UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the fiscal year ended
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
Commission
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
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by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
Smaller
reporting company | |
Emerging
growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
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included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
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As
of June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $
As of March 18, 2024, there were shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and share of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Period Ended December 31, 2023
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CERTAIN TERMS
References to “the Company,” “Pono,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Pono Capital Two, Inc., a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on March 11, 2022. References to our “Sponsor” refer to Mehana Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. References to our “IPO” refer to the initial public offering of Pono Capital Two, Inc., which closed on August 9, 2022.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. The statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this report may include, for example, statements about our:
● | ability to complete our initial business combination; | |
● | success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; | |
● | officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements; | |
● | potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; | |
● | pool of prospective target businesses; | |
● | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; | |
● | potential change in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for stock; | |
● | the potential liquidity and trading of our securities; | |
● | the lack of a market for our securities; | |
● | use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or | |
● | financial performance following our IPO. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws and/or if and when management knows or has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that previously disclosed projections are no longer reasonably attainable.
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PART I
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
Introduction
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to herein as our initial business combination. Our Sponsor is Mehana Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”).
We believe that there are many target companies that could become attractive public companies and we will seek a target in the disruptive technology sector with a spotlight on companies in Asia with Japan in particular. While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or geographic region, we will seek to capitalize on the operational and investment experience of our management team and focus on disruptive technology companies that we believe have significant growth prospects and the potential to generate attractive returns for our stockholders. We expect to focus on identifying potential target companies with above-industry-average growth, and a defensible market position where our management team’s operational, strategic, or managerial expertise can assist in maximizing value.
The Registration Statement for our initial public offering was declared effective on August 4, 2022 (the “Initial Public Offering,” or “IPO”). On August 9, 2022, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 11,500,000 Units, including 1,500,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in full, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 634,375 units (the “Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Placement Unit in a private placement to the Sponsor, including 63,000 Placement Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in full, generating gross proceeds of $6,343,750, which is described in Note 4.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 9, 2022, an amount of $117,875,000 ($10.25 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Placement Units was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), and will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with maturities 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, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a business combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
On May 5, 2023, we held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned the Special Meeting to May 8, 2023. On May 8, 2023, we held the Special Meeting. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Extension Amendment” (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from May 9, 2023 to February 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account, and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a business combination at the election of the holder. As approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Company filed an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 8, 2023. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 9,577,250 shares of Class A common stock of the Company in connection with the Special Meeting. Following such redemptions, the amount of funds remaining in the Trust Account is approximately $20 million.
In connection with the Special Meeting, the Company and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain unaffiliated stockholders owning, in the aggregate, 998,682 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, among other things, not to redeem or exercise any right to redeem such public shares in connection with the Extension Amendment. In connection with the non-redemption agreements, the Sponsor agreed to transfer to the stockholders that entered into such agreements Sponsor Shares upon the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination.
On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted 2,874,999 Founder Shares of Class B common stock into 2,874,999 shares of Class A common stock.
On February 5, 2024, the Company held another special meeting of stockholders (the “Second Special Meeting”). During the Second Special Meeting, stockholders approved another amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination (the “Combination Period”) from February 9, 2024 to November 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account. As approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Company filed another amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State on February 5, 2024. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 273,334 shares of Class A common stock of the Company in connection with the Second Special Meeting. Following such redemptions, the amount of funds remaining in the trust account is approximately $17.9 million.
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In connection with the Second Special Meeting, the Company entered into a non-redemption agreement with an unaffiliated investor (the “Holder”) which agreed to acquire from public stockholders of the Company 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 shares of Class A common stock in the open market, at a prices no higher than the redemption price per share payable to stockholders who exercise redemption rights in connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Company’s proposed business combination with SBC (as defined below), prior to the Second Special Meeting and to agree to waive its redemption rights and hold the shares until after the closing of the business combination. In consideration of the Holder’s agreement to waive its redemption rights with respect to the shares, and subject to (i) the Holder acquiring 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 shares of Class A common stock in the open market, and (ii) Holder’s satisfaction of its other obligations under the non-redemption agreement, the Company, on the closing date of the business combination, provided that Holder has continued to hold the Holder’s shares through the closing date, SBC and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, the chief executive officer of SBC, shall cause to be issued or transferred to Holder a number of shares of Class A common stock held by Dr. Aikawa (the “Incentive Shares”), which will equal one (1) Incentive Share for each public share purchased in the open market pursuant to the non-redemption agreement that is continuously owned by Holder until the closing date of the business combination. This non-redemption agreement terminates on the earliest to occur of (i) the closing date of the business combination, (ii) the termination of the related business combination agreement, or (iii) April 30, 2024 (the “Clearance Date”) if the Company has not cleared all SEC comments to its proxy statement in connection with the business combination by that date. On March 15, 2024, the parties to the non-redemption agreement entered into an amendment to the non-redemption agreement to extend the Clearance Date to June 30, 2024, and to agree to close the business combination on or before August 31, 2024.
If we are unable to complete a business combination within the Combination Period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned (net of taxes payable and less interest to pay dissolution expenses up to $100,000), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 remaining stockholders and our board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject in each case to its obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to the deferred underwriting commission held in the Trust Account in the event we do not complete a business combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).
On January 31, 2023, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among us, Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“SBC”), Mehana Capital, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, in his capacity as Seller Representative.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into SBC, with SBC continuing as the surviving corporation. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are referred to herein as the “Business Combination.”
As a condition to closing of the Business Combination, SBC will complete certain restructuring transactions pursuant to which SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation (“SBC-Japan”) and certain related entities which carry on the business of SBC-Japan and such other related entities, will become subsidiaries of SBC.
As consideration for the Business Combination, the holders of SBC securities as of the closing of the Business Combination, collectively will be entitled to receive from us, in the aggregate, a number of our securities with an aggregate value equal to (a) $1,200,000,000, minus (b) the amount, if any, by which $3,000,000 exceeds SBC’s Net Working Capital, plus (c) the amount, if any, by which SBC’s Net Working Capital exceeds $3,000,000, minus (d) the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by SBC) of SBC at Closing, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of SBC associated with the Business Combination.
On April 26, 2023, the parties entered into an amendment to the Merger Agreement. Our board approved the amendment on April 25, 2023. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Sponsor in its sole discretion may direct Pono to issue all or a portion of the Sponsor Shares on an earlier or later date as it may determine, which date will not be earlier than the Closing. In addition, pursuant to the Amendment, the date by which (i) SBC will complete its agreed upon disclosure schedules, (ii) Pono will complete its due diligence review of SBC, and (iii) the parties to the Merger Agreement will agree upon any modifications or amendments to the Merger Agreement to the terms and conditions therein, among other related matters, was extended from April 28, 2023 to May 31, 2023. SBC also agreed to purchase, or to cause one of its Affiliates to purchase, equity in the Sponsor in an amount equal to $1,000,000, by way of a separate agreement to be entered into on or before May 5, 2023.
On May 18, 2023, the parties entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the parties have agreed that Pono will issue and sell to SBC a convertible promissory note of $1,000,000 in aggregate principal amount which note is convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share of Pono.
On May 26, 2023, the closing date of the purchase and sale of the Note, SBC delivered the Note reflecting the Principal Amount and SBC deposited $1,000,000 by wire transfer into the specified Company account. The Note does not bear interest (unless otherwise required by applicable law, in which event interest will accrue at the minimum rate required by applicable law) and the principal amount may be prepaid at any time.
On May 30, 2023, the parties entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement. Our board approved the amendment on May 23, 2023. The amendment extended the time for (i) SBC to deliver disclosure schedules, (ii) Pono to complete its due diligence review of SBC and (iii) the parties to agree upon a modifications or amendments to the Merger Agreement to the terms and conditions therein until June 15, 2023.
On June 15, 2023, the parties entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Merger Agreement. Our board approved the amendment on June 15, 2023. The amendment further extended the time for (i) SBC to deliver disclosure schedules, (ii) Pono to complete its due diligence review of SBC and (iii) the parties to agree upon a modifications or amendments to the Merger Agreement to the terms and conditions therein until June 22, 2023.
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On June 21, 2023, the parties entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (“A&R Merger Agreement”). Our board approved the A&R Merger Agreement on June 15, 2023. The A&R Merger Agreement revised the target companies to be directly or indirectly purchased by Pono following a restructuring of SBC’s corporate structure, to include only the Service Companies and certain other entities, and to no longer include the direct or indirect purchase of Medical Corporations, and as a result, removed other references to the Medical Corporations, including the related representations and warranties, among others. The Medical Corporations were removed for Japanese regulatory reasons under the Japanese Medical Care Act. Based on the provisions of the Japanese Medical Care Act, in essence, medical corporations are considered not-for-profit organizations with a benevolent purpose of serving human-kind and cannot be controlled by for-profit entities. More specifically, the Medical Corporations, even though considered related parties, are independent business operators and, the Company does not exercise control over the day-to-day operations of their clinics (except to the extent governed by our management services contracts). The removal of the Medical Corporations from the A&R Merger Agreement required a reduction of the valuation. As a result, the schedule was delayed by approximately two months. Other than the reduction of the valuation and delay, the overall transaction was not affected by this removal. The A&R Merger Agreement also extended the date by which the disclosures schedules were to be delivered to August 31, 2023 and extended the date by which the Closing shall occur from September 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Pursuant to the A&R Merger Agreement, the parties also agreed that any future expenses incurred in connection with the extension of the time by which Pono must complete its initial business combination shall be borne entirely by Pono, which replaces and supersedes the prior requirement under the Original Agreement for Pono and SBC to share such expenses equally.
