UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Amendment No. 1
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the
Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☒Preliminary
Proxy Statement
☐Confidential
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☐Definitive
Proxy Statement
☐Definitive
Additional Materials
☐Soliciting
Material under §240.14a-12
Bannix
Acquisition Corp.
(Name of Registrant
as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement
if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒No
fee required
☐Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials
☐Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
BANNIX ACQUISITION CORP.
1063 North Spaulding
West Hollywood CA 90046
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON [*], 2024
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF BANNIX ACQUISITION CORP.:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting (the “annual
meeting”) of stockholders of Bannix Acquisition Corp. (the “Company” “we”
“us” or “our”) to be held at [*] a.m. Eastern Time on [*], 2024. The annual
meeting will be held virtually at [*]. At the annual meeting the stockholders will consider and vote upon the following proposals:
1. A proposal to amend (the “Extension
Amendment”) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “charter”) to extend
the Termination Date (as defined below) by which the Company must consummate a business combination (as defined below) (the “Extension”)
from March 14, 2024 (the date that is 30 months from the closing date of the Company’s initial public offering of units
(the “IPO”)) to September 14, 2024 (the date that is 37 months from the closing date of the IPO) (the “Extended
Date”) by allowing the Company without another stockholder vote to elect to extend the Termination Date to consummate a
business combination on a monthly basis up to six times by an additional one month each time after the Termination Date by resolution
of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) if requested by Instant Fame LLC, a Nevada limited liability
company (the “Sponsor”) and the successor sponsor to Bannix Management LLP a Delaware limited liability partnership
our original sponsor and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date until the Termination Date
(such proposal the “Charter Amendment Proposal”);
2. A proposal to amend (the “Trust
Amendment”) the Company’s Investment Management Trust Agreement dated as of September 10, 2021 and
as amended on March 8, 2023 (the “Trust Agreement”) by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company (the “Trustee”) allowing the Company in the event that the Company has not consummated a business
combination by the Extended Date to extend by resolution of the Board and without approval of the Company’s stockholders
the Termination Date up to six times each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months) by depositing into
the Trust Account for each such monthly extension an amount equal to the lesser of (x) $25,000 and (y) $0.05 for each share that
is not redeemed in connection with the annual meeting (such proposal the “Trust Amendment Proposal”);
3. A proposal to amend
the charter (the “NTA Amendment”),
which amendment shall be effective, if adopted and implemented by the Company, prior to the consummation of the proposed Business
Combination, to remove from the charter the Redemption Limitation, as defined in the charter, contained under Section 9.2(a) preventing
the Company from closing a business combination if it would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets in order
to expand the methods that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “NTA
Proposal”).
4. A proposal
to elect six (6) nominees to our board of directors (the “Directors Proposal”);
5. A proposal to ratify the
appointment of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2023 (the “Auditor Proposal”);
6. A proposal to approve the
adjournment of the Annual Meeting from time to time to a later date or dates, if necessary and appropriate, under certain circumstances,
including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor one or more of the foregoing proposals, in the event the Company
does not receive the requisite stockholder vote to approve such proposal(s) or establish a quorum (the “Adjournment Proposal”);
and
The Adjournment Proposal will
only be presented at the Annual Meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve the above-mentioned Proposals.
Each of the Proposal is more
fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.
Only holders of
record of our common stock at the close of business on [*], 2024 are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. To support the health and well-being of our
stockholders the annual meeting will be a virtual meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the annual meeting online
by visiting [*].
As previously announced, the
Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2023 (as may
be further amended and restated, the “Business Combination Agreement,” and together with the other agreements and transactions
contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”),
by and among the Company, EVIE Autonomous Group Ltd., a private company newly formed under the Laws of England and Wales (“EVIE”),
and the shareholder of Evie (the “Shareholder”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain
conditions precedent in the Business Combination Agreement, the following transactions will occur: the acquisition by the Company
of all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Evie from the Shareholder in exchange for the issuance of 85,000,000 new
shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to which Evie will
become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Share Acquisition”) and (b) the other transactions contemplated
by the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Documents referred to therein.
On August 8, 2023, the Company entered
into a Patent Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) with GBT Tokenize Corp. (“Tokenize”). Tokenize is 50% owned of
GBT Technologies Inc. (“GBT”) and 50% owned by Magic Internacional Argentina FC, S.L. (“Magic”). Magic
is controlled by Sergio Fridman who has no connection to the Company or any of its directors or sponsors. GBT provided its consent,
to acquire the entire right, title, and interest of certain patents and patent applications providing an intellectual property
basis for a machine learning driven technology that controls radio wave transmissions, analyzes their reflections data, and constructs
2D/3D images of stationary and in motion objects, (the “Patents”). There are no current arrangements between the executive
officers and the board of directors of either GBT or the Company’s executive officers, directors or stockholders of the
Company. The closing date of the PPA will immediately follow the closing of the Business Combination. The Purchase Price is set
at 5% of the consideration that the Company is paying to the Shareholder in connection with the Business Combination. The Business
Combination Agreement sets the consideration to be paid by the Company at $850 million and, in turn, the consideration in the
PPA to be paid to Tokenize is $42.5 million. If the final Purchase Price is less than $30 million, Tokenize has the option to
cancel the PPA. In accordance therewith, the Company agrees to pay, issue and deliver to Tokenize, $42,500,000 in series A preferred
stock to Tokenize, which such terms will be more fully set forth in the Series A Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation to
be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of prior to the closing. The 42,500 Series A Preferred Stock will have stated
value of face value of $1,000 per share and is convertible, at the option of Tokenize, into shares of common stock of Bannix at
5% discount to the VWAP during the 20 trading days prior to conversion, and in any event not less than $1.00. The Series A Preferred
Stock will not have voting rights and will be entitled to dividends only in the event of liquidation. The Series A Preferred Stock
will have a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation providing that the Series A Preferred Stock may not be converted into more than
4.99% of the shares of common stock outstanding at any point in time. Series A Preferred Stock and the shares of common stock
issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) shall be subject to a lock-up beginning
on the Closing Date and ending on the earliest of (i) the six (6) months after such date, (ii) a Change in Control, or (iii) written
consent of Purchaser (the “Seller Lockup Period”).
