemed to be insolvent, distributions, or part of them, may be delayed while the insolvency liquidator determines the extent of
potential creditor claims. In these circumstances, prior payments made by the company may be deemed “voidable transactions.”
If
we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, we will be required to redeem our public shares from the
trust account pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
However,
if at any time we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) we fail to comply with the requirements
of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) execution or other process
issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands court in favor of a creditor of the company is returned wholly
or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is
unable to pay its debts as they fall due), we are required to immediately enter insolvent liquidation. In these circumstances,
a liquidator will be appointed who will give notice to our creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying
known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in at least one newspaper published
in the British Virgin Islands newspaper and in at least one newspaper circulating in the location where the company has its principal
place of business, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate, after which our assets would be distributed. Following
the process of insolvent liquidation, the liquidator will complete its final report and accounts and will then notify the Registrar.
The liquidator may determine that he requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty
over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). Also, a creditor or shareholder may file a petition with the
British Virgin Islands court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court.
Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders. In such liquidation proceedings,
the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over
the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account we cannot assure you we will be able to
return to our public shareholders the amounts otherwise payable to them.
If
we are deemed insolvent, then there are also limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties
may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. A voidable transaction would
be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue.” Where
a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British
Virgin Islands court for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part.
Our
sponsor has waived its right to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares. We will pay the
costs of our liquidation and distribution of the trust account from the remaining assets outside the trust account and up to $100,000
of interest that accrued in the trust account that may be used for this purpose. In addition, pursuant to a written agreement,
our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us, for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed
waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust, except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters
of the initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we cannot
assure you that the liquidator will not determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims
(particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). We also cannot assure you that
a creditor or shareholder will not file a petition with the British Virgin Islands court which, if successful, may result
in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our
assets to our public shareholders.
If
deemed to be insolvent, distributions made to public shareholders, or part of them, from our trust account may be subject to claw
back in certain circumstances.
If
we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, and instead distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account (less interest previously released to us to pay taxes, if any, and less up to $100,000 in interest reserved
for expenses in connection with our dissolution) to our public shareholders by way of redemption, it will be necessary for our
directors to pass a board resolution approving the redemption of those ordinary shares and the payment of the proceeds to public
shareholders. Such board resolutions are required to confirm that we satisfy the solvency test prescribed by the Companies Act,
(namely that our assets exceed our liabilities; and that we are able to pay our debts as they fall due). If, after the redemption
proceeds are paid to public shareholders, it transpires that our financial position at the time was such that it did not satisfy
the solvency test, the Companies Act provides a mechanism by which those proceeds could be recovered from public shareholders.
However, the Companies Act also provides for circumstances where such proceeds could not be subject to claw back, namely where
(a) the public shareholders received the proceeds in good faith and without knowledge of our failure to satisfy the solvency
test; (b) a public shareholder altered its position in reliance of the validity of the payment of the proceeds; or (c) it
would be unfair to require repayment of the proceeds in full or at all.
The
grant of registration rights to our sponsor and its permitted transferees may make it more difficult to complete our initial
business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Pursuant to a registration
rights agreement entered into upon the closing of our initial public offering, our sponsor and its permitted transferees, can demand
that we register the founder shares and the private placement warrants and the ordinary shares underlying the private placement
warrants and holders of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans can demand that we register such warrants
or ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of such warrants. Additionally, pursuant to the forward purchase agreement dated August
5, 2020, we agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to file within 30 days after the closing of the initial
business combination a registration statement with the SEC for a secondary offering of the forward purchase shares and the forward
purchase warrants (and underlying ordinary shares), (ii) to cause such registration statement to be declared effective promptly
thereafter but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the initial filing, (iii) to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement until the earliest of (A) the date on which our sponsor or its assignees cease to hold the securities
covered thereby, and (B) the date all of the securities covered thereby can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation
under Rule 144 under the Securities Act and (iv) after such registration statement is declared effective, cause us to
conduct firm commitment underwritten offerings, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the forward purchase agreement provides
for certain “piggy-back” registration rights to the holders of forward purchase securities to include their securities
in other registration statements filed by us. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability
of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our
ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or
difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined
entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected
when the securities owned by our sponsor and holders of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans or
their respective permitted transferees are registered. The A&R Forward Purchase Agreement amends the forward purchase agreement,
dated August 5, 2020, between us and the sponsor with respect to registration rights, among other things. Pursuant to the A&R
Forward Purchase Agreement, Pubco has no obligation to register or qualify the Pubco forward purchase securities, or any Pubco
ordinary shares into which the Pubco forward purchase securities may be converted into or exercised for, for resale, except pursuant
to the New Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the New Registration Rights Agreement, among other things, subject to certain
requirements and customary conditions, including with regard to the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Holders
may demand at any time or from time to time, that Pubco file a registration statement with the SEC to register the securities of
Pubco held by such Holders. The New Registration Rights Agreement will also provide the Holders with “piggy-back” registration
rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions.
Because
we are not limited to a particular industry, sector or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business
combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We
seek to complete our initial business combination with an operating company, except that we will not, under our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association, be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company
or similar company with nominal operations. There is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the
particular industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we
complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which
we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales
or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development
stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business,
we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate
time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to
control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment
in our securities will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available,
in a business combination target. Accordingly, any shareholder or warrant holder who chooses to remain a shareholder or warrant
holder, respectively, following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders
and warrant holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that
the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed by them to us,
or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the tender offer materials or proxy statement
relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
We
may seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors outside the telecommunications, technology, internet and consumer
goods and services sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
We
will consider an initial business combination outside of the telecommunications, technology, internet and consumer goods and services
sectors (which sectors may or may not be outside our management’s areas of expertise) if a business combination candidate
is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company. Although
our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure
you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment
in our securities will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors than a direct investment, if an opportunity were
available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition outside of the areas of our management’s
expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information
contained in this Annual Report regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding
of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all of
the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any shareholder or warrant holder who remains a shareholder or warrant holder following
our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders and warrant holders
are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses,
we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result,
the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with
our general criteria and guidelines.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target
business, such as Nexters Global, with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive
attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these criteria and
guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria
and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria
and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet
any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition,
if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder
approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business
combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial
business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share,
or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We
may seek acquisition opportunities with an early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established
record of revenue or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.
To
the extent we complete our initial business combination with an early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity
lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business
with which we combine. These risks include investing in a business without a proven business model and with limited historical
financial data, volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel.
Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be
able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence.
Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that
those risks will adversely impact a target business.
