|
Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
| |
6770
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
| |
87-1738866
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
|
|
John Randall Lewis
Andrew D. Hoffman Sally Yin Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. 650 Page Mill Road Palo Alto, California 94304-1050 (650) 493-9300 |
| |
Douglas S. Ellenoff
Stuart Neuhauser Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10105 (212) 370-1300 |
|
|
Large accelerated filer
☐
|
| |
Accelerated filer
☐
|
|
|
Non-accelerated filer
☒
|
| |
Smaller reporting company
☒
|
|
| | | |
Emerging growth company
☒
|
|
| | | | | 1 | | | |
| | | | | 34 | | | |
| | | | | 78 | | | |
| | | | | 82 | | | |
| | | | | 83 | | | |
| | | | | 85 | | | |
| | | | | 91 | | | |
| | | | | 116 | | | |
| | | | | 124 | | | |
| | | | | 126 | | | |
| | | | | 129 | | | |
| | | | | 150 | | | |
| | | | | 162 | | | |
| | | | | 172 | | | |
| | | | | 172 | | | |
| | | | | 172 | | | |
| | | | | F-1 | | |
| | |
June 30, 2023
|
| |||||||||
| | |
Actual
|
| |
As Adjusted
|
| ||||||
Balance Sheet Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Working capital (deficiency)(1)
|
| | | $ | (3,349,505) | | | | | $ | 2,577,363 | | |
Total assets(2)
|
| | | $ | 992,415 | | | | | $ | 103,081,968 | | |
Total liabilities(3)
|
| | | $ | 3,550,982 | | | | | $ | 3,660,091 | | |
Value of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption(4)
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 100,500,000 | | |
Shareholders’ equity (deficit)(5)
|
| | | $ | (2,558,267) | | | | | $ | (1,078,123) | | |
|
Public shares(1)
|
| | | | 10,000,000 | | |
|
Founder shares(1)
|
| | | | 6,422,078 | | |
|
Total shares(1)
|
| | | | 16,422,078 | | |
|
Total funds in trust available for initial business combination (after deferred underwriting commissions)
|
| | | $ | 97,000,000 | | |
|
Initial implied value per public share
|
| | | $ | 10.05 | | |
|
Implied value per share upon consummation of initial business combination
|
| | | $ | 5.91 | | |
Gross proceeds
|
| |
Without
Over-allotment Option |
| |
Over-allotment
Option Exercise |
| ||||||
Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1)
|
| | | $ | 100,000,000 | | | | | $ | 115,000,000 | | |
Gross proceeds from private placement warrants offered in the private placement
|
| | | $ | 8,490,535 | | | | | $ | 8,490,535 | | |
Total gross proceeds
|
| | | $ | 108,490,535 | | | | | $ | 123,490,535 | | |
Estimated offering expenses(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underwriting commissions (2.0% of gross proceeds from units offered to public, excluding deferred portion)(3)
|
| | | $ | 2,000,000 | | | | | $ | 2,300,000 | | |
Legal fees and expenses
|
| | | $ | 400,000 | | | | | $ | 400,000 | | |
Printing and engraving expenses
|
| | | $ | 50,000 | | | | | $ | 50,000 | | |
Accounting/Auditing fees and expenses
|
| | | $ | 150,000 | | | | | $ | 150,000 | | |
SEC/FINRA Expenses
|
| | | $ | 30,423 | | | | | $ | 30,423 | | |
Initial Trustee Fee
|
| | | $ | 8,000 | | | | | $ | 8,000 | | |
Nasdaq listing and filing fees
|
| | | $ | 85,000 | | | | | $ | 85,000 | | |
Roadshow, Travel & other miscellaneous
|
| | | $ | 126,577 | | | | | $ | 126,577 | | |
Total estimated offering expenses (excluding underwriting commissions)
|
| | | $ | 850,000 | | | | | $ | 850,000 | | |
Proceeds after offering expenses
|
| | | $ | 105,640,535 | | | | | $ | 120,340,535 | | |
Held in trust account(3)
|
| | | $ | 100,500,000 | | | | | $ | 115,575,000 | | |
% of public offering size
|
| | | | 100.5% | | | | | $ | 100.5% | | |
Not held in trust account
|
| | | $ | 5,140,535 | | | | | $ | 4,765,535 | | |
| | |
Amount
|
| |
% of Total
|
| ||||||
Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any
business combination(6) |
| | | $ | 500,000 | | | | | | 9.73% | | |
Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations
|
| | | $ | 150,000 | | | | | | 2.92% | | |
Director & Officer liability insurance premiums
|
| | | $ | 600,000 | | | | | | 11.67% | | |
Prepayment of office space and administrative fee to an affiliate of Sponsor (initially 36 months starting from August 2021) and other support services
|
| | | $ | 300,000 | | | | | | 5.84% | | |
Payments to officers, directors, and other consultants for their consulting service to
the company |
| | | $ | 3,000,000 | | | | | | 58.36% | | |
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses and reserves
|
| | | $ | 590,535 | | | | | | 11.49% | | |
Total
|
| | | $ | 5,140,535 | | | | | | 100.00% | | |
| | |
Without
Over-allotment |
| |
With
Over-allotment |
| ||||||
Public offering price
|
| | | $ | 10.00 | | | | | $ | 10.00 | | |
Net tangible book deficit before this offering
|
| | | | (0.49) | | | | | | (0.49) | | |
Increase attributable to public shareholders
|
| | | | 0.32 | | | | | | 0.22 | | |
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants
|
| | | | (0.17) | | | | | | (0.27) | | |
Dilution to public shareholders
|
| | | $ | 10.17 | | | | | $ | 9.73 | | |
Percentage of dilution to public shareholders
|
| | | | 101.7% | | | | | | 97.4% | | |
| | |
Shares Purchased
|
| |
Total Consideration
|
| |
Average
Price per share |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Number
|
| |
Percentage
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percentage
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Class B Ordinary Shares(1)
|
| | | | 6,422,078 | | | | | | 39.1% | | | | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 0.02% | | | | | $ | 0.004 | | |
Public Shareholders
|
| | | | 10,000,000 | | | | | | 60.9% | | | | | | 100,000,000 | | | | | | 99.98% | | | | | $ | 10.00 | | |
| | | | | 16,422,078 | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | | 100,025,000 | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Without
Over-allotment |
| |
With
Over-allotment |
| ||||||
Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net tangible book deficit before this offering
|
| | | $ | (3,349,505) | | | | | $ | (3,349,505) | | |
Net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants(1)
|
| | | | 105,640,535 | | | | | | 120,340,535 | | |
Plus offering costs paid in advance, excluded form tangible book value before this offering
|
| | | | 786,333 | | | | | | 786,333 | | |
Less underwriter over-allotment liability
|
| | | | (160,091) | | | | | | — | | |
Less Deferred underwriting commissions
|
| | | | (3,500,000) | | | | | | (4,025,000) | | |
Less Proceeds held in trust subject to redemption(2)
|
| | | | (100,500,000) | | | | | | (115,575,000) | | |
| | | | $ | (1,082,728) | | | | | $ | (1,822,637) | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | | 6,870,130 | | |
Ordinary shares forfeited if overallotment is not exercised
|
| | | | (448,052) | | | | | | — | | |
Ordinary shares included in the units offered
|
| | | | 10,000,000 | | | | | | 11,500,000 | | |
Less: Ordinary shares subject to redemption
|
| | | | (10,000,000) | | | | | | (11,500,000) | | |
| | | | | 6,422,078 | | | | | | 6,870,130 | | |
| | |
As of June 30, 2023
|
| |||||||||
| | |
Actual
|
| |
As Adjusted(1)
|
| ||||||
Note payable to related party(2)
|
| | | | 3,250,000 | | | | | | — | | |
Advances from related party
|
| | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred underwriting commissions
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 3,500,000 | | |
Underwriter over-allotment liability
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 160,091 | | |
Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption; $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares actual and 10,000,000 shares as adjusted(3)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 100,500,000 | | |
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, actual and as
adjusted, respectively; none issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, -0- shares issued and outstanding (excluding -0- and 10,000,000 shares subject to 0, possible redemption), actual and as adjusted, respectively
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 6,870,130 and 6,422,078 shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted, respectively
|
| | | | 687 | | | | | | 642 | | |
Additional paid-in capital
|
| | | | 24,313 | | | | | | — | | |
Accumulated deficit
|
| | | | (2,583,567) | | | | | | (1,078,765) | | |
Total shareholders’ deficit
|
| | | | (2,558,567) | | | | | | (1,078,123) | | |
Total capitalization
|
| | | | 691,433 | | | | | | 103,081,968 | | |
| | | |
Terms of Our Offering
|
| |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
|
|
|
Escrow of offering proceeds
|
| | $100,500,000 (or 115,575,000 if the over-allotment option is fully exercised) of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants will be deposited into a trust account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. | | | $87,525,000 of the offering proceeds, would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker- dealer in which the broker- dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account. | |
|
Investment of net proceeds
|
| | $100,500,000 (or 115,575,000 if the over-allotment option is fully exercised) of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. | | | Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. | |
|
Receipt of interest on escrowed funds
|
| | Interest income (if any) on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to shareholders is reduced by (i) any income taxes paid or payable and (ii) in the event of our liquidation for failure to complete our initial business combination within the allotted time, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us should we have no or insufficient working capital to fund the costs and expenses of our dissolution and liquidation. | | | Interest income on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our completion of a business combination. | |
|
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business
|
| | The Nasdaq rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of our assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of signing the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. If our securities are not then listed on the Nasdaq for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test. | | | The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. | |
| | | |
Terms of Our Offering
|
| |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
|
|
|
Trading of securities issued
|
| |
The units are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Nasdaq informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering. If the over‑ allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option.
The units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
|
| | No trading of the units or the underlying Class A ordinary shares and warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. | |
|
Exercise of the warrants
|
| | The warrants cannot be exercised until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and twelve months from the closing of this offering. | | | The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account. | |
|
Election to remain an investor
|
| | We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. We may not be required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement to hold a shareholder vote. | | | A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post- effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically | |
| | | |
Terms of Our Offering
|
| |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
|
|
| | | | If we are not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, we hold a shareholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the ordinary shares, represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, voted at a shareholder meeting of the company are voted in favor of the business combination. A quorum for such meeting will be present if the holders of at least one-third of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are represented in person or by proxy. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any such shareholder meeting. | | | returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. | |
|
Business combination deadline
|
| | If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, 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 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, | | | If an acquisition has not been completed within 21 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. | |
| | | |
Terms of Our Offering
|
| |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
|
|
| | | | including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. | | | | |
|
Release of funds
|
| |
Except for the withdrawal of interest income (if any) to pay our income taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earliest of:
(i) the completion of our initial business combination,
(ii) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law, and
(iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
|
| | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. | |
Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Position
|
|
James Rhee | | |
61
|
| | Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director | |
Ho Min (Jimmy) Kim | | |
52
|
| | Chief Finance Officer and Director | |
Kurtis Jang | | |
54
|
| | Chief Operating Officer and Director | |
Cuong Viet Do | | |
57
|
| | Director | |
Shin-Bae Kim | | |
68
|
| | Director | |
Willy Lan | | |
47
|
| | Director | |
Tony Ling | | |
49
|
| | Director | |
Catherine Mohr | | |
55
|
| | Director | |
Individual
|
| |
Entity
|
| |
Entity’s Business
|
| |
Affiliation
|
|
James Rhee | | | SparkLabs Group(1) | | | Startup accelerator and venture capital | | | Partner | |
Kurtis Jang | | | SparkLabs Group(1) | | | Startup accelerator and venture capital | | | Partner | |
Ho Min (Jimmy) Kim | | | SparkLabs Group(1) | | | Startup accelerator and venture capital | | | Partner, CEO SparkLabs Korea | |
Cuong Viet Do | | | Bio Vie | | | Biotechnology | | | President, CEO and Director | |
Shin-Bae Kim | | | POSCO | | | Steel manufacturing | | | Director | |
Willy Lan | | | Cambium Grove Capital(1) | | | Asset management | | | Partner | |
Tony Ling | | | SparkLabs Taipei(1) | | | Startup accelerator | | | Venture Partner | |
Catherine Mohr | | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Intuitive Foundation
FINCA International
Carta Healthcare
|
| |
Surgical robotics
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization
Director
|
| |
Vice President, Strategy
President
Director
Director
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
| |
Paid Consulting
Fees ($) |
| |
Founder Shares
|
| |
Note
|
|
James Rhee
Chief Executive Officer |
| |
$441,666,67
|
| |
250,000
|
| |
$250,000 per annum with payment for service starting from May 1, 2021 and increase to $350,000 per annum since October 1, 2022
|
|
Ho Min (Jimmy) Kim
Chief Finance Officer |
| |
$26,613.00
|
| |
—
|
| |
$25,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
Kurtis Jang
Chief Operating Officer |
| |
$270,000.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$180,000 per annum with payment for service starting from July 1, 2021
|
|
Tony Ling
Independent Director |
| |
$79,839.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$75,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
Catherine Mohr
Independent Director |
| |
$79,839.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$75,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
Shin-Bae Kim
Independent Director |
| |
$79,839.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$75,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
Willy Lan
Independent Director |
| |
$79,839.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$75,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
Cuong Viet Do
Independent Director |
| |
$79,839.00
|
| |
100,000
|
| |
$75,000 per annum with payment for service starting from December 8, 2021
|
|
| | |
Numbering of Shares
Beneficially Owned(2) |
| |
Approximate
Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
| |
Before
Offering |
| |
After
Offering |
| |
Before
Offering |
| |
After
Offering |
| ||||||||||||
SLG SPAC Fund LLC (our sponsor)(3)(4)
|
| | | | 6,020,130 | | | | | | 5,572,078 | | | | | | 87.63% | | | | | | 33.93% | | |
James Rhee
|
| | | | 250,000 | | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | | 3.64% | | | | | | 1.52% | | |
Ho Min (Jimmy) Kim(5)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Kurtis Jang
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
Cuong Viet Do
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
Shin-Bae Kim
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
Willy Lan
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
Tong Ling
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
Cathrine Mohr
|
| | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 1.46% | | | | | | *% | | |
All officers and directors as a group (eight individuals)
|
| | | | 850,000 | | | | | | 850,000 | | | | | | 12.37% | | | | | | 5.18% | | |
Underwriters
|
| |
Number of
Units |
| |||
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
|
| | | | | | |
Total
|
| | | | 10,000,000 | | |
| | |
Per Unit
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Without
Over- allotment |
| |
With
Over- allotment |
| |
Without
Over- allotment |
| |
With
Over- allotment |
| ||||||||||||
Public Offering Price
|
| | | | 10.00 | | | | | | 10.00 | | | | | | 100,000,000 | | | | | | 115,000,000 | | |
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by us(1)
|
| | | $ | 0.55 | | | | | $ | 0.55 | | | | | $ | 5,500,000 | | | | | $ | 6,325,000 | | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
| | | $ | 9.45 | | | | | $ | 9.45 | | | | | $ | 94,500,000 | | | | | $ | 108,675,000 | | |
| | |
Page
|
| |||
Financial Statements of Spark I Acquisition Corporation: | | | | | | | |
| | | | F-2 | | | |
| | | | F-3 | | | |
| | | | F-4 | | | |
| | | | F-5 | | | |
| | | | F-6 | | | |
| | | | F-17 | | | |
| | | | F-18 | | | |
| | | | F-19 | | | |
| | | | F-20 | | | |
| | | | F-21 | | | |
| | | | F-22 | | |
| | |
June 30,
2023 |
| |
December 31,
2022 |
| ||||||
| | |
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | |||
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash
|
| | | $ | 96,212 | | | | | $ | 587,641 | | |
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | 105,265 | | | | | | 87,500 | | |
Total Current Assets
|
| | | | 201,477 | | | | | | 675,141 | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | 4,605 | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred offering costs
|
| | | | 786,333 | | | | | | 629,358 | | |
Total Assets
|
| | | $ | 992,415 | | | | | $ | 1,304,499 | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | $ | 9,678 | | | | | $ | 20 | | |
Accrued offering costs
|
| | | | 291,304 | | | | | | 316,636 | | |
Promissory note payable – Sponsor
|
| | | | 3,250,000 | | | | | | 2,750,000 | | |
Total Current Liabilities
|
| | |
|
3,550,982
|
| | | |
|
3,066,656
|
| |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ Deficit: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
and outstanding |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 6,870,130 shares issued and outstanding(1)
|
| | | | 687 | | | | | | 687 | | |
Additional paid-in capital
|
| | | | 24,313 | | | | | | 24,313 | | |
Accumulated deficit
|
| | | | (2,583,567) | | | | | | (1,787,157) | | |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit
|
| | | | (2,558,567) | | | | | | (1,762,157) | | |
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit
|
| | | $ | 992,415 | | | | | $ | 1,304,499 | | |
| | |
For the
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 |
| |
For the
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 |
| ||||||
Administration fee – related party
|
| | | $ | 68,590 | | | | | $ | 75,000 | | |
Formation and operating expenses
|
| | | | 727,820 | | | | | | 539,991 | | |
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
| | | | 796,410 | | | | | | 614,991 | | |
OTHER INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | |
TOTAL OTHER INCOME
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (796,410) | | | | | $ | (614,989) | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted(1)
|
| | | | 6,422,078 | | | | | | 6,422,078 | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share
|
| | | $ | (0.12) | | | | | $ | (0.10) | | |
| | |
Class B
Ordinary Shares |
| |
Additional
Paid-In Capital |
| |
Accumulated
Deficit |
| |
Shareholders’
Deficit |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Shares
|
| |
Amount
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2023(1)
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | |
$
|
687
|
| | | |
$
|
24,313
|
| | | |
$
|
(1,787,157)
|
| | | |
$
|
(1,762,157)
|
| |
Net loss
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (796,410) | | | | | | (796,410) | | |
Balance, June 30, 2023