The Charter Amendment
Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are essential to the overall implementation of the Board’s plan to extend the date
by which the Company to complete the Business Combination. The purpose of the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal,
and, if necessary, the Adjournment Proposal, is to allow us additional time to complete our Business Combination. The adoption
of the NTA Amendment is being proposed in order to facilitate the consummation of the Business Combination, by permitting redemptions
by public stockholders even if such redemptions result in the Company having net tangible assets that are less than $5,000,001
and by permitting consummation of a business combination even if it would cause the Company’s NTA to be less than $5,000,001
either immediately prior to or upon consummation of such a business combination. The Company is presenting the NTA Proposal so
that the parties may consummate the Business Combination even if the Company has $5,000,000 or less in net tangible assets at the
Closing in order to expand the methods that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock”
rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Director Proposal and Auditor
Proposal are regular corporate matters that need our stockholder approval at the annual meeting. While we are currently working
on finalizing the terms of the Business Combination, the Board currently believes that there will not be sufficient time before
March 14, 2024 to complete the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board believes that in order to be able to consummate the
Business Combination, we will need to obtain the Extension. Therefore, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests
of our stockholders to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination to the Extended Date.
The Company
and other parties to the Business Combination Agreement are currently working towards satisfaction of the conditions to completion
of the Business Combination, including drafting the necessary filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
related to the transaction, but have determined that there will not be sufficient time before March 14, 2024 (its current termination
date) to hold an annual meeting to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of, and to consummate, the Business Combination. We
intend to complete the Business Combination as soon as possible and in any event on or before the Extended Date.
Approval
of the Charter Amendment Proposal, Trust Amendment Proposal require the affirmative vote of holders of at least 65% of our outstanding
shares of common stock. Approval of the Auditor Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal require the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of stock represented by virtual attendance or by proxy and entitled to vote
thereon at the Annual Meeting. Approval of the election of each director nominees under the Director Proposal requires plurality
of the votes of the stockholders by virtual attendance or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon.
Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal
and the Trust Amendment Proposal is a condition to the implementation of the Extension. In addition, the Company is also seeking
to have the NTA Proposal approved which would remove the Redemption Limitation from the charter in order to expand the methods
that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission. If the NTA Proposal is not approved, we will not proceed with the Extension if the number of redemptions
of our common stock causes the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Charter Amendment
Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal.
Our Board has fixed the close of business on [*], 2024 as the record
date for determining the Company’s stockholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment
thereof. Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the
annual meeting or any adjournment thereof. A complete list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting will
be available for ten days before the annual meeting at the Company’s principal executive offices for inspection by stockholders
during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the annual meeting.
If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the
Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension is implemented holders of common may elect to redeem their common stock
for a per share price payable in cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account established by the Company
in connection with its IPO (the “trust account”) as of two business days prior to the annual meeting
including any interest earned on the trust account deposits (net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding common
stock (the “Election”) regardless of whether or how such stockholders vote on the Charter Amendment
Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal. However, if the NTA Proposal is not approved, the Company may not redeem our common
stock in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. If the Charter Amendment Proposal, the
Trust Amendment Proposal and the NTA Proposal are approved by the requisite vote of stockholders holders of common stock that
do not make the Election will retain the opportunity to have their common stock redeemed in conjunction with the consummation
of a business combination subject to any limitations set forth in our charter as amended. In addition, stockholders who do not
make the Election would be entitled to have their common stock redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed a business combination
by the Extended Date.
If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the
Trust Amendment Proposal are approved our Sponsor or its designee has agreed to advance to us as loans for deposit into the Trust
Account the needed monthly amounts equal to the lesser of (x) $25,000 and (y) $0.05 for each share that is not redeemed in connection
with the annual meeting. In addition if the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension
Amendment and Trust Amendment become effective in the event that the Company has not consummated a business combination by March
14, 2024 the Company may by resolution of the Board and without approval of the Company’s public stockholders if requested
by the Sponsor and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date extend the Termination Date up
to six times each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months to complete a business combination) provided
that the Sponsor or its designee will for each such monthly extension advance to us as a loan for deposit into the Trust Account
an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $25,000 or (b) $0.05 for each public share that is not redeemed in connection with the annual
meeting for an aggregate deposit of up to the lesser of (x) $150,000 or (y) $0.30 for each public share that is not redeemed in
connection with the annual meeting (if all six additional monthly extensions are exercised). The advances are conditioned upon
the implementation of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal and will not occur if either the Charter
Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal is not approved or the Extension is not completed. The amount of the advances
will not bear interest and will be repayable by the Company to our Sponsor or its designees upon consummation of the business
combination. If our Sponsor or its designee advises the Company that it does not intend to make the advances then the Charter
Amendment Proposal the Trust Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the shareholders at the annual
meeting and we may decide in accordance with our charter to extend the period of time to consummate an initial Business Combination
or to dissolve and liquidate. Our Sponsor or its designees will have the sole discretion whether to continue extending for additional
calendar months until the Extended Date and if our Sponsor determines not to continue extending for additional calendar months
its obligation to make additional advances will terminate.
