UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(MARK ONE)
For the quarter ended
For the transition period from to
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Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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| Emerging growth company |
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CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Prepaid expenses | | | ||||
Total Current Assets |
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Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account |
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Total Assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities, Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption and Shareholders’ Deficit |
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Accrued expenses | $ | | $ | | ||
Promissory note – related party |
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Total Current Liabilities | | | ||||
Warrant liabilities | | | ||||
Deferred underwriting fee payable | — | | ||||
Total Liabilities |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | ||||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
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Shareholders’ Deficit |
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Preference shares, $ |
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Class A ordinary shares, $ |
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Class B ordinary shares, $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
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Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
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Total Liabilities, Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption and Shareholders’ Deficit | $ | $ |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
1
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
For the | For the | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 |
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Operating and formation costs | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Loss from operations | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
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Other income: | ||||||||||||
Interest earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account | | | | | ||||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | — | ( | | | ||||||||
Other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs | — | — | | — | ||||||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with the IPO | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||
Other income, net | | | | | ||||||||
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Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||
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Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A ordinary shares | | | | | ||||||||
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Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A ordinary shares | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | | ||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B ordinary shares |
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Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class B ordinary shares | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
2
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED September 30, 2023
Class A | Class B | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Shares | Ordinary Shares | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
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| Capital |
| Deficit |
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Balance — December 31, 2022 |
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Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount |
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Net income |
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Balance – March 31, 2023 | — | — | | | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B ordinary shares to Class A Ordinary Shares - Non- redeemable | | | ( | ( | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Waiver of deferred underwriting fee | — | — | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||||
Capital Contribution by Sponsor for issuance of Non-Redemption agreements to Stockholders | — | — | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||||
Stockholder non-redemption agreements | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | | | ||||||||||||
Balance – June 30, 2023 | | $ | | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Net income |
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Balance – September 30, 2023 |
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3
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Class A | Class B | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Shares | Ordinary Shares | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders' | |||||||||||||||
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Balance – January 1, 2022 |
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Contribution in excess of fair value of Private Placement Warrants |
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Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount |
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Net income |
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Balance – March 31, 2022 | — | — | | | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | | | ||||||||||||
Balance – June 30, 2022 | — | — | | | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Balance – September 30, 2022 |
| — | $ | — | | $ | | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | ( |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
4
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Nine Months | ||||||
Ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||
Net income | $ | | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Interest earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account |
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Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | ( | ( | ||||
Other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs | ( | — | ||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with the IPO | — | | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Prepaid expenses, current portion |
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Prepaid expenses, non-current portion | — | ( | ||||
Accrued expenses |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
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Investment of cash in Trust Account |
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Cash withdrawn from Trust Account in connection with redemption | | — | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
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Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid |
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Proceeds from sale of Private Placements Warrants |
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Proceeds from promissory note – related party |
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Redemption of Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption | ( | — | ||||
Repayment of promissory note – related party |
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Payment of other offering costs |
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Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
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Net Change in Cash |
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Cash – Beginning of period |
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Cash – End of period | $ | | $ | | ||
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Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
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Offering costs included in accounts payable | $ | — | $ | | ||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount | $ | | $ | | ||
Deferred underwriting fee payable | $ | — | $ | | ||
Waived deferred underwriting discount | $ | | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
5
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Cartica Acquisition Corp (the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 3, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with
The Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
On January 7, 2022, the Company closed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and completed the sale of
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company completed the private sale of an aggregate of
Transaction costs amounted to $
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. The rules of the stock exchange that the Company will list its securities on will require that the Company’s Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least
6
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash items until the earlier of consummation of its Business Combination or liquidation.