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | $ | 687 | | | | | $ | 24,313 | | | | | $ | 2,583,567 | | | | | $ | 2,558,567 | | |
| | |
Class B
Ordinary Shares |
| |
Additional
Paid-In Capital |
| |
Accumulated
Deficit |
| |
Shareholders’
Deficit |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Shares
|
| |
Amount
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022(1)
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | $ | 687 | | | | | $ | 24,313 | | | | | $ | (454,449) | | | | | $ | (429,449) | | |
Net loss
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (614,989) | | | | | | (614,989) | | |
Balance, June 30, 2022
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | $ | 687 | | | | | $ | 24,313 | | | | | $ | (1,069,438) | | | | | $ | (1,044,438) | | |
| | |
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, 2023 |
| |
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, 2022 |
| ||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (796,410) | | | | | $ | (614,989) | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | (17,765) | | | | | | 53,931 | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | (4,605) | | | | | | 75,000 | | |
Deferred other costs
|
| | | | (156,975) | | | | | | (8,056) | | |
Accrued expenses and offering costs
|
| | | | (15,674) | | | | | | (195,941) | | |
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
|
| | | | (991,429) | | | | | | (690,055) | | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of debt – sponsor
|
| | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 750,000 | | |
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
|
| | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 750,000 | | |
Net change in cash
|
| | | | (491,429) | | | | | | 59,945 | | |
Cash at beginning of period
|
| | | | 587,641 | | | | | | 251,159 | | |
Cash at end of period
|
| | | $ | 96,212 | | | | | $ | 311,104 | | |
| | |
December 31,
2022 |
| |
December 31,
2021 |
| ||||||
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash
|
| | | $ | 587,641 | | | | | $ | 251,159 | | |
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | 87,500 | | | | | | 203,931 | | |
Total Current Assets
|
| | | | 675,141 | | | | | | 455,090 | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 87,500 | | |
Deferred offering costs
|
| | | | 629,358 | | | | | | 311,913 | | |
Total Assets
|
| | | $ | 1,304,499 | | | | | $ | 854,503 | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued expenses
|
| | | $ | 20 | | | | | $ | 12,100 | | |
Accrued offering costs
|
| | | | 316,636 | | | | | | 271,852 | | |
Promissory note payable – Sponsor
|
| | | | 2,750,000 | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | |
Total Current Liabilities
|
| | | | 3,066,656 | | | | | | 1,283,952 | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ Deficit: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 6,870,130 shares issued and outstanding(1)
|
| | | | 687 | | | | | | 687 | | |
Additional paid-in capital
|
| | | | 24,313 | | | | | | 24,313 | | |
Accumulated deficit
|
| | | | (1,787,157) | | | | | | (454,449) | | |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit
|
| | | | (1,762,157) | | | | | | (429,449) | | |
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit
|
| | | $ | 1,304,499 | | | | | $ | 854,503 | | |
| | |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2022 |
| |
For the Period July 12,
2021 (Inception) through December 31, 2021 |
| ||||||
Administration fee – related party
|
| | | $ | 250,000 | | | | | $ | 62,500 | | |
Formation and operating expenses
|
| | | | 1,082,712 | | | | | | 391,951 | | |
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
| | | | 1,332,712 | | | | | | 454,451 | | |
Other Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income
|
| | | | 4 | | | | | | 2 | | |
TOTAL OTHER INCOME
|
| | | | 4 | | | | | | 2 | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (1,332,708) | | | | | $ | (454,449) | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)
|
| | | | 6,422,078 | | | | | | 6,422,078 | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share
|
| | | $ | (0.21) | | | | | $ | (0.07) | | |
| | |
Class B
Ordinary Shares |
| |
Additional
Paid-In Capital |
| |
Accumulated
Deficit |
| |
Shareholders’
Deficit |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Shares
|
| |
Amount
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, July 12, 2021 (inception)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor(1)
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | | 687 | | | | | | 24,313 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
Net loss
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (454,449) | | | | | | (454,449) | | |
Balance, December 31, 2021(1)
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | $ | 687 | | | | | $ | 24,313 | | | | | $ | (454,449) | | | | | $ | (429,449) | | |
Net loss
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1,332,708) | | | | | | (1,332,708) | | |
Balance, December 31, 2022(1)
|
| | | | 6,870,130 | | | | | $ | 687 | | | | | $ | 24,313 | | | | | $ | (1,787,157) | | | | | | (1,762,157) | | |
| | |
For the Year
Ended December 31, 2022 |
| |
For the
Period From July 12, 2021 (Inception) through December 31, 2021 |
| ||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss
|
| | | $ | (1,332,708) | | | | | $ | (454,449) | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prepaid expenses
|
| | | | 116,431 | | | | | | (203,931) | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | 87,500 | | | | | | (87,500) | | |
Accrued expenses and offering costs
|
| | | | (12,080) | | | | | | 12,100 | | |
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
|
| | | | (1,140,857) | | | | | | (733,780) | | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of debt – sponsor
|
| | | | 1,750,000 | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | |
Payments of deferred offering costs
|
| | | | (272,661) | | | | | | (15,061) | | |
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
|
| | | | 1,477,339 | | | | | | 984,939 | | |
Net change in cash
|
| | | | 336,482 | | | | | | 251,159 | | |
Cash at beginning of period
|
| | | | 251,159 | | | | | | — | | |
Cash at end of period
|
| | | $ | 587,641 | | | | | $ | 251,159 | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred offering costs paid in exchange for Class B ordinary shares
|
| | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 25,000 | | |
Deferred offering costs included in accrued offering costs
|
| | | $ | 238,936 | | | | | $ | 271,852 | | |
|
Initial Trustee Fee
|
| | | $ | 8,000 | | |
|
SEC expenses
|
| | | | 12,673 | | |
|
FINRA expenses
|
| | | | 17,750 | | |
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
| | | | 150,000 | | |
|
Printing and engraving expenses
|
| | | | 50,000 | | |
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
| | | | 400,000 | | |
|
Nasdaq listing and filing fees
|
| | | | 85,000 | | |
|
Roadshow, Travel & Miscellaneous
|
| | | | 126,577 | | |
|
Total
|
| | | $ | 850,000 | | |
| | | | SPARK I ACQUISITION CORPORATION | | |||
| | | | By: | | |
/s/ James Rhee
Name: James Rhee
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Name
|
| |
Position
|
| |
Date
|
|
|
/s/ James Rhee
James Rhee
|
| |
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Ho Min (Jimmy) Kim
|
| |
Chief Finance Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Kurtis Jang
|
| |
Chief Operating Officer and Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Shin-Bae Kim
|
| |
Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Tony Ling
|
| |
Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Catherine Mohr
|
| |
Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Willy Lan
|
| |
Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
|
*
Cuong Viet Do
|
| |
Director
|
| |
September 15, 2023
|
|
Exhibit 3.2
THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
AMENDED AND RESTATED Memorandum OF association
of
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION DATED _____________________)
1
THE COMPANIES act (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
amended and restated MEMORANDUM of ASSOCIATION
OF
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION DATED _____________________)
1. | The name of the company is Spark I Acquisition Corporation (the "Company"). |
2. | The registered office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands or at such other location as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
3. | The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act"). |
4. | The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by Section 27(2) of the Companies Act. |
5. | The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands. |
6. | The liability of the shareholders of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. |
7. | The authorised share capital of the Company is US$55,500 divided into 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a nominal or par value of US$0.0001, 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a nominal or par value of US$0.0001, and 5,000,000 preference shares with a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 provided always that subject to the Companies Act and the Articles of Association the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to sub-divide or consolidate the said shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided. |
8. | The Company may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of the Companies Act to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction. |
2
THE COMPANIES act (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
amended and restated Articles OF association
of
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION DATED _____________________)
REF: NE/RM/M4862-171947
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE | PAGE |
TABLE A | 1 |
Interpretation | 1 |
Preliminary | 5 |
Shares | 6 |
Founder Shares Conversion and Anti-dilution Rights | 7 |
Modification Of Rights | 8 |
Certificates | 8 |
Fractional Shares | 9 |
Lien | 9 |
Calls On Shares | 10 |
Forfeiture Of Shares | 10 |
Transfer Of Shares | 11 |
Transmission Of Shares | 12 |
Alteration Of SHARE Capital | 12 |
Redemption, Purchase and Surrender Of Shares | 13 |
Treasury Shares | 14 |
General Meetings | 15 |
Notice Of General Meetings | 15 |
Proceedings At General Meetings | 15 |
Votes Of shareholders | 17 |
i
Corporations Acting By Representatives At Meetings | 17 |
Clearing Houses | 18 |
Directors | 18 |
Alternate Director | 19 |
Powers And Duties Of Directors | 19 |
Borrowing Powers Of Directors | 20 |
The Seal | 21 |
Disqualification Of Directors | 21 |
Proceedings Of Directors | 22 |
Dividends | 24 |
Accounts, Audit and annual return and declaration | 24 |
Capitalisation Of reserves | 25 |
Share Premium Account | 26 |
Notices | 26 |
Indemnity | 28 |
Non-Recognition Of Trusts | 29 |
Business Combination Requirements | 29 |
Business Opportunities | 32 |
Winding Up | 33 |
Amendment Of Articles Of Association | 33 |
Closing of register or fixing record date | 33 |
Registration By Way Of Continuation | 34 |
Mergers and Consolidation | 34 |
disclosure | 34 |
Exclusive Jurisdiction and Forum | 35 |
ii
THE COMPANIES act (AS AMENDED)
Company Limited by Shares
amended and restated ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
TABLE A
The Regulations contained or incorporated in Table 'A' in the First Schedule of the Companies Act shall not apply to Spark I Acquisition Corporation (the "Company") and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
Interpretation
1. | In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context: |
"Articles" means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
"Audit Committee" means the audit committee of the Company formed pursuant to Article 141 hereof, or any successor audit committee.
"Branch Register" means any branch Register of such category or categories of Members as the Company may from time to time determine.
"Business Combination" means a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination involving the Company, with one or more businesses or entities (the "target business"), which Business Combination: (a) must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Fund (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest and other income earned on the Trust Fund) at the time of entering into the definitive agreement to enter into a Business Combination; and (b) must not be effectuated solely with another blank cheque company or a similar company with nominal operations.
"Class" or "Classes" means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
"Class A Shares" means the Class A ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Class A Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
1
"Class B Shares" means the Class B ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Class B Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
"Companies Act" means the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands.
"Designated Stock Exchange" means any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company's securities are traded, including but not limited to The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, The NYSE MKT LLC, The New York Stock Exchange LLC or any OTC market.
"Directors" means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof.
"Electronic Facility" means without limitation, website addresses and conference call systems, and any device, system, procedure, method or other facility whatsoever providing an electronic means of venue for a general meeting of the Company.
"Equity-Linked Securities" means any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Shares issued in connection with the initial Business Combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt.
"Exchange Act" means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar U.S. federal statute and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
"Founders" means the Sponsor and all Members immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO.
"Initial Conversion Ratio" has the meaning given to it in Article 14.
"Investor Group" means the Sponsor and its affiliates, successors and assigns.
"IPO" means the Company's initial public offering of securities.
"IPO Redemption" has the meaning given to it in Article 162.
"Memorandum of Association" means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
"Office" means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Act.
"Officers" means the officers for the time being and from time to time of the Company.
"Ordinary Resolution" means a resolution:
(a) | passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
2
(b) | approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
"Ordinary Shares" means the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares.
"Over-Allotment Option" means the option of the Underwriters to purchase up to an additional 15% of the units sold in the IPO at a price equal to $10.00 per unit, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
"paid up" means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up.
"Person" means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires, other than in respect of a Director or Officer in which circumstances Person shall mean any person or entity permitted to act as such in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
"Preference Shares" means the Preference Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Preference Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
"Private Placement Warrants" mean the warrants to be issued to the Sponsor in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of the IPO and upon conversion of working capital loans, if any.
"Principal Register", where the Company has established one or more Branch Registers pursuant to the Companies Act and these Articles, means the Register maintained by the Company pursuant to the Companies Act and these Articles that is not designated by the Directors as a Branch Register.
"Public Shares" means the Class A Shares issued as part of the units issued in the IPO.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning given to it in Article 162.
"Register" means the register of Members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Companies Act and includes any Branch Register(s) established by the Company in accordance with the Companies Act.
"Seal" means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof.
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Secretary" means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company.
"Series" means a series of a Class as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
3
"Share" means a share in the capital of the Company. All references to "Shares" herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression "Share" shall include a fraction of a Share.
"Shareholder" or "Member" means a Person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register and includes each subscriber to the Memorandum of Association pending entry in the Register of such subscriber.
"Share Premium Account" means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Act.
"signed" means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means.
"Special Resolution" means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Act, being a resolution:
(a) | passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds (or, with respect to amending Article 96, Article 114(d) or Article 182, a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the Shareholders including a simple majority of the holders of Class B Shares (and if the Shareholders vote in favour of such act but the approval of a simple majority of the holders of Class B Shares has not yet been obtained, the holders of a simple majority of Class B Shares shall have, in such vote, voting rights equal to the aggregate voting power of all of the Shareholders of the Company who voted in favour of the resolution, plus one) of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or |
(b) | approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed. |
"Sponsor" means SLG SPAC Fund LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
"Treasury Shares" means Shares that were previously issued but were purchased, redeemed, surrendered or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled.
"Trust Fund" means the trust account established by the Company upon the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO, together with certain of the proceeds of any private placement of warrants issued simultaneously with the closing date of the IPO, will be deposited.
"Underwriter" means an underwriter of the IPO.
4
2. | In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise: |
(a) | words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) | words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require; |
(c) | the word "may" shall be construed as permissive and the word "shall" shall be construed as imperative; |
(d) | reference to a dollar or dollars or US$ (or $) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America; |
(e) | reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force; |
(f) | reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case; and |
(g) | reference to "in writing" shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing or partly one and partly another. |
3. | Subject to the preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Act shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles. |
Preliminary
4. | The business of the Company may be commenced at any time after incorporation. |
5. | The Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
6. | The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine. |
7. | The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place or (subject to compliance with the Companies Act and these Articles) places as the Directors may from time to time determine. In the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Office. The Directors may keep, or cause to be kept, one or more Branch Registers as well as the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Act; provided always that a duplicate of such Branch Register(s) shall be maintained with the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Act and the rules or requirements of any Designated Stock Exchange. |
5
Shares
8. | Subject to these Articles, and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may: |
(a) | issue, allot and dispose of the same to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine; and |
(b) | grant options with respect to such Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto; |
and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued; provided however that prior to a Business Combination the Directors shall not allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) to the extent that it may affect the ability of the Company to carry out a conversion described in Articles 14 to 19.