On September 8, 2023, the parties entered into the First Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement, which provided for the holders of SBC securities collectively to be entitled to receive from Pono as Merger consideration, in the aggregate, a number of Pono securities with an aggregate value equal to (a) $1,000,000,000, minus (b) the amount, if any, by which $3,000,000 exceeds SBC’s Net Working Capital, plus (c) the amount, if any, by which SBC’s Net Working Capital exceeds $3,000,000, minus (d) the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by SBC) of SBC at Closing, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of SBC associated with the Business Combination. Our board approved the amendment on September 7, 2023.
On October 26, 2023, the parties entered into the Second Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with the parties thereto. Prior to the Second Amendment, the Company’s board of directors as of the Closing was to be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, two of whom must qualify as independent directors; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by the Company; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by the Company and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director. Following the Second Amendment, the Company’s board of directors as of the Closing will be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, at least one of whom must qualify as an independent director; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by the Company, who must qualify as an independent director; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by the Company and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director.
On December 28, 2023, the parties entered into the Third Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) with the parties thereto. The Third Amendment was entered into solely to extend the Outside Date (as defined in the A&R Merger Agreement) from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
On February 27, 2024, the Company and SBC entered into an Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement (the “Amended Note Purchase Agreement”), which increased the purchase price of the Note from $1,000,000 to $2,700,000.
Please see the Current Reports on Form 8-K we filed with the SEC on February 2, 2023, June 22, 2023, September 11, 2023, October 26, 2023, December 29, 2023, and March 1, 2024 for additional information.
Our Company
We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on March 11, 2022 formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “business combination”). We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement units, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing or other sources.
We believe that there are many target companies that could become attractive public companies and we will seek a target in the disruptive technology sector with a spotlight on companies in Asia with Japan in particular. While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or geographic region, we will seek to capitalize on the operational and investment experience of our management team and focus on disruptive technology companies that we believe have significant growth prospects and the potential to generate attractive returns for our stockholders. We expect to focus on identifying potential target companies with above-industry-average growth, and a defensible market position where our management team’s operational, strategic, or managerial expertise can assist in maximizing value.
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We believe the traditional IPO and direct listing processes are not designed for these types of companies to execute on their ambitious strategies. We believe using a SPAC structure is a disruptive alternative to, and creates more efficiencies than, the traditional IPO approach. We also believe that because the industries in which we have particular expertise, and in which we will seek to identify a potential business combination target, are often overlooked by traditional venture capital, public equity and private equity investors, many high-quality companies in these industries are not well suited to a traditional IPO, direct listing or private equity buyout transaction. Therefore, we believe our focus on these particular industries will provide unique access to the highest quality companies and management teams and a substantial number of proprietary business combination opportunities. Our mission is to create a better solution to the conventional IPO for these high growth, disruptive technology and technology-enabled companies, which addresses their needs for capital and liquidity, while overcoming the key points of friction in the traditional IPO path in particular for businesses in Japan.
We believe our expertise will make us an attractive partner for companies seeking a clear and efficient path to listing their shares with a significant degree of funding certainty including high-quality companies in Japan where certain of the Company’s officers and directors are familiar with Japanese business and M&A culture, which will have an impact on the dynamics of a business combination. There are a large number of companies that desire to have publicly-traded shares to provide liquidity to investors and employees, create a currency for mergers and acquisitions and access to equity capital markets. We may seek to combine with businesses owned by our founder and minority investors, although we may consummate a transaction with businesses controlled by private equity investors or family-owned businesses, which means there is a wide universe of potential partners. We believe our understanding of private deal execution and public capital markets, and valuation dynamics in both markets, make us uniquely positioned to identify and execute a business combination with a growth orientation.
Our Management Team
Our management team is led by Darryl Nakamoto, our Chief Executive Officer and Director, Allison Van Orman, our Chief Financial Officer, and Dustin Shindo, our Chairman of the Board, who will be supported by Pono Capital Two, Inc.’s independent directors, sponsor, accountants and legal counsel, as further described below. We believe our management team is well positioned to identify and evaluate businesses within the technology industry that would benefit from being a public company and from access to our expertise. We believe we can achieve this mission by utilizing our team’s extensive experience in growing and operating technology companies as well as our broad network of contacts in the technology sector.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, public companies and operating businesses seeking strategic business combinations. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the initial business combination of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Employees
We currently have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters, but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the initial business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
For additional discussion of the general development of our business, see our final prospectus on Form 424B4, filed with the SEC on August 8, 2022.
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ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 1C. | CYBERSECURITY |
We are a SPAC with no business operations. Since our IPO, our sole business activity has been identifying and evaluating suitable acquisition transaction candidates. Therefore, we do not consider that we face significant cybersecurity risk and have not adopted any cybersecurity risk management program or formal processes for assessing cybersecurity risk. Our board of directors is generally responsible for the oversight of risks from cybersecurity threats, if there is any. We have not encountered any cybersecurity incidents since our IPO.
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
We currently maintain our executive offices at 643 Ilalo St., #102, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, and our telephone number is (808) 892-6611. Our Sponsor is making this space available to us as part of a monthly administrative fee of $10,000. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
We may be subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business from time to time. We are not currently a party to any material litigation or other legal proceedings brought against us. We are also not aware of any legal proceeding, investigation or claim, or other legal exposure that has a more than remote possibility of having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Our units began to trade on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “PTWOU” on or about August 5, 2022, and the shares of Class A common stock and warrants began separate trading on Nasdaq under the symbols “PTWO” and “PTWOW,” respectively, on or about September 26, 2022.
Holders of Record
As of March 18, 2024, there were 5,216,290 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock issued and outstanding held by approximately five stockholders of record, and 1 share of the registrant’s Class B common stock issued and outstanding held by approximately one stockholder of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of shares of common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
None.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no unregistered securities to report which have not been previously included in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
ITEM 6. | [RESERVED] |
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
References in this report (the “Annual Report”) to “we,” “us,” “Pono,” or the “Company” refer to Pono Capital Two, Inc. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Mehana Capital LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” elsewhere in this report for a description of these risks and uncertainties.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on March 11, 2022 formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) and the sale of the private placement units, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing or other sources.
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended and restated on June 21, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in January 2023, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“SBC”), Mehana Capital, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, in his personal capacity and his capacity as Seller Representative.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Closing”), Merger Sub will merge with and into SBC, with SBC continuing as the surviving corporation. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are referred to herein as the “Business Combination.”
As a condition to closing of the Business Combination, SBC will complete certain restructuring transactions pursuant to which SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation (“SBC-Japan”) and certain affiliated service companies, medical corporations, and other entities, which collectively carry on the business of SBC-Japan and such other related entities, will become subsidiaries of SBC.
As consideration for the Business Combination, the holders of SBC securities collectively will be entitled to receive from the Company, in the aggregate, a number of the Company’s securities with an aggregate value equal to (a) $1,000,000,000, minus (b) the amount, if any, by which $3,000,000 exceeds SBC’s Net Working Capital, plus (c) the amount, if any, by which SBC’s Net Working Capital exceeds $3,000,000, minus (d) the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by SBC) of SBC at Closing, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of SBC associated with the Business Combination.
In connection with the Merger Agreement, 1,200,000 Sponsor Shares will be issued to the Sponsor on the date that is the earlier of (a) the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing or (b) the expiration of the “Founder Shares Lock-up Period” (as defined in the Company’s Insider Letter with the initial stockholders); provided that, the Sponsor in its sole discretion may direct Pono to issue all or a portion of the Sponsor Shares on such earlier or later date as it shall determine (which date shall not be earlier than the Closing).
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On May 5, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned the Special Meeting to May 8, 2023. On May 8, 2023, the Company held the Special Meeting. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from May 9, 2023 to February 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account, and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a business combination at the election of the holder. As approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Company filed an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 8, 2023. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 9,577,250 shares of Class A common stock of the Company in connection with the Special Meeting. Following such redemptions, the amount of funds remaining in the trust account is approximately $20 million.
In connection with the Special Meeting, the Company and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain unaffiliated stockholders owning, in the aggregate, 998,682 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, among other things, not to redeem or exercise any right to redeem such public shares in connection with the Extension Amendment. In connection with the non-redemption agreements, the Sponsor agreed to transfer to the stockholders that entered into such agreements Sponsor Shares upon the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination.
On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted 2,874,999 Founder Shares of Class B common stock into 2,874,999 shares of Class A common stock.
On September 8, 2023, Pono entered into the First Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the parties thereto. Prior to the Amendment, the A&R Merger Agreement provided for the holders of SBC securities collectively to be entitled to receive from Pono, in the aggregate, a number of Pono securities with an aggregate value equal to (the “Merger Consideration”) (a) $1,200,000,000, minus (b) the amount, if any, by which $3,000,000 exceeds SBC’s Net Working Capital, plus (c) the amount, if any, by which SBC’s Net Working Capital exceeds $3,000,000, minus (d) the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by SBC) of SBC at Closing, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of SBC associated with the Business Combination. Pursuant to the Amendment, the $1,200,000,000 amount in the Merger Consideration calculation above was reduced to $1,000,000,000.
On October 26, 2023, the parties entered into the Second Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with the parties thereto. Prior to the Second Amendment, the Company’s board of directors as of the Closing was to be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, two of whom must qualify as independent directors; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by the Company; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by the Company and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director. Following the Second Amendment, the Company’s board of directors as of the Closing will be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, at least one of whom must qualify as an independent director; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by the Company, who must qualify as an independent director; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by the Company and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director.