We
are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent
accounting firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business
is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Unless
we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent
investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair
to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of
our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on one or more standards generally accepted by the financial
community, such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value, discounted cash flow valuation or value
of comparable businesses. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials,
as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We
may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences
to U.S. investors.
If
we are a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. holder of our ordinary
shares or warrants, the U.S. holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional
reporting requirements. Our PFIC status for our current and subsequent taxable years may depend upon the status of an acquired
company pursuant to a business combination and whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception. Depending on the particular
circumstances, the application of the start-up exception is uncertain, and there can be no assurance that we will qualify
for the start-up exception. Accordingly, there can be no assurances with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current
taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after
the end of such taxable year. Moreover, if we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide a U.S.
Holder such information as the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may require, including a PFIC annual information statement
in order to enable the U.S. holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election, but there can be
no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and such election would likely be unavailable with respect
to our warrants in all cases. We urge U.S. holders to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC
rules to holders of our ordinary shares and warrants.
Resources
could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts
to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public
shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation
of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless.
The
investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure
documents and other instruments requires substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys
and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the
proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business,
we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such
event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to
locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the required
time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on the
liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless.
After
our initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States
and all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore investors may not be able to enforce federal securities
laws or their other legal rights.
It
is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States
and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not
possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our
directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties
on our directors and officers under United States laws.
We
may have limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business
combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company,
which could, in turn, negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
When
evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess
the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities
of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications
or abilities we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary
to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.
Accordingly, shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction
in the value of their securities. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are
able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary
duty owed to us, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the tender offer materials
or proxy statement relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
The
officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The departure
of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained
at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated
with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an
acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
We
may be able to complete only one business combination with the proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private
placement warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products
or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
We
may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or
within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target
business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare
and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target
businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single
entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks. Further, we would not
be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities
which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single
industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
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solely
dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or
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dependent
upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
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This
lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a
substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We
may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to
complete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations
and profitability.
If
we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which
may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business
combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations
and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation
of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately
address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We
may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which
may result in an initial business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In
pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By
definition, very little public information exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether
to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in an initial business
combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We
may seek business combination opportunities with a high degree of complexity that require significant operational improvements,
which could delay or prevent us from achieving our desired results.
We
may seek business combination opportunities with large, highly complex companies that we believe would benefit from operational
improvements. While we intend to implement such improvements, to the extent that our efforts are delayed or we are unable to achieve
the desired improvements, the business combination may not be as successful as we anticipate.
To
the extent we complete our initial business combination with a large complex business or entity with a complex operating structure,
we may also be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine, which could delay
or prevent us from implementing our strategy. Although our management team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular
target business and its operations, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors until
we complete our business combination. If we are not able to achieve our desired operational improvements, or the improvements
take longer to implement than anticipated, we may not achieve the gains that we anticipate. Furthermore, some of these risks and
complexities may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks and
complexities will adversely impact a target business. Such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a smaller,
less complex organization.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a
variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
We
may effect an initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States. If we do, we would be subject
to any special considerations or risks associated with businesses operating in the target’s home jurisdiction, including
any of the following:
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rules
and regulations or currency conversion or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
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laws
governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
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differing
laws and regulations regarding exchange listing and delisting requirements;
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tariffs
and trade barriers;
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regulations
related to customs and import/export matters;
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tax
issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
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currency
fluctuations and exchange controls;
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inflation
greater than that experienced in the United States;
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challenges
in collecting accounts receivable;
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cultural
and language differences;
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employment
regulations;
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crime,
strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and
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deterioration
of political relations with the United States.
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We
may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we are unable to do so, our operations might suffer.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such
business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States, the laws of the country
in which such business operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. The target business
may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or enforce remedies for breaches of those agreements in that jurisdiction.
The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation
as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a
significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Additionally, if we acquire a business located outside of the
United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside of the United States and some
of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors
in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce
judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under federal
securities laws.
Because
of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, our results of operations may be negatively
impacted.
Managing
a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether
based abroad or in the United States) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant
differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the
costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and
much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.
We
may re-domicile into another foreign jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction
may govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In
connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the British Virgin
Islands to another foreign jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction would likely govern all of
our material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in
implementation and interpretation as in the British Virgin Islands or the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain
a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Any such re-domiciliation and the international nature of our business will likely subject us to foreign regulation.
We
may re-domicile or reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination which may result
in taxes imposed on shareholders and warrant holders.
We
may, in connection with our initial business combination, re-domicile or reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target
company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder or warrant holder to recognize
taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a
tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders to pay such taxes. Shareholders and warrant
holders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
Many
countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject
to corruption and inexperience, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Our
ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to
defend ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could
adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition. Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or
open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels.
The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent. Delay with respect
to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could
cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.
If
our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with U.S. securities laws, they may have to expend time
and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following
our initial business combination, our management team may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company
and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target
business may not be familiar with U.S. securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with such laws, they may have to expend
time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various
regulatory issues, which may adversely affect our operations.
Currency
policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
In
the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar
equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency.
The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and
economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness
of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of
operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business
combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able
to consummate such transaction.
Our
management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.
We
may structure an initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares
will own less than 100% of the outstanding equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business
combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target
or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for us not to be required to register as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if the post-transaction company
owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own
a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business
combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new ordinary shares
in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target.
However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such
transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other
minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of
the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be
able to maintain our control of the target business. We cannot assure you that, upon loss of control of a target business, new
management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We
do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to
complete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association does not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except
that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001
(such that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset
or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. As a result, we may
be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree
with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and
do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered
into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates. In
the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all ordinary shares that are validly submitted for
redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed
the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, all ordinary
shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
In
order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the past, amended various provisions of their
constitutional documents. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association that will make it easier for us to consummate an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may
not support.
In
order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions
of their charters and modified governing instruments. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of initial
business combination, increased redemption thresholds and changed industry focus. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to
amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to our initial business combination, however, to do
so would require the approval of at least 65% of the issued and outstanding shares attending and voting at a meeting of shareholders.
Our
sponsor, officers and directors agreed, each pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment
to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation
to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, unless we provide
our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price,
payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less any interest released to us for taxes,
if any), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. These agreements are contained in letter agreements that we
entered into with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries
of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers or directors
for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder
derivative action, subject to applicable law.