9. | The Company may issue units of securities in the Company, which may be comprised of whole or fractional Shares, rights, options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or other securities in the Company, upon such terms as the Directors may from time to time determine. The securities comprising any such units which are issued pursuant to the IPO can only be traded separately from one another on the 52nd day following the date of the prospectus relating to the IPO (or the immediately following business day if such 52nd day is not a business day) unless the Underwriters determine that an earlier date is acceptable, subject to the Company having filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC and a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Prior to such date, the units can be traded, but the securities comprising such units cannot be traded separately from one another. |
10. | The Directors, or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution, may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and sub-classes and Series and sub-series and the different Classes and sub-classes and Series and sub-series shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes and Series (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution. |
11. | The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his or her subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares. |
12. | The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason. |
6
13. | Except as otherwise specified in these Articles or required by law, the holders of the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares shall vote as a single class. |
Founder Shares Conversion and Anti-dilution Rights
14. | Subject to adjustment as provided in Article 15, Class B Shares shall automatically convert into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis (the "Initial Conversion Ratio") at the time of a Business Combination (or earlier at the option of the holders thereof), subject to adjustment to account for share subdivisions, share capitalisations, reorganisations, recapitalisations or other adjustments to the aggregate authorised or issued share capital of the Company. |
15. | Notwithstanding the Initial Conversion Ratio, in the case that additional Class A Shares or Equity Linked Securities are issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial Business Combination, the number of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of all Class B Shares will equal, in aggregate, on an as converted basis, 23% of the sum of: |
(a) | the total number of Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding upon completion of the IPO, plus |
(b) | the total number of Class A Shares issued or deemed issued, or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any Equity-Linked Securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, excluding (x) any Class A Shares or Equity-Linked Securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A Shares issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial Business Combination and (y) any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor or the Company's Officers or Directors upon conversion of working capital loans. |
16. | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein in no event shall the Class B Shares convert into Class A Shares at a ratio that is less than one-for-one. |
17. | References in Articles 14 to Article 19 to "converted", "conversion" or "exchange" shall mean the compulsory redemption without notice of Class B Shares of any Member and, on behalf of such Members, automatic application of such redemption proceeds in paying for such new Class A Shares into which the Class B Shares have been converted or exchanged at a price per Class B Share necessary to give effect to a conversion or exchange calculated on the basis that the Class A Shares to be issued as part of the conversion or exchange will be issued at par. The Class A Shares to be issued on an exchange or conversion shall be registered in the name of such Member or in such name as the Member may direct. |
18. | Each Class B Share shall convert into its pro rata number of Class A Shares as set forth in this Article 18. The pro rata share for each holder of Class B Shares will be determined as follows: Each Class B Share shall convert into such number of Class A Shares as is equal to the product of 1 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class A Shares into which all of the issued and outstanding Class B Shares shall be converted pursuant to these Articles and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding Class B Shares at the time of conversion. |
19. | The Directors may effect such conversion in the manner contemplated by Article 17 or in any other manner available under applicable law, including redeeming or repurchasing the relevant Class B Shares and applying the proceeds thereof towards payment for the new Class A Shares. For the purposes of the repurchase or redemption, the Directors may, subject to the Company being able to pay its debts in the ordinary course of business, make payments out of amounts standing to the credit of the Company's share premium account or out of its capital. |
7
Modification Of Rights
20. | Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes (and as otherwise determined by the Directors) the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued Shares of the relevant Class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of such Class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him or her. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes. The Directors may vary the rights attaching to any Class without the consent or approval of Shareholders; provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the Directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action. |
21. | The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied or abrogated by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or Shares with preferred rights or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company. |
Certificates
22. | If so determined by the Directors, any Person whose name is entered as a member in the Register may receive a certificate in the form determined by the Directors. All certificates shall specify the Share or Shares held by that person and the amount paid up thereon; provided that in respect of a Share or Shares held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a Share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for Shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the member entitled thereto at the Member's registered address as appearing in the Register. |
23. | Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Exchange Act. |
24. | Any two or more certificates representing Shares of any one Class held by any Member may at the Member's request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such Shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of $1.00 or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine. |
8
25. | If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request subject to delivery of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit. |
26. | In the event that Shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders. |
Fractional Shares
27. | Subject to Article 28, the Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated. |
28. | No fractional Shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a Share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of Shares to be issued to the warrant holder. |
Lien
29. | The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he or she is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or her or his or her estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Company's lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it. |
30. | The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors may determine, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of 14 days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his or her death or bankruptcy. |
31. | For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he or she shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his or her title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
9
32. | The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale. |
Calls On Shares
33. | Subject to the terms of the allotment and issue of any Shares, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least 14 days' notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. |
34. | The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof. |
35. | If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part. |
36. | The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
37. | The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment. |
38. | The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him or her, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. |
Forfeiture Of Shares
39. | If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of any Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him or her requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued. |
40. | The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of 14 days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
10
41. | If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect. |
42. | A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. |
43. | A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him or her to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his or her liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited. |
44. | A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director, and that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. |
45. | The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his or her title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale. |
46. | The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
Transfer Of Shares
47. | Subject to these Articles and the rules or regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange or any relevant rules of the SEC or securities laws (including, but not limited to the Exchange Act), a Shareholder may transfer all or any of his or her Shares. If the Shares in question were issued in conjunction with rights, options or warrants issued pursuant to the Articles on terms that one cannot be transferred without the other, the Directors shall refuse to register the transfer of any such Share without evidence satisfactory to them of the like transfer of such option or warrant. |
48. | The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in (i) any usual or common form; (ii) such form as is prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange; or (iii) in any other form the Directors may determine and shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor (or otherwise as prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange) and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares. |
11
49. | Subject to the terms of issue thereof and the rules or regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange or any relevant rules of the SEC or securities laws (including, but not limited to the Exchange Act), the Directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of Shares without assigning any reason therefor. |
50. | The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
51. | All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company, but any instrument of transfer that the Directors decline to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be returned to the Person depositing the same. |
Transmission Of Shares
52. | The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased holder of the Share, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. |
53. | Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself or herself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy. |
54. | A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he or she would be entitled if he or she were the registered Shareholder, except that he or she shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company. |
Alteration Of SHARE Capital
55. | The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe. |
56. | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution: |
(a) | consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares; |
(b) | convert all or any of its paid up Shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up Shares of any denomination; |
(c) | subdivide its existing Shares, or any of them into Shares of a smaller amount; provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and |
12
(d) | cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled. |
57. | The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law. |
Redemption, Purchase and Surrender Of Shares
58. | Subject to the Companies Act and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company may: |
(a) | issue Shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the Shareholder on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine; |
(b) | purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine and agree with the Shareholder; |
(c) | make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner authorised by the Companies Act, including out of its capital; and |
(d) | accept the surrender for no consideration of any paid up Share (including any redeemable Share) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine. |
59. | With respect to redeeming, repurchasing or the surrender of Shares: |
(a) | Members who hold Public Shares are entitled to request the redemption of such Shares in the circumstances described in Articles 162 and 164; |
(b) | Shares held by the Founders shall be surrendered for no consideration to the extent that the Over-Allotment Option is not exercised in full so that the Founders will own, on an as converted basis, 23% of the Company's issued Shares after the IPO; and |
(c) | Public Shares shall be repurchased by way of tender offer in the circumstances set out in Article 158(b). |
60. | Any Share in respect of which notice of redemption has been given shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the notice of redemption. |
61. | The redemption, purchase or surrender of any Share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption, purchase or surrender of any other Share. |
62. | The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of Shares, if authorised by the terms of issue of the Shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such Shares, make such payment either in cash or in specie including, without limitation, interests in a special purpose vehicle holding assets of the Company or holding entitlement to the proceeds of assets held by the Company or in a liquidating structure. |
13
Treasury Shares
63. | Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or acquires (by way of surrender or otherwise) may, at the option of the Company, be cancelled immediately or held as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Companies Act. In the event that the Directors do not specify that the relevant Shares are to be held as Treasury Shares, such Shares shall be cancelled. |
64. | No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of the Company's assets (including any distribution of assets to Members on a winding up) may be declared or paid in respect of a Treasury Share. |
65. | The Company shall be entered in the Register as the holder of the Treasury Shares; provided that: |
(a) | the Company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in respect of the Treasury Shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void; |
(b) | a Treasury Share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the Company and shall not be counted in determining the total number of issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of these Articles or the Companies Act, save that an allotment of Shares as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a Treasury Share is permitted and Shares allotted as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a treasury share shall be treated as Treasury Shares. |
66. | Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions as determined by the Directors. |
14
General Meetings
67. | The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting of the Company and, for the avoidance of doubt, Members shall not have the ability to call general meetings except as provided in Article 70. Members seeking to bring business before an annual general meeting or to nominate candidates for appointment as Directors at an annual general meeting must (1) deliver notice to the principal executive office of the Company not less than 120 days and not more than 150 days prior to the date of the Company's annual general meeting or, if the Company did not hold an annual general meeting during the previous year, or if the date of the current year's annual general meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of the previous year's annual general meeting, then the deadline shall be set by the Directors with such deadline being a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its related proxy materials (2) have continuously held Shares equal to at least $2,000 in market value, or 1%, of the Company's Shares entitled to be voted on the proposal at the meeting for at least one year by the date of such notice or deadline, and (3) continue to hold those Shares through the date of the annual general meeting.1 |
68. | For so long as the Company's Shares are traded on a Designated Stock Exchange, the Company shall in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting at such time and place (including any Electronic Facility) as may be determined by the Directors in accordance with the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, unless such Designated Stock Exchange does not require the holding of an annual general meeting. |
69. | The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, for any reason or for no reason at any time prior to the time for holding such meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. The Directors shall give Shareholders notice in writing of any cancellation or postponement. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine. |
70. | If at any time there are no Directors, any two Shareholders (or if there is only one Shareholder then that Shareholder) entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company may convene a general meeting in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors. |
Notice Of General Meetings
71. | At least five clear days' notice in writing counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in these Articles specifying the place (including any Electronic Facility), the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business, shall be given in the manner hereinafter provided or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution to such Persons as are, under these Articles, entitled to receive such notices from the Company, but with the consent of all the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of some particular meeting and attend and vote thereat, that meeting may be convened by such shorter notice or without notice and in such manner as those Shareholders may think fit. |
72. | The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting. |
Proceedings At General Meetings
73. | All business carried out at a general meeting shall be deemed special with the exception of sanctioning a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, any report of the Directors or of the Company's auditors, and the fixing of the remuneration of the Company's auditors. No special business shall be transacted at any general meeting without the consent of all Shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such special business has been given in the notice convening that meeting. |
74. | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One or more Shareholders holding at least one-third of the paid up voting share capital of the Company present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at that meeting shall form a quorum. |
1 Walkers Note: WSGR to confirm if this Article, which restricts the shareholders' ability to convene meetings and provides parameters around the circumstances in which shareholder may propose business, is acceptable? It is intended to track the shareholder proposal rules in the US Exchange Act.
15
75. | If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, or to such other day, time and/or place (including any Electronic Facility) as the Directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Shareholder or Shareholders present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum. |
76. | If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of any Electronic Facility/ a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
77. | The chairperson, if any, of the Directors shall preside as chairperson at every general meeting of the Company. |
78. | If there is no such chairperson, or if at any general meeting he or she is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairperson, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairperson, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairperson of that meeting. |
79. | The chairperson may adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place (including any Electronic Facility) either: |
(a) | with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting); or |
(b) | without the consent of such meeting if, in his or her sole opinion, he or she considers it necessary to do so to: |
(i) | secure the orderly conduct or proceedings of the meeting; or |
(ii) | give all persons present in person or by proxy and having the right to speak and/or vote at such meeting, the ability to do so, |
but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for 14 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner provided for the original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
80. | A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a poll in such manner as the chairperson directs and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting. |
16
81. | In the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson of the meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
Votes Of shareholders
82. | Except as otherwise provided in these Articles and subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, every Shareholder present in person and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall, at a general meeting of the Company, have one vote for each Share of which he or she or the Person represented by proxy is the holder. |
83. | In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register. |
84. | A Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him or her, by his or her committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person, may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy. |
85. | No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him or her in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him or her have been paid. |
86. | On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy. |
87. | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his or her attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an Officer or attorney duly authorised or otherwise given in such other manner as the Directors may approve. A proxy need not be a Shareholder. |
88. | An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve. |
89. | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting no later than the time for holding the meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting. |
90. | A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
Corporations Acting By Representatives At Meetings
91. | Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he or she represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director. |
17
Clearing Houses
92. | If a clearing house (or its nominee) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative or representatives at any general meeting of the Company or at any general meeting of any Class of Members of the Company; provided that, if more than one person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such person is so authorised. A person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee) which he or she represents as that clearing house (or its nominee) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation. |
Directors
93. | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of Directors to be appointed but unless such numbers are fixed as aforesaid the minimum number of Directors shall be one and the maximum number of Directors shall be unlimited. The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors. |
94. | There shall be no shareholding qualification for Directors. |
95. | For so long as the Company's Shares are traded on a Designated Stock Exchange, the Directors shall be divided into three (3) classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of Directors. At the first annual general meeting of Members after the IPO, the term of office of the Class I Directors shall expire and Class I Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At the second annual general meeting of Members after the IPO, the term of office of the Class II Directors shall expire and Class II Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At the third annual general meeting of Members after the IPO, the term of office of the Class III Directors shall expire and Class III Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At each succeeding annual general meeting of Members, Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years to succeed the Directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual general meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, each Director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term, until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. |
96. | Prior to the closing of an initial Business Combination, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution of the holders of the Class B Shares (only) appoint any person to be a Director and remove any Director for any reason. For the avoidance of doubt (i) prior to the closing of an initial Business Combination, holders of Class A Shares shall have no right to vote on the appointment or removal of any Director; provided, however, that if all of the Class B Shares are converted prior to the date of the initial Business Combination, the holders of Class A Shares will have the right to vote on the election of Directors and (ii) following the closing of an initial Business Combination, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution (of all Shareholders entitled to vote) appoint or remove any Director in accordance with these Articles. |
18
97. | The Directors may appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director; provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors. Any Director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of Directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such Director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal. When the number of Directors is increased or decreased, the board of Directors shall, subject to Article 95 above, determine the class or classes to which the increased or decreased number of Directors shall be apportioned; provided, however, that no decrease in the number of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. |
Alternate Director
98. | Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his or her alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be authorised to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing Director, and to act in such Director's place at any meeting of the Directors. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as the alternate of the Director appointing him or her and where he or she is a Director to have a separate vote in addition to his or her own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him or her. Such alternate shall not be an Officer solely as a result of his or her appointment as an alternate other than in respect of such times as the alternate acts as a Director. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him or her and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them. |
Powers And Duties Of Directors
99. | Subject to the Companies Act, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed. |
100. | The Directors may from time to time appoint any Person, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, any chairperson (or co-chairperson) of the board of Directors, one or more chief executive officers, presidents, a chief financial officer, vice-presidents, a treasurer or any other Officers as may be determined by the Directors), and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any Person so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors. |
101. | The Directors may appoint any Person to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company. |
19
102. | The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. |
103. | The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an "Attorney" or "Authorised Signatory", respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him or her. |
104. | The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article. |
105. | The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any Person to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such Person. |
106. | The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any Person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby. |
107. | Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them. |
108. | The Directors may agree with a Shareholder to waive or modify the terms applicable to such Shareholder's subscription for Shares without obtaining the consent of any other Shareholder; provided that such waiver or modification does not amount to a variation or abrogation of the rights attaching to the Shares of such other Shareholders. |
109. | The Directors shall have the authority to present a winding up petition on behalf of the Company without the sanction of a resolution passed by the Company in general meeting. |
Borrowing Powers Of Directors
110. | The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, or to otherwise provide for a security interest to be taken in such undertaking, property or uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
20
The Seal
111. | The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors; provided that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence. |
112. | The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors; provided that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose. |
113. | Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company. |
Disqualification Of Directors
114. | The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director: |
(a) | becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors; |
(b) | dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; |
(c) | resigns his or her office by notice in writing to the Company; |
(d) | prior to the closing of an initial Business Combination, is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of Class B Shares (only); |
(e) | following the closing of an initial Business Combination, is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of all Shareholders entitled to vote; or |
(f) | is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles. |
21
Proceedings Of Directors
115. | The Directors may meet together (either within or outside the Cayman Islands) for the dispatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairperson shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors. |
116. | A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting. |
117. | The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, if there be two or more Directors the quorum shall be two, and if there be one Director the quorum shall be one. A Director represented by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present. |
118. | A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he or she is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he or she may be interested therein and if he or she does so his or her vote shall be counted and he or she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration. |
119. | A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his or her office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his or her tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his or her interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or she or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he or she may vote on any such appointment or arrangement. |
120. | Any Director may act by himself or herself or his or her firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or she or his or her firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he or she were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his or her firm to act as auditor to the Company. |
22
121. | The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose of recording: |
(a) | all appointments of Officers made by the Directors; |
(b) | the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and |
(c) | all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors. |
122. | When the chairperson of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings. |
123. | A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his or her appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his or her duly appointed alternate. |
124. | The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
125. | The Directors may elect a chairperson of their meetings and determine the period for which he or she is to hold office but if no such chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the chairperson is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting. |
126. | Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairperson of its meetings. If no such chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the chairperson is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting. |
127. | A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairperson shall have a second or casting vote. |
128. | All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director. |
23
Dividends
129. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, or as otherwise provided for in the Companies Act and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. |
130. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. |
131. | The Directors may determine, before recommending or declaring any dividend, to set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and pending such application may, at the determination of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Directors may from time to time think fit. |
132. | Any dividend may be paid in any manner as the Directors may determine. If paid by cheque it will be sent through the post to the registered address of the Shareholder or Person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his or her registered address or to such Person and such address as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the Person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other Person as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. |
133. | The Directors when paying dividends to the Shareholders in accordance with the foregoing provisions of these Articles may make such payment either in cash or in specie and may determine the extent to which amounts may be withheld therefrom (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees, expenses or other liabilities for which a Shareholder (or the Company, as a result of any action or inaction of the Shareholder) is liable). |
134. | Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. |
135. | If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share. |
136. | No dividend shall bear interest against the Company. |
Accounts, Audit and annual return and declaration
137. | The books of account relating to the Company's affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors. |
138. | The books of account shall be kept at the Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors. |
24
139. | The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution. |
140. | The accounts relating to the Company's affairs shall only be audited if the Directors so determine, in which case the financial year end and the accounting principles will be determined by the Directors. The financial year of the Company shall end on 31 December of each year or such other date as the Directors may determine. |
141. | Without prejudice to the freedom of the Directors to establish any other committee, if the Shares are listed or quoted on the Designated Stock Exchange, and if required by the Designated Stock Exchange, the Directors shall establish and maintain an audit committee (the "Audit Committee") as a committee of the board of Directors and shall adopt a formal written Audit Committee charter and review and assess the adequacy of the formal written charter on an annual basis. The composition and responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Designated Stock Exchange. |
142. | The Directors in each year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Act and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. |
Capitalisation Of reserves
143. | Subject to the Companies Act and these Articles, the Directors may: |
(a) | resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution; |
(b) | appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards: |
(i) | paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or |
(ii) | paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum, |
and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;
25
(c) | make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit; |
(d) | authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either: |
(i) | the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or |
(ii) | the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares, |
and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
(e) | generally do all acts and things required to give effect to any of the actions contemplated by this Article. |
Share Premium Account
144. | The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Act establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share. |
145. | There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price; provided that at the determination of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Act, out of capital. |
Notices
146. | Any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it airmail or air courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his or her address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail, or by facsimile should the Directors deem it appropriate. Notice may also be served by electronic communication in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or by placing it on the Company's website. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders. |
147. | Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened. |
26
148. | Any notice or other document, if served by: |
(a) | post, shall be deemed to have been served five clear days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted; |
(b) | facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient; |
(c) | recognised courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; |
(d) | electronic mail or other electronic communication (such as transmission to any number, address or internet website (including the website of the SEC) or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by the Directors), shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission by electronic mail or approved electronic communication, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the e-mail to be acknowledged by the recipient; or |
(e) | placing it on the Company's website; service of the notice shall be deemed to have been effected one hour after the notice or document was placed on the Company's website. |
In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.