On December 28, 2023, the parties entered into the Third Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) with the parties thereto. The Third Amendment was entered into solely to extend the Outside Date (as defined in the A&R Merger Agreement) from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
On February 5, 2024, the Company held another special meeting of stockholders (the “Second Special Meeting”). During the Second Special Meeting, stockholders approved another amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination (the “Combination Period”) from February 9, 2024 to November 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account. As approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Company filed another amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State on February 5, 2024. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 273,334 shares of Class A common stock of the Company in connection with the Second Special Meeting. Following such redemptions, the amount of funds remaining in the trust account is approximately $17.9 million.
In connection with the Second Special Meeting, we entered into a non-redemption agreement with an unaffiliated investor (the “Holder”) which agreed to acquire from public stockholders of the Company 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 shares of Class A common stock in the open market, at a prices no higher than the redemption price per share payable to stockholders who exercise redemption rights in connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Company’s proposed business combination with SBC, prior to the Second Special Meeting and to agree to waive its redemption rights and hold the shares until after the closing of the business combination. In consideration of the Holder’s agreement to waive its redemption rights with respect to the shares, and subject to (i) the Holder acquiring 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 shares of Class A common stock in the open market, and (ii) Holder’s satisfaction of its other obligations under the non-redemption agreement, the Company, on the closing date of the business combination, provided that Holder has continued to hold the Holder’s shares through the closing date, SBC and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, the chief executive officer of SBC, shall cause to be issued or transferred to Holder a number of shares of Class A common stock held by Dr. Aikawa (the “Incentive Shares”), which will equal one (1) Incentive Share for each public share purchased in the open market pursuant to the non-redemption agreement that is continuously owned by Holder until the closing date of the business combination. This non-redemption agreement terminates on the earliest to occur of (i) the closing date of the business combination, (ii) the termination of the related business combination agreement, or (iii) April 30, 2024 (the “Clearance Date”) if the Company has not cleared all SEC comments to its proxy statement in connection with the business combination by that date. On March 15, 2024, the parties to the non-redemption agreement entered into an amendment to the non-redemption agreement to extend the Clearance Date to June 30, 2024, and to agree to close the business combination on or before August 31, 2024.
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Issuance of Convertible Promissory Note
On May 18, 2023, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with SBC. On May 26, 2023, we issued and sold to SBC a convertible promissory note (the “Note”) of $1,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the “Principal Amount”). The Note is convertible into shares of our Class A common stock. On May 26, 2023, the closing date of the purchase and sale of the Note, SBC delivered the Note reflecting the Principal Amount and SBC deposited $1,000,000 by wire transfer into a specified Company. The Note does not bear interest (unless otherwise required by applicable law, in which event interest will accrue at the minimum rate required by applicable law) and the Principal Amount may be prepaid at any time. On February 27, 2024, we entered into an Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement (the “Amended Note Purchase Agreement”) with SBC, which increased the purchase price of the Note from $1,000,000 to $2,700,000.
Immediately prior to the merger being effected in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the outstanding Principal Amount will be converted automatically into the number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the Principal Amount by (y) $10.00, subject to customary adjustments for any stock splits or combinations occurring prior to conversion.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2023 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering, described below, and, after our Initial Public Offering, identifying a target company for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had net income of $339,767, which resulted from interest and dividend income on investments held in the Trust Account of $2,641,407, partially offset by operating and formation costs of $1,635,452, franchise tax expense of $137,379, and income tax expense of $528,809.
For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, we had net income of $552,813, which resulted from operating and formation costs of $382,051, income tax expenses of $248,508 and franchise tax expenses of $161,644, partially offset by interest and dividend income on investments held in the Trust Account for $1,345,016.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, and Going Concern
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $2,132,921, which was due to interest and dividends earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $2,641,407, offset by net income of $339,767, and a change in operating assets and liabilities of $168,719.
For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $462,816, which was due to interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,345,016, offset by net income of $552,813 and a change in operating assets and liabilities of $329,387.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by investing activities was $101,010,630, which was due to proceeds from the Trust Account for payment to redeeming shareholders of $100,078,879, proceeds from the Trust Account to pay franchise taxes of $931,751.
For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022 net cash used in investing activities was $117,875,000 which was due to the investment of cash in the Trust Account.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in financing activities was $99,078,879, which was due to payment to redeeming shareholders of $100,078,879, partially offset by proceeds from convertible promissory note of $1,000,000.
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For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $118,823,380, which was due to the proceeds from the sale of Units (as defined below) (net of the underwriting discount) of $113,045,000, proceeds from the sale of Placement Units (as defined below) of $6,343,750, and proceeds from the issuance of Class B common stock to the Sponsor of $25,000, offset in part by payment of offering costs of $590,370.
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 4, 2022. On August 9, 2022, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 11,500,000 units, (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), including 1,500,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in full, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 634,375 units (the “Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Placement Unit in a private placement to Mehana Capital LLC (the “Sponsor”), including 63,000 Placement Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in full, generating gross proceeds of $6,343,750.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 9, 2022, an amount of $117,875,000 ($10.25 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Placement Units was placed in a trust account.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and excluding deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest to pay our taxes, if any. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. We expect the interest earned on the amount in the trust account will be sufficient to pay our taxes. We expect the only taxes payable by us out of the funds in the trust account will be income and franchise taxes, if any. To the extent that our common stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $284,394 in cash held outside of the Trust Account, working capital deficit, net of income tax payable and franchise tax payable of $1,129,417 and accumulated deficit of $5,995,269. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of the Company’s financing and acquisition plans. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company had loss from operations of $(1,772,831) and net cash used in operating activities was $2,132,921. The Company has further satisfied liquidity needs through a Convertible Promissory Note of $1,000,000. The Company expects that it will need additional capital to satisfy its liquidity needs beyond the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable and consummating the Business Combination. Although certain of the Company’s initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates have committed up to $1,500,000 Working Capital Loans (see Note 5) from time to time or at any time, there is no guarantee that the Company will receive such funds. In addition, the Company will have until November 9, 2024 to consummate a business combination. If a business combination is not consummated by November 9, 2024, less than one year after the date these consolidated financial statements are issued, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, along with the lack of liquidity, should a business combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution, raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after November 9, 2024. The Company intends to complete the initial business combination before the mandatory liquidation date. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to consummate any business combination by November 9, 2024.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement
The holders of the Founder Shares and Placement Units (including securities contained therein) and Units (including securities contained therein) that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and extension loans, and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and any shares of Class A common stock and warrants (and underlying Class A common stock) that may be issued upon conversion of the Units issued as part of the working capital loans and extension loans and Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Founder Shares, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company’s Sponsor has agreed, commencing from the date of the Initial Public Offering through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, to make available to the Company certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative services, as the Company may require from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay to Mehana Capital LLC, the Sponsor, $10,000 per month for these services to complete a business combination. For the year ended December 31, 2023, $120,000 was incurred and paid to Mehana Capital LLC for these services. For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, $50,000 was paid to Mehana Capital LLC for these services.
Underwriting Agreement
Simultaneously with the Initial Public Offering, the underwriters fully exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 1,500,000 Units at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit for an aggregate purchase price of $15,000,000.
The underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.17 per Unit, or $1,955,000 in the aggregate, upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, $0.35 per unit, or $4,025,000 in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Promissory Note - Related Party
On April 25, 2022, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”). This loan is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) March 31, 2023 or (ii) the date on which Company consummates the Initial Public Offering. Prior to the Initial Public Offering, the Company had borrowed $300,000 under the Promissory Note. The outstanding balance under the Promissory Note of $300,000 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 9, 2022.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require our management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations would be affected. We base our estimates on our own historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable after taking account of our circumstances and expectations for the future based on available information. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. There are items within our financial statement that require estimation but are not deemed critical, as defined above.
For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies and related judgments, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules" of this report.
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Recent Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires public entities to disclose consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and for income taxes paid. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The accounting pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
This information appears following Item 15 of this Report and is included herein by reference.
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
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ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e) under the Exchange Act) were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
As required by SEC rules and regulations implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15- d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our company,
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and
(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2023. In making these assessments, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessments and those criteria, management determined that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of internal controls from our independent registered public accounting firm due to our status as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
As previously reported, in connection with the Second Special Meeting, the Company entered into a non-redemption agreement with an unaffiliated investor (the “Holder”) which agreed to acquire from public stockholders of the Company 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 shares of Class A common stock in the open market, at a prices no higher than the redemption price per share payable to stockholders who exercise redemption rights in connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Company’s proposed business combination with SBC (as defined below), prior to the Second Special Meeting and to agree to waive its redemption rights and hold the shares until after the closing of the business combination. The non-redemption agreement terminates on the earliest to occur of (i) the closing date of the business combination, (ii) the termination of the related business combination agreement, or (iii) April 30, 2024 (the “Clearance Date”) if the Company has not cleared all SEC comments to its proxy statement in connection with the business combination by that date.
On March 15, 2024, the parties to the non-redemption agreement entered into an amendment to the non-redemption agreement to extend the Clearance Date to June 30, 2024, and to agree to close the business combination on or before August 31, 2024.
A form of the amendment to the non-redemption agreement is filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.19 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the amendment to the non-redemption agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amendment to the non-redemption agreement filed herewith.
ITEM 9C. | DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS |
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The following table sets forth information about our directors and executive officers.
