SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023, which contains the audited financial statements and notes thereto. The accompanying condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, has been derived from those audited financial statements. The interim results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023, or for any future interim periods. Emerging Growth Company The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies 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 its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. 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. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used. Use of Estimates The preparation of unaudited condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Marketable Securities and Cash Held in Trust Account As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, investments held in Trust Account consisted of interest bearing demand deposits and mutual funds that invest primarily in US government securities, respectively, and generally have a readily determinable fair value. Such securities and investments in mutual funds are presented on the condensed balance sheets at fair value at the end of the reporting period. Interest, dividends, gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities are included in income from investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying condensed statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has not experienced losses on this account. Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption The Company accounts for its shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable shares of Class A common stock (including shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the IPO contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a shareholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with the accounting treatment for redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require Class A common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Therefore, all shares of Class A common stock have been classified outside of permanent equity. The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid-in-capital (to the extent available) and accumulated deficit. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded an increase in the redemption value of $7,386,254 as a result of earnings on the Trust Account that exceed amounts payable for taxes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $2,564,720 has been withdrawn by the Company from the Trust Account to pay its tax obligations and $137,792,552 has been withdrawn by the Company from the Trust Account in connection with the redemption of 13,310,731 class A shares. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the changes in Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is as follows: | | | | | | | | Shares | | Amount | Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at January 1, 2022 | | 28,009,750 | | $ | 280,097,500 | Plus: | | | | | | Increase in redemption value of shares subject to possible redemption | | — | | | 1,104,876 | Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at September 30, 2022 | | 28,009,750 | | $ | 281,202,376 | | | | | | | Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at January 1, 2023 | | 28,009,750 | | $ | 283,033,156 | Less: | | | | | | Redemptions | | (13,310,731) | | | (137,792,552) | Plus: | | | | | | Increase in redemption value of shares subject to possible redemption | | — | | | 7,386,254 | Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at September 30, 2023 | | 14,699,019 | | $ | 152,626,858 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include: ● | Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
● | Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
● | Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. |
Derivative Financial Instruments The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value on the grant date and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statement of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified in the condensed balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. Stock-Based Compensation The sale or transfers of the Founder Shares to members of the Company’s board of directors is within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The Founder Shares were effectively sold or transferred subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founder Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence under the applicable accounting literature in this circumstance. A business combination is not probable until it is completed. Stock-based compensation would be recognized at the date a Business Combination is considered probable in an amount equal to the number of Founder Shares times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founder Shares. As of September 30, 2023 and for all prior periods, the Company determined that a Business Combination is not considered probable until the business combination is completed, and therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized. Warrant Liability The Company accounts for the 14,737,883 warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering (the 9,336,583 Public Warrants and the 5,401,300 Private Placement Warrants) in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classifies each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s condensed statements of operations. See Note 6 for further discussion on the re-measurement of the warrant liability at each balance sheet date. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, primarily due to changes in fair value of the warrant liability, which are not currently recognized in taxable income, non-deductible start-up costs, and the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets. While ASC 740 identifies usage of an effective annual tax rate for purposes of an interim provision, it does allow for estimating individual elements in the current period if they are significant, unusual or infrequent. Computing the effective tax rate for the Company is complicated due to the potential impact of the Company’s change in fair value of warrants (or any other change in fair value of a complex financial instrument), the timing of any potential business combination expenses and the actual interest income that will be recognized during the year. The Company has taken a position as to the calculation of income tax expense in a current period based on ASC 740-270-25-3 which states, “If an entity is unable to estimate a part of its ordinary income or loss or the related tax provision or benefit but is otherwise able to make a reasonable estimate, the tax provision or benefit applicable to the item that cannot be estimated shall be reported in the interim period in which the item is reported.” The Company believes its calculation to be a reliable estimate and allows it to properly take into account the usual elements that can impact its annualized book income and its impact on the effective tax rate. As such, the Company is computing its taxable income or loss and associated income tax provision or benefit based on actual results through September 30, 2023. ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 30, 2023. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals, or material deviation from its position. The Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months. The Company was formed in 2021 and files U.S. federal and various state income tax returns. All tax periods since inception remain open to examination by the taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) was signed into federal law. The IRA provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of stock by publicly traded U.S. corporations and certain U.S. subsidiaries of publicly traded non-U.S. corporations (each, a “covered corporation”). Because the Company is a Delaware corporation and its securities are trading on the NYSE, the Company is a “covered corporation” for this purpose. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax. The IRA applies only to repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022. Any redemption or other repurchase that occurs in connection with a Business Combination may be subject to the excise tax. Whether and to what extent we would be subject to the excise tax would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with a Business Combination, (ii) the timing, nature and amount of the equity issued in connection with a Business Combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with a Business Combination but issued within the same taxable year of a Business Combination), and (iii) the content of regulations and other guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by the Company, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a Business Combination. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company has recognized $1,360,357 and $0, respectively, in excise tax payable related to share redemptions. In accordance with ASC 340-10-S99-1, the liability does not impact the condensed statements of operations and is offset against accumulated deficit because additional paid-in capital is not available. Net Income Per Common Share The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of stock. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, the weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock reflects the dilutive effect that could occur if convertible securities or other contracts to issue common stock were converted into or exercised for common stock as of the beginning of the period in which the conditions were satisfied (or as of the date of the contingent stock agreement, if later). The calculation of diluted net income per common share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the IPO since the exercise of the warrants would be anti-dilutive. At September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any other dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. Remeasurement associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock to redemption value is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, net income per common share is as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | Class A | | Class B | | Class A | | Class B | | Class A | | Class B | | Class A | | Class B | Basic net income per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Allocation of net income | | $ | 87,338 | | $ | 25,072 | | $ | 706,691 | | $ | 176,673 | | $ | 4,522,413 | | $ | 1,182,043 | | $ | 9,200,510 | | $ | 2,300,128 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Denominator | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Weighted-average shares outstanding | | | 24,392,704 | | | 7,002,438 | | | 28,009,750 | | | 7,002,438 | | | 26,790,819 | | | 7,002,438 | | | 28,009,750 | | | 7,002,438 | Basic and diluted net income per share | | $ | 0.00 | | $ | 0.00 | | $ | 0.03 | | $ | 0.03 | | $ | 0.17 | | $ | 0.17 | | $ | 0.33 | | $ | 0.33 |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging --Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The provisions of ASU 2020-06 are applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-06 on its unaudited condensed financial statements. The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements. Non-Redemption Agreements In August 2023, the Company and the Sponsor entered into Non-Redemption Agreements with a number of the Company’s stockholders in exchange for them agreeing not to redeem shares of the Company’s Class A common stock sold in the IPO (the “Non-Redeemed Shares”) in connection with the special meeting of stockholders called by the Company and held on August 29, 2023 (described below). In exchange for the foregoing commitments not to redeem such shares, the Company has agreed to allocate to such investors an aggregate of 2,326,496 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Promote Shares”) and the Sponsor has agreed to surrender and forfeit to the Company for no consideration of a number of shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company equal to the number of Promote Shares upon closing of the initial Business Combination. The Company estimated the aggregate fair value of the shares attributable to the Investors to be $1,143,605 or $0.49 per share. The Company complies with the requirements of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5(A) – “Expenses of Offering” and SAB Topic 5(T): Miscellaneous Accounting - Accounting for Expenses or Liabilities Paid by Principal Stockholder(s). As such, the value of Promote Shares assigned to the Investors are recognized as offering costs and charged to stockholders’ deficit. The value of the Class B common stock forfeited by the Sponsors is reported as an increase to stockholders’ deficit.
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