UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 21, 2023

GLOBAL PARTNER ACQUISITION CORP II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Cayman Islands	001-39875	N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

200 Park Avenue 32nd Floor New York, NY	10166
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(646) 585-8975

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation to the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one-sixth of one redeemable warrant	GPACU	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A Ordinary Shares included as part of the units	GPAC	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable Warrants included as part of the units	GPACW	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company ☒

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

Item 1.01 Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.

Business Combination Agreement

On November 21, 2023, Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“GPAC II”), entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), with Strike Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of GPAC II (“First Merger Sub”), Strike Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of GPAC II (“Second Merger Sub”), and Stardust Power Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Stardust Power”).

The Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing (“Transactions”) were approved by the boards of directors of each of GPAC II and Stardust Power.

The Domestication

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, prior to the consummation of the Mergers (as defined below) contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (the “Closing”), and subject to the Supermajority Acquiror Shareholder Approval (as defined therein), GPAC II will domesticate as a Delaware corporation (the “Domestication”) in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Sections 206 to 209 of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.

Prior to the Domestication, each Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share of GPAC II (the “GPAC II Class B ordinary share”) outstanding shall be converted into one (1) Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share of GPAC II (the “GPAC II Class A ordinary share”) in accordance with the Articles of Association of GPAC II, other than as set forth in the Sponsor Letter Agreement (the “Class B ordinary share conversion”). In connection with the Domestication, (i) each GPAC II Class A ordinary share outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Domestication and following the Class B ordinary share conversion shall be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of GPAC II (the “GPAC II Common Stock”) and (ii) each then-issued and outstanding whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share will be converted into a warrant exercisable for one share of GPAC II Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share on the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2021, by and between GPAC II and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (as amended or amended and restated from time to time). In connection with clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, each issued and outstanding unit of GPAC II that has not been previously separated into the underlying Class A ordinary shares and the underlying GPAC II warrants will be canceled and will entitle the holder thereof to one share of GPAC II Common Stock and one-sixth of one GPAC II warrant.

The Business Combination

The Business Combination Agreement provides for, among other things, the following Transactions: (i) the Domestication, (ii) following the Domestication, First Merger Sub will merge with and into Stardust Power, with Stardust Power as the surviving company in the merger (the “First Merger”) and, (iii) immediately following the First Merger, and as part of the same overall transaction as the First Merger, Stardust Power will merge with and into Second Merger Sub (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Mergers”), with Merger Sub II being the surviving company of the Second Merger (Merger Sub II, in its capacity as the surviving company of the Second Merger, the “Surviving Company”), and as a result of which the Surviving Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC II. At Closing, GPAC II will change its name to “Stardust Power Inc.” and will continue trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the new symbols “SDST” and “SDSTW,” respectively, following Closing. At Closing, in connection with the Transactions, GPAC II and certain holders of Stardust Power Common Stock (as defined below) (the “Stardust Power Stockholders”) will enter into a Shareholder Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), a Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and a Lock-Up Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), each in form and in substance to be agreed, to be effective upon the Closing. The Domestication, the Mergers and the other Transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination.”

The Business Combination is expected to close in the first half of 2024, following the receipt of the required approval by GPAC II’s shareholders and the fulfillment or waiver of other customary closing conditions.

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Business Combination Consideration

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, each share of common stock of Stardust Power, par value $0.0001 per share (“Stardust Power Common Stock”) (including Stardust Power Common Stock issued in connection with the Stardust Power SAFE Conversion (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement)), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) other than any Cancelled Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) shall be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Consideration (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement). The total consideration to be paid at Closing to the selling parties in connection with the Business Combination Agreement will be based on an enterprise value of $450,000,000 (excluding a $50 million earnout, based upon an assumed price of $10 per share, payable upon achievement of certain milestones), subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, including with respect to certain transaction expenses and the cash and debt of Stardust Power. Additionally, in the event, prior to the eighth (8th) anniversary of the Closing, the volume-weighted average price of GPAC II Common Stock exceeds certain price thresholds for sustained periods of time or there is a change of control, (i) certain shares of GPAC II Common Stock retained by Global Partner Sponsor II, LLC (“Sponsor”) that were previously subject to forfeiture will vest, and (ii) GPAC II will issue five million shares of GPAC II Common Stock as additional merger consideration. Following the execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement, and subject to the approval of the shareholders of GPAC II, GPAC II will adopt a customary incentive equity plan that will provide that the GPAC II Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder will be set at an amount equal to 10.00% of GPAC II Common Stock outstanding immediately after Closing.