Name | Age | Position | ||
Darryl Nakamoto | 50 | Chief Executive Officer, Director | ||
Allison Van Orman | 51 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Dustin Shindo | 50 | Chairman of the Board | ||
Kotaro Chiba | 49 | Independent Director | ||
Mike Sayama | 70 | Independent Director | ||
Trisha Nomura | 44 | Independent Director, and Chairwoman of the Audit Committee |
Darryl Nakamoto, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Nakamoto serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Director. He is an entrepreneur and executive with over 20 years of industry experience, including his former role as CFO of a publicly traded company. Since 2017, Mr. Nakamoto serves as President and Owner of Viv, LLC, a successful accounting and finance solutions provider. Since 2021, Mr. Nakamoto has also served as Controller of Hawaiian Springs, LLC. From May 2016 to July 2017, Mr. Nakamoto served as President and CFO of DKI808 LLC, dba Premier Restoration Hawaii, where he secured financing for the purchase of Maui Fire & Flood and expanded the full-service restoration business from Maui to Oahu. Between March 2014 and March 2016, Mr. Nakamoto served as President of Island Flooring. Mr. Nakamoto served as President of Kaiuli Energy from April 2012 to February 2014, a seawater air conditioning startup where he was responsible for strategic decisions and project developments. In January 2024, Mr. Nakamoto began serving as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, and from 2014 to 2020, Mr. Nakamoto served as Treasurer, Vice Chair and board member of the Japanese Cultural Center of Honolulu.
From January 2005 to March 2012, Mr. Nakamoto was CFO, Treasurer and Secretary of Hoku Scientific, a then publicly traded clean energy firm based in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he managed all finance, accounting, and treasury functions. Between January 2003 and December 2004, Mr. Nakamoto was a Finance Analyst for Frito-Lay of Hawaii. From March 2001 to January 2003, he worked as a Consultant for Akamai Consulting Group/Syntera Solutions. He was a Regional Director for software development startup ActivityMax from 2000 to 2001. Mr. Nakamoto began his career as an Accountant at KPMG from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Nakamoto is a CPA, not in public practice. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance. Mr. Nakamoto is a former Treasurer and board member of the Make-A-Wish foundation of Hawaii. Mr. Nakamoto’s public company experience, paired with his entrepreneurial and management skills in a diverse array of industries makes him a valuable member of our management team and board of directors.
Allison Van Orman, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Van Orman is an experienced Certified Public Accountant and entrepreneur. Since December 2000, Ms. Van Orman has served as Principal at Allison D T Van Orman, CPA LLC, where she helps clients navigate complex tax compliance and tax planning issues and consults small business owners to improve operations and identify areas of growth. Ms. Van Orman was sole proprietor of Grumpy Girl Clothing between October 2003 and December 2010, performing duties such as product design, product costing and distribution, graphic design and marketing, and public relations and communications for her business. From 1998 to 2000, Ms. Van Orman was an auditor/accountant at Chinaka, Siu, & Co., CPAs in Honolulu, where she performed accounting and tax duties for small business clients as well as preparing audit programs and supervising assistants on audits of non-profit organizations. Ms. Van Orman received her Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude in Accounting from Santa Clara University in 1995 and her MBA from the University of Hawaii in 1997. She is a licensed CPA in the State of Hawaii, and currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”). Ms. Van Orman’s accounting experience makes her an invaluable asset to the management team.
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Dustin Shindo, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Shindo serves as our Chairman of the Board. He is the Manager of Mehana Capital, LLC, our Sponsor, and is an entrepreneur, executive, technologist, and a seasoned advisor with more than 25 years of industry experience. Mr. Shindo previously served as Chairman of the Board of Pono Capital Three, Inc. until the closing of its business combination with New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. in January 2024. Mr. Shindo also previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Pono Capital Corp. until the closing of its business combination with AERWINS Technologies Inc. in February 2023. Recently, Mr. Shindo started Joyn Corporation, a software company. Mr. Shindo is also the Vice President and director of Perfect Game Hawaii, a non-profit entity supporting baseball. From 2017 to July 2022, Mr. Shindo served as the Chief Executive Officer of Junify Corporation, which operates in California and Japan. Junify offers zero trust network access software (software defined border) to help companies better secure their cloud resources. Mr. Shindo has also been retained for a number of consulting positions since July 2014 for companies working in the health care, travel, technology, construction, and non-profit industries. From December 2012 to December 2018, Mr. Shindo served as the Chief Executive Officer of Pono Health based in California, Washington, and Hawaii, where he provided consulting, data management, analytics, and software development services. Pono Health was the primary entity of Pono Corporation, founded in December 2012. Mr. Shindo managed healthcare data for individuals in Hawaii and for clinics in Washington, Oregon and Arizona. Mr. Shindo also developed analytics platform used to calculate gaps in care, cost savings, and other health metrics.
From March 2001 to March 2010, Mr. Shindo served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hoku Scientific based in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he led the company through an IPO on the NASDAQ Global Market and signed customer contracts totaling USD 2+ billion. From December 1995 to August 1997, Mr. Shindo served as the President of Mehana Brewing Company based in Hilo, Hawaii. In June 1995, Mr. Shindo received his Bachelor of Art’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Marketing at University of Washington based in Seattle, Washington. In May 1999, Mr. Shindo received his Master’s in Business Administration at Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia based in Charlottesville, Virginia. In August 2015, Mr. Shindo completed the SEP program at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Mr. Shindo’s entrepreneurial, executive, and advising experience, paired with his public company experience through Pono Capital Corp., Pono Capital Three, Inc., and Hoku Scientific, make him a valuable member of our board of directors.
Our Independent Directors
Our efforts to seek a suitable business combination target will be complemented and augmented by the expertise and network of relationships of our directors, who each have extensive experience in business and financial matters. In addition to our seasoned executive team, we have assembled a strong group of directors. The board is expected to be comprised of five individuals. These individuals bring together a breadth of operating experience, industry connectivity and proprietary access to leading companies that enhance our value proposition. Our board will be a driving force in our efforts to identify a target and effect a business combination and may invest personal capital in the transaction. The Company’s independent directors’ bios are presented here.
Kotaro Chiba, Independent Director
Kotaro Chiba serves as an independent director. Mr. Chiba previously served as an Independent Director of Pono Capital Three, Inc. until the closing of its business combination with New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. in January 2024 and as an Independent Director of Pono Capital Corp. until the closing of its business combination with AERWINS Technologies Inc. in February 2023. Mr. Chiba is also the founder and General Partner of Chiba Dojo Fund, a venture capital based fund in Tokyo focusing its investing on Internet and IOT related start-ups since September 2019. Before launching the Chiba Dojo Fund, Mr. Chiba founded and continues to serve as the General Partner of the Drone Fund since in June 2017. The Drone Fund is a venture capital-based fund in Tokyo focusing its investment on drones and air mobility start-ups. The Drone Fund aims to create a drone and air-mobility enabled society. One of the Drone Fund’s portfolio companies went public on the Tokyo Mothers Market in December 2019—the first drone company to make an IPO in Japan. As an angel investor, Mr. Chiba has invested in more than 60 startups and 40 VC funds in Internet markets and other fields. Mr. Chiba also currently serves or has served as Director of various mobility and technology companies, including: Aeronext since April 2017, A.L.I. Technologies, Inc. since December 2017, Prodrone Co. Ltd. from October 2020 to October 2022, teTra aviation from May 2020 to August 2022, and VFR from October 2021 to November 2022.
Prior to that, Mr. Chiba was the co-founder, Executive Vice President and director from January 2009 to July 2016 with COLOPL Inc., which focused on mobile gaming services on smartphone applications as well as VR services and location data analysis consulting services, research service dedicated to smartphones. In 2012, he helped lead the company’s listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Mothers) and then in 2014 led the company to a US$4 billion IPO on the Tokyo Exchange market (first section). Prior to that, Mr. Chiba was the founder and director from January 2000 to March 2007 for K Laboratory Inc. (now KLab Inc.) that develops mobile games and online games. Before joining KLab Inc., Mr. Chiba was a mobile web media planner from April 1997 to December 1999 for Recruit Co. Ltd., which is Japan’s largest recruitment company and provides services such as job advertising, temporary staffing, sales promotion, and IT solution.
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Since April 2019, Mr. Chiba has been a guest Professor at Keio University, a research-oriented campus located in the city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan where he teaches students to become technology innovators. Mr. Chiba is Keio University, SFC Campus graduate, in March 1997, with a Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Information Studies. He is also the first domestic customer of Honda Jet in Japan and holds a private pilot license (FAA Japan). Mr. Chiba’s extensive experience and knowledge in developing start-ups and working in venture capital provides him with a unique perspective and makes him a valuable addition to our board of directors.
Mike Sayama, Ph.D., Independent Director
Dr. Mike Sayama serves as an independent director. Dr. Sayama previously served as an Independent Director of Pono Capital Three, Inc. until the closing of its business combination with New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. in January 2024 and as an Independent Director for AERWINS Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Pono Capital Corp.). Dr. Sayama was formerly the Executive Director of Community First since it was established in July 2016 until January 2021. As the founding executive director, he was responsible for operations, developing a strategic plan for an accountable health community in East Hawaii, community relations, and fund raising. From January 2021 to June 2021 he served as the Director of Strategy to facilitate the transition to a new management team.
From October 2013 to December 2018, Dr. Sayama served as a Vice President at Pono Health and was Director of Learning Health Homes, a project where he was responsible for managing the East Hawaii Independent Physicians Association and implementing a data platform integrating health plan, hospital, and physician data. Dr. Sayama also facilitated the reorganization of EHI and development of its strategic direction. Community First, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, which serves as a neutral forum for healthcare stakeholders in East Hawaii, grew out of the Learning Health Homes Initiative.
From August 1997 to October 2013, Dr. Sayama served as a Vice President of the Hawaii Medical Service Association, first in Health Benefits Management and then in Customer Relations. In the first position, he streamlined preauthorization and appeal processes, including the elimination of preauthorization for inpatient admissions without increase in inpatient utilization. In his second position he established call centers in Hilo which stabilized the call center work force and improved the timeliness and accuracy of customer service.