The Company will provide the holders of its issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares sold as part of the units in its IPO (whether they are purchased in such offering or thereafter in the open market) (the “Public Shares”) (the “public shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares, upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the Public Shares exclude the Class A ordinary shares held by the Sponsor after the Conversion, as defined below. The public shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $
The Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association will 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of
7
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
On June 30, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting in lieu of an annual meeting and approved an extension to the date by which the Company must consummate a Business Combination from July 7, 2023 (which was 18 months from the closing of IPO) to April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the board) (the “Combination Period”). If the Company has not consummated a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will redeem
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and officers have agreed to waive: (i) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of the Company’s Business Combination and (ii) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with its Business Combination or to redeem
The Company will have until April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board) to complete a Business Combination. If the Company has not completed a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than
On May 23, 2023, the Sponsor entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Cartica Investors, LP and Cartica Investors II, LP (together, the “Cartica Funds”) and Namaste Universe Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Namaste”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Namaste acquired from the Cartica Funds, certain membership interests in the Sponsor, which combined interests will entitle Namaste to receive, in the aggregate,
In connection with the Transfer, on May 23, 2023, Subramanian Ramadorai, Keki M. Mistry, Farida Khambata, Parul Bhandari, Asif Ramji and Steven J. Quamme resigned as directors of the Company’s board of directors and Steven J. Quamme resigned as interim Chief Executive Officer. Concurrently with the Transfer, holders of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares elected Suresh Guduru, Suresh Singamsetty, Kishore Kondragunta, Rana Gujral, Kyle Ingvald Parent and John F. Levy as directors of the Company’s board of directors (collectively, the “New Directors”). In addition, Kyle Ingvald Parent and Suresh Singamsetty were appointed as Class I directors with a term expiring at the Company’s first annual general meeting; John F. Levy and Kishore Kondragunta were appointed as Class II directors with a term expiring at the second annual general meeting; and Rana Gujral and Suresh Guduru were appointed as Class III directors with a term expiring at the Company’s third annual general meeting. John F. Levy, Rana Gujral and Kyle Invalid Parent have been appointed as members of the Board’s audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee, with Mr. Levy serving as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and Mr. Gujral serving as the Chairman of the compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee. The Company’s board determined that John F. Levy,
8
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Rana Gujral, Kyle Ingvald Parent and Kishore Kondragunta are each an “independent director” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules.
On June 29, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of
On June 30, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting in lieu of an annual meeting (the “Meeting”) to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Charter Amendment”) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination from July 7, 2023 to April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board) (the “Extension”).
In connection with the Meeting, shareholders holding
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and officers have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to any Founder Shares (including any Founder Shares that were converted into Class A ordinary shares) if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if any such person acquires Public Shares in or after the IPO, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account. In the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per-share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than $
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (except for the Company’s the independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $
Liquidity and Going Concern
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $
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CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
In August 2023, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $
Until the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will be using the funds not held in the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, and structuring, negotiating, and consummating the Business Combination.
The Company may need to raise further additional capital through loans or additional investments from its Sponsor, shareholders, officers, directors, or third parties. The Company’s officers, directors and Sponsor may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs. Accordingly, the Company may not be able to obtain additional financing. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, curtailing operations, suspending the pursuit of a potential transaction, and reducing overhead expenses. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to it on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
The Company has until April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board) to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by April 7, 2024. If a Business Combination is not consummated by the liquidation date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Additionally, the Company does not have sufficient liquidity to fund the working capital needs of the Company through April 7, 2024 or through twelve months from the filing of this report. Management of the Company has determined that the liquidity condition through 12 months from the filing of this report and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after April 7, 2024.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF 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 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 as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. 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 periods.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, 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 independent registered public accounting firm 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
10
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
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 the condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant liabilities. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
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 limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account.
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 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Cash and Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account
At September 30, 2023, substantially all of the assets in the Trust Account were held in a money market fund that invests in U.S. Treasury securities. At December 31, 2022, substantially all of the assets in the Trust Account were held in U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of 185 days or less. The Company classifies its U.S. Treasury and equivalent securities as held-to-maturity in accordance with ASC Topic 320 “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities.” Held-to-maturity securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity treasury securities are recorded at amortized cost on the accompanying balance sheets and adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts.
11
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Offering Costs Associated with the IPO
The Company complies with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99-1. Offering costs consist of underwriting fees, legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the IPO. Offering costs are allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the IPO based on a relative fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs associated with warrant liabilities have been expensed and offering costs associated with the Class A ordinary shares have been charged to temporary equity at the completion of the IPO. The Company incurred offering costs amounting to $
On April 14, 2023, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), the underwriter for the IPO of the Company, terminated its association with the Company and waived any fees and compensation in connection with such association, including its entitlement to the payment of deferred compensation in the amount of $
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC Topic 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’s management determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company’s major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands or any other taxable jurisdiction. In accordance with federal income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company, but rather on the individual owners. United States (“U.S.”) taxation would occur on the individual owners if certain tax elections are made by U.S. owners and the Company were treated as a passive foreign investment company. Additionally, U.S. taxation could occur to the Company itself if the Company is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. The Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business at this time.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
The Company follows the guidance in ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually.