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, (i) each outstanding Company Option (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), whether vested or unvested, shall automatically convert into an option to purchase a number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock equal to the number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the First Effective Time multiplied by the Per Share Consideration at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per share of Stardust Power Common Stock divided by the Per Share Consideration, subject to certain adjustments (the “Exchanged Company Option”) and (ii) each share of Company Restricted Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall convert into a number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock subject to such Company Restricted Stock multiplied by the Per Share Consideration (the “Exchanged Company Restricted Stock”). Except as provided in the Business Combination, the terms and conditions (including vesting and exercisability terms, as applicable) shall continue as were applicable to the corresponding former Company Option and Company Restricted Stock, as applicable, immediately prior to the First Effective Time.

Governance

GPAC II has agreed to take all action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that, effective immediately after the Closing, the GPAC II board of directors shall consist of seven directors, which will be divided into three classes, which directors shall include: two directors designated by Stardust Power, one director designated by Sponsor and four directors designated by Stardust Power whom shall meet the standards of independence for companies subject to the rules and regulations of Nasdaq Stock Market. Additionally, the current Stardust Power management team will move to GPAC II in their current roles and titles.

Representations and Warranties; Covenants

The Business Combination Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties thereto that are customary for transactions of this type, including with respect to the operations of GPAC II and Stardust Power. In addition, GPAC II has agreed to adopt an equity incentive plan, as described in the Business Combination Agreement. Stardust Power has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell Stardust Power Common Stock in a private placement on terms mutually agreed to by GPAC II and Stardust Power. GPAC II may enter into subscription agreements for securities of GPAC II following the date of the Business Combination Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000 in the aggregate.

GPAC II and Stardust Power have agreed to enter into certain agreements to be effective upon Closing to (i) provide registration rights to certain Stardust Power Stockholders, (ii) restrict the sale or transfer of shares of GPAC II Common Stock held by Sponsor and certain Stardust Power Stockholders for 180 days following Closing, subject to certain exceptions and (iii) to provide certain rights to Sponsor with respect to the Sponsor’s designation of a director to the GPAC II board following Closing.

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Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations

The obligation of GPAC II and Stardust Power to consummate the Business Combination is subject to certain closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, (ii) no governmental authority having enacted any law that makes the Transaction or any part thereof illegal or otherwise prohibited, (iii) the Registration Statement (as defined below) becoming effective, (iv) the approval of GPAC II’s shareholders being obtained and (v) the approval of Stardust Power’s stockholders being obtained.

In addition, the obligation of GPAC II to consummate the Business Combination is subject to the fulfillment of other closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the representations and warranties of Stardust Power being true and correct to the standards applicable to such representations and warranties and each of the covenants of Stardust Power having been performed or complied with in all material respects, (ii) each of the pre-Closing or at-Closing covenants of Stardust Power shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects, (iii) Stardust Power entering into certain amendments to the outstanding SAFE Agreements, (iv) Stardust Power’s delivering the certificate signed by an authorized officer of Stardust Power, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the necessary representations, warranties, and covenants have been fulfilled (an “Officer’s Certificate”) to GPAC II, (v) the non-occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and (vi) Stardust Power’s delivery to GPAC II the executed counterparts of all of the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to which Stardust Power is a party.

The obligation of Stardust Power to consummate the Business Combination is also subject to the fulfillment of other closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the representations and warranties of GPAC II, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub being true and correct to the standards applicable to such representations and warranties and each of the covenants of GPAC II having been performed or complied with in all material respects, (ii) each of the pre-Closing or at-Closing covenants of GPAC II shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects, (iii) GPAC II’s delivering an Officer’s Certificate to Stardust Power, (iv) the approval by Nasdaq of GPAC II’s listing application in connection with the Business Combination, (v) the non-occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect and (vi) GPAC II’s delivery to Stardust Power the executed counterparts of all of the Ancillary Agreements to which GPAC II is a party.