Provisions
of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the
release of funds from our trust account) relating to the rights and obligations attaching to our ordinary shares and certain aspects
of our pre-business combination activity may be amended prior to the consummation of our initial business combination by a resolution
of shareholders holding 65% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting at the meeting at which the resolution
is considered, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore,
to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to facilitate the consummation
of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Some
other blank check companies have a provision in their constitutional documents which prohibits the amendment of certain provisions,
including those which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage
of the company’s shareholders. Amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s
public shareholders in many cases. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any of its provisions,
including those related to pre-business combination activity, may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our ordinary
shares, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended
if approved by holders of 65% of our ordinary shares, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies.
This is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the consummation of an initial business combination
that some of our shareholders may not support.
Our
sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, each pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment
to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation
to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, unless we provide
our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price,
payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less any interest released to us for taxes,
if any), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. These agreements are contained in letter agreements that we
have entered into with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries
of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers and directors
for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder
derivative action, subject to applicable law.
We
may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth
of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
If
the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and forward purchase securities
prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds
in search of a target business, the obligation to redeem for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption
in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with
our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination.
We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing
proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure
the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable
to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share plus any
pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, less
up to $100,000 of interest for dissolution expenses, on the liquidation of our trust account. In addition, even if we do not need
additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth
of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development
or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in
connection with or after our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within
the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less in some circumstances,
on the liquidation of our trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless.
Our
sponsor and affiliated entities control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring
shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Our
sponsor currently owns approximately 21% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Our sponsor, officers and directors or
their affiliates could determine in the future to make purchases of our securities in the open market or in private transactions,
to the extent permitted by law. In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, our sponsor, as well as all of
our officers and directors have agreed to vote the ordinary shares owned by them in favor of such proposed business combination.
Our
board of directors is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with
only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of shareholders to
elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors
will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise
your voting rights under corporate law until August 10, 2022. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered”
board of directors, fewer than half of the board of directors will be considered for election and our sponsor, because of its
ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our sponsor will continue to exert control
at least until the consummation of our initial business combination.
Our
outstanding warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effect a
business combination.
We
issued warrants to purchase 12,500,000 ordinary shares as part of the units sold in our initial public offering and 6,750,000
private placement warrants, each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share. We may also issue additional warrants to our sponsor,
officers, directors or their affiliates upon redemption of promissory notes issued to such entities or individuals for loans made
to supplement our working capital requirements, as described elsewhere in this Annual Report. To the extent we issue ordinary
shares to effect a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares upon exercise
of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such securities, when
exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete
the business combination. Accordingly, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase
the cost of acquiring the target business. Additionally, the sale, or even the possibility of sale, of the shares underlying the
warrants could have an adverse effect on the market price for our securities or on our ability to obtain future financing. If
and to the extent these warrants are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.
A
provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to complete an initial business combination.
Unlike
most blank check companies, if (i) we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes
in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per share, (ii)
the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available
for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the completion of our initial business combination (net of
redemptions), and (iii) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to
be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will
be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00
per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the
Newly Issued Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
If
we do not hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, shareholders
will not be afforded an opportunity to elect directors and to discuss company affairs with management until such time.
Unless
otherwise required by law or the Nasdaq, we do not currently intend to call an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate
our initial business combination. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an
annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. If our shareholders want us to
hold a meeting prior to our consummation of our initial business combination, they may do so by members holding not less than
thirty percent of voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested making a request in writing to the
directors in accordance with Section 82(2) of the Companies Act. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the
required percentage to call a meeting above thirty percent. Until we hold an annual meeting of shareholders, public shareholders
may not be afforded the opportunity to elect directors and to discuss company affairs with management.
A
market for our securities may not fully develop or be sustained, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
The
price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic
conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters
or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases). An active trading market for our securities may not fully develop or
be sustained. Additionally, if our securities become delisted from Nasdaq for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Pink Sheets,
an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not listed on a national exchange, the liquidity and price of
our securities may be more limited than if we were listed on Nasdaq or another national exchange. You may be unable to sell your
securities unless a market can be fully developed and sustained.
Because
we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous
initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The
federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on an initial business combination meeting certain financial
significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the
same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the
tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to U.S. GAAP
or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with
the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire
because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such financial statements in
accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Compliance
obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require
substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated
filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation
requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we
will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal
control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our
initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of
its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may
be limited, because we are incorporated under British Virgin Islands law.
We
are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce
judgments obtained in the U.S. courts against us or our directors or officers.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common
law of the British Virgin Islands. We are also subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of
shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our
directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are governed by the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands.
The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived from English common law, and whilst the decisions of the English courts
are of persuasive authority, they are not binding on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and
the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law may not be as clearly established as they would
be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands
has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more
fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, while statutory provisions do exist in British
Virgin Islands law for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, shareholders in British Virgin Islands companies
may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances
in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action,
may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of
a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they
believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred.
The
British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States
based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws where that liability is in respect of penalties, taxes, fines
or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in
the British Virgin Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature.
There
is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts
of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action
in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the
U.S. judgment:
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the
U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident
or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process;
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is
final and for a liquidated sum;
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the
judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the
company;
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in
obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court;
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recognition
or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and
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the
proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice.
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In
appropriate circumstances, a British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final
foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
As
a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions
taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a
U.S. company.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association permit the board of directors by resolution to amend our amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association, including to create additional classes of securities, including shares with rights,
preferences, designations and limitations as they determine which may have an anti-takeover effect.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association permit the board of directors by resolution to amend certain provisions
of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association including to designate rights, preferences, designations and
limitations attaching to the preferred shares as they determine in their discretion, without shareholder approval with respect
the terms or the issuance. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of the preferred shares would be set
by the board of directors and could operate to the disadvantage of the outstanding ordinary shares the holders of which would
not have any pre-emption rights in respect of such an issue of preferred shares. Such terms could include, among others,
preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, or could be used to prevent possible corporate takeovers. We may
issue some or all of such preferred shares in connection with our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
we and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association that would affect the substance and timing of our obligation to redeem our public shares if we are unable to consummate
our initial business combination by August 10, 2022, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem
their public shares upon approval of any such amendment 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 to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and private shares.
We
may face risks related to telecommunications, technology, internet and consumer goods and services sector companies.