From April 2001 to April 2005, Dr. Sayama was a Director on the City Bank Board, and from April 2005 to April 2009, was a Director on the Boards of Central Pacific Bank and Central Pacific Financial Corporation.
Regarding education: In May 1975, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Yale University, and in August 1979, his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Michigan. In August 1982, Dr. Sayama received his Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Michigan. He is the author of several books on psychotherapy and Zen Buddhism.
His community service includes having been a Director on the Bay Clinic Board (the Federally Qualified Health Center in East Hawaii) and currently serving as the Abbot of Chozen-ji, International Zen Dojo. Mr. Sayama brings broad knowledge of the healthcare technology industry, as well as prior experience serving as a founding executive director, which makes him a valuable addition to our board of directors.
Trisha Nomura, Independent Director and Chairperson of the Board’s Audit Committee
Trisha Nomura serves as an independent director and Chairwoman of our audit committee. Ms. Nomura previously served as an Independent Director and Chairwoman of the audit committee of Pono Capital Three, Inc. until the closing of its business combination with New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. in January 2024 and continues in these roles at the merged company. She also previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Pono Capital Corp. until the closing of its business combination with AERWINS Technologies Inc. in February 2023. Since July 2018, Ms. Nomura has owned a consulting firm, Ascend Consulting, LLC. Prior to opening her own firm, Ms. Nomura worked in both public accounting and private industry. Ms. Nomura was the Chief Operating Officer of HiHR from July 2015 to December 2016, and the Vice President of Strategic Services from May 2014 to July 2015. Ms. Nomura also served as the Chief People Officer of ProService Hawaii from January 2017 to June 2018. Ms. Nomura currently serves as Vice President of the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Nomura began volunteering with the HSCPA since 2010 through the YCPA Squad, has been the Treasurer of Kaneohe Little League since 2013, and is a member of the AICPA, where she was selected to attend the Leadership Academy, has served as an at-large Council member and has also served on the Association Board of Directors. Ms. Nomura is a CPA, not in public practice, and a CGMA. She is a graduate of Creighton University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting, and of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she earned her Master of Accountancy degree. Ms. Nomura’s consulting, accounting and management skills and knowledge make her an important addition to our board of directors.
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Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
We have five directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and with each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. In accordance with the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq.
The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Kotaro Chiba, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Darryl Nakamoto and Mike Sayama, will expire at our second annual meeting of the stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Trisha Nomura and Dustin Shindo, will expire at our third annual meeting of stockholders. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we complete our initial business combination. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we complete our initial business combination.
Prior to the completion of an initial business combination, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a nominee chosen by holders of a majority of our founder shares. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of our securities, our sponsor, upon completion of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate individuals for election to our board of directors, as long as our sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration rights agreement.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to nominate persons to the offices set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation as it deems appropriate. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our officers may consist of one or more chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. Kotaro Chiba, Mike Sayama and Trisha Nomura are our independent directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a corporate governance and nominating committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
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Audit Committee
We have established an audit committee of the board of directors. Kotaro Chiba, Mike Sayama, and Trisha Nomura serve as members of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Chiba, Sayama and Nomura meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Trisha Nomura serves as the chairwoman of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate, and our board of directors has determined that Ms. Nomura qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
● | appointing, compensating and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm; | |
● | reviewing and approving the annual audit plan for the company; | |
● | overseeing the integrity of our consolidated financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; | |
● | discussing the annual audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
● | pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed; | |
● | appointing or replacing the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
● | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints (including anonymous complaints) we receive concerning accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or potential violations of law; | |
● | monitoring our environmental sustainability and governance practices; | |
● | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our consolidated financial statements or accounting policies; | |
● | approving audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm; | |
● | discussing earnings press releases and financial information provided to analysts and rating agencies; | |
● | discussing with management our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management; | |
● | reviewing any material transaction between our Chief Financial Officer that has been approved in accordance with our Code of Ethics for our officers, and providing prior written approval of any material transaction between us and our President; and | |
● | producing an annual report for inclusion in our proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. |
The audit committee is a separately designated standing committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.
Financial Experts on Audit Committee
Pursuant to Nasdaq rules, the audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of “independent directors” who are able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate, and our board of directors has determined that Ms. Nomura qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules, which generally is any person who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication.
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Compensation Committee
We have established a compensation committee of our board of directors. The members of our compensation committee are Kotaro Chiba, Mike Sayama, and Trisha Nomura, and Mr. Sayama serves as chairman of the compensation committee. Under Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each Messrs. Chiba, Sayama and Nomura is independent. We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
● | reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to our President’s compensation, evaluating our President’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and setting our President’s compensation level based on this evaluation; |
● | setting salaries and approving incentive compensation and equity awards, as well as compensation policies, for all other officers who file reports of their ownership, and changes in ownership, of the company’s common stock under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (the “Section 16 Officers”), as designated by our board of directors; |
● | making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to incentive compensation programs and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval; |
● | approving any employment or severance agreements with our Section 16 Officers; |
● | granting any awards under equity compensation plans and annual bonus plans to our President and the Section 16 Officers; |
● | approving the compensation of our directors; and |
● | producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, other than the payment to Mehana Capital LLC, the Sponsor, of $10,000 per month, for up to nine months, or 18 months if we have elected to extend the time to complete our initial business combination, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
We have established a corporate governance and nominating committee of our board of directors. The members of our corporate governance and nominating committee are Kotaro Chiba, Mike Sayama, and Trisha Nomura and Mr. Chiba serves as chairman of the corporate governance and nominating committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards, we are required to have a corporate governance and nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Chiba, Sayama and Nomura is independent.
The primary function of the corporate governance and nominating committee include:
● | identifying individuals qualified to become members of the board of directors and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding nominees for election; | |
● | reviewing the independence of each director and making a recommendation to the board of directors with respect to each director’s independence; | |
● | developing and recommending to the board of directors the corporate governance principles applicable to us and reviewing our corporate governance guidelines at least annually; | |
● | making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to the membership of the audit, compensation and corporate governance and nominating committees; | |
● | overseeing the evaluation of the performance of the board of directors and its committees on a continuing basis, including an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the corporate governance and nominating committee; | |
● | considering the adequacy of our governance structures and policies, including as they relate to our environmental sustainability and governance practices; | |
● | considering director nominees recommended by stockholders; and | |
● | reviewing our overall corporate governance and reporting to the board of directors on its findings and any recommendations. |
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Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The guidelines for selecting nominees generally provide that persons to be nominated:
● | should possess personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community; | |
● | should have current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which we do business and, in our industry, or other industries relevant to our business; | |
● | should have the ability and willingness to commit adequate time to the board of directors and committee matters; | |
● | should demonstrate ability and willingness to commit adequate time to the board of directors and committee matters; | |
● | should possess the fit of the individual’s skills and personality with those of other directors and potential directors in building a board of directors that is effective, collegial and responsive to our needs; and | |
● | should demonstrate diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, and other demographics, and all aspects of diversity in order to enable the board of directors to perform its duties and responsibilities effectively, including candidates with a diversity of age, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. |
Each year in connection with the nomination of candidates for election to the board of directors, the corporate governance and nominating committee will evaluate the background of each candidate, including candidates that may be submitted by our stockholders.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. You can review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our shares of common stock and other equity securities. These executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such reporting persons.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner, except for one Form 3 filed late by ZUU Co. Ltd. on February 6, 2024, which was filed late due to administrative error.
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ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Employment Agreements
We have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers and have not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.
Executive Officers and Director Compensation
None of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or our or their respective affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and completing an initial business combination. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the completion of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, and in the past year has not served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The following table sets forth as of March 18, 2024 the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (ii) each of our officers and directors; and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group. As of March 18, 2024, we had 5,216,291 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, including 5,216,290 shares of Class A common stock, and 1 share of Class B common stock.
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Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, as the warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2024.
Number of Shares | Percentage of | |||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Beneficially Owned | Outstanding Shares | ||||||
Mehana Capital LLC (Our Sponsor)(2) | 3,509,375 | 67.28 | % | |||||
Darryl Nakamoto | 0 | 0 | % | |||||
Allison Van Orman | 0 | 0 | % | |||||
Dustin Shindo(2) | 3,509,375 | 67.28 | % | |||||
Kotaro Chiba | 0 | 0 | % | |||||
Mike Sayama | 0 | 0 | % | |||||
Trisha Nomura | 0 | 0 | % | |||||
All officers and directors as a group | 3,509,375 | 67.28 | % | |||||
(6 individuals) | ||||||||
ZUU Co. Ltd.(3) | 1,392,860 | 26.7 | % |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of these entities and individuals is 643 Ilalo Street, #102, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. |
(2) | Includes 3,509,374 shares of Class A common stock and 1 share of Class B common stock, which is convertible into 1 share of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis at any time at the shareholder’s election. Excludes 634,375 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of 634,375 private placement warrants. Dustin Shindo is the control person of the Sponsor, and possesses all voting power. By virtue of this relationship, Dustin Shindo may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities held of record by our sponsor. Dustin Shindo disclaims any such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his respective pecuniary interest |
(3) | Based on the Schedule 13D/A filed by the holder on February 29, 2024. The holder’s address is 3-6-28 Aobadai, Meguroku, Tokyo 154-0042, Japan. The reported securities are held directly by ZUU Funders Co. Ltd. (“Funders”) and may be deemed to be held indirectly by ZUU Target Fund for SBC Medical Group HD Investment Partnership (the “Fund”), ZUU Co. Ltd. (“ZUU”), and Kazumasa Tomita (“Mr. Tomita” and, together with Funders, the Fund, and ZUU, the “Reporting Persons”). Funders is the operating partner of the Fund and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ZUU. ZUU is majority owned and controlled by Mr. Tomita. The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest. |
ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
Founder Shares
On May 17, 2022, the Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain expenses on our behalf in exchange for the issuance of 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”). The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part, so that the Sponsor will own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering. The underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full, so those shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.