The Company estimates that the per share price at which the
common stock may be redeemed from cash held in the trust account will be approximately $[*] at the time of the annual meeting.
The closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) on [*],
2024, the record date of the annual meeting was $[*]. Accordingly, if the market price were to remain the same until the date of
the annual meeting exercising redemption rights would result in a public stockholder receiving approximately $[*] more than if
such stockholder sold the common stock in the open market as of [*]. The Company cannot assure stockholders that they will be able
to sell their common stock in the open market even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above
as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such stockholders wish to sell their shares.
The Adjournment Proposal if adopted will
allow our Board to adjourn the annual meeting to a later date or dates if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation
of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will be presented to our stockholders only in the event that there are insufficient for or
otherwise in connection with the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal.
If either the Charter Amendment Proposal
or the Trust Amendment Proposal is not approved the Company and the Company does not consummate an initial business combination
within the Combination Period as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our charter the Company will (i) cease
all operations except for the purpose of winding up (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business
days thereafter and subject to having lawfully available funds therefor redeem 100% of the outstanding common stock at a per share
price payable in cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including any interest earned on the
trust account deposits (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and after setting aside up to $100,000 to pay dissolution
expenses) divided by the number of then outstanding common stock which redemption will completely extinguish 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 our remaining stockholders
and our Board in accordance with applicable law dissolve and liquidate subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware
law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Company and the Sponsor may elect to
extend the Combination Period to September 14, 2024 but are under no obligation to do so. There will be no redemption rights or
liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants including the warrants included in the units sold in the IPO (the “public
warrants”) which will expire worthless in the event the Company winds up.
The Company reserves the right
at any time to cancel the Annual Meeting and not to submit the Charter Amendment Proposal, Trust Amendment Proposal to stockholders
or implement any of the amendments as described in the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal.
You are not being asked to vote on a business combination at
this time. If the Extension is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your common stock in connection with the Extension you
will retain the right to vote on a business combination when it is submitted to the stockholders (provided that you are a stockholder
on the record date for a meeting to consider a business combination) and the right to redeem your common stock for a pro rata portion
of the trust account in the event a business combination is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated a business
combination by the Extended Date.
After careful consideration
of all relevant factors, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the proposals are advisable and recommends that you
vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” such proposals.
Enclosed is the proxy statement containing
detailed information concerning the Charter Amendment Proposal Adjournment Proposal and the annual meeting. Whether or not you
plan to attend the annual meeting the Company urges you to read this material carefully and vote your shares.
[*], 2024 |
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Douglas Davis |
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Douglas Davis |
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Co- Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ Craig J. Marshak |
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Craig J. Marshak |
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Co- Chair of the Board |
Your vote is important. If you are a
stockholder of record, please sign date and return your proxy card as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented
at the annual meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may also cast your vote virtually at the annual meeting. If your
shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank you must instruct your broker or bank how to vote your shares or you
may cast your vote virtually at the annual meeting by obtaining a proxy from your brokerage firm or bank. Your failure to
vote or instruct your broker or bank how to vote will have the same effect as voting against the Charter Amendment Proposal and
an abstention will have the same effect as voting against the Charter Amendment Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in
connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established but will have no effect on the outcome of the Adjournment
Proposal.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual meeting of Stockholders to be held on [*], 2024: This notice of meeting and the accompanying proxy statement
are available at www.proxyvote.com.
TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS YOU MUST (1) IF YOU HOLD
COMMON STOCK THROUGH UNITS ELECT TO SEPARATE YOUR UNITS INTO THE UNDERLYING COMMON STOCK AND PUBLIC WARRANTS PRIOR TO EXERCISING
YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE COMMON STOCK (2) SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER AGENT BY 5:00 P.M. EST
ON [*], 2024 THE DATE THAT IS TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING THAT YOUR COMMON STOCK BE REDEEMED
FOR CASH INCLUDING THE LEGAL NAME PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE SHARES FOR WHICH REDEMPTION IS REQUESTED
AND (3) DELIVER YOUR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO THE TRANSFER AGENT PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES DESCRIBED
IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR
BANK OR BROKER TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS.
BANNIX ACQUISITION CORP.