12
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
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 statements of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for the
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, or if there is a shareholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Company’s Business Combination. In accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, the Company classifies Public Shares subject to redemption outside of permanent equity as the redemption provisions are not solely within the control of the Company. The Public Shares sold as part of the Units in the IPO have been issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., Public Warrants) and as such, the initial carrying value of Public Shares classified as temporary equity have been allocated proceeds determined in accordance with ASC 470-20. The Public Shares are subject to ASC 480-10-S99 and are currently not redeemable as the redemption is contingent upon the occurrence of the events mentioned above. According to ASC 480-10-S99-15, no subsequent adjustment is needed if it is not probable that the instrument will become redeemable.
In connection with the Meeting (see Note 1), shareholders holding
13
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
are
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount of Public Shares reflected on the balance sheet are reconciled in the following table:
Gross proceeds |
| $ | |
Less: |
|
| |
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants |
| ( | |
Class A ordinary shares issuance costs |
| ( | |
Plus: |
|
| |
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount |
| | |
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2022 | | ||
Less: | |||
Due to Shareholders for redemption of | ( | ||
Plus: |
|
| |
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount |
| | |
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of September 30, 2023 | $ | |
Net Income (Loss) per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Subsequent measurement of the redeemable Class A ordinary shares are excluded from the income (loss) per ordinary shares as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The Company calculates its earnings per share by allocating net income (loss) pro rata to its Class A and Class B ordinary shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of ordinary shares share pro rata in the income (losses) of the Company.
The calculation of diluted income per share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) IPO, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase
14
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income per ordinary share (in dollars, except per share amounts):
For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
Class A | |||||||||||||||
| Redeemable |
|
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Allocation of net income (loss) | $ | | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding | | — | | | | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share | $ | | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
Class A | |||||||||||||||
| Redeemable |
|
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||||
Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Allocation of net income | $ | | — | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding | | — | | | | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | $ | | — | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 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) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas and introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Public Units
Pursuant to the IPO, the Company sold
15
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Public Warrants
Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase
The warrants cannot be exercised until
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants have been registered under the Securities Act or a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue a Class A ordinary share upon exercise of a warrant unless the Class A ordinary share issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the Class A ordinary share underlying such unit.
If the holders exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, they will pay the warrant exercise price by surrendering warrants for the number of Class A ordinary shares equal to (x) the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (as defined in the next sentence) of the Class A ordinary shares over the exercise price of the warrants, divided by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” is the average reported closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for the
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $
Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (except for Private Placement Warrants held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees):
● | in whole and not in part; |
● | at a price of $ |
16
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
● | upon a minimum of |
● | if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $ |
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $
Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:
● | in whole and not in part, and only if the Private Placement Warrants are simultaneously redeemed; |
● | at a price of $ |
● | upon a minimum of |
● | if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $ |
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than twenty (
Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
The Sponsor purchased
17
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
is exercisable to purchase
The Private Placement Warrants are non-redeemable (except as described in Note 3 under “Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On February 9, 2021, the Company issued
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of (i)
On May 23, 2023, the Sponsor entered into the Purchase Agreement with the Cartica Funds and Namaste. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Namaste acquired from the Cartica Funds, certain membership interests in the Sponsor, which combined interests will entitle Namaste to receive, in the aggregate,
Promissory Note — Related Party
On February 9, 2021, the Company issued a promissory note (the “First Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $
18
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
increase the borrowable amount to $
In August 2023, the Company issued the Second Promissory Note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $
Loans – Related parties
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (the “Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company may repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans may be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $
Administrative Support Agreement
On January 4, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to pay the Sponsor $
19
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Anchor Investors
Cartica Investors, LP and Cartica Investors II, LP, two private funds that are affiliates of Cartica Management purchased an aggregate of
Non-redemption Agreements
On June 16, 2023 and June 26, 2023, the Company entered into certain non-redemption agreements (the “Non-Redemption Agreements”) with unaffiliated institutional investors (the “Holders”) in exchange for the Holders agreeing either not to request redemption, or to reverse any previously submitted redemption demand with respect to an aggregate of
The Company estimated the aggregate fair value of the
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the IPO requiring the Company to register such securities for resale. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to
Underwriting Agreement
The Company granted the underwriters a
The underwriters received a cash underwriting discount of $
20
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
On April 14, 2023, J.P. Morgan, the underwriter for the IPO of the Company, terminated its association with the Company and waived any fees and compensation in connection with such association, including its entitlement to the payment of deferred compensation in the amount of $
Forward Purchase Agreement
The Company entered into a forward purchase agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) with the Cartica Funds, pursuant to which the Cartica Funds agreed to subscribe for an aggregate of up to
On October 13, 2022, the Company was advised by Cartica Management that the Cartica Funds will be liquidated in the first half of 2023 (the “Liquidation”).