The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Class B common stock (except to certain permitted transferees as disclosed herein) until, with respect to any of the Class B common stock, the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of a business combination, or (ii) the date on which the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after a business combination, with respect to the remaining any of the Class B common stock, upon six months after the date of the consummation of a business combination, or earlier, in each case, if, subsequent to a business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property. On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted 2,874,999 Founder Shares of Class B common stock into 2,874,999 shares of Class A common stock, which shares include these same transfer restrictions.
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Promissory Note - Related Party
On April 25, 2022, the Sponsor agreed to loan us an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) March 31, 2023 or (ii) the date on which we consummated the Initial Public Offering. Prior to the Initial Public Offering, we had borrowed $300,000 under the Promissory Note. The outstanding balance under the Promissory Note of $300,000 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 9, 2022.
Administrative Support Agreement
The Sponsor has agreed, commencing from the date of the Initial Public Offering through the earlier of our consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, to make available to us certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative services, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay to the Sponsor, $10,000 per month for these services to complete a business combination. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, $120,000 and $50,000 were paid to Mehana Capital LLC for these services, respectively.
Convertible Promissory Note
On May 26, 2023, we entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with SBC, pursuant to which SBC agreed to loan us an aggregate principal of $1,000,000 (the “Convertible Promissory Note”). The Convertible Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and is due and payable upon the earlier to occur of (i) the date on which our initial Business Combination is consummated and (ii) our liquidation on or before November 9, 2024, or such later liquidation date as may be approved by our stockholders. There is an outstanding balance of $1,000,000 for this SBC loan as of December 31, 2023. The Convertible Promissory Note may be converted into Class A Common Stock at one share for each $10 of additional capital contribution at the option of SBC. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance under the Convertible Promissory Note amounted to an aggregate of $1,000,000 and $0, respectively.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with the initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete the initial business combination, we will repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts, including the repayment of loans from the Sponsor to pay for any amount deposited to pay for any extension of the time to complete the initial business combination, but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of the initial business combination. The Units would be identical to the Placement Units. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not have any outstanding related party loans.
General
If any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Other than equity provided to our independent directors, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination. However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. The Sponsor has agreed to pay for the formation costs, and waived to seek reimbursement from the Company for such costs. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. We have entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which our sponsor is entitled to certain registration rights with respect to the placement warrants and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Founder Shares.
25 |
Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Our audit committee of our board of directors has adopted a charter, providing for the review, approval and/or ratification of “related party transactions,” which are those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K as promulgated by the SEC, by the audit committee. At its meetings, the audit committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing or proposed related party transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the company has already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction and the benefits of the transaction to the company and to the relevant related party. Any member of the audit committee who has an interest in the related party transaction under review by the committee shall abstain from voting on the approval of the related party transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairman of the committee, participate in some or all of the committee’s discussions of the related party transaction. Upon completion of its review of the related party transaction, the committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the related party transaction. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee, present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, will be required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee will constitute a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee will be required to approve a related party transaction. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or any of their affiliates.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer. To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent directors, have obtained an opinion from either an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Furthermore, no finder’s fees, reimbursements, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation will be paid by us to our Sponsor, officers or directors or any affiliate of our Sponsor, officers or directors prior to, for services rendered to us prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments will be made to our Sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of the IPO held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
● | Payment to Mehana Capital LLC, our Sponsor, of $10,000 per month, for up to 27 months if we elect to extend the time to complete our initial business combination, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; | |
● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and | |
● | Repayment of non-interest-bearing loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which (other than as described above) have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. | |
● | Repayment of loans from our Sponsor to pay for any amount deposited to pay for any extension of the time to complete our initial business combination. All of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. |
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. For a description of the director independence, see “— Part III, Item 10 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”.
26 |
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
The firm of Marcum LLP, or Marcum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Marcum for services rendered.
Audit Fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were $120,902 for the services Marcum performed in connection with the audit of our December 31, 2023 consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were $108,184 for the services Marcum performed in connection with our Initial Public Offering and the audit of our December 31, 2022 consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Audit-Related Fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, our independent registered public accounting firm did not render assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of consolidated financial statements.
Tax Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, Marcum did not render any tax return services, planning or tax advice.
All Other Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, there were no fees billed for products and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm other than those set forth above.
Pre-Approval Policy
Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our Initial Public Offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
27 |
part IV
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(a) | The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K: |
(1) | Financial Statements: |
(2) | Financial Statement Schedules: |
None.
(3) | Exhibits |
The following exhibits are filed with this report. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference can be obtained from the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
28 |
* | Filed herewith. |
† | Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request. |
ITEM 16. | FORM 10-K SUMMARY. |
None.
29 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 18, 2024 | PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Darryl Nakamoto | |
Name: | Darryl Nakamoto | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer, Director |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Darryl Nakamoto | Chief Executive Officer, Director | March 18, 2024 | ||
Darryl Nakamoto | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/ Allison Van Orman | Chief Financial Officer | March 18, 2024 | ||
Allison Van Orman | (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) | |||
/s/ Dustin Shindo | Chairman of the Board | March 18, 2024 | ||
Dustin Shindo | ||||
/s/ Kotaro Chiba | Director | March 18, 2024 | ||
Kotaro Chiba | ||||
/s/ Mike Sayama | Director | March 18, 2024 | ||
Mike Sayama | ||||
/s/ Trisha Nomura | Director | March 18, 2024 | ||
Trisha Nomura |
30 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Pono Capital Two, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pono Capital Two, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company is a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation that was formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses on or before November 9, 2024. The Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger with a business combination target on January 31, 2023; however, the completion of this transaction is subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders among other conditions. There is no assurance that the Company will obtain the necessary approvals, satisfy the required closing conditions, raise the additional capital it needs to fund its operations, and complete the transaction prior to November 9, 2024, if at all. The Company also has no approved plan in place to extend the business combination deadline and fund operations for any period of time after November 9, 2024, in the event that it is unable to complete a business combination by that date. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum llp | |
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022. | |
March 18, 2024 |
F-1 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
Total Current Assets | ||||||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
Accrued expenses | ||||||||
Convertible Promissory Note | ||||||||
Franchise tax payable | ||||||||
Income tax payable | ||||||||
Excise tax payable | ||||||||
Total Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Deferred underwriting fee payable | ||||||||
Total Liabilities | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | ||||||||
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, and shares at redemption value of $ and $ per share as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively | ||||||||
Stockholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $ par value; shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
Class A common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; 1 and shares issued and outstanding (excluding and shares subject to possible redemption) at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | ||||||||
Class B common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit | $ | $ |
1 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 2023 | For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Operating and formation costs | $ | $ | ||||||
Franchise tax expense | ||||||||
Loss from Operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Other Income: | ||||||||
Interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account | ||||||||
Income before income taxes | ||||||||
Income tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding, Class A common stock | ||||||||
Basic net income per share, Class A common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A common stock | ||||||||
Diluted net income per share, Class A common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock | ||||||||
Basic net income per share, Class B common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock | ||||||||
Diluted net income per share, Class B common stock | $ | $ |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
Class
A Common Stock | Class
B Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Shareholder non-redemption agreement | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholder non-redemption agreement | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excise tax | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption to redemption amount | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 11, 2022 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022
Class
A Common Stock | Class
B Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 11, 2022 (inception) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor(1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Placement Units | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Representative shares | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of offering costs allocated to the fair value of equity instruments | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption to redemption amount | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) |
(1) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2023 | For
the period from December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses | ||||||||
Franchise tax payable | ( | ) | ||||||
Income tax payable | ( | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
Investment of cash in Trust Account | ( | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from Trust Account to pay taxes | ||||||||
Proceeds from Trust Account for payment to redeeming shareholders | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from convertible promissory note | ||||||||
Payment to redeeming shareholders | ( | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of private placement units | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discount paid | ||||||||
Proceeds from promissory note - related party | ||||||||
Repayment of Promissory note - related party | ( | ) | ||||||
Advance from Sponsor for payment of formation costs | ||||||||
Repayment to Sponsor for payment of formation costs | ( | ) | ||||||
Payment of offering costs | ( | ) | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
Net Change in Cash | ( | ) | ||||||
Cash - Beginning of period | ||||||||
Cash - End of period | $ | $ | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Excise tax related to redemption of Class A common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
Shareholder non-redemption agreement | $ | $ | ||||||
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption to redemption amount | $ | $ | ||||||
Fair value of Representative Shares | $ | $ | ||||||
Deferred underwriting fee payable | $ | $ | ||||||
Cash paid for income and franchise taxes | $ |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
Pono
Capital Two, Inc. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”) and subsequent costs related to completing a business combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a business combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The
registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 4, 2022. On August 9, 2022, the
Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of
Following
the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 9, 2022, an amount of $
Transaction
costs related to the issuances described above amounted to $
On September 23, 2022, the Company announced that the holders of the Units may elect to separately trade the Public Shares and the Public Warrants (as defined in Note 3) commencing on September 26, 2022. Those Public Shares not separated will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PTWOU,” and the Class A Common Stock and warrants that are separated will trade on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “PTWO” and “PTWOW,” respectively.
F-7 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering
and the sale of the Placement Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating
a business combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a business combination successfully. The Company
must complete a business combination with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least
The Company will provide its holders of Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially $ per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a business combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”).