1063
North Spaulding
West Hollywood CA 90046
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [*], 2024
The annual meeting of stockholders (the “annual
meeting”) of Bannix Acquisition Corp. (the “Company” “we” “us”
or “our”) a Delaware corporation will be held at [*] a.m. Eastern Time on [*], 2024. The annual meeting
will be held virtually at [*]. At the annual meeting the stockholders will consider and vote upon the following proposals:
1. A proposal to amend (the “Extension
Amendment”) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “charter”) to extend
the Termination Date (as defined below) by which the Company must consummate a business combination (as defined below) (the “Extension”)
from March 14, 2024 (the “Termination Date”) (the date
that is 30 months from the closing date of the Company’s initial public offering of units (the “IPO”)) to September
14, 2024 (the date that is 37 months from the closing date of the
IPO) (the “Extended Date”) by allowing the Company without another stockholder vote to elect to extend the Termination
Date to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis up to six times by an additional one month each time after the Termination
Date by resolution of the Company’s board of directors (the
“Board”) if requested by Instant Fame LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and the
successor sponsor to Bannix Management LLP a Delaware limited liability partnership our original sponsor and upon five days’
advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date until September 14, 2024 (such proposal the “Charter Amendment
Proposal”);
2. A proposal to amend (the “Trust
Amendment”) the Company’s Investment Management Trust Agreement dated as of September 10, 2021
and as amended on March 8, 2023 (the “Trust Agreement”) by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company (the “Trustee”) allowing the Company in the event that the Company has not consummated a business
combination by the Extended Date to extend by resolution of the Board and without approval of the Company’s stockholders
the Termination Date up to six times each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months) by depositing into
the Trust Account for each such monthly extension an amount equal to the lesser of (x) $25,000 and (y) $0.05 for each share that
is not redeemed in connection with the annual meeting (such proposal the “Trust Amendment Proposal”);
3. A proposal to amend
the charter (the “NTA Amendment”),
which amendment shall be effective, if adopted and implemented by the Company, prior to the consummation of the proposed Business
Combination, to remove from the charter the Redemption Limitation, as defined in the charter, contained under Section 9.2(a) preventing
the Company from closing a business combination if it would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets in order
to expand the methods that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “NTA
Proposal”).
4. A proposal
to elect six (6) nominees to our board of directors (the “Directors Proposal”);
5. A proposal to ratify the
appointment of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2023 (the “Auditor Proposal”);
6. A proposal to approve the
adjournment of the Annual Meeting from time to time to a later date or dates, if necessary and appropriate, under certain circumstances,
including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor one or more of the foregoing proposals, in the event the Company
does not receive the requisite stockholder vote to approve such proposal(s) or establish a quorum (the “Adjournment Proposal”);
and
The Adjournment Proposal will
only be presented at the Annual Meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve the above-mentioned Proposals.
Our Board has fixed the close of business on [*], 2024 as the record
date for determining the Company’s stockholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment
thereof. Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the
annual meeting or any adjournment thereof. A complete list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting will
be available for ten days before the annual meeting at the Company’s principal executive offices for inspection by stockholders
during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the annual meeting.
Enclosed is the proxy statement containing
detailed information concerning the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting the Company urges you
to read this material carefully and vote your shares.
IMPORTANT
WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY IN THE ANNUAL MEETING, IT IS REQUESTED THAT YOU INDICATE YOUR VOTE ON THE ISSUES INCLUDED
ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND DATE, SIGN AND MAIL IT IN THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR SUBMIT YOUR PROXY THROUGH THE INTERNET AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON [*], 2024. THIS
PROXY STATEMENT TO THE STOCKHOLDERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT [*].
BANNIX
ACQUISITION CORP.
1063 North Spaulding
West Hollywood CA 90046
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this proxy statement
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 team’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 “anticipate” “believe” “continue”
“could” “estimate” “expect” “intends” “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 proxy statement may include without limitation statements about:
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our ability to select
an appropriate target business or businesses; |
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our ability to complete
our initial business combination on attractive terms or at all; |
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our ability to consummate
an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) and economic
uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets; |
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our expectations around
the performance of the prospective target business or businesses; |
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our success in retaining
or recruiting or changes required in our officers key employees or directors following our initial business combination; |
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our 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; |
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actual and potential
conflicts of interest relating to our management team Sponsor or directors or any of their respective affiliates; |
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our ability to draw
from the support and expertise of affiliates of our Sponsor; |
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our potential ability
to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination on attractive terms or at all; |
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our pool of prospective
target businesses including the location and industry of such target businesses; |
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the ability of our
management team to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities; |
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failure to maintain
the listing on or the delisting of our securities from NASDAQ or an inability to have our securities listed on NASDAQ or another
national securities exchange following our initial business combination; |
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our public securities’
potential liquidity and trading; |
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the lack of a market
for our securities; |
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the use of proceeds
not held in the trust account (the “trust account”) or available to us from interest income on the trust account
balance; |
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the trust account not
being subject to claims of third parties; or |
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our financial performance. |
The forward-looking statements contained in
this proxy statement 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” in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023 and subsequent periodic
filings with the SEC. 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 law.
RISK
FACTORS
In addition to the below risk factor, you
should consider carefully all of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023, any
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and in the other reports we file with the SEC before making a decision
to invest in our securities. The risks and uncertainties described in the aforementioned filings and below are not the only ones
we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become
important factors that adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results or result in our liquidation.
There are no assurances
that the Extension will enable us to complete a business combination.