Termination

The Business Combination Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to Closing: (i) by mutual written consent of GPAC II and Stardust Power; (ii) by written notice from GPAC II to Stardust Power if the representations and warranties of Stardust Power are not true and correct or if Stardust Power fails to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Business Combination Agreement such that certain conditions to closing cannot be satisfied and the breach or breaches of such representations or warranties or the failure to perform such covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured or cannot be cured within certain specified time periods so long as the breaching party is using its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach within such period (the “cure period”); (iii) by written notice from Stardust Power to GPAC II if the representations and warranties of GPAC II are not true and correct or if GPAC II fails to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Business Combination Agreement such that certain conditions to closing cannot be satisfied and the breach or breaches of such representations or warranties or the failure to perform such covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured or cannot be cured within the cure period; (iv) by either GPAC II or Stardust Power if the Business Combination is not consummated by July 14, 2024 (as may be extended under certain conditions), provided that the terminating party’s failure to fulfill any obligation under the Business Combination Agreement was not the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of Closing to occur or if the terminating party is in breach of the Business Combination Agreement, which breach could give rise to a right of the other party to terminate the Business Combination Agreement; (v) by either GPAC II or Stardust Power if the consummation of the Mergers is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable government order or other law; (vi) by written notice from either GPAC II or Stardust Power if the GPAC II shareholder approval is not obtained at the special meeting of GPAC II (subject to any adjournment or recess of the meeting); (vii) by written notice from GPAC II to Stardust Power if certain Stardust Power stockholder approval has not been obtained within two business days following the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective; and (viii) by Stardust Power if GPAC II is delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market without having been listed on another national securities exchange.

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A copy of the Business Combination Agreement is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Business Combination Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Business Combination Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Business Combination Agreement are also modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to stockholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. GPAC II does not believe that these schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.

Company Support Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, certain Stardust Power Stockholders entered into a Company Support Agreement (collectively, the “Company Support Agreements”) with GPAC II and Stardust Power, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed to, among other things, (i) support and vote in favor of (a) the consummation of the Business Combination and other related Transactions, including the Mergers, and (b) any other circumstances upon which a consent or other approval with respect to the Business Combination Agreement, the Transactions, the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement is sought, (ii) if any Stardust Power stockholder fails to perform the obligations set forth in such stockholder’s Company Support Agreement, irrevocably appoint Stardust Power or any individual designated by Stardust Power as such stockholder’s attorney-in-fact and proxy, with full power of substitution and re-substitution in favor of Stardust Power, to (a) take all such actions and execute and deliver all such documents, instruments or agreements as are necessary to consummate the Transactions, to attend on behalf of such stockholder, at any meeting of the Stardust Power stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and the Transaction, including the Mergers, and (b) vote (or cause to be voted) the subject Stardust Power Common Stock or consent (or withhold consent) with respect to any of the matters described in such stockholder’s Company Support Agreement in connection with any meeting of the Stardust Power Stockholders or any action by written consent by the Stardust Power Stockholders (including approval of the Business Combination Agreement, the Mergers and, if required by Law (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), the Transactions) and (iii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination, including a restriction on the transfer of Stardust Power Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions.

The foregoing description of the Company Support Agreements is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Company Support Agreement, a copy of which is attached is Exhibit 10.1 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Sponsor Letter Agreement

Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Sponsor and, for certain limited purposes set forth therein, the executive officers and directors of GPAC II (the “GPAC II Insiders”) entered into the Sponsor Letter Agreement (the “Sponsor Letter Agreement”) with GPAC II and Stardust Power, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to, among other things, (i) vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Agreement and the Transactions contemplated therein to occur at or prior to Closing, including the Class B ordinary share conversion, which shall be deemed to be conversions at the option of the holders of such GPAC II Class B ordinary shares, (ii) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to its GPAC II Class B ordinary shares (as converted into GPAC II Class A ordinary shares) prior to Closing, (iii) terminate certain lock-up provisions of that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2021, as amended by that certain Letter Agreement Amendment, dated as of January 13, 2023, by and among Sponsor, GPAC II, and the GPAC II Insiders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sponsor Letter Agreement, (iv) be bound by certain lock-up provisions during the post-Closing lock-up period described in the Sponsor Letter Agreement with respect to its GPAC II Class B ordinary shares (as converted into GPAC II Class A ordinary shares and then converted into GPAC II Common Stock), (v) fully vest 3,000,000 of its GPAC II Class B ordinary shares prior to the Domestication (and convert into GPAC II Class A ordinary shares and then convert into GPAC II Common Stock) (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, and the like (collectively, the “Adjustments”)), (vi) subject 1,000,000 of its GPAC II Class B ordinary shares (as converted into GPAC II Class A ordinary shares and then converted into GPAC II Common Stock, and as adjusted for any Adjustments) to vesting (or forfeiture) on the basis of achieving (or failing to achieve) certain trading price thresholds following Closing, (vii) forfeit 3,500,000 of its GPAC II Class B ordinary shares for no consideration, and (viii) waive certain anti-dilution protections with respect to the conversion ratio set forth in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of GPAC II, or similar protection with respect to the GPAC II Common Stock, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sponsor Letter Agreement. Additionally, GPAC II and the GPAC II Insiders have agreed they will not enter into any tender or voting agreement, or any similar agreement, arrangement or understanding with the GPAC II Common Stock (as converted in the Class B ordinary share conversion and Domestication) that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Letter Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Sponsor Letter Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sponsor Letter Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 21, 2023, GPAC II and Stardust Power issued a press release announcing their entry into the Business Combination Agreement. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and will not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act.