On March 14, 2023, the Company received a written notice from Cartica Management advising the Company that the investment committee of Cartica Management had determined that it would not approve the purchase of any Forward Purchase Shares and therefore the Cartica Funds would not purchase any of the Forward Purchase Shares in connection with the Business Combination or otherwise. On May 23, 2023, in connection with the Transfer, the Company and Cartica Funds entered into an agreement to terminate the rights and obligations of the Company and the Cartica Funds under Forward Purchase Agreement. As a result, the Company may lack sufficient funds to consummate the Business Combination.
Service Provider Agreements
From time to time the Company has entered into and may enter into agreements with various services providers and advisors, including investment banks, to help us identify targets, negotiate terms of potential Business Combinations, consummate a Business Combination and/or provide other services. In connection with these agreements, the Company may be required to pay such service providers and advisors fees in connection with their services to the extent that certain conditions, including the closing of a potential Business Combination, are met. If a Business Combination does not occur, the Company would not expect to be required to pay these contingent fees. There can be no assurance that the Company will complete a Business Combination.
On June 13, 2023, the Company and the Sponsor entered into an agreement with a service provider whereby upon approval of the Extension, which occurred on June 30, 2023, $
21
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
NOTE 7. SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preference Shares—The Company is authorized to issue
Class A Ordinary Shares— The Company is authorized to issue
Class B Ordinary Shares—The Company is authorized to issue
Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as required by law; provided that only holders of Class B ordinary shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors prior to the Company’s Business Combination.
The remaining Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares concurrently with or immediately following the completion of a Business Combination on a
NOTE 8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
| September 30, |
| December 31, | |||||
Description | Level | 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Cash and Marketable securities held in Trust Account |
| 1 | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities: |
|
|
| |||||
Warrant liabilities – Public Warrants |
| 2 | $ | |
| $ | | |
Warrant liabilities – Private Placement Warrants | 3 | | |
22
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Cash and Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account
As of September 30, 2023, the investment in the Company’s Trust Account consisted of $
Carrying | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||
Value/Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | ||||||||||
As of September 30, 2023 |
| Cost |
| Gains |
| Losses |
| Fair Value | ||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
| Carrying |
| Gross |
| Gross |
| ||||||
Value/Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | ||||||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
| Cost |
| Gains |
| Losses | Fair Value | |||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account |
| $ | | $ | |
| $ | ( | $ | |
Warrant Liabilities
The Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants have been accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities in the accompanying condensed balance sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the condensed statements of operations.
The Company used both the Black-Scholes Merton formula and a Monte Carlo simulation model to value the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants at Initial Measurement. The Company allocated the proceeds received from (i) the sale of Units (which is inclusive of
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, in order to value the Private Placement Warrants, the Company compared the expected fair value of the Public Warrants using a Monte Carlo simulation model to the trading value of the Public Warrants to calculate an estimate of the probability of a successful business combination. The inputs used in the Monte Carlo analysis included expected market volatility, expected risk-free interest rate and expected life of the Public Warrants. The Company estimated the selected market volatility following a successful business combination by considering the five‐year historical volatility of the NASDAQ 100 Tech Sector index. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the Public Warrants following a successful business combination. The Company used the contractual five-year life as the expected life of the Public Warrants. The Company compared the estimated fair value of the Public Warrants following a successful business combination to the current trading price of the Public Warrants to calculate an estimate of the probability of a successful business combination. The Company then applied a Black-Scholes formula and the calculated probability of a successful business combination to estimate the fair value of the Private Warrants. The inputs into the Black Scholes model for the Private Warrants at initial measurement
23
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
were the same as those used in the Public Warrant analysis. The fair value of the Public Warrants on September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was classified as Level 1 due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market.