Approving
the Extension involves a number of risks. If the Extension is approved, the Company can provide no assurances that a business combination
will be announced or consummated prior to the Extended Date. Our ability to consummate any business combination, is dependent on
a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If the Extension is approved, the Company expects to seek stockholder
approval of a business combination. We are required to offer stockholders the opportunity to redeem shares in connection with the
Charter Amendment, and we will be required to offer stockholders redemption rights again in connection with any stockholder vote
to approve a business combination. Even if the Extension or a business combination are approved by our stockholders, it is possible
that redemptions will leave us with insufficient cash to consummate a business combination on commercially acceptable terms, or
at all. The fact that we will have separate redemption periods in connection with the Extension and a business combination vote
could exacerbate these risks. Other than in connection with a redemption offer or liquidation, our stockholders may be unable to
recover their investment except through sales of our shares on the open market. The price of our shares may be volatile, and there
can be no assurance that stockholders will be able to dispose of our shares at favorable prices, or at all.
We
may be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act (as defined below), in which case we would
be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities would be severely restricted. As a result, in such
circumstances, unless we were able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we may be forced
to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company.
On
January 24, 2024, the SEC issued rules (the “New SPAC Rules”) for the regulation of special purpose
acquisition companies like Bannix, relating to, among other items, disclosures in business combination transactions involving
SPACs and private operating companies; the condensed financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell
companies; the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with business combination transactions; the potential
liability of certain participants in business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to
regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”). These
rules apply to us, and, if they become effective before we complete a Business Combination, may increase the costs and the time
needed to complete the Business Combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we can complete the Business Combination.
In addition, we could become subject to additional laws and regulations in the future that could have a similar effect.
The
longer that the funds in the trust account are held in U.S. Treasury securities or in money market funds invested primarily
in such securities, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we would
be subject to additional regulatory burdens and expenses for which we have not allotted funds, and as a result we may be required
to liquidate. If we are required to liquidate the Company, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning stock
in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our stock and rights following such a
transaction, and our rights would expire worthless. For so long as the funds in the trust account are held in U.S. Treasury
securities or in money market funds invested primarily in such securities, the risk that we may be considered an unregistered
investment company and required to liquidate is greater than that of a special purpose acquisition company that has elected to
liquidate such investments and to hold all funds in its trust account in cash (i.e., in one or more bank accounts). Accordingly,
we may determine, in our discretion, to liquidate the securities held in the trust account at any time, and instead hold all funds
in the trust account in cash, which would further reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption
or our liquidation.
Historically,
substantially all of the assets held in the Trust Account were held in money market funds, which were invested primarily in U.S. Treasury
securities. However, on April 6, 2023, in order to mitigate the risk that the Company could be deemed to be operating as an unregistered
investment company under the Investment Company Act, the Company instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
to liquidate the Company’s investments in money market funds invested primarily in U.S. Treasury securities and thereafter
to hold all funds in the Trust Account in cash or in U.S. Treasury securities until the earlier of the consummation of the
initial business combination or the Company’s liquidation.
We may be subject to
the new 1% U.S. federal excise tax in connection with redemptions of our Common Stock.
On August 16,
2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into law. The IR Act provides for, among other
things, a new 1% U.S. federal excise tax (the “Exercise Tax”) on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of stock
by publicly traded U.S. corporations after December 31, 2022. The Exercise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation
itself, not its stockholders from whom the shares are repurchased (although it may reduce the amount of cash distributable in a
current or subsequent redemption). The amount of the Exercise Tax is generally 1% of any positive difference between the fair market
value of any shares repurchased by the repurchasing corporation during a taxable year and the fair market value of certain new
stock issuances by the repurchasing corporation during the same taxable year. In addition, a number of exceptions apply to this
Exercise 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, this Exercise Tax. Consequently, the Excise Tax may make
a transaction with us less appealing to potential business combination targets.
On December 27,
2022, the Treasury published Notice 2023-2, which provided clarification on some aspects of the application of the excise tax.
The notice generally provides that if a publicly traded U.S. corporation completely liquidates in a liquidation to which Section 331
of the Code applies (so long as Section 332(a) of the Code also does not apply), distributions in such complete liquidation
and other distributions by such corporation in the same taxable year in which the final distribution in complete liquidation is
made are not subject to the excise tax. Consequently, we would not expect the 1% Exercise Tax to apply if there is a complete liquidation
of our company under Section 331 of the Code.
Any excise
tax that may be imposed on any redemption or other repurchase effected by us, in connection with a business combination, extension
vote or otherwise, would be payable by us and not by the redeeming holder, it could cause a reduction in the value of our common
stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”) or cash available for distribution in a subsequent liquidation. Whether
and to what extent we would be subject to the excise tax in connection with a business combination will depend on a number of factors,
including (i) the structure of the business combination, (ii) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases
in connection with the business combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any equity issuances in connection with the business
combination (or any other equity issuances within the same taxable year of the business combination) and (iv) the content
of any subsequent regulations, clarifications, and other guidance issued by the Treasury. The Company does not intend to use the
proceeds placed in the Trust Account to pay excise taxes or other fees or taxes similar in nature (if any) that may be imposed
on the Company pursuant to any current, pending or future rules or laws, including any excise tax due imposed under the IR Act
on any redemptions in connection with the Extension or a business combination by the Company.
Nasdaq may delist our
securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and
subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Currently,
the Company’s Common Stock, Warrants and Rights are separately listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”).
However, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq or other Nasdaq listing tiers in the future
or prior to our initial business combination, including as a result of the redemptions in connection with the Extension. In order
to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution
and share price levels.