149. | Any notice or document delivered or sent in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his or her death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his or her name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him or her) in the Share. |
150. | Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to: |
(a) | all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and |
(b) | every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his or her death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting. |
No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
27
Indemnity
151. | To the fullest extent permitted by law, every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other Officer (but not including the Company's auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an "Indemnified Person") shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and funds of the Company against all actions or proceedings whether threatened, pending or completed (a "Proceeding"), costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Person's own actual fraud, wilful default or wilful neglect as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, (i) in or about the conduct of the Company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment), (ii) arising as a consequence of such Indemnified Person becoming aware of any business opportunity and failing to present such business opportunity to the Company or otherwise taking any of the actions or omitting to take any of the actions permitted by the Articles under the heading "Business Opportunities", (iii) in the execution or discharge of his or her duties, powers, authorities or discretions, or (iv) in respect of any actions or activities undertaken by an Indemnified Person provided for and in accordance with the provisions set out above (inclusive) including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending or otherwise being involved in, (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he or she might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the performance of his or her duties with or for the Company; provided that such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any actual fraud, wilful default or wilful neglect which may attach to such Director. |
152. | No Indemnified Person shall be liable: |
(a) | for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or Officer or agent of the Company; or |
(b) | for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or |
(c) | on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or |
(d) | for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or |
(e) | for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Person's part; or |
(f) | for any liability, obligation or duty to the Company that may arise as a consequence of such Indemnified Person becoming aware of any business opportunity and failing to present such business opportunity to the Company or otherwise taking any of the actions or omitting to take any of the actions permitted by the Articles under the heading "Business Opportunities"; or |
(g) | for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Person's office or in relation thereto; |
unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Person's own actual fraud, wilful default or wilful neglect as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
28
153. | The Company will pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnified Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under these Articles or otherwise. |
154. | The Directors, on behalf of the Company, may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Director or Officer of the Company against any liability which, by virtue of any rule of law, would otherwise attach to such person in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such person may be guilty in relation to the Company. |
155. | The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any Indemnified Person as set out above will not be exclusive of any other rights that any Indemnified Person may have or hereafter acquire pursuant to an agreement with the Company or otherwise. |
Non-Recognition Of Trusts
156. | Subject to the proviso hereto, no Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Act requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to recognise any such interests as shall be determined by the Directors. |
Business Combination Requirements
157. | Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles, the Articles under this heading "Business Combination Requirements" shall apply during the period commencing upon the adoption of the Articles and terminating upon the first to occur of the consummation of any Business Combination and the distribution of the Trust Fund pursuant to Article 164. In the event of a conflict between the Articles under this heading "Business Combination Requirements" and any other Articles, the provisions of the Articles under this heading "Business Combination Requirements" shall prevail. |
158. | Prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, the Company shall either: |
(a) | submit such Business Combination to its Members for approval; or |
(b) | provide Members with the opportunity to have their Public Shares redeemed or repurchased by means of a tender offer for a per-Share repurchase price payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Fund, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Company's initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the Trust Fund and not previously released to the Company to pay tax obligations, if any, divided by the number of Public Shares then in issue; provided that the Company shall not repurchase Public Shares in an amount that would cause the Company's net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. |
29
159. | If the Company initiates any tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act in connection with a proposed Business Combination, it shall file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing such Business Combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about such Business Combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. |
160. | If, alternatively, the Company holds a general meeting to approve a proposed Business Combination, the Company will conduct any redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and will file such proxy materials with the SEC. |
161. | At a general meeting called for the purposes of approving a Business Combination pursuant to these Articles the Company shall be authorised to consummate a Business Combination by Ordinary Resolution, provided that the Company shall not consummate a Business Combination unless the Company would have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation. |
162. | Any Member holding Public Shares who is not a Founder, Director or Officer of the Company may, contemporaneously with any vote on a Business Combination, elect to have their Public Shares redeemed for cash (the "IPO Redemption"); provided that no such Member acting together with any affiliate or any other person with whom such Member is acting in concert or as a "group" (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) may exercise this redemption right with respect to more than an aggregate of 15.0% of the Public Shares without the consent of the Company; provided further that any holder that holds Public Shares beneficially through a nominee must identify itself to the Company in connection with any redemption election in order to validly redeem such Public Shares. In connection with any vote held to approve a proposed Business Combination, holders of Public Shares seeking to exercise their redemption rights will be required to either tender their certificates (if any) to the Company's transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company's DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder's option, in each case up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote on the proposal to approve a Business Combination. If so demanded, the Company shall pay any such redeeming Member, regardless of whether he or she is voting for or against such proposed Business Combination, a per-Share redemption price payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Fund calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, including interest earned on the Trust Fund and not previously released to the Company to pay income taxes, if any, divided by the number of Public Shares then in issue (such redemption price being referred to herein as the "Redemption Price"). |
163. | The Redemption Price shall be paid promptly following the consummation of the relevant Business Combination. If the proposed Business Combination is not approved or completed for any reason then such redemptions shall be cancelled and share certificates (if any) returned to the relevant Members as appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not redeem Public Shares that would cause the Company's net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 following such redemptions. |
164. | (a) In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by 21 months after the closing of the IPO, the Company shall: (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 Fund, including interest earned on the Trust Fund and not previously released to the Company to pay income taxes, if any, (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay winding up and dissolution expenses), divided by the number of Public Shares then in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish public Members' rights as Members (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company's remaining Members and the Directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of sub-articles (ii) and (iii), to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law. In the event that the Company is wound up for any reason prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company shall also be required to follow the procedures outlined in sub-articles (ii) and (iii) of this Article 164(a). |
30
(b) If any amendment is made to Article 164(a) that would modify the substance or timing of the Company's obligation to provide holders of our Class A Shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if the Company does not complete its initial Business Combination within 21 months from the closing of the IPO or with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A Shares, each holder of Public Shares shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval of any such amendment at a per-Share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Fund, including interest earned on the Trust Fund and not previously released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any, divided by the number of Public Shares then in issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not redeem Public Shares in connection with such amendment that would cause the Company's net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 following such redemptions.
165. | Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay income taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Fund shall be released from the Trust Fund until the earlier of an IPO Redemption pursuant to Article 163, a repurchase of Shares by means of a tender offer pursuant to Article 158(b), a distribution of the Trust Fund pursuant to Article 164(a) or an amendment under Article 164(b). In no other circumstance shall a holder of Public Shares have any right or interest of any kind in the Trust Fund. |
166. | Prior to or in connection with the Company's initial Business Combination, the Company shall not issue additional Shares or any other securities that would entitle the holders thereof to: (a) receive funds from the Trust Fund; or (b) vote as a class with the holders of Public Shares (i) on any Business Combination or any other proposal presented to the Shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of a Business Combination or (b) to approve an amendment to the Articles to (x) extend the time that the Company has to consummate an initial Business Combination or (y) amend the foregoing provisions of this Article 166. |
167. | The Company must complete one or more Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Fund (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in the Trust Fund and income taxes payable on the interest and other income earned on the Trust Fund) at the time of the Company's signing a definitive agreement in connection with a Business Combination. An initial Business Combination must not be effectuated solely with another blank cheque company or a similar company with nominal operations. In the event the Company enters into a Business Combination with an entity that is affiliated with the Sponsor, Officers or Directors, the Company, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such a Business Combination is fair to the Company from a financial point of view. |
31
168. | A Director may vote in respect of any Business Combination in which such Director has a conflict of interest with respect to the evaluation of such Business Combination. Such Director must disclose such interest or conflict to the other Directors. |
169. | The Audit Committee shall monitor compliance with the terms of the IPO and, if any non-compliance is identified, the Audit Committee shall be charged with the responsibility to take all action necessary to rectify such non-compliance or otherwise cause compliance with the terms of the IPO. |
170. | The Company may enter into a Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with the Sponsor, the Directors or Officers of the Company if such transaction is approved by a majority of the independent directors (as defined pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange) and the directors that did not have an interest in such transaction. |
Business Opportunities
171. | In recognition and anticipation of the facts that: (a) directors, managers, officers, members, partners, managing members, employees and/or agents of one or more other organizations, including members of the Investor Group (each of the foregoing, an "Officer and Director Related Person") may serve as Directors and/or Officers of the Company; and (b) such organizations (the "Officer and Director Related Entities") and the Investor Group engage, and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, the Articles under this heading "Business Opportunities" are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Company as they may involve the Members and the Officer and Director Related Persons, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Company and its Officers, Directors and Members in connection therewith. |
172. | To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Investor Group, the Officer and Director Related Entities and the Officer and Director Related Persons shall have no duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (i) may be a corporate opportunity for any of the Investor Group or the Officer and Director Related Entities, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, or (ii) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a Director or Officer to any other entity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Investor Group, Officer and Director Related Entities and the Officer and Director Related Persons shall have no duty to communicate or offer any such corporate opportunity to the Company and shall not be liable to the Company or its Members for breach of any fiduciary duty as a Member, Director and/or Officer of the Company solely by reason of the fact that such party pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, himself or herself, directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Company and further, the Company hereby waives any claim or cause of action it may have with respect to the foregoing. |
32
173. | Except as provided elsewhere in these Articles, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both the Company and another entity, including any of the Investor Group or any Officer and Director Related Entity, about which a Director and/or Officer of the Company acquires knowledge. |
174. | To the extent a court might hold that the conduct of any activity related to a corporate opportunity that is renounced in this Article to be a breach of duty to the Company or its Members, the Company hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all claims and causes of action that the Company may have for such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the provisions of this Article apply equally to activities conducted in the future and that have been conducted in the past. |
Winding Up
175. | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in such manner and order as he or she thinks fit in satisfaction of creditors' claims. |
176. | If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution divide amongst the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose set such value as he or she deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different Classes. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Shareholders as the liquidator, with the like sanction shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets whereon there is any liability. |
Amendment Of Articles Of Association
177. | Subject to the Companies Act and the rights attaching to the various Classes, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part. |
Closing of register or fixing record date
178. | For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may, by any means in accordance with the requirements of any Designated Stock Exchange, provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case 40 days. If the Register shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders the Register shall be so closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register. |
179. | In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination. |
33
180. | If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
Registration By Way Of Continuation
181. | The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company. |
182. | With respect to any vote or votes to continue the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands in accordance with Article 181 (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the Company in such other jurisdiction), holders of Class B Shares will have ten votes for every Class B Share and holders of Class A Shares will have one vote for every Class A Share. |
Mergers and Consolidation
183. | The Company may merge or consolidate in accordance with the Companies Act. |
184. | To the extent required by the Companies Act, the Company may by Special Resolution resolve to merge or consolidate the Company. |
disclosure
185. | The Directors, or any authorised service providers (including the Officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company), shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority, or to any stock exchange on which the Shares may from time to time be listed, any information regarding the affairs of the Company including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and books of the Company. |
34
Exclusive Jurisdiction and Forum
186. | Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum: |
(a) | the federal courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim arising under the provisions of the U.S. Securities Act or the Exchange Act (and each Member irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States over all such claims, controversies or disputes); |
(b) | the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the Memorandum of Association, the Articles or otherwise related in any way to each Member's shareholding in the Company (and each Member irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes), including but not limited to: |
(i) | any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; |
(ii) | any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any current or former Director, Officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Members; |
(iii) | any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act, the Memorandum od Association or the Articles; or |
(iv) | any action asserting a claim against the Company concerning its internal affairs. |
187. | Without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that the Company may have, each Member acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the exclusive jurisdiction and forum provisions set out above and that accordingly the Company shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of those provisions. |
35
Exhibit 5.1
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
o: 650.493.9300 |
September 15, 2023
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
3790 El Camino Real, Unit #570
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-1 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special U.S. counsel to Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-273176), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale of up to 11,500,000 units (the “Units”), each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Share”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant, each whole warrant representing the right to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share (the “Warrants”), to be issued and sold by the Company, of which 1,500,000 Units are issuable upon exercise of an option to purchase additional Units granted to the underwriter.
This opinion letter is rendered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S–K under the Securities Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) with respect thereto, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Units and the Warrants.
In connection with our opinion expressed below, we have examined originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following documents and such other documents, corporate records, certificates and other statements of government officials and corporate officers of the Company as we deemed necessary for the purposes of the opinion set forth in this opinion letter:
(a) the form of the underwriting agreement proposed to be entered into between the Company and the underwriters named therein that is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement (the “Underwriting Agreement”); and
(b) the form of the warrant agreement proposed to be entered into between the Company and the Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent that is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement,” and together with the Underwriting Agreement, the “Transaction Documents”).
With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are only opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state. Various matters concerning the laws of the Cayman Islands with respect to the Units, Warrants and Shares are addressed in the opinion of Walkers Global, which has been separately provided to you. We express no opinion with respect to those matters herein, and, to the extent such matters are necessary to the conclusions expressed herein, we have, with your consent, assumed such matters.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:
austin
beijing boston BOULDER brussels hong kong london los angeles new york palo alto
SALT LAKE CITY san diego san francisco seattle shanghai washington, dc wilmington, de
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
o: 650.493.9300 |
1. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act and the Units have been issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against the payment of the consideration set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
2. When the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act and the Warrants included in the Units have been delivered by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against the payment of the consideration set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
Our opinions set forth in numbered paragraphs 1 and 2 are subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) we express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, monetary penalties or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies, or judicial relief, (c) waivers of rights or defenses, (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights, (f) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (g) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies, (h) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations, (i) proxies, powers and trusts, (j) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property, (k) any provision to the extent it requires that a claim with respect to a security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment in respect of such a claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange at a particular date, to the extent applicable law otherwise provides, and (l) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.
With your consent, we have assumed:
(a) the issuance of Warrants and Units have been or will be duly authorized by the Company and the Transaction Documents have been or will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto;
(b) the Company (i) is duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing, (ii) has requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;
(c) each of the Transaction Documents constitutes or will constitute a legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Company, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms;
austin
beijing boston BOULDER brussels hong kong london los angeles new york palo alto
SALT LAKE CITY san diego san francisco seattle shanghai washington, dc wilmington, de
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
o: 650.493.9300 |
(d) neither (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder or (ii) the issuance and sale of the Units or Warrants: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which the Company or its property is subject, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the laws of the State of New York); and (e) that the status of the Warrants or Units as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties will not be affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or to make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.
This opinion letter is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Securities Act. This opinion letter is provided solely in connection with the distribution of the Units pursuant to the Registration Statement and is not to be relied upon for any other purpose.
The opinion expressed above is as of the date hereof only, and we express no opinion as to, and assume no responsibility for, the effect of any fact or circumstance occurring, or of which we learn, subsequent to the date of this opinion letter, including, without limitation, legislative and other changes in the law or changes in circumstances affecting any party. We assume no responsibility to update this opinion letter for, or to advise you of, any such facts or circumstances of which we become aware, regardless of whether or not they affect the opinions expressed in this opinion letter.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm as counsel for the Company that has passed on the validity of the Units and Warrants appearing under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement or any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) with respect thereto. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours, | |
/s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation | |
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI Professional Corporation |
austin
beijing boston BOULDER brussels hong kong london los
angeles new york palo alto
SALT LAKE CITY san diego san francisco seattle shanghai washington, dc wilmington,
de
Exhibit 5.2
BY Email
15 September 2023 | Our Ref: NE/RM/M4862-171947 |
SPARK I ACQUISITION CORPORATION c/o Walkers Corporate Limited 190 Elgin Avenue George Town Grand Cayman KY1-9008 Cayman Islands |
Dear Addressees
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
We have been asked to provide this legal opinion to you with regard to the laws of the Cayman Islands in connection with the registration of an initial public offering by Spark I Acquisition Corporation (the "Company") of:
1. | up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units"), each Unit consisting of one Class A ordinary share in the capital of the Company, par value US$0.0001 (each such Class A ordinary share issued as part of the Units and the Over-Allotment Units (as defined below) and issued upon exercise of the Warrants (as defined below) included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units an "Ordinary Share" and together, the "Ordinary Shares"), and one-half of one warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share (the "Warrants"); |
2. | up to 1,500,000 units (the "Over-Allotment Units"), which may be issued upon exercise of an option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any; |
3. | all Ordinary Shares and all Warrants issued as part of the Units and the Over-Allotment Units; and |
4. | all Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units and the Over-Allotment Units, |
in each case under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and pursuant to the terms of the Registration Statement (as defined in Schedule 1).
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied solely upon the originals or copies of the documents listed in Schedule 1.
We are Cayman Islands Attorneys at Law and express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands in force and as interpreted at the date of this opinion.
Walkers
190 Elgin Avenue, George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-9001, Cayman Islands
T +1 345 949 0100 F +1 345 949 7886 www.walkersglobal.com
Walkers | Page 2 |
Based upon the foregoing examinations and the assumptions and qualifications set out below and having regard to legal considerations which we consider relevant, and under the laws of the Cayman Islands, as at the date hereof, we give the following opinions in relation to the matters set out below.