The key inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation model and Black-Scholes Merton formula for the Public and Private Placement Warrants were as follows at initial measurement:
| January 7, |
| ||
Input | 2022 | |||
Risk-free interest rate |
| | % | |
Expected term (years) |
| | ||
Expected volatility |
| | % | |
Exercise price | $ | | ||
Stock price of Class A ordinary share | $ | |
The key inputs into the Black-Scholes Merton formula for the Private Placement Warrants were as follows at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| September 30, |
| December 31, |
| |||
Input | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
Risk-free interest rate |
| | % | | % | ||
Expected term (years) |
| | | ||||
Expected volatility |
| | % | | % | ||
Exercise price | $ | | $ | | |||
Stock price of Class A ordinary share | $ | | $ | |
The following table provides a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
| Private | ||
Placement | |||
Warrants | |||
Fair value at December 31, 2022 | $ | | |
Change in fair value | | ||
Fair value at March 31, 2023 | | ||
Change in fair value | ( | ||
Fair value at June 30, 2023 | | ||
Change in fair value | | ||
Fair value at September 30, 2023 | $ | |
As of January 7, 2022, Initial Measurement, the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants was determined to be $
Transfers to and from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. Following the detachment of the warrants from Units on February 25, 2022, the Public Warrants were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1.
As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants was determined to be $
As December 31, 2022, the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants was determined to be $
24
CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
NOTE 9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than as disclosed within these condensed financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
References in this report to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Cartica Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Cartica Acquisition Partners, LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in the below discussion and elsewhere in this report have the meanings ascribed to them in the footnotes to the accompanying financial statements included as part of this report.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the completion of the Business Combination, the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including that the conditions of the Business Combination are not satisfied. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 3, 2021. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Our Sponsor is Cartica Acquisition Partners, LLC. The registration statement for our IPO was declared effective on January 4, 2022. On January 7, 2022, we consummated our IPO of 23,000,000 units, including 3,000,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $230.0 million.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company completed the private sale of an aggregate of 15,900,000 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $15,900,000.
At the closing of the IPO, an amount equal to at least $10.30 per unit sold in the IPO, including proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, was deposited in a Trust Account, located in the United States and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account.
Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of our IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating our Business Combination.
26
We have until April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the board of directors) to complete a Business Combination. If we have not completed a Business Combination within the Combination 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 the Company to pay its tax obligations (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
On May 23, 2023, our Sponsor entered into the Purchase Agreement with the Cartica Funds and Namaste. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Namaste acquired from the Cartica Funds, certain membership interests in our Sponsor, which combined interests will entitle Namaste to receive, in the aggregate, 3,490,949 of our Class B ordinary shares. In connection with the Transfer, we terminated the Forward Purchase Agreement, amended the administrative support agreement (the “Amended Administrative Support Agreement”), and experienced a change in our board of directors, as more fully described within Note 1 to our condensed financial statements. As a result of the change in majority ownership of the Sponsor, we shifted to a more US and global based strategy in our search for a business combination partner.
On June 16, 2023 and June 26, 2023, the Company entered into certain Non-Redemption Agreements with the Holders in exchange for the Holders agreeing either not to request redemption, or to reverse any previously submitted redemption demand with respect to an aggregate of 3,850,000 Public Shares held by the Holders, in connection with the Meeting. In consideration of the foregoing agreement, the Company shall issue to the Holders an aggregate of 962,500 Class A ordinary shares substantially concurrently with or immediately after, the closing of a Business Combination. The Holders will be entitled to the same registration rights set forth in that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2022, among Cartica Acquisition Partners, LLC, the Company and the other parties thereto, in respect of all the New Shares held by the Holders. The Company may enter into additional non-redemption agreements with unaffiliated third parties on substantially the same terms as the Non-Redemption Agreements.
On June 29, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,750,000 Class A ordinary shares to the Sponsor, upon the conversion of an equal number of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, held by the Sponsor. The Class A ordinary shares issued in connection with the Conversion are subject to the same restrictions as applied to the Class B ordinary shares before the Conversion, including, among other things, certain transfer restrictions, waiver of redemption rights and the obligation to vote in favor of a Business Combination as described in the prospectus for the Company’s IPO.