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Forward-Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the proposed business combination, GPAC II’s and Stardust Power’s ability to consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transaction, GPAC II’s and Stardust Power’s future financial performance following the transaction, as well as GPAC II’s and Stardust Power’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.

These forward-looking statements are based on GPAC II’s and Stardust Power’s management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. GPAC II and Stardust Power caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of GPAC II and Stardust Power. These risks include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of GPAC II’s securities; (ii) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed by GPAC II’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by GPAC II; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed business combination, including the approval of the proposed business combination by GPAC II’s shareholders and Stardust Power’s stockholders, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by GPAC II’s public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed business combination on Stardust Power’s business relationships, performance, and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans of Stardust Power and potential difficulties in Stardust Power’s employee retention as a result of the proposed business combination; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against GPAC II or Stardust Power related to the agreement and the proposed business combination; (vii) changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the business combination (viii) the ability to maintain the listing of GPAC II’s securities on the Nasdaq; (ix) the price of GPAC II’s securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power’s business and changes in the combined capital structure; (x) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (xi) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and (xii) other risks and uncertainties related to the transaction set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in GPAC II’s prospectus relating to its initial Public Offering (File No. 333-351558) declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 11, 2021 and other documents filed, or to be filed with the SEC by GPAC II, including GPAC II’s periodic filings with the SEC, including GPAC II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023 and any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. GPAC II’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that neither GPAC II nor Stardust Power presently know or that GPAC II or Stardust Power currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in GPAC II’s proxy statement contained in the registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed by GPAC II from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and GPAC II and Stardust Power assume no obligation and, except as required by law, do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither GPAC II nor Stardust Power gives any assurance that either GPAC II or Stardust Power will achieve its expectations.

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Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed business combination, GPAC II will file a Registration Statement with the SEC that will include a preliminary prospectus with respect to GPAC II’s securities to be issued in connection with the proposed transactions and a preliminary proxy statement with respect to the shareholder meeting of GPAC II to vote on the proposed transactions (the “proxy statement/prospectus”). GPAC II may also file other documents regarding the proposed business combination with the SEC. The proxy statement/prospectus will contain important information about the proposed business combination and the other matters to be voted upon at an extraordinary general meeting of GPAC II’s shareholders to be held to approve the proposed business combination and other matters and may contain information that an investor may consider important in making a decision regarding an investment in GPAC II’s securities. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF GPAC II AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GPAC II, STARDUST POWER AND THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to be included in the Registration Statement will be mailed to shareholders of GPAC II as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed transaction. Once available, shareholders of GPAC II will also be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus, and other documents containing important information about GPAC II and Stardust Power once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, 200 Park Avenue 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10166, attention: Global Partner Sponsor II LLC.

Participants in the Solicitation

GPAC II, Stardust Power and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from GPAC II’s shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers of GPAC II and a description of their interests in GPAC II is set forth in GPAC II’s filings with the SEC (including GPAC II’s prospectus relating to its initial public offering (File No. 333-251558) declared effective by the SEC on January 11, 2021, GPAC II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023 and subsequent filings on Form 10-Q and Form 4). Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed business combination may be obtained by reading the Registration Statement. The documents described in this paragraph are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, 200 Park Avenue 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10166, attention: Global Partner Sponsor II LLC. Additional information regarding the names and interests of such participants will be contained in the Registration Statement for the proposed business combination when available.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of GPAC II, Stardust Power or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
2.1†	Business Combination Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2023, by and among Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, Strike Merger Sub I, Inc., Strike Merger Sub II, LLC and Stardust Power Inc.
10.1	Form of Company Support Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 2.1 filed herewith).
10.2	Sponsor Letter Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2023, by and among Global Partner Sponsor II LLC, Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, Stardust Power Inc. and certain other parties thereto.
99.1	Press Release, dated November 21, 2023.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

† Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.

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SIGNATURE

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

Dated: November 21, 2023

GLOBAL PARTNER ACQUISITION CORP II
By:	/s/ Chandra R. Patel
Name:	Chandra R. Patel
Title:	Chief Executive Officer

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