1. | The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated with limited liability, validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the "Registrar"). |
2. | The Ordinary Shares, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will have been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and upon the issue of the Ordinary Shares (by the entry of the name of the registered owner thereof in the Register of Members of the Company confirming that such Ordinary Shares have been issued and credited as fully paid), delivery and payment therefor by the purchaser in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles (as defined in Schedule 1) and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in Schedule 1), the Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no additional sums may be levied in respect of such Ordinary Shares on the holder thereof by the Company). |
3. | The Ordinary Shares, to be issued upon redemption of the Warrants as contemplated by the Warrant Documents (as defined in Schedule 1), will have been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action of the Company and upon the issue of such Ordinary Shares (by the entry of the name of the registered owner thereof in the Register of Members of the Company confirming that such Ordinary Shares have been issued and credited as fully paid), delivery and redemption of the Warrants in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Warrant Documents, such Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no additional sums may be levied in respect of such Ordinary Shares on the holder thereof by the Company). |
4. | The execution, delivery and performance of the Unit Certificate (as defined in Schedule 1) and the Warrant Documents will have been authorised by and on behalf of the Company and, once the Unit Certificate and the Warrant Documents have been executed and unconditionally delivered by the Company, such documents, will be duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms. |
The foregoing opinions are given based on the following assumptions.
1. | The originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic. The signatures, initials and seals on the Documents and Resolutions (each as defined in Schedule 1) are, or will be, genuine and are, or will be, those of a person or persons stated therein. All documents purporting to be sealed have been, or will be, so sealed. All copies are complete and conform to their originals. The Documents when executed will conform in every material respect to the latest drafts of the same produced to us prior to the date hereof and, where provided in successive drafts, have been marked up to indicate all changes to such Documents. |
Walkers | Page 3 |
2. | The Memorandum and Articles will be the memorandum and articles of association of the Company in effect at the time of the issue of the Ordinary Shares. |
3. | We have relied upon the statements and representations of directors, officers and other representatives of the Company as to factual matters. |
4. | The Company will receive consideration in money or money’s worth for each Ordinary Share offered by the Company when issued at the agreed issue price as per the terms of the Registration Statement, such price in any event not being less than the stated par or nominal value of each Ordinary Share. |
5. | The preparation and filing of the Registration Statement has been duly authorised by or on behalf of the Company prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares. |
6. | Each of the Documents will be duly authorised (other than by the Company with regard to the laws of the Cayman Islands), executed and delivered by or on behalf of all relevant parties prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares and will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable against all relevant parties in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York and all other relevant laws (other than the laws of the Cayman Islands). |
7. | The choice of New York law as the governing law of the Documents has been made in good faith and would be regarded as a valid and binding selection which will be upheld by the courts of the State of New York as a matter of New York law and all other relevant laws (other than the laws of the Cayman Islands). |
8. | The power, authority and legal right of all parties under all relevant laws and regulations (other than the Company under the laws of the Cayman Islands) to enter into, execute and perform their respective obligations under the Documents. |
9. | All preconditions to the obligations of the parties to the Underwriting Agreement, the Unit Certificate and the Warrant Documents will be satisfied or duly waived prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares and there will be no breach of the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Unit Certificate and the Warrant Documents. |
The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
1. | The term "enforceable" and its cognates as used in this opinion means that the obligations assumed by any party under the Documents are of a type which the courts of the Cayman Islands (the "Courts" and each a "Court") enforce. This does not mean that those obligations will necessarily be enforced in all circumstances in accordance with their terms. In particular: |
(a) | enforcement of obligations and the priority of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, restructuring, reorganisation, readjustment of debts or moratorium and other laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights of creditors or by prescription or lapse of time; |
(b) | enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity and, in particular, the availability of certain equitable remedies such as injunction or specific performance of an obligation may be limited where a Court considers damages to be an adequate remedy; |
Walkers | Page 4 |
(c) | claims may become barred under statutes of limitation or may be or become subject to defences of set-off, counterclaim, estoppel and similar defences; |
(d) | where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands, they may not be enforceable in the Cayman Islands to the extent that performance would be illegal under the laws of, or contrary to the public policy of, that jurisdiction; |
(e) | a judgment of a Court may be required to be made in Cayman Islands dollars; |
(f) | to the extent that any provision of the Documents is adjudicated to be penal in nature, it will not be enforceable in the Courts; in particular, the enforceability of any provision of the Documents that is adjudicated to constitute a secondary obligation which imposes a detriment on the contract-breaker out of all proportion to any legitimate interest of the innocent party in the enforcement of the primary obligation may be limited; |
(g) | to the extent that the performance of any obligation arising under the Documents would be fraudulent or contrary to public policy, it will not be enforceable in the Courts; |
(h) | in the case of an insolvent liquidation of the Company, its liabilities are required to be translated into the functional currency of the Company (being the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operated as at the commencement of the liquidation) at the exchange rates prevailing on the date of commencement of the voluntary liquidation or the day on which the winding up order is made (as the case may be); |
(i) | a Court will not necessarily award costs in litigation in accordance with contractual provisions in this regard; and |
(j) | the effectiveness of terms in the Documents excusing any party from a liability or duty otherwise owed or indemnifying that party from the consequences of incurring such liability or breaching such duty shall be construed in accordance with, and shall be limited by, applicable law, including generally applicable rules and principles of common law and equity. |
2. | Our opinion as to good standing is based solely upon receipt of the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar. The Company shall be deemed to be in good standing under section 200A of the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act") on the date of issue of the certificate if all fees and penalties under the Companies Act have been paid and the Registrar has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Companies Act. |
This opinion is limited to the matters referred to herein and shall not be construed as extending to any other matter or document not referred to herein. This opinion is given solely for your benefit and the benefit of your legal advisers acting in that capacity in relation to this transaction and may not be relied upon by any other person, other than persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, without our prior written consent.
Walkers | Page 5 |
This opinion shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm, as Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, in the Registration Statement.
Yours faithfully | ||
/s/ walkers | ||
Walkers |
Walkers | Page 6 |
Schedule 1
LIST OF DOCUMENTS EXAMINED
1. | The Certificate of Incorporation dated 12 July 2021, Register of Directors and Register of Officers, in each case, of the Company, copies of which have been provided to us by its registered office in the Cayman Islands (together the "Company Records"), and a draft of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement, to be in effect upon the consummation of the sale of the Ordinary Shares (the "Memorandum and Articles"). |
2. | The Cayman Online Registry Information System (CORIS), the Cayman Islands' General Registry's online database, searched on 12 September 2023. |
3. | The Register of Writs and other Originating Process of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands kept at the Clerk of Court's Office, George Town, Grand Cayman, examined at 9.00 am on 12 September 2023. |
4. | A copy of a Certificate of Good Standing dated 15 September 2023 in respect of the Company issued by the Registrar (the "Certificate of Good Standing"). |
5. | A copy of executed written resolutions of the directors of the Company approving various matter, including the offering for sale of the Ordinary Shares dated 10 April 2022 (the "Resolutions"). |
6. | Copies of the following documents (the "Documents"): |
(a) | the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, initially filed on 12 April 2022 as amended and filed on 7 July 2023 as further amended and filed on 15 September 2023 by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission registering the Units, Ordinary Shares and Warrants under the Securities Act (as filed, the "Registration Statement"); |
(b) | a draft of the form of the warrant agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as warrant agent and the warrant certificate constituting the Warrants (the "Warrant Documents"); |
(c) | a draft of the form of the unit certificate constituting the Units (the "Unit Certificate"); and |
(d) | a draft of the form of the underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and the underwriters listed therein. |
Exhibit 10.1
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This Investment Management Trust Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of [*], 2023 by and between Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-[*] (the “Registration Statement”) and related prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the initial public offering (the “Offering”) of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each of which consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Ordinary Share, has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the “Representative”) as the representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”); and
WHEREAS, as described in the Registration Statement, $100,500,000 of the gross proceeds of the Offering and sale of the Private Placement Units (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) (or $115,575,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a segregated trust account located at all times in the United States (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Ordinary Shares included in the Units issued in the Offering as hereinafter provided (the amount to be delivered to the Trustee (and any interest subsequently earned thereon) is referred to herein as the “Property,” the shareholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property are referred herein to as the “Public Shareholders,” and the Public Shareholders and the Company together are referred to herein as the “Beneficiaries”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, $3,500,000, or up to $4,025,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, of the Property is attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that will be payable by the Company to the Representative, for its own account, upon and concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) (the “Deferred Discount”); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or at another U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more) and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;
(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;
(c) In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property solely in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations or liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold Property in the Trust Account in cash, as determined by the Company, the Trustee may not invest in any other securities or assets; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder; and while the account funds are invested or uninvested, the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration during such periods;
(d) Collect and receive, when due, all interest or other income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;
(e) Promptly notify the Company and the Representative of all communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;
(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company (or its authorized agents) in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns relating to assets held in the Trust Account or in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements or completion of the audit of the Company’s financial statements by the Company’s auditors;
(g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so;
(h) Render to the Company monthly written statements of the activities of, and amounts in, the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;
(i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“Termination Letter”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as applicable, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chairman of the board of directors (the “Board”) or other authorized officer of the Company and in the case of Exhibit A, acknowledged and agreed to by the Representative, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less interest previously released to, or reserved for use by, the Company in an amount up to $100,000 to pay winding up and dissolution expenses (as applicable) and less any other interest released to, or reserved for use by, the Company to pay taxes as provided in this Agreement only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or (y) upon the date which is the later of (1) 21 months after the closing of the Offering and (2) such later date as may be approved by the Company’s shareholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less interest previously released to, or reserved for use by, the Company in an amount up to $100,000 to pay winding up and dissolution expenses (as applicable) and less any other interest released to, or reserved for use by, the Company to pay taxes, shall be distributed to the Public Shareholders of record as of such date. The Trustee agrees to serve as the paying agent of record (“Paying Agent”) with respect to any distribution of Property that is to be made to the Public Shareholders and, in its separate capacity as Paying Agent, agrees to distribute such Property directly to the Company’s Public Shareholders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in effect at the time of such distribution;
(j) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “Withdrawal Request”), withdraw from the Trust Account and distribute to the Company interest in an amount up to $100,000 to pay winding up and dissolution expenses and any interest to cover any income or franchise tax obligation owed by the Company as a result of assets of the Company or any taxes of the Company which amount shall be delivered directly to the Company by electronic funds transfer or other method of prompt payment. To the extent there is not sufficient cash in the Trust Account to fulfill a Withdrawal Request, the Trustee shall liquidate such assets held in the Trust Account as shall be designated by the Company in writing to make such distribution, so long as there is no reduction in the principal amount per share initially deposited in the Trust Account. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that no amount in excess of interest income earned on the Property shall be payable from the Trust Account to the Company pursuant to this Section 1(j). A Withdrawal Request shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; and
(k) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D, the Trustee shall distribute on behalf of the Company the amount requested by the Company to be used to redeem Ordinary Shares from Public Shareholders properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of Ordinary Shares the right to have their Ordinary Shares redeemed in connection with an initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company has not completed an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in Section 1(i) of this Agreement. The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to distribute said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; and
(l) Not make any withdrawals or distributions from the Trust Account other than pursuant to Section 1(i) through 1(k) above.
2. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with respect to its duties under Sections 1(i), 1(j) and 1(k) hereof, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it, in good faith and with reasonable care, believes to be given by any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;
(b) Subject to Section 4 hereof, hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by it hereunder and in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any interest earned on the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this Section 2(b), the Trustee shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim; provided that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Trustee shall not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;
(c) Pay the Trustee the fees set forth on Schedule A hereto, including an initial acceptance fee, annual administration fee and transaction processing fee, which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees unless and until the Business Combination is completed. The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and the first annual administration fee at the consummation of the Offering. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as set forth in this Section 2(c) and as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof;
(d) In connection with any vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of the inspector of elections for the general meeting verifying the vote of such shareholders regarding such Business Combination;
(e) Provide the Representative with a copy of any Termination Letter(s) and/or any other correspondence that is sent to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after it issues the same;
(f) Instruct the Trustee to make only those distributions that are permitted under this Agreement, and refrain from instructing the Trustee to make any distributions that are not permitted under this Agreement;
(g) Within four (4) business days after the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) or such over-allotment option expires, provide the Trustee with a notice in writing of the total amount of the Deferred Discount; and
(h) Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Representative, ensure that any Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A) delivered in connection with a Termination Letter in the form of Exhibit A expressly provides that the Deferred Discount is paid directly to the account or accounts directed by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters prior to any transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account to the Company or any other person.
3. Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:
(a) Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this Agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein;
(b) Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in Section 1 hereof, and the Trustee shall have no liability to any third party except for liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct;
(c) Institute any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto;
(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;
(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;
(f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the Trustee’s best judgment, except for the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee, which counsel may be the Company’s counsel), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which the Trustee believes, in good faith and with reasonable care, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee, signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;
(g) Verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement;
(h) Provide any assurance that any Business Combination entered into by the Company or any other action taken by the Company is as contemplated by the Registration Statement;
(i) File information returns with respect to the Trust Account with any local, state or federal taxing authority or provide periodic written statements to the Company documenting the taxes payable by the Company, if any, relating to any interest income earned on the Property;
(j) Prepare, execute and file tax reports, income or other tax returns and pay any taxes with respect to any income generated by, and activities relating to, the Trust Account, regardless of whether such tax is payable by the Trust Account or the Company, including, but not limited to, tax obligations, except pursuant to Section 1(j) hereof; or
(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve the Company’s written requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i), 1(j) and 1(k) hereof.
4. Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b) or Section 2(c) hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account.
5. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as follows:
(a) If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor trustee, pending which the Trustee shall continue to act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or
(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account and its obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except as set forth in Section 2(b).
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such confidential information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee shall rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the funds.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument.
(c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except for Section 1(i), 1(j) and 1(k) hereof (which may not be modified, amended or deleted without the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the then outstanding Ordinary Shares and Class B ordinary shares present or represented at the meeting, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company voting together as a single class; provided that no such amendment will affect any Public Shareholder who has elected to redeem his, her or its Ordinary Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend this Agreement), this Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
(d) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, State of New York, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder. AS TO ANY CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
(e) Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by facsimile transmission or electronic mail:
if to the Trustee, to:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com
Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com
if to the Company, to:
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
3790 El Camino Real, Unit #570
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Attn: James Rhee
in each case, with copies to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
Attn: Andrew Hoffman
Email: ahoffman@wsgr.com
and
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
110 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Attn: General Counsel and SPAC ECM
Email: #legal-IBD@cantor.com and spac@cantor.com
and
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
Email: sneuhauser@egsllp.com
(f) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior consent of the Company.
(g) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby represents that it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance.
(h) This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.
(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.
(j) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Representative, on behalf of the Underwriters, is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.
(k) Except as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Trustee | |||
By: |
/s/ | ||
Name: | Francis Wolf | ||
Title: | Vice President | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | |||
By: |
/s/ | ||
Name: | James Rhee | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
SCHEDULE A
Fee Item | Time and method of payment | Amount | |||
Initial acceptance fee | Initial closing of IPO by wire transfer | $ | 3,500.00 | ||
Annual fee | First year, initial closing of IPO by wire transfer; thereafter on the anniversary of the effective date of the IPO by wire transfer or check | $ | 10,000.00 | ||
Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Section 1 | Billed to Company following disbursement made to Company under Section 1 | $ | 250.00 | ||
Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Section 1 | Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Section 1 | Prevailing rates |
EXHIBIT A
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Re: | Trust Account—Termination Letter |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spark I Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [_______], 2023 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement with (“Target Business”) to complete a business combination with Target Business (“Business Combination”) on or about [insert date]. The Company shall notify you at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination (“Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence to liquidate all of the assets of the Trust Account and to transfer the proceeds into the trust operating account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. so that, on the Consummation Date, all of funds held in the Trust Account will be immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date (including as directed to it by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters (with respect to the Deferred Discount)). It is acknowledged and agreed that while the funds are on deposit in the trust operating account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. awaiting distribution, the Company will not earn any interest or dividends.
On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that the Business Combination has been completed, or will be completed concurrently with your transfer of funds to the accounts as directed by the Company (the “Notification”) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) a certificate by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, which verifies that the Business Combination has been approved by a vote of the Company’s shareholders, if a vote is held, and (b) a joint written instruction signed by the Company and the Representative with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, including payment of amounts owed to public stockholders who have properly exercised their redemption and payment of the Deferred Discount to the Representative from the Trust Account (the “Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the Notification and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company in writing of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds from the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In the event that the Business Combination is not completed on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in Section 1(c) of the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the notice as soon thereafter as possible.
Very truly yours, | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
AGREED TO AND | |||
ACKNOWLEDGED BY | |||
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
EXHIBIT B
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Re: | Trust Account—Termination Letter |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spark I Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [_______], 2023 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a business combination with a Target Business (the “Business Combination”) within the time frame specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association or on such earlier date as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, [the Company’s Board of Directors has determined to terminate the period in which the Company must consummate a Business Combination on [*]]. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate all of the assets in the Trust Account and to transfer the total proceeds into the trust operating account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to await distribution to the Public Shareholders. The Company has selected(1) [___], 202_, as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Shareholders will be entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and, in your separate capacity as Paying Agent, agree to distribute said funds directly to the Company’s Public Shareholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 1(j) of the Trust Agreement.
Very truly yours, | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
(1) | 21 months from closing of the Offering, or a later date, if extended |
EXHIBIT C
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez
Re: | Trust Account—Withdrawal Instruction |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spark I Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [_______], 2023 (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $____ of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay for the tax obligations. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to the Company’s operating account at:
[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]
Very truly yours, | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
EXHIBIT D
[Letterhead of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf & Celeste Gonzalez
Re: | Trust Account Shareholder Redemption Withdrawal Instruction |
Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spark I Acquisition Corporation (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of [_______], 2023 (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you liquidate sufficient amounts from the trust account and deliver to the redeeming Public Shareholders of the Company $____ of the principal and interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay its Public Shareholders who have properly elected to have their Ordinary Shares redeemed by the Company 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 the Company’s initial business combination or to redeem 100% of its public Ordinary Shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. As such, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter..