On June 30, 2023, we held the Meeting pursuant to which our shareholders approved extending the date by which the Company had to complete a Business Combination from July 7, 2023 to April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board of directors). In connection with the approval of the Extension, shareholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 18,785,585 Class A ordinary shares. As a result, an aggregate of approximately $200.9 million from the Trust Account (or approximately $10.69 per share) was released from the Trust Account to pay such shareholders.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our activities from February 3, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2023 were organizational activities, the IPO and identifying a target company for a Business Combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our Business Combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we had a net income of $767,348, which consists of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,028,410, offset by operating and formation costs of $261,062.
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For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of $29,427, which consists of change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $981,000 and operating and formation costs of $437,753, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,389,326.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had a net income of $5,852,864, which consists of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $6,502,003, change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $548,000 and other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs of $214,220, offset by operating and formation costs of $1,411,359.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net income of $9,021,357, which consists of change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $9,546,000 and interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,660,883, offset by operating and formation costs of $1,807,183 and transaction costs of $378,343.
Factors That May Adversely Affect our Results of Operations
Our results of operations and our ability to complete a Business Combination may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond our control. Our business could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, increases in oil prices, inflation, increases in interest rates, supply chain disruptions, declines in consumer confidence and spending, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including resurgences and the emergence of new variants, and geopolitical instability, such as the current conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. We cannot at this time fully predict the likelihood of one or more of the above events, their duration or magnitude or the extent to which they may negatively impact our business and our ability to complete a Business Combination.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On January 7, 2022, we completed the sale of 23,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we completed the private sale of an aggregate of 15,900,000 Private Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $15,900,000.
In August 2023, we issued a promissory note to our Sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. As of September 30, 2023, $100,000 was outstanding and an aggregate of $200,000 may be borrowed under this note. On November 8, 2023 we borrowed an additional $50,000 under this note.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $1,160,134. Net income of $5,852,864 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $6,502,003, change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $548,000 and other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs of $214,220. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $251,225 of cash for operating activities.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $2,388,954. Net income of $9,021,357 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,660,883, transaction costs of $378,343 and change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $9,546,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $581,771 of cash for operating activities.
As of September 30, 2023, we had cash and marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $45,697,836 (including $2,289,362 of interest income) consisting of money market securities with an average maturity less than 90 days. We may withdraw interest from the Trust Account to pay taxes, if any. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less income taxes payable), to complete our Business Combination. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
As of September 30, 2023, we had cash of $21,345. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or
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similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, structure, negotiate and complete a Business Combination.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required (the “Working Capital Loans”). If we complete a Business Combination, we will repay such loaned amounts. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
Going Concern
We have until April 7, 2024 (or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board), to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain that we will be able to consummate a Business Combination by April 7, 2024. If a Business Combination is not consummated by the liquidation date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Additionally, it is uncertain that we will have sufficient liquidity to fund the working capital needs of the Company through April 7, 2024 or through twelve months from the issuance of this report. Management has determined that the liquidity condition through 12 months from the issuance of this report and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after April 7, 2024.
Contractual Obligations
On January 4, 2022, we entered into an agreement to pay our Sponsor an aggregate $930,000 over eighteen months beginning at the closing of the IPO, for the following administrative support expenses: (i) cash compensation to Mr. Goel, our Chief Executive Officer, in the form of an annual salary of $312,000; (ii) cash compensation to Mr. Coad, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in the form of an annual salary of $200,000; and (iii) $9,000 per month for office space, utilities and research, analytical, secretarial and administrative support, which the Sponsor was expected to source principally from Cartica Management. In addition, at the closing of the IPO, we paid the Sponsor an aggregate amount of $601,167 of which $549,000 represented compensation and bonuses paid to Mr. Goel and Mr. Coad for their services through the closing of the IPO and $51,667 represented a prepayment of administrative support expenses for January 2022, to be amortized over the service period. Upon completion of a Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these amounts (in the case of the officer compensation, after 30 days’ notice).