Business
combinations with companies in the telecommunications, technology, internet and consumer goods and services sectors entail special
considerations and risks. If we are successful in completing a business combination with such a target business, we may be subject
to, and possibly adversely affected by, the following risks:
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An
inability to compete effectively in a highly competitive environment with many incumbents having substantially greater resources;
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An
inability to manage rapid change, increasing consumer expectations and growth;
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An
inability to build strong brand identity and improve subscriber or customer satisfaction and loyalty;
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A
reliance on proprietary technology to provide services and to manage our operations, and the failure of this technology to operate
effectively, or our failure to use such technology effectively;
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An
inability to deal with our subscribers’ or customers’ privacy concerns;
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An
inability to attract and retain subscribers or customers;
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An
inability to license or enforce intellectual property rights on which our business may depend;
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Any
significant disruption in our computer systems or those of third-parties that we would utilize in our operations;
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An
inability by us, or a refusal by third parties, to license content to us upon acceptable terms;
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Potential
liability for negligence, copyright, or trademark infringement or other claims based on the nature and content of materials that
we may distribute;
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Competition
for advertising revenue;
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Competition
for the leisure and entertainment time and discretionary spending of subscribers or customers, which may intensify in part due
to advances in technology and changes in consumer expectations and behavior;
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Disruption
or failure of our networks, systems or technology as a result of computer viruses, “cyber-attacks,” misappropriation
of data or other malfeasance, as well as outages, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, accidental releases of information or
similar events;
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An
inability to obtain necessary hardware, software and operational support; and
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Reliance
on third-party vendors or service providers.
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Any
of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in identifying
prospective target businesses will not be limited to the media, internet and consumer sectors. Accordingly, if we acquire a target
business in another industry, these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific
industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.
Risks
Relating to the Russian Federation if one or more Target Businesses is located in Russia
Emerging
markets are subject to different risks as compared to more developed markets.
Operating
a business in Russia can involve a greater degree of risk than operating a business in more developed markets, including, in some
cases, increased political, economic and legal risks. Emerging market governments and judiciaries often exercise broad, unchecked
discretion and are susceptible to abuse and corruption. Moreover, financial turmoil in any emerging market country tends to adversely
affect the value of investments in all emerging market countries as investors move their money to more stable, developed markets.
As has happened in the past, financial problems or an increase in the perceived risks associated with investing in companies in
emerging economies could dampen foreign investment in the Russian Federation and adversely affect its economy. Generally, investment
in emerging markets is only suitable for sophisticated investors who fully appreciate the significance of the risks involved in,
and are familiar with, investing in emerging markets.
Political
or other risks could adversely affect the value of investments in the Russian Federation.
Any
change in the Russian Government or its program of reform or lack of consensus between the Russian President, the Prime Minister,
the Russian Government, the Parliament and powerful economic groups could lead to political instability and a deterioration in
Russia’s investment climate. In addition, ethnic, religious, historical and other divisions have on occasion given rise
to tensions and, in certain cases, military conflict. Moreover, various acts of terrorism have been committed within the Russian
Federation. The risks associated with these events or potential events that may have a material adverse effect on the Company
or a target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Russia
is a federative state consisting of 85 constituent entities, or “subjects”. The Russian Constitution reserves some
governmental powers for the Russian Government, some for the subjects and some for areas of joint competence. In addition, eight
“federal districts” (“federal’nye okruga”), which are overseen by a plenipotentiary representative
of the President, supplement the country’s federal system. The delineation of authority among and within the subjects is,
in many instances, unclear and contested, particularly with respect to the division of tax revenues and authority over regulatory
matters. Subjects have enacted conflicting laws in areas such as privatization, land ownership and licensing. For these reasons,
the Russian political system is vulnerable to tension and conflict between federal, subject and local authorities. This tension
creates uncertainties in the operating environment in Russia, which may prevent businesses from carrying out their strategy effectively.
In
January 2020, the Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a number of constitutional reforms aimed at altering the balance
of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches and introducing certain other changes to the Constitution of
the Russian Federation. Following approval of the amendments to the Russian constitution by national vote which was accomplished
on July 1, 2020, it is expected that the process by which these reforms will be prepared and approved by the Russian authorities
will be determined in the near future. If and when implemented, these constitutional reforms may have a significant impact on
the Russian political landscape and regulatory environment and lead to other changes that are currently difficult to predict.
Any
disruption or reversal of reform policies or economic downturn could lead to social, political or governmental instability or
the occurrence of conflicts between various groups, which could have a material adverse effect on the value of investments in
Russia.
Economic
risks could adversely affect the value of investments in the Russian Federation.
The
Russian economy has experienced fluctuating growth rates over the last two decades, including significant recent declines. In
addition, as Russia produces and exports large quantities of crude oil, natural gas, metal products and other commodities, the
Russian economy is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in the prices of commodities on the world markets. The sharp decrease
in prices for natural resources in 2008 and 2014 to 2016 resulted in a significant decrease in revenues of the Russian Government,
which had a negative effect on the Russian economy. Commodity prices continue to be volatile. Further, the Russian economy generally
was adversely affected by the global financial crisis. As an emerging economy, Russia remains particularly vulnerable to further
external shocks and any future fluctuations in the global markets, and such events could have a material adverse effect on the
Company or the target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
In
addition, because Russia produces and exports large amounts of oil, the Russian economy is especially vulnerable to the price
of oil on the world market, and a decline in the price of oil or international sanctions against the Russian oil industry could
slow or disrupt the Russian economy or weaken the value of the ruble against foreign currencies. In particular, the Brent Crude
oil price suffered a significant decrease during 2014 and 2015. The commodity’s price declined from $112.36 per barrel on
June 30, 2014 to $37.28 per barrel on December 31, 2015. During 2016 and 2019, the Brent Crude oil price continued to
be volatile with $56.82 per barrel on December 30, 2016, $66.87 per barrel on December 29, 2017, $53.80 per barrel on
December 31, 2018 and $66.00 per barrel on December 31, 2019. Further, after OPEC and Russia failed to agree on recent
production cuts, Saudi Arabia sharply cut its prices, causing the Brent Crude oil price to reach an average low of $23 per barrel
in April, 2020, which has severely impacted the Russian economy.
In
addition, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 described in the risk factor entitled “— Our search for a business
combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected
by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets,” has materially adversely affected
the Russian economy, due to mitigation measures to reduce the spread of the virus and the impact of the sharp decline in oil demand,
among other factors. Risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic could also negatively affect target business’ financial
condition and results of operations. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact such results will depend on future developments
and is difficult to predict.
Other
risks could adversely affect the value of investments in the Russian Federation.
Emerging
markets such as the Russian Federation are prone to social risks and increased lawlessness. High levels of corruption reportedly
exist in Russia, including the bribing of officials for the purpose of initiating investigations by government agencies. Corruption
and other illegal activities could disrupt the Company or the target business’ ability to conduct its business effectively,
and claims that the Company or the target business was involved in such corruption or illegal activities could generate negative
publicity, either of which could harm the Company or the target business’ financial condition, results of operations or
prospects. In addition, rising unemployment, forced unpaid leave, wages in arrears and a weakening economy have in some cases
in the past led to and could in the future lead again to labor and social unrest, a mood of protest, and a rise in nationalism
against migrant workers. Such labor and social unrest could disrupt ordinary business operations, which also could materially
adversely affect the Company or the target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
The
Company’s business could be affected by the sanctions imposed by the US, the U.K. and other members of the European Union
and related sanctions.