On January 9, 2024, the Company received a notice
from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq stating that the Company failed to hold an annual meeting of stockholders
within 12 months after its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a). In accordance with
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(2)(G), the Company has 45 calendar days (or until February 23, 2024) to submit a plan to regain compliance
and, if Nasdaq accepts the plan, Nasdaq may grant the Company up to 180 calendar days from its fiscal year end, or until June 28,
2024, to regain compliance. This annual meeting is intended to satisfy this requirement. In addition, the Company intends to submit
a compliance plan within the specified period. While the compliance plan is pending, the Company’s securities will continue
to trade on Nasdaq. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s plan, then the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that
decision to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel.
If Nasdaq
delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange,
we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material
adverse consequences, including (i) a limited availability of market quotations for our securities, (ii) reduced liquidity
for our securities, (iii) a determination that our Common Stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers
trading in our Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the
secondary trading market for our securities, (iv) a limited amount of news and analyst coverage in the future; (iv) institutional
investor losing interests in our securities; (v) subjection to stockholder litigation and (vi) a decreased ability to
issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE
ANNUAL MEETING
Date, Time and Place of
the Annual Meeting
The enclosed
proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Bannix Acquisition Corp. (the “Company,”
“Bannix” or “we”), a Delaware corporation, in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held on [*], 2024 at [*] a.m. Eastern time for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. The Company will
be holding the Annual Meeting via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote and submit your questions online
during the Annual Meeting by visiting [*]. You will also be able to attend the Annual Meeting via teleconference and to vote during
the Annual Meeting using the following dial-in information:
Telephone
access (listen-only):
The principal
executive office of the Company is 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046, and its telephone number, including area
code, is (323) 682-8949.
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, you will
be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:
1. A proposal to amend (the “Extension
Amendment”) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “charter”) to extend
the Termination Date (as defined below) by which the Company must consummate a business combination (as defined below) (the “Extension”)
from March 14, 2024 (the “Termination Date”) the date that is 30 months from the closing date of the Company’s
initial public offering of units (the “IPO”) to September 14, 2024 (the date that is 37 months from the closing date
of the IPO) (the “Extended Date”) by allowing the Company without another stockholder vote to elect to extend the
Termination Date to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis up to six times by an additional one month each time
after the Extended Date by resolution of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) if requested by Instant
Fame LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and the successor sponsor to Bannix Management LLP a
Delaware limited liability partnership our original sponsor and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination
Date until September 14, 2024 (such proposal the “Charter Amendment Proposal”);
2. A proposal to amend (the “Trust
Amendment”) the Company’s Investment Management Trust Agreement dated as of September 10, 2021
and as amended on March 8, 2023 (the “Trust Agreement”) by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company (the “Trustee”) allowing the Company in the event that the Company has not consummated a business
combination by the Extended Date to extend by resolution of the Board and without approval of the Company’s stockholders
the Termination Date up to six times each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months) by depositing into
the Trust Account for each such monthly extension an amount equal to the lesser of (x) $25,000 and (y) $0.05 for each share that
is not redeemed in connection with the annual meeting (such proposal the “Trust Amendment Proposal”);
3. A proposal to amend
the charter (the “NTA Amendment”),
which amendment shall be effective, if adopted and implemented by the Company, prior to the consummation of the proposed Business
Combination, to remove from the charter the Redemption Limitation, as defined in the charter, contained under Section 9.2(a) preventing
the Company from closing a business combination if it would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets in order
to expand the methods that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “NTA
Proposal”).
4. A proposal
to elect six (6) nominees to our board of directors (the “Directors Proposal”);
5. A proposal to ratify the
appointment of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2023 (the “Auditor Proposal”);
6. A proposal to approve the
adjournment of the Annual Meeting from time to time to a later date or dates, if necessary and appropriate, under certain circumstances,
including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor one or more of the foregoing proposals, in the event the Company
does not receive the requisite stockholder vote to approve such proposal(s) or establish a quorum (the “Adjournment Proposal”);
and
The Adjournment Proposal will
only be presented at the Annual Meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve the above-mentioned Proposals.
Each of the Proposal is more
fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.
Only holders of
record of our common stock at the close of business on [*], 2024 are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. To support the health and well-being of our
stockholders the annual meeting will be a virtual meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the annual meeting online
by visiting [*].
As previously announced, the
Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2023 (as may
be further amended and restated, the “Business Combination Agreement,” and together with the other agreements and transactions
contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”),
by and among the Company, EVIE Autonomous Group Ltd., a private company newly formed under the Laws of England and Wales (“EVIE”),
and the shareholder of Evie (the “Shareholder”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain
conditions precedent in the Business Combination Agreement, the following transactions will occur: the acquisition by the Company
of all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Evie from the Shareholder in exchange for the issuance of 85,000,000 new
shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to which Evie will
become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Share Acquisition”) and (b) the other transactions contemplated
by the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Documents referred to therein.