On May 23, 2023, in connection with the Transfer (see Note 1), the Company and the Sponsor entered into the Amended Administrative Support Agreement, pursuant to which the Company has ceased to pay the Sponsor for (i) the cash compensation to the Chief Executive Officer in the form of an annual salary of $312,000 and (ii) $9,000 per month for office space, utilities, and research, analytical, secretarial and administrative support. Per the Amended Administrative Support Agreement the Sponsor shall (i) pay to the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer an annual cash salary of $200,000, in substantially equal periodic installments, and bonuses of up to $150,000; and (ii) make available, or cause to be made available, to the Company, at a location mutually agreed by the Parties (or any successor location of Sponsor), office space, utilities, and research, analytical, secretarial and administrative support, as may be reasonably required by the Company. In exchange for these services, the Company shall pay Sponsor $16,666.67 per month with the first payment due on or around May 31, 2023 and continuing monthly thereafter until the termination date as defined in the agreement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred $50,000 and $270,333 in fees for these services, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we incurred $155,000 and $776,500 in fees for these services and paid $155,000 and $1,014,500 of fees for these services, respectively.
We granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the IPO to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the IPO price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. As of January 7, 2022, the over-allotment was fully exercised.
The underwriters received a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $4,600,000 in the aggregate (which included an additional $600,000 received pursuant to the full exercise of the over-allotment option), which was paid at closing of the IPO. In addition, the
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underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $8,050,000 in the aggregate (which included an additional $1,050,000 received pursuant to the full exercise of the over-allotment option). The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. On April 14, 2023, the underwriter terminated its association with us and waived any fees and compensation in connection with such association, including its entitlement to the payment of deferred compensation in the amount of $8,050,000 in connection with its role as our underwriter in our IPO.
We entered into a forward purchase agreement with the Cartica Funds, pursuant to which the Cartica Funds agreed to subscribe for an aggregate of up to 3,000,000 forward purchase shares for $10.00 per share, or up to $30,000,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement to close substantially concurrently with the closing of our Business Combination, subject to approval at such time by the Cartica Management investment committee. On October 13, 2022, we were advised by Cartica Management that the Cartica Funds will be liquidated in the first half of 2023. On March 14, 2023, we received a written notice from Cartica Management advising us that the investment committee of Cartica Management had determined that it would not approve the purchase of any forward purchase shares and therefore the Cartica Funds would not purchase any of the Forward Purchase Shares in connection with the Business Combination or otherwise. As a result, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate the Business Combination. On May 23, 2023, in connection with the Transfer, the Company and Cartica Funds entered into an agreement to terminate the rights and obligations of the Company and the Cartica Funds under Forward Purchase Agreement.
In August 2023, the Company issued the Second Promissory Note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. On September 26, 2023, the Company borrowed $100,000 under the Second Promissory Note. The Second Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of: (i) the date of the Company’s liquidation or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates a Business Combination. As of September 30, 2023, $100,000 was outstanding on the Second Promissory note and an aggregate of $200,000 may be borrowed under this note.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting estimates:
Warrant Liabilities
A critical accounting estimate made in our financial statements is the estimated fair value of our warrant liabilities. The fair value of our financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that we would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, we seek to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
● | Level 1, Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment. |
● | Level 2, Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means. |
● | Level 3, Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
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As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had 27,400,000 warrants issued and outstanding.
Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary 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 our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of our condensed balance sheets.
Net Income (Loss) Per Ordinary Share
Net income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Subsequent measurement of the redeemable Class A ordinary shares is excluded from income per ordinary share as the redemption value approximates fair value. We calculate our earnings per share to allocate net income (loss) pro rata to Class A and Class B ordinary shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of ordinary shares share pro rata in the income (losses) of our Company.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 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) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas and introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our condensed financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, 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 independent registered public accounting firm 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 shareholder 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
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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 statement with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period, difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this Item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Certifying Officers”), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Certifying Officers, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on the foregoing, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023 covered by this report on that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
As of the date of this Report, other than described below, there have been no material changes with respect to those risk factors previously disclosed in our (i) Registration Statement, (ii) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023 and (iii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as filed with the SEC on August 18, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risks could arise that may also affect our business or ability to consummate a Business Combination. We may disclose changes to such risk factors or disclose additional risk factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.
We have received a deficiency notice from Nasdaq notifying us that, as a result of failing to maintain a minimum of 400 public holders of our ordinary shares, we are no longer in compliance with the Nasdaq listing rules. If we cannot regain compliance, our securities will be subject to delisting and the liquidity and the trading price of our securities could be adversely affected.