The
Russian Federation’s economic and political relations with certain other countries, particularly the U.S., the U.K. and
other members of the European Union, have been affected by recent events. On 2 August, 2017, the U.S. President signed into law
the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (“CAATSA”). CAATSA contains a number of provisions
in respect of sanctions on the Russian economy and provides for the possibility of imposition of secondary sanctions on non-U.S.
persons that (a) materially violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of the U.S. sanctions
regime with respect to Russia and Ukraine; or (b) facilitate a significant transaction or transactions, including deceptive
or structured transactions, for or on behalf of any person which is the subject of sanctions imposed by the U.S. with respect
to Russia.
On
January 29, 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department published an unclassified portion of the Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 241
regarding Senior Foreign Political Figures and Oligarchs in the Russian Federation and Russian Parastatal Entities (the “Section 241
Report”), which listed senior political figures in Russia as well as oligarchs with an estimated net worth of US$1 billion
or more. Although according to the Section 241 Report, the inclusion of individuals or entities in this report does not impose
sanctions on them or create any restrictions or prohibitions on dealing with such persons by either U.S. or foreign persons, it
is not clear what restrictions, if any may be imposed upon some or any of these individuals in the future. The publication of
the names in the Section 241 Report may affect the Company’s ability to acquire a target business from an individual
who is listed in the report, or a target business with any significant shareholder(s) whose names are listed in the report.
In
March 2018, the expulsion of Russian Federation diplomats and envoys by 26 countries including the U.K. and the U.S., and
the expulsion by the Russian Federation of diplomats and envoys of several of these countries in response to the Novichok poisoning
in the U.K., contributed to increased geopolitical tensions between the U.S., U.K. and other countries and the Russian Federation.
This also led to further sanctions being imposed on the Russian Federation by the U.S. in August 2018 following their determination
under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 that the Government of the Russian Federation
had used chemical or biological weapons against international law or against their own nationals. On 6 April, 2018, pursuant to
an Executive Order codified by CAATSA, the U.S. government sanctioned a number of Russian businessmen, government officials and
companies. U.S. persons (1) are required to block all property and interests in property of the sanctioned parties and (2) may
not deal with the sanctioned parties directly or indirectly. Furthermore, non-U.S. persons are at risk of the secondary sanctions
described above in relation to their dealings with the sanctioned parties.
In
November 2018, the U.S. imposed sanctions against certain Russian organizations and individuals, including a subsidiary of
the Russian Energy Ministry, for allegedly supplying Iranian oil to Syria in breach of U.S. restrictions.
In
February 2019, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill to the U.S. Senate entitled Defending American Security
from Kremlin Aggression Act of 2019 (“DASKA”). DASKA seeks to build on CAATSA sanctions, by, among other things, imposing
financing restrictions on Russian sovereign debt, introducing blocking sanctions targeting Russian financial state-owned institutions,
corrupt political figures, oligarchs and parastatal entities, introducing blocking sanctions relating to malicious cyber activities
and the Kerch Strait incident and the opening of an Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department for the purpose
of coordinating sanctions with the European Union and other NATO allies.
If
the Company were to acquire a target company or business, the ongoing business of the Company and the target — including
its vendor and client relationships — will need to comply with CAATSA and any other applicable sanctions. CAATSA, or
any other applicable sanctions, could potentially limit the Company’s ability to acquire a target company or business from
a person (an individual or a company) who has been sanctioned, or a target company or business with any significant shareholder(s)
who have been sanctioned. Continued geopolitical tensions, existing and any additional sanctions, including DASKA should it pass
into law, and/or any retaliatory measures, could result in, a material adverse impact on the Russian Federation’s economy,
global economic conditions, the Company or the target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Our
target’s business could be affected by political instability, including relating to Ukraine and related sanctions imposed
by the U.S. and the EU.
Political
and economic relations between Russia the U.S. and the EU are complex. Recent situations involving Ukraine, Crimea, Iran, Syria,
and alleged cyberespionage by the Russian government against the U.S. Democratic National Committee and in connection with the
2016 U.S. presidential election, along with the response of the governments of Russia, the U.S., member states of the E.U., the
E.U. itself and other nations, have the potential to materially adversely affect our operations in Russia through a variety of
situations. In particular, due to recent geopolitical tensions in Ukraine, the United States, Canada and the E.U. have imposed
sanctions against Russian officials, certain Russian companies and individuals. These sanctions were designed to affect various
elements of Russia’s economy, with a particular focus on defense companies, individuals identified by the U.S. Department
of State as being in the “inner circle” of the current Russian president, banks and energy companies. Russia has responded
with certain countermeasures, including limiting the import of certain goods from the U.S. and other countries. It is currently
unclear how long these sanctions will remain in place and whether new sanctions may be imposed. There can be no assurance that
such sanctions will not be expanded more broadly to impact a greater variety of actors in the Russian economy. The sanctions imposed
by the U.S. and the EU in connection with the Ukraine crisis so far have had an adverse effect on the Russian economy.
Further
confrontation in Ukraine and any escalation of related tensions between Russia and the U.S. and/or the EU, the continuation of
existing sanctions, the imposition of further sanctions, or uncertainty regarding the scope thereof, could have a prolonged adverse
impact on the Russian economy, particularly levels of disposable income, consumer spending and consumer confidence. These impacts
could be more severe than those experienced to date. All of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on the target business’
financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Negative
publicity could harm our target’s business.
The
local and international press have reported high levels of corruption and extortion in the Russian Federation, including selective
investigations and prosecutions to further the personal or commercial interests of certain favored companies or individuals. There
is also a tendency among the press to generate speculative reports containing allegations of criminal conduct and fraud. Further,
the Russian press are suspected of publishing biased articles and reports in return for payment. Such negative publicity could
have a material adverse effect on our target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Legal
risks could affect the value of investments in the Russian Federation.
Among
the risks of the Russian legal system are: inconsistencies among laws, presidential decrees, and government and ministerial orders
and resolutions; conflicting local, regional and federal laws and regulations; the untested nature of the independence of the
judiciary and its sensitivity to economic or political influences; substantial gaps in the regulatory structure due to the delay
or absence of implementing legislation; a high degree of discretion on the part of governmental authorities; reported corruption
within governmental entities and other governmental authorities; the relative inexperience of judges and courts in interpreting
laws applicable to complex transactions; and the unpredictability of enforcement of foreign judgments and foreign arbitral awards.