Very truly yours, | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
Exhibit 10.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [*], 2023 is made and entered into by and among Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), SLG SPAC Fund LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and any other parties listed on the signature pages hereto (together with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and, each, a “Holder”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor have entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2021, pursuant to which the Sponsor subscribed for an aggregate of 6,870,130 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Founder Shares”) (which includes up to 448,052 shares that are subject to forfeiture by our Sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised, and up to 3,435,065 shares that are subject to forfeiture immediately prior to the closing of the Company’s initial business combination depending on the amount of the proceeds received under the forward purchase agreement on the date hereof or in the event of the liquidation and subsequent dissolution);
WHEREAS, the Founder Shares are convertible into the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), at the time of the initial Business Combination (as defined below) on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as may be amended from time to time;
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Company and the Sponsor entered into that certain Sponsor Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement (the “Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase an aggregate of 8,490,535 private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering;
WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with its search for and consummation of an initial Business Combination (as defined below), the Sponsor, its affiliates or any of the Company’s officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into private placement-equivalent warrants (“Working Capital Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” shall mean any merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.
“Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.
“Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto and shall be deemed to include the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof.
“Founder Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination and (B) subsequent to the Company’s initial Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, rights issuances, consolidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and other similar transactions) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s public shareholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Insider Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, and directors.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
“Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, Private Placement Lock-up Period or any other lock-up period, as the case may be, under the Insider Letter, the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement, this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company and to any transferee thereafter.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“Private Placement Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Warrants that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, and the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the Private Placement Warrants, that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.
“Private Placement Warrants” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares (including any Ordinary Shares or other equivalent equity security issued or issuable upon the conversion of any of the Founder Shares or exercisable for Ordinary Shares), (b) the Private Placement Warrants (including any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), (c) any outstanding Ordinary Shares or any other equity security (including the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement or acquired by a Holder prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, (d) any equity securities (including the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $1,500,000 made to the Company by a Holder (including the Working Capital Warrants and any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Warrants), (e) any equity securities (including the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company held by a Holder on or after the date of the Business Combination to the extent that such securities are “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) or are otherwise held by an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company and (f) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such Ordinary Share by way of a share capitalization or share sub-division or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations including as to manner or timing of sale or current public information requirements); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed;
(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Working Capital Warrants” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS
2.1 Demand Registration.
2.1.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the initial Business Combination, the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “Demanding Holders”) may make a written demand for Registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s), such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, the Registration of allmRegistrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holder(s) and Requesting Holder(s) pursuant to such Demand Registration, including by filing a Registration Statement relating thereto as soon as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.
2.1.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.
2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.
2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other shareholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that such Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested) exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the Company may effect any Underwritten Registration pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering and (ii) the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date the Company consummates an initial Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of shareholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the shareholders of the Company), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee share option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of the Ordinary Shares that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b) If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Registration, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration (or in the case of an Underwritten Registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at least two business days prior to the time of pricing of the applicable offering). The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.
2.3 Registrations on Form S-3. Any Holder of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time pursuant to this Section 2.3 (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall file a Registration Statement relating to all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $5,000,000.
2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board, such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case, the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.
ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates an initial Business Combination the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be requested by any Holder or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and each such Holder’s legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any Registration Statement or Prospectus;
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, the Company may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law;
3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;
3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.
3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Ordinary Shares held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: 3790 El Camino Real, Unit #570, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Attention: Bernard Moon, Secretary, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.
5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY SUCH ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as to which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) or (B) with respect to any Holder on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
SPARK I ACQUISITION CORPORATION, | ||
a Cayman Islands exempted company | ||
By: |
/s/ | |
Name: James Rhee | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
HOLDER: | ||
SLG SPAC FUND LLC, | ||
a Cayman Islands limited liability company | ||
By: |
/s/ | |
Name: Bernard Moon on behalf of SparkLabs Group Management, LLC | ||
Title: Managing Member | ||
/s/ | ||
James Rhee | ||
/s/ | ||
Kurtis Jang | ||
/s/ | ||
Jimmy Kim | ||
/s/ | ||
Cuong Viet Do | ||
/s/ | ||
Shin-Bae Kim | ||
/s/ | ||
Willy Lan | ||
/s/ | ||
Tony Ling | ||
/s/ | ||
Catherine Mohr |
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit 10.3
PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of [*], 2023 (as it may from time to time be amended, this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and SLG SPAC Fund LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS, the Company intends to consummate an initial public offering of the Company’s units (the “Public Offering”), each unit consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (an “Ordinary Share”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per Ordinary Share. The Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 8,490,535 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”), each Private Placement Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby, intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
Section 1. Authorization, Purchase and Sale; Terms of the Private Placement Warrants.
A. Authorization of the Private Placement Warrants. The Company has duly authorized the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants to the Purchaser.
B. Purchase and Sale of the Private Placement Warrants. On the date of the consummation of the Public Offering or on such earlier time and date as may be mutually agreed by the Purchaser and the Company (the “Closing Date”), the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 8,490,535 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $8,490,535 (the “Purchase Price”), which shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company at least one business day prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the Company’s wiring instructions. On the Closing Date, upon the payment by the Purchaser of the Purchase Price, the Company, at its option, shall deliver a certificate evidencing the Private Placement Warrants purchased by the Purchaser on such date duly registered in the Purchaser’s name to the Purchaser, or effect such delivery in book-entry form.
C. Terms of the Private Placement Warrants.
(i) Each Private Placement Warrant shall have the terms set forth in a Warrant Agreement to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent in connection with the Public Offering (a “Warrant Agreement”).
(ii) At the time of the closing of the Public Offering, the Company and the Purchaser shall enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will grant certain registration rights to the Purchaser relating to the Private Placement Warrants and the Ordinary Shares underlying the Private Placement Warrants.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. As a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and purchase the Private Placement Warrants, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser (which representations and warranties shall survive the Closing Date) that:
A. Incorporation and Corporate Power. The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operating results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement.
B. Authorization; No Breach.
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Private Placement Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company as of the Closing Date. This Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms of the Warrant Agreement and this Agreement, the Private Placement Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms as of the Closing Date.
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance of the Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and the fulfillment of, and compliance with, the respective terms hereof and thereof by the Company, do not and will not as of the Closing Date (a) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) constitute a default under, (c) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon the Company’s equity or assets under, (d) result in a violation of, or (e) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any court or administrative or governmental body or agency pursuant to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company in effect on the date hereof or as may be amended prior to completion of the contemplated Public Offering, or any material law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject, except for any filings required after the date hereof under federal or state securities laws.
C. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, and upon registration in the Company’s register of members, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, and upon registration in the Company’s register of members, the Purchaser will have good title to the Private Placement Warrants and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such Private Placement Warrants, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and under the other agreements contemplated hereby, (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (iii) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Purchaser.
D. Governmental Consents. No permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of any other transactions contemplated hereby.
E. Regulation D Qualification. Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates, members, officers, directors or beneficial shareholders of 20% or more of its outstanding securities, has experienced a disqualifying event as enumerated pursuant to Rule 506(d) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and issue and sell the Private Placement Warrants to the Purchaser, the Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company (which representations and warranties shall survive the Closing Date) that:
A. Organization and Requisite Authority. The Purchaser possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
B. Authorization; No Breach.
(i) This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms hereof by the Purchaser does not, and will not as of the Closing Date, conflict with or result in a breach by the Purchaser of the terms, conditions or provisions of any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.
C. Investment Representations.
(i) The Purchaser is acquiring the Private Placement Warrants and, upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon such exercise (collectively, the “Securities”), for the Purchaser’s own account, for investment purposes only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, any public sale or distribution thereof.
(ii) The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D, and the Purchaser has not experienced a disqualifying event as enumerated pursuant to Rule 506(d) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
(iii) The Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and will be sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire such Securities.
(iv) The Purchaser did not decide to enter into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act.
(v) The Purchaser has been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Securities which have been requested by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the executive officers and directors of the Company. The Purchaser understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk and it has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of the Securities.
(vi) The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities by the Purchaser nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.
(vii) The Purchaser understands that: (a) the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (1) subsequently registered thereunder or (2) sold in reliance on an exemption therefrom; and (b) except as specifically set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any other person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder. While the Purchaser understands that Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company, the Purchaser understands that Rule 144 includes an exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met: (i) the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; (ii) the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); (iii) the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and (iv) at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
(viii) The Purchaser has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, knows of the high degree of risk associated with investments in the securities of companies in the development stage such as the Company, is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities in the amount contemplated hereunder for an indefinite period of time. The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for its current financial needs and contingencies and will have no current or anticipated future needs for liquidity which would be jeopardized by the investment in the Securities. The Purchaser can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Securities.
Section 4. Conditions of the Purchaser’s Obligations. The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Private Placement Warrants is subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
A. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though then made.
B. Performance. The Company shall have performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing Date.
C. No Injunction. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement.
D. Warrant Agreement. The Company shall have entered into the Warrant Agreement with a warrant agent on terms satisfactory to the Purchaser.
Section 5. Conditions of the Company’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company to the Purchaser under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
A. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though then made.
B. Performance. The Purchaser shall have performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Purchaser on or before the Closing Date.
C. Corporate Consents. The Company shall have obtained the consent of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants hereunder.
D. No Injunction. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement.
E. Warrant Agreement. The Company shall have entered into the Warrant Agreement with a warrant agent on terms satisfactory to the Company.
Section 6. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time after December 31, 2023 upon the election by either the Company or the Purchaser upon written notice to the other party if the closing of the Public Offering does not occur prior to such date.
Section 7. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing Date.
Section 8. Definitions. Terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the registration statement on Form S-1 the Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, under the Securities Act.
Section 9. Miscellaneous.
A. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the parties may not assign this Agreement, other than assignments by the Purchaser to affiliates thereof (including, without limitation one or more of its members).
B. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.
C. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, none of which need contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
D. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
F. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY: | |||
SPARK I ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |||
By: | /s/ | ||
Name: | James Rhee | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
PURCHASER: | |||
SLG SPAC FUND LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By: | /s/ | ||
Name: | Bernard Moon on behalf of SparkLabs Group Management, LLC | ||
Title: | Managing Member |
Exhibit 10.4
[*], 2023
Spark I Acquisition Corporation
3790 El Camino Real Unit #570
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Re: Initial Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Letter Agreement”) is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) to be entered into by and among Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as representative the “Representative”) of the underwriters (the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “Public Offering”), of up to 11,500,000 of the Company’s units (including up to 1,500,000 units that may be purchased to cover over-allotments, if any) (the “Units”), each comprised of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole Warrant (each, a “Warrant”) entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Ordinary Share. The Units shall be sold in the Public Offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-273176) and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the Company shall apply to have the Units listed on The Nasdaq Global Market. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 11 hereof.
In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the Public Offering and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, SLG SPAC Fund LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the undersigned individuals, each of whom is a member of the Company’s board of directors and/or management team (each of the undersigned individuals, an “Insider” and collectively, the “Insiders”), hereby agrees with the Company as follows:
1. The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that (A) if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with such proposed Business Combination, it, he or she shall (i) vote any Shares owned by it, him or her in favor of any proposed Business Combination and (ii) not redeem any Shares owned by it, him or her in connection with such shareholder approval, (B) if the Company engages in a tender offer in connection with any proposed Business Combination, it, he or she shall not sell any Shares to the Company in connection therewith and (C) if the Company seeks shareholder approval of any proposed amendment to the Charter prior to the completion of a Business Combination, it, he or she shall not redeem any Shares owned by it, him or her in connection with such shareholder approval.
2. The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees that in the event that the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter, the Sponsor and each Insider shall take all reasonable steps to cause the Company to (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Ordinary Shares sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering (the “Offering 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 any taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay winding up and dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish all Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. The Sponsor and each Insider agrees to not propose any amendment to the Charter (i) that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of the Offering Shares the right to have their Offering Shares redeemed in connection with the Business Combination or redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the time period described in the Prospectus or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay any taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares.
The Sponsor and each Insider acknowledges that it, he or she has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company with respect to the Founder Shares held by it, him or her. The Sponsor and each Insider hereby further waives any claim such Sponsor or Insider may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever except in each case with respect to the Sponsor’s or the Insider’s right to a pro rata interest in the proceeds held in the Trust Fund for any Offering Shares such Sponsor or Insider may hold.
3. During the period commencing on the effective date of the Underwriting Agreement and ending 180 days after such date, the Sponsor and each Insider shall not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to any Units, Shares (including but not limited Founder Shares), Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Ordinary Shares owned by it, him or her, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Units, Shares (including but not limited to Founder Shares), Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Ordinary Shares owned by it, him or her, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). Each of the Insiders and the Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the effective date of any release or waiver of the restrictions set forth in this Section 3, the Company shall announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply to any transfer permitted under paragraph 7(c) hereof or if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
4. In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter, the Sponsor (the “Indemnitor”) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened) to which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by (i) any third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company (except for the Company’s independent auditors) or (ii) any prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or Business Combination agreement (a “Target”); provided, however, that such indemnification of the Company by the Indemnitor (x) shall apply only to the extent necessary to ensure that such claims by a third party or a Target do not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.05 per Offering Share and (ii) the actual amount per Offering Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.05 per Offering Share is then held in the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, (y) shall not apply to any claims by a third party or a Target which executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) and (z) shall not apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Indemnitor shall have the right to defend against any such claim with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Company if, within 15 days following written receipt of notice of the claim to the Indemnitor, the Indemnitor notifies the Company in writing that it shall undertake such defense.
5. To the extent that the Underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 Units within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus (and as further described in the Prospectus), the Sponsor agrees to surrender, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 448,052 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 1,500,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 1,500,000.
Additionally, to the extent that SparkLabs Group Management, LLC or its affiliate (the “Forward Purchaser”) does not purchase up to $115,000,000 worth of forward purchase securities in accordance with forward purchase agreement on the date hereof (as further described in the Prospectus), the Sponsor agrees to surrender, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 3,435,065 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is $115,000,000 minus proceeds received from the Forward Purchaser under the forward purchase agreement, and (ii) the denominator of which is $115,000,000.
6. The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees and acknowledges that: (i) the Underwriters and the Company would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by such Sponsor or an Insider of its, his or her obligations under paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7(a), 7(b), and 9, as applicable, of this Letter Agreement (ii) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach and (iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach.
7. (a) Subject to Section 7(c), the Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer any Founder Shares (or Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property (the “Founder Shares Lock-up Period”).
(b) Subject to Section 7(c), the Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer any Placement Warrants (or any Ordinary Shares underlying the Placement Warrants), until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination (the “Placement Warrant Lock-up Period”, together with the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the “Lock-up Periods”).
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 7(a) and (b), Transfers of the Founder Shares, Placement Warrants, and the Ordinary Shares underlying the Placement Warrants that are held by the Sponsor, any Insider or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 7(c)), are permitted (1) (a) to the Company’s officers and directors, the Initial Holders, and other Insiders, (b) to an affiliate or immediate family member of any of the Company’s officers, directors, Initial Holders and other Insiders, (c) to any member, officer or director of the Sponsor, or any immediate family member, partner, affiliate or employee of a member of the Sponsor, (d) by gift to any permitted transferee under any of the immediately preceding subsections (a) through (c), a trust, the beneficiaries of which are one or more permitted transferees under any of the immediately preceding subsections (a) through (c), or a charitable organization, (e) by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of any of the Company’s officers, directors, Initial Holders or members of the Sponsor, (f) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (g) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to completion of the initial Business Combination, (h) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or the Sponsors’ limited liability company agreements upon dissolution of either Sponsor, (i) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, upon and in connection with a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property, (j) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, in the event of a consolidation merger, share exchange or similar transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity that results in a change in the majority of its board of directors or management team and (k) through private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Founder Shares or Placement Warrants were originally purchased; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f), (h) and (k) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions, and (2) in connection with an initial Business Combination with the consent of the Company to any third party that agrees in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Letter Agreement applicable to Insiders (other than paragraph 1). For the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of this Letter Agreement, a managed account managed by the same investment manager of any member of the Sponsor shall be deemed an affiliate of such member.
(d) Subject to the limitations described herein, each Insider shall retain all of such Insider’s rights as a security holder during, as applicable, the Lock-Up Periods including, without limitation, the right to vote, the Founder Shares.
8. The Sponsor and each Insider represents and warrants that it, he or she has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked. Each Insider’s biographical information furnished to the Company (including any such information included in the Prospectus) is true and accurate in all respects and does not omit any material information with respect to the Insider’s background. Each Insider’s questionnaire furnished to the Company is true and accurate in all respects. Each Insider represents and warrants that: it, he or she is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any jurisdiction; it, he or she has never been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any crime (i) involving fraud, (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and it, he or she is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding.
9. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Sponsor nor any Insider nor any affiliate of the Sponsor or any Insider, nor any director or officer of the Company, shall receive from the Company any finder’s fee, reimbursement or cash payments prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is), other than the amounts described in the Prospectus under the heading “Summary – The Offering – Payments to insiders.”
10. The Sponsor and each Insider has full right and power, without violating any agreement to which it is bound (including, without limitation, any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or former employer), to enter into this Letter Agreement and, as applicable, to serve as an officer and/or director on the board of directors of the Company and hereby consents to being named in the Prospectus as an officer and/or director of the Company.