On August 8, 2023, the Company entered into a Patent Purchase Agreement
(“PPA”) with GBT Tokenize Corp. (“Tokenize”). Tokenize is 50% owned of GBT Technologies Inc. (“GBT”)
and 50% owned by Magic Internacional Argentina FC, S.L. (“Magic”). Magic is controlled by Sergio Fridman who has no
connection to the Company or any of its directors or sponsors. GBT provided its consent, to acquire the entire right, title, and
interest of certain patents and patent applications providing an intellectual property basis for a machine learning driven technology
that controls radio wave transmissions, analyzes their reflections data, and constructs 2D/3D images of stationary and in motion
objects, (the “Patents”). There are no current arrangements between the executive officers and the board of directors
of either GBT or the Company’s executive officers, directors or stockholders of the Company. The closing date of the PPA
will immediately follow the closing of the Business Combination. The Purchase Price is set at 5% of the consideration that the
Company is paying to the Shareholder in connection with the Business Combination. The Business Combination Agreement sets the consideration
to be paid by the Company at $850 million and, in turn, the consideration in the PPA to be paid to Tokenize is $42.5 million. If
the final Purchase Price is less than $30 million, Tokenize has the option to cancel the PPA. In accordance therewith, the Comapny
agrees to pay, issue and deliver to Tokenize, $42,500,000 in series A preferred stock to Tokenize, which such terms will be more
fully set forth in the Series A Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State
of prior to the closing. The 42,500 Series A Preferred Stock will have stated value of face value of $1,000 per share and is convertible,
at the option of Tokenize, into shares of common stock of Bannix at 5% discount to the VWAP during the 20 trading days prior to
conversion, and in any event not less than $1.00. The Series A Preferred Stock will not have voting rights and will be entitled
to dividends only in the event of liquidation. The Series A Preferred Stock will have a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation providing
that the Series A Preferred Stock may not be converted into more than 4.99% of the shares of common stock outstanding at any point
in time. Series A Preferred Stock and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (the
“Conversion Shares”) shall be subject to a lock-up beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the earliest of (i)
the six (6) months after such date, (ii) a Change in Control, or (iii) written consent of Purchaser (the “Seller Lockup Period”).
The Charter Amendment Proposal
and the Trust Amendment Proposal are essential to the overall implementation of the Board’s plan to extend the date by which
the Company to complete the Business Combination. The purpose of the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal,
and, if necessary, the Adjournment Proposal, is to allow us additional time to complete our Business Combination. The Director
Proposal and Auditor Proposal are regular corporate matters that need our stockholder approval at the annual meeting. While we
have entered into a Business Combination Agreement with the EVIE Group and the Shareholder, the Board currently believes that there
will not be sufficient time before [*], 2024 to complete the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board believes that in order
to be able to consummate the Business Combination, we will need to obtain the Extension. Therefore, the Board has determined that
it is in the best interests of our stockholders to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination
to the Extended Date.
The Company
and other parties to the Business Combination Agreement are currently working towards satisfaction of the conditions to completion
of the Business Combination, including drafting the necessary filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
related to the transaction, but have determined that there will not be sufficient time before March 14, 2024 (its current termination
date) to hold an annual meeting to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of, and to consummate, the Business Combination. We
intend to complete the Business Combination as soon as possible and in any event on or before the Extended Date.
Approval
of the Charter Amendment Proposal, Trust Amendment Proposal and the NTA Proposal require the affirmative vote of holders of at
least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Auditor Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of stock represented by virtual attendance or
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting. Approval of the election of each director nominees under the Director
Proposal requires plurality of the votes of the stockholders by virtual attendance or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote thereon.
Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal
and the Trust Amendment Proposal is a condition to the implementation of the Extension. In addition, the Company is also seeking
to have the NTA Proposal approved which would remove the Redemption Limitation from the charter in order to expand the methods
that the Company may employ so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission. If the NTA Proposal is not approved, we will not proceed with the Extension if the number of redemptions
of our common stock causes the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Charter Amendment
Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal.
Our Board has fixed the close of business on [*], 2024 as the record
date for determining the Company’s stockholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment
thereof. Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the
annual meeting or any adjournment thereof. A complete list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting will
be available for ten days before the annual meeting at the Company’s principal executive offices for inspection by stockholders
during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the annual meeting.
If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the
Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension is implemented holders of common may elect to redeem their common stock
for a per share price payable in cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account established by the Company
in connection with its IPO (the “trust account”) as of two business days prior to the annual meeting
including any interest earned on the trust account deposits (net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding common
stock (the “Election”) regardless of whether or how such stockholders vote on the Charter Amendment
Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal. In addition, the Company is also seeking to have the NTA Proposal approved which would
remove the Redemption Limitation from the charter in order to expand the methods that the Company may employ
so as not to become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. If
the NTA Proposal is not approved, we will not proceed with the Extension if the number of redemptions of our common stock causes
the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust
Amendment Proposal. If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved by the requisite vote of stockholders
holders of common stock that do not make the Election will retain the opportunity to have their common stock redeemed in conjunction
with the consummation of a business combination subject to any limitations set forth in our charter as amended. In addition, stockholders
who do not make the Election would be entitled to have their common stock redeemed for cash if the Company has not completed a
business combination by the Extended Date.