Many Russian laws and regulations are construed in a way that provides for significant administrative discretion in application
and enforcement. Unlawful, selective or arbitrary actions of the Russian Government have reportedly included the denial or withdrawal
of licenses, sudden and unexpected tax audits, criminal prosecutions, and civil claims. Any of the above events may have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s or the target business’, financial condition, results of operations or prospects following
an acquisition. The independence of the Russian judiciary and its immunity from economic and political influences remains questionable.
The Russian Government may attempt to invalidate court decisions by retroactively applying relevant legislative changes. In addition,
the Russian court system is understaffed and underfunded. Judges and courts are generally inexperienced in business and corporate
law. The Russian judiciary can be slow or unjustifiably swift, and enforcement of court orders can be very difficult. Moreover,
parties often use legal claims in furtherance of political objectives. All of these factors make judicial decisions in the Russian
Federation unpredictable and effective redress uncertain, and this uncertainty could affect the Company’s or the target
business’ ability to enforce its rights or to defend itself against claims, which in turn could have a material adverse
effect on our target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects following an acquisition.
The
rules relating to transactions involving foreign investors with respect to Russian companies may adversely affect the Company’s
ability to complete an acquisition.
In
July 2017, Russia enacted new rules relating to state control over transactions involving foreign investors with respect
to Russian companies. Under the new rules, the chair of the Governmental Commission on Control over Foreign Investments in the
Russian Federation (the “Commission”) may decide that any transaction by a foreign investor with respect to any Russian
company is subject to prior approval by the Commission if the transaction may threaten national defense and state security. Previously,
prior approval was only required for the acquisition of certain shareholdings or veto rights or control, and only over Russian
companies that conduct strategic types of activities or their assets. The Company may therefore be required to obtain prior approval
from the Commission before completing an acquisition, which may not be granted. Such restrictions may also be extended which may
further limit the potential acquisition opportunities that may be available to the Company.
Foreign
judgments and arbitral awards may not be enforceable.
Russian
courts will not enforce any judgment obtained in a court established in a country other than the Russian Federation unless there
is a treaty in effect between that country and the Russian Federation, or a federal law of Russia provides for the recognition
and enforcement of foreign court judgments, or if the judgment is enforced on the basis of reciprocity. No such treaty exists
between the Russian Federation and either the United Kingdom or the United States and no such federal law has been passed.
In the event there is such a treaty and federal law, Russian courts may nonetheless refuse to recognized a foreign law judgment.
Russian
tax legislation is subject to frequent change.
Despite
certain improvements in the taxation system made by the Russian Government over the past decade, Russian tax legislation is still
subject to frequent change, varying interpretations, and inconsistent and selective enforcement. There are currently no clear
rules for distinguishing between lawful tax optimization and tax evasion. In addition, Russian tax laws do not contain detailed
rules on the taxation in Russia of foreign companies. As such, taxpayers often have to resort to court proceedings to defend their
position against the Russian tax authorities. However, in the absence of consistent court practice or binding precedents, there
is inconsistency amongst court decisions. Further, the possibility exists that the Russian Federation would impose arbitrary or
onerous taxes and penalties in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s or the target business’
financial condition, results of operations or prospects following an acquisition.
The
Russian banking system remains underdeveloped.
Russia’s
banking and other financial systems are not well developed or regulated. There are currently a limited number of creditworthy
Russian banks, most of which are headquartered in Moscow. Although the Central Bank of Russia has the mandate and authority to
suspend banking licenses of insolvent banks, many insolvent banks still operate. Many Russian banks also do not meet international
banking standards, and the transparency of the Russian banking sector still does not meet internationally accepted norms. This
could materially limit our Company’s or target business’ access to capital from Russian banks.
If
Russia were to return to high and sustained inflation, our Company’s and our target business’ results of operations
could be adversely affected.
During
the period from 2010 to 2019, the consumer price index in Russia measured by Rosstat was 8.8% in 2010, 6.1% in 2011, 6.6% in 2012,
6.5% in 2013, 11.4% in 2014, 12.9% in 2015, 5.4% in 2016, 2.5% in 2017, 4.3% in 2018, 3% in 2019 and 4,9% in 2020 and is forecast
to be between 3.7% and 4.2% in 2021. A return to high and sustained inflation could lead to market instability, new financial
crises, reductions in consumer purchasing power and the erosion of consumer confidence. Certain of our costs such as rent and
utilities costs, as well as payroll costs, are sensitive to rises in inflation in Russia. Due to competitive pressures in the
future, we may be unable to raise prices sufficiently to cover such costs and to maintain or increase our profit margins. Furthermore,
even if we are able to increase prices to cover such increased costs, such price increases may result in decreased demand for
our merchandise and a decrease in sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our Company’s and target business’
financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Russian
physical infrastructure is in poor condition and its further deterioration could have a material adverse effect on our target
business.
Russia’s
physical infrastructure largely dates back to Soviet times and has not been adequately funded and maintained in recent years.
Particularly affected are the rail and road networks, power generation and transmission facilities, communications systems, and
building stock. The Russian Government is actively pursuing plans to re-organize the national rail, electricity and telephone
systems, as well as public utilities. Any such re-organization may result in increased charges and tariffs, potentially adding
costs to our business, while failing to generate the anticipated capital investment needed to repair, maintain and improve these
systems. The deterioration of Russian physical infrastructure harms the national economy, disrupts the transportation of goods
and supplies, adds costs to doing business in the Russian Federation and can interrupt business operations. Further deterioration
in Russia’s physical infrastructure could have a material adverse effect on our target business’ financial condition,
results of operations or prospects.
Unlawful
or arbitrary government action may have an adverse effect on our Company or our target business.
Governmental
authorities have a high degree of discretion in the Russian Federation and have in the past exercised their discretion arbitrarily,
without due process or prior notice, and sometimes in a manner contrary to law. Moreover, the Russian Government also has the
power, in certain circumstances, by regulation or governmental act, to interfere with the performance of, nullify or possibly
terminate contracts. Unlawful or arbitrary governmental actions have reportedly included withdrawal of licenses, sudden and unexpected
tax audits, criminal prosecutions and civil actions. Federal and local governmental entities have also used common defects in
share issuances and registration as pretexts for court claims and other demands to invalidate such issuances and registrations
and/or to void transactions, often for political purposes. Unlawful or arbitrary governmental action, if directed at us, could
have a material adverse effect on our Company or target business’ financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Members
of our management team have extensive experience, and a significant network of business relationships and contacts, in international
jurisdictions. As a result, certain of these members may be, or may become, involved in governmental investigations and proceedings,
litigation, negative publicity or other events that could adversely affect us.