We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq. On September 25, 2023, we received a deficiency notice from Nasdaq notifying us that, as a result of failing to maintain a minimum of 400 public holders of our ordinary shares, we are no longer in compliance with the Nasdaq listing rules. We have engaged a consulting agency to assist us to submit a plan to regain compliance. If the plan is accepted, Nasdaq can grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the date of the notice to evidence compliance. We plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq listing rules prior to the expiration of the cure period provided by Nasdaq. However, if we do not regain compliance, our securities will be subject to delisting and the liquidity and the trading price of our securities could be adversely affected.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
● | reduced liquidity for our securities; |
● | a determination that our Class A ordinary shares is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A 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; |
● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; |
● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future; and |
● | being subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities, including in connection with our initial business combination. |
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.” Our Class A Ordinary Shares, units and warrants qualify as 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 SPACs, 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.
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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, which may negatively impact our ability to consummate our Business Combination.
If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may be forced to abandon our efforts to complete a Business Combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. To avoid that result, on or prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of our IPO Registration Statement, we intend to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account and instead hold all funds in the Trust Account in interest-bearing cash items. As a result, we expect to receive less interest on the funds held in the Trust Account, which will likely reduce the dollar amount that our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “SPAC Rule Proposals”) relating, among other items, to disclosures in SEC filings in connection with business combination transactions involving special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) and private operating companies; the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act.
The SPAC Rule Proposals relate, among other matters, to the circumstances in which SPACs such as us could potentially be subject to the Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder. The SPAC Rule Proposals would provide a safe harbor for such companies from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, provided that a SPAC satisfies certain criteria. To comply with the duration limitation of the proposed safe harbor, a SPAC would have a limited time period to announce and complete a de-SPAC transaction. Specifically, to comply with the safe harbor, the SPAC Rule Proposals would require a company to file a report on Form 8-K announcing that it has entered into an agreement with a target company for an initial business combination no later than 18 months after the effective date of initial public offering (the “IPO Registration Statement”). The company would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of the IPO Registration Statement.
There is currently uncertainty concerning the applicability of the Investment Company Act to a SPAC, including a company like ours. It is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company, including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, based on the current views of the SEC. If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we might be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. If we are required to liquidate the Company, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning stock in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our shares and warrants following such a transaction, and our warrants would expire worthless.
The funds in the Trust Account have, since our IPO Registration Statement, been held only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. However, to mitigate the risk of us being deemed to have been operating as an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act), we intend to, on or prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of the IPO Registration Statement, instruct Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash items until the earlier of consummation of our Business Combination or liquidation. As a result, following such liquidation, we will likely receive minimal interest, if any, on the funds held in the Trust Account, which would reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
In addition, even prior to the 24-month anniversary of the effective date of our IPO Registration Statement, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government treasury obligations or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, even prior to the 24-month anniversary, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate the Company. For so long as the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, the risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company and required to liquidate is greater than that of a SPAC that has elected to liquidate such investments and to hold all funds in its trust account in cash (i.e., in one or more bank accounts). Accordingly, we may determine, in our discretion, to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account at any time, even prior to the 24-
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month anniversary, and instead hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash items, which would further reduce the dollar amount our public stockholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
Military or other conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East or elsewhere may lead to increased volume and price volatility for publicly traded securities, or affect the operations or financial condition of potential target companies, which could make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial Business Combination.
Military or other conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East or elsewhere may lead to increased volume and price volatility for publicly traded securities, or affect the operations or financial condition of potential target companies, and to other company or industry-specific, national, regional or international economic disruptions and economic uncertainty, any of which could make it more difficult for us to identify a Business Combination target and consummate an initial Business Combination on acceptable commercial terms, or at all.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
For a description of the use of proceeds generated in our IPO and private placement, see Part II, Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2022.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Note applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.
No. |
| Description of Exhibit |
31.1* |
| |
31.2* |
| |
32.1** |
| |
32.2** |
| |
101.INS* |
| Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH* |
| Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* |
| Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF* |
| Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* |
| Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* |
| Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | Furnished herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CARTICA ACQUISITION CORP | |
|
|
|
Date: November 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Suresh Guduru |
| Name: | Suresh Guduru |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
|
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
Date: November 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ C. Brian Coad |
| Name: | C. Brian Coad |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
|
| (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) |
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