11. As used herein, (i) “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses; (ii) “Shares” shall mean, collectively, the Ordinary Shares and Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”); (iii) “Founder Shares” shall mean 6,870,130 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding (up to 448,052 of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised, and up to 3,435,065 of which are subject to forfeiture immediately prior to the closing of the Company’s initial business combination depending on the amount of the proceeds received under the forward purchase agreement on the date hereof or in the event of the Company’s liquidation and subsequent dissolution) and any Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of such Class B Ordinary Shares; (iv) “Initial Holders” shall mean the Sponsor and any Insider that holds Founder Shares; (v) “Placement Warrants” shall mean the 8,490,535 warrants that the Sponsor has agreed to purchase for an aggregate purchase price of $8,490,535, or $1,00 per warrant, in a private placement that shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Public Offering (the “Private Placement”);; (vi) “Public Shareholders” shall mean the holders of securities issued in the Public Offering (vii) “Trust Account” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants shall be deposited; (viii) “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b); and (ix) “Charter” shall mean the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as the same may be amended from time to time.
12. The Company will maintain an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and each director shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms.
13. This Letter Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Letter Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
14. No party hereto may assign either this Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Letter Agreement shall be binding on the Sponsor and each Insider and their respective successors, heirs and assigns and permitted transferees.
15. Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Letter Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements contained in this Letter Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees.
16. This Letter Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
17. This Letter Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Letter Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Letter Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.
18. This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of New York City, in the State of New York, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
19. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Letter Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission.
20. This Letter Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Lock-up Periods or (ii) the liquidation of the Company; provided, however, that this Letter Agreement shall earlier terminate in the event that the Public Offering is not completed and closed by December 31, 2023; provided further that Section 4 of this Letter Agreement shall survive such liquidation.
[Signature Page Follows]
Sincerely, | ||
Spark I Acquisition Corporation | ||
By: | /s/ | |
Name: | James Rhee | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
SLG SPAC FUND LLC, | ||
a Cayman Islands limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ | |
Name: Bernard Moon on behalf of SparkLabs Group Management, LLC | ||
Title: Managing Member | ||
/s/ | ||
James Rhee | ||
/s/ | ||
Kurtis Jang | ||
/s/ | ||
Jimmy Kim | ||
/s/ | ||
Cuong Viet Do | ||
/s/ | ||
Shin-Bae Kim | ||
/s/ | ||
Willy Lan | ||
/s/ | ||
Tony Ling | ||
/s/ | ||
Catherine Mohr |
Exhibit 10.9
FORWARD PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Forward Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [*], 2023, between Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and SparkLabs Group Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its affiliate, the “Purchaser”).
Recitals
WHEREAS, the Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”);
WHEREAS, the Company has submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) for its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,000,000 units (or 11,500,000 units in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) (the “Public Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit, each comprised of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Share(s)”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant, where each whole redeemable warrant is exercisable to purchase one Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Warrant(s)”);
WHEREAS, following the closing of the IPO (the “IPO Closing”), the Company will seek to identify a target company (the “Target”) and consummate its initial Business Combination with the Target; and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which immediately prior to the closing of the Company’s initial Business Combination (the “Business Combination Closing”), the Company or its successor, upon the Business Combination Closing (together, the “Pubco”) shall issue and sell, and the Purchaser shall purchase, on a private placement basis and unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, certain forward purchase securities determined pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Agreement
1. Sale and Purchase.
(a) Unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, concurrently with the Business Combination Closing, the Pubco shall issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Pubco, the number of its securities set forth on the Exhibit C to this Agreement (the “Forward Purchase Securities”), for an aggregate purchase price of $115,000,000, or such other amount as agreed among the parties (the “Aggregate Purchase Price”). The amount and securities type and other terms of the Forward Purchase Securities will be further negotiated among the Company, the Target, the Pubco and the Purchaser. No fractional Forward Purchase Securities will be issued.
(b) The closing of the sale of the Forward Purchase Securities (the “FPS Closing”) shall be held on the same date and immediately prior to the Business Combination Closing (such date being referred to as the “Closing Date”). At the FPS Closing, Purchaser shall pay the Aggregate Purchase Price to the Pubco by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by the Pubco and the Pubco shall deliver an instruction letter to its transfer agent to register the Purchaser or its designee as owner of the Forward Purchase Securities by book entry on or promptly after (but in no event more than two (2) Business Days after) the date of the FPS Closing. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York, New York, or Seoul, Republic of Korea.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the Purchaser, in its complete discretion and for any reason, may terminate this Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 10 hereof.
(d) Each book entry for the Forward Purchase Securities shall contain a notation, and each certificate (if any) evidencing the Forward Purchase Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend, in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN VIOLATION OF SUCH ACT AND LAWS. THE SALE, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION, OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN FORWARD PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE HOLDER AND THE OTHER PARTIES THERETO. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”
(d) Legend Removal. If the Forward Purchase Securities are eligible to be sold without restriction under, and without the Pubco being in compliance with the current public information requirements of, Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or there is an effective registration statement covering the resale of the Forward Purchase Securities (and the Purchaser provides the Pubco with a written undertaking to sell its Forward Purchase Securities only in accordance with the plan of distribution contained in such registration statement and only if such Purchaser has not been informed that the prospectus in such registration statement is not current or the registration statement is no longer effective), then at the Purchaser’s request, the Pubco will cause the its transfer agent to remove the applicable legend(s) set forth in Section 1(d). In connection therewith, if required by the Pubco’s transfer agent, Pubco will promptly cause an opinion of counsel to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent that authorize and direct the transfer agent to transfer such Forward Purchase Securities without any such legend; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Pubco will not be required to deliver any such opinion, authorization, certificate or direction if it reasonably believes that removal of the legend could result in or facilitate transfers of Forward Purchase Securities in violation of applicable law.
(e) Registration Rights. The Purchaser shall have registration rights as set forth on Exhibit A (the “Registration Rights”).
2. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company as follows, as of the date hereof:
(a) Organization and Power. If an entity, the Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation (if the concept of “good standing” is a recognized concept in such jurisdiction) and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
(b) Authorization. The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Registration Rights may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
(c) Governmental Consents and Filings. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of the Purchaser in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Compliance with Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its organizational documents, if applicable, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Purchaser, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) Purchase Entirely for Own Account. This Agreement is made with the Purchaser in reliance upon the Purchaser’s representation to the Company, which by the Purchaser’s execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby confirms, that the Forward Purchase Securities to be acquired by the Purchaser will be acquired for investment for the Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same in violation of law. By executing this Agreement, the Purchaser further represents that the Purchaser does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Forward Purchase Securities. If the Purchaser was formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Forward Purchase Securities, each of its equity owners is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or any government or any department or agency thereof.
(f) Disclosure of Information. The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Forward Purchase Securities, as well as the terms of the Company’s proposed IPO, with the Company’s management. The Purchaser has reviewed Registration Statement, dated [●], 2023, which has been provided to the Purchaser.
(g) Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands that the Forward Purchase Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Forward Purchase Securities are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Forward Purchase Securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the SEC and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Pubco have no obligation to register or qualify the Forward Purchase Securities, or any Class A Shares into which they may be converted into or exercised for, for resale, except for the Registration Rights. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Forward Purchase Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company or the Pubco which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company or the Pubco are under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company submitted the Registration Statement for its proposed IPO to the SEC for review. The Purchaser understands that the offering to the Purchaser of the Forward Purchase Securities is not, and is not intended to be, part of the IPO, and that the Purchaser will not be able to rely on the protection of Section 11 of the Securities Act with respect to such Securities.
(h) No Public Market. The Purchaser understands that no public market currently exists for the Forward Purchase Securities, and that the Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the Forward Purchase Securities.
(i) High Degree of Risk. The Purchaser understands that its agreement to purchase the Forward Purchase Securities involves a high degree of risk which could cause the Purchaser to lose all or part of its investment.
(j) Accredited Investor. The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
(k) Foreign Investors. If the Purchaser is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), the Purchaser hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Forward Purchase Securities or any use of this Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Forward Purchase Securities, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Forward Purchase Securities. The Purchaser’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Forward Purchase Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction.
(l) No General Solicitation. Neither the Purchaser, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (i) to its knowledge, engaged in any general solicitation, or (ii) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the Forward Purchase Securities.
(m) Residence. If the Purchaser is an individual, then the Purchaser resides in the state or province identified in the address of the Purchaser set forth on the signature page hereof; if the Purchaser is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then its principal place of business is the office or offices located at the address or addresses of the Purchaser set forth on the signature page hereof.
(n) Non-Public Information. The Purchaser acknowledges its obligations under applicable securities laws with respect to the treatment of material non-public information relating to the Company.
(o) Adequacy of Financing. At the FPS Closing, the Purchaser will have available to it sufficient funds to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.
(p) Affiliation of Certain FINRA Members. The Purchaser is neither a person associated nor affiliated with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. or, to its actual knowledge, any other member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) that is participating in the IPO.
(q) No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 2 and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, none of the Purchaser nor any person acting on behalf of the Purchaser nor any of the Purchaser’s affiliates (the “Purchaser Parties”) has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Purchaser and this offering, and the Purchaser Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Purchaser Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the Company, any person on behalf of the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates (collectively, the “Company Parties”).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:
(a) Incorporation and Corporate Power. The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company has no subsidiaries.
(b) Capitalization. The authorized share capital of the Company consists of:
(i) up to 500,000,000 Class A Shares, 10,000,000 (11,500,000 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) of which will be issued and outstanding immediately after the IPO.
(ii) up to 50,000,000 Class B Shares, 6,870,130 of which are currently issued and outstanding (up to 448,052 of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised, and up to 3,435,065 of which are subject to forfeiture immediately prior to the Business Combination Closing depending on the Aggregate Purchase Price received under the Agreement or in the event of our liquidation and subsequent dissolution). All of the issued and outstanding Class B Shares have been duly authorized, are fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
(iii) 5,000,000 preference shares, none of which are issued and outstanding.
(c) Authorization. All corporate action required to be taken by the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders in order to authorize the Company to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Forward Purchase Securities at the FPS Closing, and the securities issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Forward Purchase Securities, has been taken or will be taken prior to the FPS Closing. All action on the part of the shareholders, directors and officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement to be performed as of the FPS Closing, and the issuance and delivery of the Forward Purchase Securities and the securities issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Forward Purchase Securities has been taken or will be taken prior to the FPS Closing. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Registration Rights may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
(d) Valid Issuance of Securities.
(i) The Securities, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement and the Charter and registered in the register of members of the Company, and the securities issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Forward Purchase Securities, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Forward Purchase Securities, the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and this Agreement, and registered in the register of members of the Company, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, encumbrances and charges with respect to the issue thereof and restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer specified under this Agreement, applicable state and federal securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by the Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchaser in this Agreement and subject to the filings described in Section 3(f) below, the Forward Purchase Securities will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
(ii) No “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)-(viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”) is applicable to the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Company Covered Person (as defined below), except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii-iv) or (d)(3), is applicable. “Company Covered Person” means, with respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any Person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1).
(f) Governmental Consents and Filings. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by the Purchaser in this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act, and applicable state securities laws.
(g) Compliance with Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Charter or other governing documents, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, in each case (other than clause (i)) which would have a material adverse effect on the Company or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(h) Operations. As of the date hereof, the Company has not conducted, and prior to the IPO Closing the Company will not conduct, any operations other than organizational activities and activities in connection with offerings of the Forward Purchase Securities and securities in the IPO.
(i) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other Person acting on behalf of the Company has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.
(j) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and all other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the applicable money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(k) Economic Sanctions. Neither the Company, nor any director, director nominee or officer or, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent or affiliate of the Company is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or any similar sanctions imposed by any other body, governmental or other, to which any of such persons is subject (collectively, “other economic sanctions”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the IPO, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC or other economic sanctions.
(l) Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Company’s officers or directors, whether of a civil or criminal nature or otherwise, in their capacities as such.
(m) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or shareholders has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (i) engaged in any general solicitation, or (ii) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the Forward Purchase Securities.
(n) Full Disclosure. On the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the prospectus relating to the Public Units will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(p) No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 3 and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, none of the Company Parties has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company, this offering, the proposed IPO or a potential Business Combination, and the Company Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by the Purchaser in Section 2 of this Agreement and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, the Company Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the Purchaser Parties.
4. Right of First Offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 4, if, in connection with or prior to the Business Combination Closing, the Company proposes to raise additional capital by issuing any equity securities, or securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for equity securities, other than the Public Units (and their component Class A Shares (the “Public Shares”), Public Warrants and the Class A Shares underlying the Public Warrants) and Excluded Securities (as defined below) (“New Equity Securities”), the Company shall first make an offer of the applicable pro rata New Equity Securities to the Purchaser in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 4:
(a) Offer Notice.
(i) The Company shall give written notice (the “Offering Notice”) to the Purchaser and the other Forward Contract Parties (defined below) stating its bona fide intention to offer the New Equity Securities and specifying the number of New Equity Securities and the material terms and conditions, including the price, pursuant to which the Company proposes to offer the New Equity Securities and the applicable pro rata share of such New Equity Securities offered to the Purchaser pursuant to such Offering Notice.
(ii) The Offering Notice shall constitute the Company’s offer to sell the applicable pro rata New Equity Securities to the Purchaser and the other Forward Contract Parties, which offer shall be irrevocable for a period of five (5) Business Days (the “ROFO Notice Period”).
(b) Exercise of Right of First Offer.
(i) Upon receipt of the Offering Notice, the Purchaser shall have until the end of the ROFO Notice Period to offer to purchase all or a portion of its pro rata share of the New Equity Securities (pro rata is calculated based on the number of Forward Purchase Securities the Purchaser has agreed to purchase hereunder out of the total number of Forward Purchase Securities that the Purchaser and other Forward Contract Parties have agreed to purchase at the FPS Closing), by delivering a written notice (a “ROFO Offer Notice”) to the Company stating that it offers to purchase such New Equity Securities on the terms specified in the Offering Notice. Any ROFO Offer Notice so delivered shall be binding upon delivery and irrevocable by the Purchaser.
(ii) If the Purchaser does not deliver a ROFO Offer Notice during the ROFO Notice Period, the Purchaser shall be deemed to have waived all of the Purchaser’s rights to purchase the New Equity Securities offered pursuant to the Offering Notice under this Section 4, and the Company shall thereafter be free to sell or enter into an agreement to sell the Purchaser’s pro rata portion of such New Equity Securities to any third party, including any third parties (the “Forward Contract Parties”) that enter into one or more agreements substantially in the form of this Agreement with the Company (collectively, the “Forward Contracts”, ) without any further obligation to the Purchaser pursuant to this Section 4 within the ninety (90) day period thereafter (and with respect to an agreement to sell, consummate such sale at any time thereafter) on terms and conditions not more favorable to the third party than those set forth in the Offering Notice. If the Company does not sell or enter into an agreement to sell the Purchaser’s pro rata portion of the New Equity Securities within such period, the rights provided hereunder shall be deemed to be revived and the New Equity Securities shall not be offered to any third party unless first re-offered to the Purchaser in accordance with this Section 4.
(c) Excluded Securities. For purposes hereof, the term “Excluded Securities” means Class B Shares (and Class A Shares into which such Class B Shares are convertible) issued to the SLG SPAC Fund LLC, the Company’s IPO sponsor (the “Sponsor”) prior to the IPO, the private placement warrants sold to the Sponsor or its affiliates in connection with the IPO (the “Private Placement Warrants”), warrants issued upon the conversion of working capital loans to the Company to be made by the Sponsor or an affiliate thereof to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, any securities issued by the Company as consideration to any seller in the Business Combination.
5. Additional Agreements and Acknowledgements and Waivers of the Purchaser.
(a) Trust Account.
(i) The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that it is aware that the Company has established a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of its public shareholders upon the closing of the IPO. The Purchaser, for itself and its affiliates, hereby agrees that it has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company, except for redemption and liquidation rights, if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any Public Shares held by it.
(ii) The Purchaser hereby agrees that it shall have no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future, except for redemption and liquidation rights, if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any Public Shares held by it. In the event the Purchaser has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, the Purchaser shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the property or any monies in the Trust Account, except for redemption and liquidation rights, if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any Public Shares held by it.
(b) No Short Sales. The Purchaser hereby agrees that neither it, nor any person or entity acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it, will engage in any Short Sales with respect to securities of the Company prior to the Business Combination Closing. For purposes of this Section, “Short Sales” shall include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.
7. Additional Agreements of the Company.
(a) QEF Election; Tax Information. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to determine whether, in any year, the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) is deemed to be a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) or a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”) within the meaning of U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Code”), and shall notify the Purchaser if the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) is deemed to be a PFIC or CFC. If the Company determines that the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) is a PFIC in any year, for the year of determination and for each year thereafter during which the Purchaser holds an equity interest in the Company, including Warrants, and the Purchaser is subject to income tax in the United States, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) make available to the Purchaser the information that may be required to make or maintain a “qualified electing fund” election under the Code with respect to the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company, as applicable) and (ii) furnish the information required to be reported under Section 1298(f) of the Code or under any other applicable tax law.
(c) IPO. The Company will offer at least 10,000,000 Public Units in the IPO. Each Public Unit will be comprised of one Class A Share and no more than one-half of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant will have an exercise price of not less than $11.50 per share.
(d) No Material Non-Public Information. The Company and the Sponsor agree that no information provided to the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement will, upon the IPO Closing, constitute material non-public information of the Company, and following the IPO Closing, neither the Company nor the Sponsor will provide the Purchaser with any material non-public information of the Company (including any material non-public information with respect to any other Person in connection with any proposed Business Combination) without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.
(e) Nasdaq Listing. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the listing of the Class A Shares and Warrants on The Nasdaq Global Market (or another national securities exchange).
(f) No Amendments to Charter. The Charter of the Company will be in substantially the same form of Exhibit B hereto and will not be materially amended prior to the IPO Closing without the Purchaser’s prior written consent.