During
the course of their careers, members of our management team have been employed by, served as board members of, founded or invested
in, and otherwise assisted many companies in international jurisdictions, including Russia, and have developed a significant network
of business relationships and contacts in such jurisdictions. In addition, one of our directors, Per Brilioth, currently serves
as a board member of a Swedish investment company that invests primarily in certain technology-related business ventures
in Iran. As a result of their involvement with companies in these jurisdictions and their significant network of contacts, certain
of those members may currently be, or may in the future become, involved in governmental investigations and proceedings, litigation,
negative publicity or other events or occurrences relating to the business affairs of such companies and the business relationships
and contacts with which they have been, may be, or may become in the future, affiliated. Any such investigations, proceedings,
litigations, negative publicity or other events occurrences may have an adverse impact on us. For example, any of the foregoing
may: divert our management team’s and board’s attention and resources away from identifying and selecting a target
business or businesses for our initial business combination; make it more difficult for us to complete an initial business combination,
including as a result of target perception and delays in obtaining, or inability to obtain, certain regulatory approvals, particularly
if we pursue a target business with U.S. connections; and adversely impact our reputation, business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Risks
Relating to Our Securities
Nasdaq
may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our
securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our
securities are currently listed on Nasdaq. Our securities may not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future prior to an initial
business combination. Generally, we must maintain a minimum amount in shareholders’ equity (generally $2,500,000) and a
minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 300 round-lot holders). Additionally, in connection with our initial
business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements, which are
more rigorous than Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities
on Nasdaq. We may not be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If
Nasdaq delists any of our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national
securities exchange, we expect such securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could
face significant material adverse consequences, including:
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a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
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reduced
liquidity for our securities;
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a
determination that our ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares
to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for
our securities;
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limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
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a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
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The
National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating
the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our units, ordinary shares
and warrants are listed on Nasdaq, our units, ordinary shares and warrants are covered securities under such statute. Although
the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate
companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or
bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit
or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators
view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities
of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not qualify as
covered securities under such statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer
rules, and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our ordinary shares, you will
lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 20% of our ordinary shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide
that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting
in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming
its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering, which we refer to
as the “Excess Shares,” without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability
to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem
the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer
a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive
redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you
will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 20% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your
shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If
we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants,
public holders will only be able to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis.”
If
we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants
at the time that holders wish to exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis.”
As a result, the number of ordinary shares that holders will receive upon exercise of the public warrants will be fewer than it
would have been had such holders exercised their warrants for cash. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to
use our commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable
upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so.
If we are unable to do so, the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company may be reduced.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the private placement warrants and any other warrants that may be issued to our officers, directors,
sponsor or their affiliates as described elsewhere in this Annual Report may be exercisable for unregistered ordinary shares for
cash even if the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current and effective.
An
investor will be able to exercise a warrant only if the issuance of ordinary shares upon such exercise has been registered or
qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.
No
public warrants will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless the shares issuable
upon such exercise have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence
of the holder of the warrants. At the time that the warrants become exercisable, we expect to continue to be listed on a national
securities exchange, which would provide an exemption from registration in every state. Accordingly, we believe holders in every
state will be able to exercise their warrants as long as our prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants is current. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. If the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants
are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, the warrants
may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless if they cannot be sold.
We
may amend the terms of the warrants in a way that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least 65% of
the then outstanding public warrants.
Our
warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of
any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or to correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant
agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement, or defective provision or (ii) adding or
changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant
agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders
of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required
to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the
public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of
such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 65% of the then outstanding
public warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price
of the warrants, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
We
may issue additional ordinary shares or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive
plan after completion of our initial business combination. Any such issuances could substantially dilute the interest of our shareholders
and likely present other risks.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of ordinary shares,
no par value, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, no par value. We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary
shares, and may issue preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after
completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue ordinary shares in connection with our redeeming the warrants
at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions
as set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report. However our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide,
among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional ordinary shares that would entitle
the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. The
issuance of additional ordinary shares or preferred shares:
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may
significantly dilute the equity interest of our investors;
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may
subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary
shares;
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could
cause a change of control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability
to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and
directors;
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may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, ordinary shares and/or warrants; and
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may
not result in adjustment to the exercise price of our warrants.
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We
may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which
may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment
in us.
We
may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness
unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in
the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for redemption from the trust
account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
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default
and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt
obligations;
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acceleration
of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain
covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
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our
immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
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our
inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing
while the debt is outstanding;
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our
inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares;
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using
a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends
on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
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limitations
on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
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increased
vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
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limitations
on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, and execution
of our strategy and other purposes; and
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other
disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
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We
may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants
worthless.
We
have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration,
at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00
per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and
the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of
such redemption and provided that certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable
by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under
all applicable state securities laws. As a result, we may redeem the warrants as set forth above even if the holders are otherwise
unable to exercise the warrants. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you to (i) exercise your warrants and
pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) sell your warrants at the
then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) accept the nominal redemption
price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, we expect would be substantially less than the market
value of your warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us, except as described elsewhere in this
Annual Report, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
In
addition, we have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to
their expiration, at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that
the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, rights
issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period
ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption and provided that certain other conditions
are met, including that holders will be able to exercise their warrants prior to redemption for a number of ordinary shares determined
based on the redemption date and the fair market value of our ordinary shares. The value received upon exercise of the warrants
(1) may be less than the value the holders would have received if they had exercised their warrants at a later time where
the underlying share price is higher and (2) may not compensate the holders for the value of the warrants, including because
the number of ordinary shares received is capped at 0.361 ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment) irrespective of
the remaining life of the warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us, except as set forth elsewhere
in this Annual Report, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Our
management’s ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders
to receive fewer ordinary shares upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise
their warrants for cash.
If
we call our public warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this Annual Report have been satisfied,
our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its warrant (including any warrants held by
our sponsor, officers, directors or their permitted transferees) to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management
chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of ordinary shares received by a holder
upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect
of reducing the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company.
An
investment in our securities may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An
investment in our securities may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants is unclear under current law. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption
rights with respect to our ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. holder’s holding period for purposes of determining
whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of ordinary shares is long-term capital gain or
loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
Risks
Relating to Our Management Team
Past
performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in our company.
Information
regarding performance by our management team and their affiliates is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance
by our management team and their affiliates is not a guarantee either (1) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate
for our initial business combination or (2) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should
not rely on the historical record of our management team and their affiliates as indicative of our future performance of an investment
in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
We
are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their departure could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our
operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and in particular, Ivan Tavrin, our founder, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and our directors Per Brilioth, Verdi Israelyan and Clifford Tompsett. We believe that our success depends
on the continued service of our executive officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination.