The
Company will proceed with a business combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $
If a stockholder vote is not required and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will offer such redemption pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a business combination.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to vote its Class B common stock, the common stock included in the Placement Units and the Public Shares purchased in the Initial Public Offering in favor of a business combination, (b) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the Company’s pre-business combination activities prior to the consummation of a business combination unless the Company provides dissenting Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment; (c) not to redeem any shares (including the Class B common stock) and Placement Units (including underlying securities) into the right to receive cash from the Trust Account in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a business combination (or to sell any shares in a tender offer in connection with a business combination if the Company does not seek stockholder approval in connection therewith) or a vote to amend the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to stockholders’ rights of pre-business combination activity and (d) that the Class B common stock and Placement Units (including underlying securities) shall not participate in any liquidating distributions upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. However, the Sponsor will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares purchased in the Initial Public Offering if the Company fails to complete its business combination.
F-8 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Pursuant
to the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below $ per share, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
F-9 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Going Concern and Liquidity
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company had $
Risks and Uncertainties
The military action commenced in February 2022 between the Russian Federation and Belarus in the country of Ukraine and related economic sanctions, as well as the military action between Hamas and Israel and the risk of escalations of other military conflicts have created and are expected to create global economic consequences. As a result, the Company’s ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which the Company ultimately consummates a business combination, may be materially and adversely affected. Further, the Company’s ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by these events, including as a result of increased market volatility, or decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. The impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy and the specific impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or ability to consummate a business combination are not yet determinable. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of stock by publicly traded U.S. domestic corporations and certain U.S. domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign corporations occurring on or after January 1, 2023 (the “Excise Tax”). The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its shareholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the Excise Tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the Excise Tax. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the Excise Tax.
Any redemption or other repurchase that occurs on or after January 1, 2023, in connection with a business combination, votes relating to certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, may be subject to the Excise Tax. Whether and to what extent the Company would be subject to the Excise Tax in connection with a business combination, votes relating to certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with the business combination, extension or otherwise, (ii) the structure of a business combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances in connection with a business combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with a business combination but issued within the same taxable year of a business combination) and (iv) the content of regulations and other guidance from the Treasury. The mechanics of any required payment of the Excise Tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a business combination and in the Company’s ability to effect an extension of the time in which the Company must complete a business combination or complete a business combination.
F-10 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consideration of IR Act Excise Tax
On
May 8, 2023, the Company’s stockholders redeemed
Proposed Business Combination
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in January 2023, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“SBC”), Mehana Capital, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, in his capacity as Seller Representative.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into SBC, with SBC continuing as the surviving corporation. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are referred to herein as the “Business Combination.”
As a condition to closing of the Business Combination, SBC will complete certain restructuring transactions pursuant to which SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation (“SBC-Japan”) and certain related entities which carry on the business of SBC-Japan and such other related entities, will become subsidiaries of SBC.
As
consideration for the Business Combination, the holders of SBC securities as of the closing of the Business Combination, collectively
will be entitled to receive from the Company, in the aggregate, a number of the Company’s securities with an aggregate value equal
to
The Merger Consideration otherwise payable to SBC stockholders at the Closing is subject to a number of shares of Pono Class A common stock equal to three percent (3.0%) of the Merger Consideration being placed in escrow with an escrow agent to be agreed by the parties, for post-closing adjustments (if any) to the Merger Consideration.
The Merger Consideration is subject to adjustment after the Closing based on confirmed amounts of the Closing Net Indebtedness, Net Working Capital and transaction expenses as of the Closing Date. If the adjustment is a negative adjustment in favor of the Company, the escrow agent shall distribute to the Company a number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock with a value equal to the absolute value of the adjustment amount. If the adjustment is a positive adjustment in favor of SBC, the Company will issue to the SBC stockholders an additional number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock with a value equal to the adjustment amount.
F-11 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
April 26, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the Merger Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the other parties thereto.
Prior to the Amendment, the Merger Agreement provided that the
On
May 5, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned the Special
Meeting to May 8, 2023. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate
of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from May 9, 2023 to February 9,
2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Class
B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a business combination
at the election of the holder (the “Extension Amendment”). The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate
of
In connection with the Special Meeting, the Company and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain unaffiliated stockholders owning, in the aggregate, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, among other things, not to redeem or exercise any right to redeem such public shares in connection with the Extension Amendment. In connection with the non-redemption agreements, the Sponsor agreed to transfer to the stockholders that entered into such agreements Sponsor Shares upon the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination.
On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted Founder Shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock, pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
On
February 3, 2024, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned
the Special Meeting to February 3, 2024. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended
and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from February
9, 2024 to November 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account and (ii) to provide for the right
of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing
of a business combination at the election of the holder (the “Extension Amendment”). The Company’s stockholders elected
to redeem an aggregate of
F-12 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
February 27, 2024, the Company and SBC entered into an Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement (the “Amended Note Purchase Agreement”),
which increased the purchase price of the Note from $
Amended and Restated Merger Agreement
On June 21, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “A&R Merger Agreement”) with the parties thereto. Prior to the A&R Merger Agreement, the Merger Agreement provided that by June 22, 2023: (i) SBC shall complete its agreed upon disclosure schedules, (ii) the Company shall complete its due diligence review of SBC, and (iii) the parties to the Original Agreement shall agree upon any modifications or amendments to the Original Agreement to the terms and conditions therein. The parties entered into the A&R Merger Agreement in connection with such requirements.
The A&R Merger Agreement revised the target companies to be directly or indirectly purchased by the Company following a restructuring of SBC’s corporate structure, to include only the Service Companies and Other Entities, and to no longer include the direct or indirect purchase of SBC’s Medical Corporations, and as a result, removed other references to the Medical Corporations, including the related representations and warranties, among others. Pursuant to the A&R Merger Agreement, the parties agreed that, following the date of the A&R Merger Agreement, SBC used its commercially reasonable efforts to complete its disclosure schedules and delivered them to the Company by August 31, 2023. Upon delivery of the disclosure schedules to the Company, the disclosure schedules were deemed to modify and supplement SBC’s representations and warranties set forth in the A&R Merger Agreement. The A&R Merger Agreement also extended the date by which the Closing shall occur from September 30, 2023 (subject to extension) to December 31, 2023. Pursuant to the A&R Merger Agreement, the parties also agreed that any future expenses incurred in connection with the extension of the time by which the Company must complete its initial business combination shall be borne entirely by the Company, which replaces and supersedes the prior requirement under the Original Agreement for the Company and SBC to share such expenses equally. See the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on June 22, 2023 for additional details.
On
September 8, 2023, Pono entered into the First Amendment to the A&R Merger Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the parties
thereto. Prior to the Amendment,
On October 26, 2023, Pono entered into the Second Amendment to the Merger Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the parties thereto. Prior to the Amendment, the Pono board of directors as of the Closing was to be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, two of whom must qualify as independent directors; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by Pono; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by Pono and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director. Following the Amendment, the Pono board of directors as of the Closing will be designated as follows: (i) three persons designated prior to the Closing by SBC, at least one of whom must qualify as an independent director; (ii) one person designated prior to the Closing by Pono, who must qualify as an independent director; and (iii) one person mutually agreed upon and designated prior to the Closing by Pono and SBC, who must qualify as an independent director.
F-13 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On December 28, 2023, Pono entered into the Third Amendment to the Merger Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the parties thereto. The Amendment was entered into solely to extend the Outside Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s consolidated financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
F-14 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash
The
Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company did
Investments Held in Trust Account
As
of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the assets held in the Trust Account were held in money market funds, which were invested
in U.S. Treasury securities. All of the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading securities. Such
trading securities are presented on the balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting
from the change in fair value of investments held in Trust Account are included in interest and dividend income on investments held in
Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined
using available market information. The Company had $
All
of the Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Initial Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the
redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in
connection with the business combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation. In accordance with ASC 480, conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including shares of Class A common stock
that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain
events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the
redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480. Although the
Company did not specify a maximum redemption threshold, its charter provides that currently, the Company will not redeem its Public Shares
in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets (stockholders’ equity) to be less than $
F-15 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2023, the Class A common stock reflected in the balance sheets is reconciled in the following table:
Gross proceeds | $ | |||
Less: | ||||
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants | ( | ) | ||
Issuance costs allocated to Class A common stock | ( | ) | ||
Plus: | ||||
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption to redemption amount | ||||
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2022 | ||||
Plus: | ||||
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption to redemption amount | ||||
Redemption of Class A common stock subject to redemption | ( | ) | ||
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2023 | $ |
Income Taxes
The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 - Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company’s management determined the United States is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Net
income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Therefore,
the income per share calculation allocates income shared pro rata between Class A and Class B common stock. As a result, the calculated
net income per share is the same for Class A and Class B common stock. The Company has not considered the effect of the Public Warrants
(as defined in Note 3) and Placement Warrants (as defined in Note 4), to purchase an aggregate of
F-16 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For
the year ended December 31, 2023 | For the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) through December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | |||||||||||||
Basic net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Diluted net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution
which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company applies ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 generally requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The carrying amounts reflected in the balance sheet for current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
Level 1 — Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
F-17 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Level 2 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are determined using prices for recently traded assets and liabilities with similar underlying terms, as well as direct or indirect observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are unobservable inputs, such as estimates, assumptions, and valuation techniques when little or no market data exists for the assets or liabilities.
See Note 9 for additional information on assets measured at fair value.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statement of operations. For derivative instruments that are classified as equity, the derivative instruments are initially measured at fair value (or allocated value), and subsequent changes in fair value are not recognized as long as the contracts continue to be classified in equity.