8. Transfer. This Agreement and all of the Purchaser’s rights and obligations hereunder (including the Purchaser’s obligation to purchase the Forward Purchase Securities) may be transferred or assigned, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, to (i) one or more third parties and/or (ii) to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the Purchaser (each such transferee under clause (i) or (ii), a “Transferee”), subject to the prior written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably denied, withheld or delayed). Upon any such assignment:
(a) the applicable Transferee shall execute a signature page to this Agreement, substantially in the form of the Purchaser’s signature page hereto (the “Joinder Agreement”), which shall reflect the number of Forward Purchase Securities to be purchased by such Transferee (the “Transferee Securities”), and, upon such execution, such Transferee shall have all the same rights and obligations of the Purchaser hereunder with respect to the Transferee Securities, and references herein to the “Purchaser” shall be deemed to refer to and include any such Transferee with respect to such Transferee and to its Transferee Securities; provided, that any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Purchaser and any such Transferee shall be several and not joint and shall be made as to the Purchaser or any such Transferee, as applicable, as to itself only; and
(b) upon a Transferee’s execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement, the number of Forward Purchase Securities to be purchased by the Purchaser hereunder shall be reduced by the total number of Forward Purchase Securities to be purchased by the applicable Transferee pursuant to the applicable Joinder Agreement, which reduction shall be evidenced by the Purchaser and the Company amending the Exhibit C hereto to reflect such reduction, and the Purchaser shall be fully and unconditionally released from its obligation to purchase such Transferee Securities hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement need not be amended and restated in its entirety, but only the Exhibit C hereto need be so amended and updated and executed by each of the Purchaser and the Company upon the occurrence of any such transfer of Transferee Securities.
9. FPS Closing Conditions.
(a) The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Forward Purchase Securities at the FPS Closing under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the FPS Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, may be waived by the Purchaser:
(i) The conditions to the Business Combination Closing shall have been satisfied;
(ii) The Business Combination shall be consummated substantially concurrently with, and immediately following, the purchase of Forward Purchase Securities;
(iii) The Company shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate evidencing the Company’s good standing as a Cayman Islands exempted company, as of a date within ten (10) Business Days of the FPS Closing;
(iv) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct as of the date of the FPS Closing, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date (other than any such representation or warranty that is made by its terms as of a specified time, which shall be true and correct as of such specified time), except where the failure to be so true and correct would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(v) The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the FPS Closing; and
(vi) No order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or award shall have been entered by or with any governmental, regulatory, or administrative authority or any court, tribunal, or judicial, or arbitral body, and no other legal restraint or prohibition shall be in effect, preventing the purchase by the Purchaser of the Forward Purchase Securities.
(b) The obligation of the Pubco to sell the Forward Purchase Securities at the FPS Closing under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the FPS Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, may be waived by the Pubco:
(i) The Business Combination shall be consummated substantially concurrently with, and immediately following, the purchase of Forward Purchase Securities;
(ii) The representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct as of the FPS Closing, as applicable, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date (other than any such representation or warranty that is made by its terms as of a specified time, which shall be true and correct as of such specified time), except where the failure to be so true and correct would not have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) The Purchaser shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Purchaser at or prior to the FPS Closing; and
(iv) No order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or award shall have been entered by or with any governmental, regulatory, or administrative authority or any court, tribunal, or judicial, or arbitral body, and no other legal restraint or prohibition shall be in effect, preventing the purchase by the Purchaser of the Forward Purchase Securities.
10. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the FPS Closing:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Company and the Purchaser;
(b) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, which shall be delivered to the Company at any time but no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the general meeting of the Company approving the Business Combination;
(c) automatically
(i) if the Business Combination is not consummated within twenty-one (21) months from the closing of the IPO, unless extended upon approval of the Company’s shareholders in accordance with the Charter; or
(ii) if the Company becomes subject to any voluntary or involuntary petition under the United States federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law, in each case which is not withdrawn within sixty (60) days after being filed, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer is appointed by a court for business or property of the Company, which is not removed, withdrawn or terminated within sixty (60) days after such appointment.
In the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10, the Aggregate Purchase Price (and interest thereon, if any), if previously paid, and all Purchaser’s funds paid in connection herewith shall be promptly returned to the Purchaser, and thereafter this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of the Purchaser or the Company and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, or shareholders and all rights and obligations of each party shall cease; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 10 shall relieve either party from liabilities or damages arising out of any fraud or willful breach by such party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement.
11. General Provisions.
(a) Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (i) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile (if any) during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next Business Day, (iii) five (5) Business Days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications sent to the Company shall be sent to: Spark I Acquisition Corporation, 3790 El Camino Real, Unit #570, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Attn: James Rhee, Chief Executive Officer, email: jim@sparklabsgroup.com, with a copy to the Company’s counsel at: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., 650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304-1050, Attn: Andrew D. Hoffman, Esq., email: ahoffman@wsgr.com. All communications to the Purchaser shall be sent to the Purchaser’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number (if any) or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 11(a).
(b) No Finder’s Fees. Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this transaction. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Purchaser or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible.
(c) Survival of Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the FPS Closing.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto or referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(e) Successors. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
(f) Assignments. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, including under Section 8, no party hereto may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(h) Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Delaware applicable to contracts wholly performed within the borders of such state, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
(j) Waiver of Jury Trial. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(k) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except with the written consent of the Company and the Purchaser.
(l) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party hereto or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties hereto agree that the governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination will have the power to modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
(m) Expenses. Each of the Company and the Purchaser will bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants. The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent, stamp taxes and all of The Depository Trust Company’s fees associated with the issuance of the Forward Purchase Securities and the securities issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Forward Purchase Securities.
(n) Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign law will be deemed also to refer to law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include” “includes” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.
(o) Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent occurrence.
(p) Confidentiality. Except as may be required by law, regulation or applicable stock exchange listing requirements, unless and until the transactions contemplated hereby and the terms hereof are publicly announced or otherwise publicly disclosed by the Company, the parties hereto shall keep confidential and shall not publicly disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement.
(q) Most Favored Nations. The Company hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof, and covenants and agrees that after the date hereof, none of the agreements with other Forward Contract Parties or any other person for the purchase of Forward Purchase Securities includes or will include terms, rights or other benefits that are more favorable, in any material respect, to such other Person than the terms, rights and benefits in favor of the Purchaser under this Agreement, and the Company will not amend any of the material terms, rights or benefits in, or waive any material obligation under, any of the agreements with such other Person (the “More Favorable Terms”) unless, in any such case, the Purchaser has been offered in writing the opportunity to concurrently receive the benefits of the More Favorable Terms. The Purchaser shall notify the Company in writing, within ten (10) days after the date it has been offered the opportunity to receive the benefit of the More Favorable Terms, of its election to receive any More Favorable Term so offered.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.
PURCHASER: | Address for Notices: | ||
SPARKLABS GROUP MANAGEMENT, LLC | 3790 El Camino Real Unit #570, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | ||
By: | /s/ | Email: bernard@sparklabsglobal.com | |
Name: Bernard Moon | |||
Title: Managing Member | |||
COMPANY: | |||
SPARK I ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |||
By: | /s/ | ||
Name: James Rhee | |||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
Exhibit A
Registration Rights
1. Within thirty (30) days after the Business Combination Closing, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts (i) to file a registration statement on Form S-3 for a secondary offering (including any successor registration statement covering the resale of the Registrable Securities a “Resale Shelf’) of (x) the Forward Purchase Securities, (y) any other Forward Purchase Securities that may be acquired by the Purchaser after the date of this Agreement, including any time after the Business Combination Closing and (z) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (x) and (y) by way of a share capitalization or share sub-division or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”) pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act; provided, that if Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall register the resale of the Registrable Securities on another appropriate form and undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, (ii) to cause the Resale Shelf to be declared effective under the Securities Act promptly thereafter, but in no event later than sixty (60) days thereafter, and (iii) to maintain the effectiveness of such Resale Shelf with respect to the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities until the earliest of (A) the date on which the Purchaser ceases to hold Registrable Securities covered by such Resale Shelf, (B) the date all of the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Shelf can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation under Rule 144 under the Securities Act and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act; and provided, further, with respect to Registrable Securities acquired after the Business Combination Closing, the Company shall only be obligated to amend the Resale Shelf or file a new registration statement that will constitute a Resale Shelf to include such Registrable Securities on two (2) occasions, each upon the written request of Purchaser with respect to at least 100,000 Registrable Securities.
2. In the event the Company is prohibited by applicable rule, regulation or interpretation by the staff (“Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) from registering all of the Registrable Securities on the Resale Shelf or the Staff requires that the Purchaser be specifically identified as an “underwriter’ in order to permit such registration statement to become effective, and such Purchaser does not consent in writing to being so named as an underwriter in such registration statement, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on the Resale Shelf will be reduced on a pro rata basis among all the holders of Registrable Securities to be so included, unless otherwise required by the Staff, so that the number of Registrable Securities to be registered is permitted by Staff and such Purchaser is not required to be named as an “underwriter”; provided, that any Registrable Securities not registered due to this paragraph 2 shall thereafter as soon as allowed by the SEC guidance be registered to the extent the prohibition no longer is applicable.
3. If at any time the Company proposes to file a registration statement (a “Registration Statement”) on its own behalf, or on behalf of any other Persons who have registration rights (“Other Holders”), relating to an underwritten offering of ordinary shares, or engage in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (as defined below) off an existing registration statement (a “Company Offering”), then the Company will provide the Purchaser and each other Forward Contract Party who purchased no less than $1,000,000 worth of the Forward Purchase Securities (collectively, the “Piggyback Holders”) with notice in writing (an “Offer Notice”) at least five (5) Business Days prior to such filing, which Offer Notice will offer to include in the Registration Statement Purchaser’s Registrable Securities and a minimum of $500,000 worth of the securities of each other Forward Contract Party which is a Piggyback Holder that constitute “Registrable Securities” under such parties’ forward purchase agreements (collectively “Piggyback Securities”). Within five (5) Business Days (or, in the case of an Offer Notice delivered to the Purchaser or the other Forward Contract Parties in connection with an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, within three (3) Business Days) after receiving the Offer Notice, the Purchaser may make a written request (a “Piggyback Request”) to the Company to include some or all of Purchaser’s Registrable Securities in the Registration Statement. If the underwriter(s) for any Company Offering advise the Company that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of securities that may be included in the Company Offering, the number of securities to be so included shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, to the Company and the Other Holders, if any; and (ii) second, to the Piggyback Holders based on the pro rata percentage of Piggyback Securities held by the Piggyback Holders and requested to be included in the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph 3, the Company hereby agrees that it will not provide an Offer Notice to any other Forward Contract Party unless such other Forward Contract Party agrees in writing to treat the contents of such Offer Notice as material non-public information.
4. At any time during which the Company has an effective Resale Shelf with respect to the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities, the Purchaser may make a written request (which request shall specify the intended method of disposition thereof) (a “Shelf Takedown Request”) to the Company to effect a sale, of all or a portion of the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities that are covered by the Resale Shelf, and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a prospectus supplement (a “Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement”) for such purpose as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a Shelf Takedown Request. The Purchaser may request that any such sale be conducted as an underwritten public offering (an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”). The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than two Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. The Purchaser acknowledges that, pursuant to the terms and conditions of Forward Contracts among the Company and other Forward Contract Parties (such agreements, as they relate to the rights of the other Forward Contract Parties set forth in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of this Exhibit A, not to be amended without the Purchaser’s prior written consent), each other Forward Contract Party who purchased at least $1,000,000 worth of Forward Purchase Securities and proposes to sell at least $500,000 worth Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown (a “Requesting Holder”) shall have the right, pursuant to a timely Piggyback Request, to include securities that are covered by the Resale Shelf (“Requesting Holder Securities”) in the prospectus supplement relating to any Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Purchaser agrees to cooperate with the Company and such other Forward Contract Parties in furtherance thereof. If the underwriter(s) for any Underwritten Shelf Takedown advise the Company that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of securities that may be included in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the number of securities to be so included shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, to the Purchaser; and (ii) second, to the Requesting Holders based on the pro rata percentage of Requesting Holder Securities held by the Requesting Holders and requested to be included in the Underwritten Offering. It is understood that any other Forward Contract Party electing to include securities on an Underwritten Shelf Takedown proposed by Purchaser shall not have the ability to withdraw such securities from such offering without the consent of the Purchaser, it being understood that the terms of the offering may not be known at the time of such offering and that Purchaser shall have the sole discretion to approve such terms (and such other Forward Contract Party shall not have the right to make any determinations other than whether they wish to include their Requesting Holder Securities in the prospectus supplement). In this regard, by electing to include securities in such offering, such other Forward Contract Party agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Purchaser in furtherance of such offering, including entering into such customary agreements and take all such actions (including supplying all reasonably requested information) within 48 hours of a reasonable request by the Company, underwriters or Purchaser.
5. The determination of whether any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Resale Shelf or a Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement will be an underwritten offering shall be made in the sole discretion of the Purchaser, after consultation with the Company, and the Purchaser shall have the right, after consultation with the Company, to determine the plan of distribution, including the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees (and the Piggyback Holders or Requesting Holders (as applicable) shall not have the right to make any determinations other than whether they wish to include their Requesting Holder Securities in the prospectus supplement). The Purchaser shall select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers and managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company).
6. In connection with any underwritten offering, the Company shall enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Purchaser) in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities as are reasonably necessary or required, and in such connection enter into a customary underwriting agreement that provides for customary opinions, comfort letters and officer’s certificates and other customary deliverables.
7. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with its obligation to prepare, file and maintain the Resale Shelf (including the fees of its counsel and accountants). The Company shall also pay all Registration Expenses. For purposes of this paragraph 7, “Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Company Offering or an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, including, without limitation, the following: (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA) and any securities exchange on which the Registrable Securities are then listed; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel to the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; (iv) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; and (vi) reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the Purchaser; provided, that it is understood and agreed that the Company shall be responsible for any underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, underwriter expenses and stock transfer taxes relating to the registration and sale of the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities.
8. The Company may suspend the use of a prospectus included in the Resale Shelf by furnishing to the Purchaser a written notice (“Suspension Notice”) stating that in the good faith judgment of the Company, it would be either (i) prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (as if the Purchaser were covered by such policy) or (ii) materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such prospectus to be used at such time. The Company’s right to suspend the use of such prospectus under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence may be exercised for a period of not more than sixty (60) days after the date of such notice to the Purchaser; provided such period may be extended for an additional thirty (30) days with the consent of a majority-in-interest of the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the Resale Shelf; provided further, that such right to suspend the use of a prospectus shall be exercised by the Company not more than once in any twelve (12) month period. A holder of Registrable Securities shall not effect any sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Resale Shelf at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below). The holders may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Resale Shelf following further written notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company to the holders. The Company shall act in good faith to permit any suspension period contemplated by this paragraph to be concluded as promptly as reasonably practicable.
9. The Purchaser agrees that, except as required by applicable law, the Purchaser shall treat as confidential the receipt of any Suspension Notice (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material nonpublic information of the Company) hereunder and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such Suspension Notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes public, other than as a result of disclosure by a holder of Registrable Securities in breach of the terms of this Agreement.
10. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, its directors and officers, partners, members, managers, employees, agents, and representatives of such Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls the Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (collectively, “Losses”), promptly as incurred, arising out of, based upon or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Resale Shelf (or any amendment or supplement thereto), the related prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of, are based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case or to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such Loss arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission or so made in reliance upon or in conformity with information furnished by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person in writing specifically for use in the preparation of the Resale Shelf, the related prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by the Purchaser.
11. The Company’s obligation under paragraph (1) of this Exhibit A is subject to the Purchaser’s furnishing to the Company in writing such information as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with the Resale Shelf, the related prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto. The Purchaser shall indemnify the Company, its officers, directors, managers, employees, agents and representatives, and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Resale Shelf, the related prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Purchaser expressly for inclusion in such document; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each Purchaser and shall be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such Purchaser from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Resale Shelf.
12. The Company shall cooperate with the Purchaser, to the extent the Registrable Securities become freely tradable, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Resale Shelf and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Purchaser may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Purchaser may request.
13. If requested by the Purchaser, the Company shall as soon as practicable, subject to any Suspension Notice, (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Purchaser reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Purchaser holding any Registrable Securities.
14. As long as the Purchaser shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall promptly furnish the Purchaser with true and complete copies of all such filings, unless filed through the SEC’s EDGAR system. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as the Purchaser may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time, to enable the Purchaser to sell the Forward Purchase Securities held by the Purchaser without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of the Purchaser, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
15. The rights, duties and obligations of the Purchaser under this Exhibit A may be assigned or delegated by the Purchaser in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities by the Purchaser to any transferee or assignee.
Exhibit B
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Exhibit C
Subscription of Forward Purchase Securities
To: The [Director/Board] of [Issuer] (the “Company”),
The undersigned hereby subscribes, for the sum of $_______, the following securities on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Forward Purchase Agreement dated as of [*], 2023 between Spark I Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company, and SparkLabs Group Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Agreement”) [and the attached addendum]. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.
¨ | Number of Forward Purchase Shares ($__ per each): | ______ |
¨ | Number of Forward Purchase Warrants ($__ per each): | ______ |
¨ | Number of Forward Purchase Rights ($__ per each): | ______ |
¨ | Number of Forward Purchase Units ($__ per each): | ______ |
¨ | Other Forward Purchase Securities*: ____________________________ |
* Please state here the type of securities and purchase price per each
Sincerely, | ||
[Purchaser] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Accepted: | ||
[Company] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit 23.1
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Spark I Acquisition Corporation. on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 of our report dated July 7, 2023, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the financial statements of Spark I Acquisition Corporation as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the period from July 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Hartford, CT
September 15, 2023