In addition, our executive officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and,
accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities, including amongst management
time needed for Kismet Two and Kismet Three, and for identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due
diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive
officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect
on us.
Our
ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon
the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of our or our
target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our
ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, including,
in particular, Ivan Tavrin with regard to our selection of a target company. The role of our key personnel in the target business,
however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management
or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target
business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination,
we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with
the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping
them become familiar with such requirements.
Our
key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business
combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a
result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our
key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are
able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take
place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation
in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination.
The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target
business, subject to his fiduciary duties under British Virgin Islands law. However, we believe the ability of such individuals
to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision
as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our
key personnel will remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our
key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel
will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Our
executive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination
as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete
our initial business combination.
Our
executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in
a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for an initial business combination and
their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business
combination. Each of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled
to substantial compensation and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to
our affairs. Mr. Tavrin, who serves as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of both Kismet Two and Kismet Three. In addition, certain of our directors are also directors of Kismet Two and/or Kismet Three.
Our independent directors also serve as officers or board members for other entities. If our executive officers’ and directors’
other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment
levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete
our initial business combination.
Our
executive officers and directors may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to
those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining
to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following
the completion of our initial public offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we have engaged and will
continue to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our executive officers and directors
may in the future become affiliated with entities that are engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted
by us. In addition, our sponsor and certain of our directors have, and our sponsor, officers and directors may in the future,
participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our
initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers or directors could have conflicts of interest in determining
whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved,
subject to our officers’ and directors’ fiduciary duties under British Virgin Islands law. In particular, an affiliate
of our sponsor currently sponsors two other blank check companies, Kismet Two and Kismet Three and Mr. Tavrin is Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of both Kismet Two and Kismet Three. In addition, certain of our directors are also directors of Kismet
Two and/or Kismet Three. Any such companies, including Kismet Two and Kismet Three, may present additional conflicts of interest
in pursuing an acquisition target. However, we do not believe that any potential conflicts with Kismet Two or Kismet Three would
materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination, because we have priority with respect to acquisition
opportunities until we complete our initial business combination. In addition, our management team has significant experience
in identifying and executing multiple acquisition opportunities simultaneously, and we believe there are multiple potential opportunities
within the industries and geographies of our primary focus.
Our
executive officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that
conflict with our interests.
We
have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, executive officers, security holders or affiliates from having
a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction
to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into an initial business combination with a target business
that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or executive officers, although we do not intend to do so. Nor do we have a
policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted
by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
The
personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting
a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in
identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms,
conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest. If this
were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us and we or our shareholders might have a claim against such
individuals for infringing on our shareholders’ rights. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may
make against them for such reason.
We
may engage in an initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may
be affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In
light of the involvement of our sponsor, executive officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or
more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers and directors. Our executive officers and directors also serve
as officers and/or board members for other entities. In particular, Mr. Tavrin is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kismet
Two and Kismet Three. In addition, certain of our directors are also directors of Kismet Two and/or Kismet Three. Such entities
may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any
transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met
our criteria for an initial business combination and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors.
Our
directors have a statutory and fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our company whether or not a conflict of interest
may exist.
Despite
our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA, or from an independent
accounting firm, regarding the fairness to our company from a financial point of view of an initial business combination with
one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, potential conflicts
of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders
as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
Since
our sponsor will lose its entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest
may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On
June 8, 2020, our sponsor subscribed for, and we issued to it, an aggregate of 6,250,000 of our ordinary shares for a total
subscription price of $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share. On July 15, 2020, we effected a share split whereby each
of our 6,250,000 then issued ordinary shares was sub-divided into 1.23 shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate
of 7,687,500 ordinary shares. The founder shares held by our sponsor included an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares subject to
forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units was not exercised in full. The over-allotment
option expired unexercised on September 19, 2020. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation
that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding public shares and founder shares after our initial public offering
plus the number of ordinary shares that were to be sold pursuant to the forward purchase agreement. The founder shares will be
worthless if we do not complete our initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor purchased 6,750,000 private placement
warrants, each of which such warrants will be exercisable for one ordinary share at $11.50 per share, that will also be worthless
if we do not complete a business combination. The sponsor has agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by it in favor of any proposed
business combination and (B) not to redeem any shares in connection with a shareholder vote or tender offer to approve or
in connection with a proposed initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our sponsor may influence
its motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing
the operation of the business following the initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as August 10, 2022 nears,
which is the deadline for the completion of our initial business combination.
Risks
Relating to the Trust Account
You
will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate
your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares and/or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our
public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) our completion
of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected
to redeem, subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this Annual Report, (ii) the redemption of any public shares
properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend 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 do not complete an initial business combination by August 10, 2022 or (B) with respect
to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the
redemption of our public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination by August 10, 2022, subject to applicable
law. Public shareholders who redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (ii) in
the preceding sentence will not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business
combination or liquidation if we have not completed an initial business combination by August 10, 2022, with respect to such ordinary
shares so redeemed. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account.
Holders of warrants will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the warrants. Accordingly,
to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
If
third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount
received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Our
placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek
to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business, except our
independent registered public accounting firm, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind
in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements,
or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but
not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging
the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including
the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held
in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will enter into an agreement
with a third party that has not executed a waiver only if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be
significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative.
Examples
of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party
consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants
that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where we are unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In
addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of,
or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for
any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed
timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required
to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following
redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per
share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust
account, our sponsor has agreed it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered
or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce
the amount of funds in the trust account. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed
a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters
of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event
that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent
of any liability for such third party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy
its indemnity obligations and we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations. Therefore, we cannot
assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made
against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than
$10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive
such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify
us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
The
securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the
value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00
per share.
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. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive
rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued
interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility
that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial
business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our public
shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income,
net of taxes paid or payable (less, in the case we are unable to complete our initial business combination, $100,000 of interest).
Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received
by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Our
directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of
funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations
or that it has no such indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our disinterested directors would determine
whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our
disinterested directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to
us, it is possible that our disinterested directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example,
the cost of such legal action is deemed by such directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent
directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If our disinterested directors choose not to enforce these indemnification
obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below
$10.00 per share.
General
Risk
We
are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure
requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make
it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may
take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are
not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements
of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic
reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation
and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have
access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances
could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds
$700 million as of the end of any second quarter of a fiscal year, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth
company as of the end of such fiscal year. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because
we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions,
the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for
our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial
accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared
effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised
financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and
comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable.
We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it
has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised
standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements
with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of
using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.