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815. The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as liabilities at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statement of operations.
The warrants are not precluded from equity classification, and are accounted for as such on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter.
Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of ASC Topic 340, Other Assets and Deferred Costs and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A-Expenses of Offering. Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering date that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. The Company recorded offering costs as a reduction of temporary equity in connection with the warrants and shares.
Recent Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires public entities to disclose consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and for income taxes paid. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The accounting pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
F-18 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
The
registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 4, 2022. On August 9, 2022, the
Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On
May 17, 2022, the Sponsor was issued
The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Class B common stock (except to certain permitted transferees as disclosed herein) until, with respect to any of the Class B common stock, the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of a business combination, or (ii) the date on which the closing price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after a business combination, with respect to the remaining any of the Class B common stock, upon six months after the date of the consummation of a business combination, or earlier, in each case, if, subsequent to a business combination, the Company consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property. On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted Founder Shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock, which shares include these same transfer restrictions.
F-19 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Promissory Note - Related Party
On
April 25, 2022, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $
Administrative Support Agreement
The
Company’s Sponsor has agreed, commencing from the date of the Initial Public Offering through the earlier of the Company’s
consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, to make available to the Company certain general and administrative services,
including office space, utilities and administrative services, as the Company may require from time to time. The Company has agreed to
pay to Mehana Capital LLC, the Sponsor, $
Convertible Promissory Note
On
May 26, 2023, the Company entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with SBC, pursuant to which SBC agreed to loan the Company an aggregate
principal of $
Related Party Loans
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with the initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or
certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required. If the
Company completes the initial business combination, the Company will repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business
combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned
amounts, including the repayment of loans from the Sponsor to pay for any amount deposited to pay for any extension of the time to complete
the initial business combination, but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $
Non-redemption Agreement
On
May 5, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned the Special
Meeting to May 8, 2023. On May 8, 2023, the Company held the Special Meeting. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment
to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate
a business combination from May 9, 2023 to February 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account,
and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a
one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a business combination at the election of the holder. As approved by the stockholders of the
Company, the Company filed an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State
on May 8, 2023. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of
F-20 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In connection with the Special Meeting, the Company and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain unaffiliated stockholders owning, in the aggregate, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, among other things, not to redeem or exercise any right to redeem such public shares in connection with the Extension Amendment.
The Company estimated the aggregate fair value of the Sponsor Shares attributable to the Non-Redeeming Stockholders to be $ or $ per share. Each Non-Redeeming Stockholder acquired from the Sponsor an indirect economic interest in the Sponsor Shares. The excess of the fair value of the Sponsor Shares was determined to be an offering cost in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A. Accordingly, in substance, it was recognized by the Company as a capital contribution by the Sponsor to induce these holders of the Class A shares not to redeem, with a corresponding charge to additional paid-in capital to recognize the fair value of the shares transferred as an offering cost.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement
The holders of the Founder Shares and Placement Units (including securities contained therein) and Units (including securities contained therein) that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and extension loans, and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and any shares of Class A common stock and warrants (and underlying Class A common stock) that may be issued upon conversion of the Units issued as part of the working capital loans and extension loans and Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Founder Shares, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
Underwriting Agreement
Simultaneously
with the Initial Public Offering, the underwriters fully exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional
The
underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of $
F-21 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Representative Shares
Upon closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company issued shares of Class A common stock to the underwriters. The underwriters have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the Representative Shares until the completion of the initial business combination. In addition, the underwriters have agreed (i) to waive their redemption rights with respect to the Representative Shares in connection with the completion of the initial business combination and (ii) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Representative Shares if the Company fails to complete its initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
The Representative Shares are subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of FINRA’s NASD Conduct Rules. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), these securities may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated or the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the Initial Public Offering except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the Initial Public Offering and their bona fide officers or partners, registered persons or affiliates or as otherwise permitted under Rule 5110(e)(2).
The initial measurement of the fair value of the Representative Shares was determined using the market approach to value the subject interest. Based on the indication of fair value using the market approach, the Company determined the fair value of the Representative Shares to be $ per share or $ (for the Representative Shares issued) as of the date of the Initial Public Offering (which is also the grant date).
Right of First Refusal
For a period beginning on the closing of the Initial Public Offering and ending 12 months from the closing of a business combination, the Company has granted EF Hutton a right of first refusal to act as lead-left book running manager and lead left manager for any and all future private or public equity, convertible and debt offerings during such period. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(3)(A)(i), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the effective date of the registration statement.
NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred stock — The Company is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock with a par value of $ per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Class
A common stock — The Company is authorized to issue
F-22 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Class
B common stock — The Company is authorized to issue
The holders of record of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. In connection with any vote held to approve the initial business combination, the insiders, officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock acquired in the Initial Public Offering or following the Initial Public Offering in the open market, in favor of the proposed business combination.
Shares of Class B common stock shall be convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis automatically on the closing of the business combination at a ratio for which the numerator shall be equal to the sum of % of all shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding or issuable (upon the conversion or exercise of any Equity-linked Securities or otherwise) by the Company, related to or in connection with the consummation of the initial business combination (excluding any securities issued or issuable to any seller in the initial business combination, any Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans to the Company) plus the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial business combination; and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial business combination.
On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor converted Founder Shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock.
Warrants
— As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of the initial business combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the Public Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the initial business combination, Public Warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis.
Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption:
● | in whole and not in part; | |
● | at
a price of $ |
F-23 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the Public Warrants become exercisable (the “30-day redemption period”) to each Public Warrant holder; and | |
● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the Public Warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the Public Warrant holders. |
If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may not exercise the redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or the Company is unable to effect such registration or qualification.
The Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants except that, so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) they (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of these Placement Warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the Sponsor until 30 days after the completion of the initial business combination, and (ii) the holders thereof (including with respect to shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such Placement Warrants) are entitled to registration rights.
The
Company accounts for the
F-24 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES
The Company’s net deferred tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Start-up costs | $ | $ | ||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | ||||||||
Total deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance | $ | $ |
The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Federal | ||||||||
Current | $ | $ | ||||||
Deferred | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
State | ||||||||
Current | ||||||||
Deferred | ( | ) | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance | ||||||||
Income tax provision | $ | $ |
In
assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all
of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of
future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible.
Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies
in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty
exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. For the
period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 the change in the valuation allowance was $
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022,
the Company has $
A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate are as follows:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Statutory federal income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | ( | )% | % | |||||
Previous tax year adjustment | % | % | ||||||
Non-deductible transaction costs | % | % | ||||||
Other permanent items, net | % | % | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance | % | % | ||||||
Income tax provision | % | % |
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and the state of Hawaii jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the taxing authorities.
F-25 |
PONO CAPITAL TWO, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
Description | Amount
at | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account: | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Description | Amount at Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account: | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | $ |
NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the consolidated balance sheet date up to the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than those subsequent events described below, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
On January 11, 2024, Pono Capital Two, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Pono”), filed an amended preliminary proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the special meeting of stockholders. As more fully described in the proxy statement, the special meeting will be held for the purpose of considering and voting on a proposal to amend (the “Extension Amendment”) the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”), to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from February 9, 2024 to November 9, 2024.
In connection with the Extension Amendment, public stockholders may elect to redeem their shares for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (the “Trust Account”), including interest not previously released to the Company to pay franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. If the Extension Amendment is approved by the requisite vote of stockholders, the remaining holders of public shares will retain their right to redeem their public shares when the business combination is submitted to the stockholders, subject to any limitations set forth in the Charter, as amended by the Extension Amendment.
On January 11, 2024, the Company entered into a non-redemption agreement with an unaffiliated investor (the “Holder”) which agreed to acquire from public stockholders of the Company to shares of Class A common stock, par value $ per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) in the open market, at a prices no higher than the redemption price per share payable to stockholders who exercise redemption rights in connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Company’s proposed business combination (“Business Combination”) with SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Target”), prior to the stockholder meeting to vote on the Extension Amendment (the “Meeting Date”) and to agree to waive its redemption rights and hold the shares until after the closing of the Business Combination. In consideration of the Holder’s agreement to waive its redemption rights with respect to the shares, and subject to (i) the Holder acquiring to shares of Common Stock in the open market, and (ii) Holder’s satisfaction of its other obligations under the non-redemption agreement, the Company, on the closing date of the Business Combination, provided that Holder has continued to hold the Holder’s shares through the closing date, Target and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, the chief executive officer of the Target, shall cause to be issued or transferred to Holder a number of shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Aikawa (the “Incentive Shares”), which will equal one (1) Incentive Share for each public share purchased in the open market pursuant to the non-redemption agreement that is continuously owned by Holder until the closing date of the Business Combination. This non-redemption agreement terminates on the earliest to occur of (i) the closing date of the Business Combination, (ii) the termination of the related Business Combination Agreement, or (iii) April 30, 2024 (the “Clearance Date”) if the Company has not cleared all SEC comments to its proxy statement in connection with the Business Combination by that date. On March 15, 2024, the parties to the non-redemption agreement entered into an amendment to the non-redemption agreement to extend the Clearance Date to June 30, 2024, and to agree to close the business combination on or before August 31, 2024.
On
February 3, 2024, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned
the Special Meeting to February 3, 2024. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended
and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from February
9, 2024 to November 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account and (ii) to provide for the right
of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing
of a business combination at the election of the holder (the “Extension Amendment”). The Company’s stockholders elected
to redeem an aggregate of
On
February 27, 2024, the
Company and SBC entered into an Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement (the “Amended Note Purchase Agreement”), which increased
the purchase price of the Note from $
F-26 |