If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the
Trust Amendment Proposal are approved our Sponsor or its designee has agreed to advance to us as loans for deposit into the Trust
Account the needed monthly amounts equal to the lesser of (x) $25,000 and (y) $0.05 for each share that is not redeemed in connection
with the annual meeting. In addition if the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension
Amendment and Trust Amendment become effective in the event that the Company has not consummated a business combination by March
14, 2024 the Company may by resolution of the Board and without approval of the Company’s public stockholders if requested
by the Sponsor and upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date extend the Termination Date up
to six times each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months to complete a business combination) provided
that the Sponsor or its designee will for each such monthly extension advance to us as a loan for deposit into the Trust Account
an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $25,000 or (b) $0.05 for each public share that is not redeemed in connection with the annual
meeting for an aggregate deposit of up to the lesser of (x) $150,000 or (y) $0.30 for each public share that is not redeemed in
connection with the annual meeting (if all six additional monthly extensions are exercised). The advances are conditioned upon
the implementation of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal and will not occur if either the Charter
Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal is not approved or the Extension is not completed. The amount of the advances
will not bear interest and will be repayable by the Company to our Sponsor or its designees upon consummation of the business
combination. If our Sponsor or its designee advises the Company that it does not intend to make the advances then the Charter
Amendment Proposal the Trust Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal will not be put before the shareholders at the annual
meeting and we may decide in accordance with our charter to extend the period of time to consummate an initial Business Combination
or to dissolve and liquidate. Our Sponsor or its designees will have the sole discretion whether to continue extending for additional
calendar months until the Extended Date and if our Sponsor determines not to continue extending for additional calendar months
its obligation to make additional advances will terminate.
Holders (“Public
Stockholders”) of the Company’s common stock $0.01, par value per share (“Public Shares”), may elect to
redeem their shares for their pro rata portion of the funds available in the trust account in connection with the Charter
Amendment Proposal (the “Election”) regardless of whether or how such public stockholders vote with respect to the
Charter Amendment Proposal. If the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal and the Written Consent Proposal are
approved by the requisite vote of stockholders, the remaining public stockholders will retain their right to redeem the public
shares for their pro rata portion of the funds available in the trust account when the Business Combination is submitted to
the stockholders. Furthermore, if the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension
or any additional extension(s) is implemented, then in accordance with the terms of that certain investment management trust agreement,
dated as of September 10, 2021 and as amended on March 8, 2023, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company (as amended, the “Trust Agreement”), the trust account will not be liquidated (other than to effectuate
the redemptions) until the earlier of (a) receipt by the trustee of a termination letter (in accordance with the terms of
the Trust Agreement) or (b) the Extended Date.”
Any demand for redemption, once
made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests and thereafter, with our consent, until
the vote is taken with respect to the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal. Furthermore, if a holder of
a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of its redemption and subsequently decides prior to the
applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, it may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically
or electronically).
The withdrawal of funds from
the trust account in connection with the Election will reduce the amount held in the trust account following the redemption, and
the amount remaining in the trust account may be significantly reduced from the approximately $31.914 million that was in the trust
account as of November 30, 2023.
The Company estimates that the per share price at which the
common stock may be redeemed from cash held in the trust account will be approximately $[*] at the time of the annual meeting.
The closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) on [*],
2024, the record date of the annual meeting was $[*]. Accordingly, if the market price were to remain the same until the date of
the annual meeting exercising redemption rights would result in a public stockholder receiving approximately $[*] more than if
such stockholder sold the common stock in the open market as of [*]. The Company cannot assure stockholders that they will be able
to sell their common stock in the open market even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above
as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such stockholders wish to sell their shares.
The Adjournment Proposal if adopted will
allow our Board to adjourn the annual meeting to a later date or dates if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation
of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will be presented to our stockholders only in the event that there are insufficient for or
otherwise in connection with the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal.
If either the Charter Amendment Proposal
or the Trust Amendment Proposal is not approved the Company and the Company does not consummate an initial business combination
within the Combination Period as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our charter the Company will (i) cease
all operations except for the purpose of winding up (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business
days thereafter and subject to having lawfully available funds therefor redeem 100% of the outstanding common stock at a per share
price payable in cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including any interest earned on the
trust account deposits (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and after setting aside up to $100,000 to pay dissolution
expenses) divided by the number of then outstanding common stock which redemption will completely extinguish 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 our remaining stockholders
and our Board in accordance with applicable law dissolve and liquidate subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware
law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Company and the Sponsor may elect to
extend the Combination Period to September 14, 2024 but are under no obligation to do so. There will be no redemption rights or
liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants including the warrants included in the units sold in the IPO (the “public
warrants”) which will expire worthless in the event the Company winds up.
The Company reserves the right
at any time to cancel the Annual Meeting and not to submit the Charter Amendment Proposal, Trust Amendment Proposal to stockholders
or implement any of the amendments as described in the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal.
You are not being asked to vote on a business combination at
this time. If the Extension is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your common stock in connection with the Extension you
will retain the right to vote on a business combination when it is submitted to the stockholders (provided that you are a stockholder
on the record date for a meeting to consider a business combination) and the right to redeem your common stock for a pro rata portion
of the trust account in the event a business combination is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated a business
combination by the Extended Date.
Only holders
of record of our common stock at the close of business on [*], 2024 are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote at
the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
After
careful consideration of all relevant factors, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the proposals are advisable and
recommends that you vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” such proposals.
Record Date; Voting Rights
and Revocation of Proxies
The record
date with respect to this solicitation is the close of business on [*], 2024 (the “Record Date”) and only stockholders
of record at that time will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The shares
of Common Stock represented by all validly executed proxies received in time to be taken to the Annual Meeting and not previously
revoked will be voted at the meeting. This proxy may be revoked by the stockholder at any time prior to its being voted by filing
with the Secretary of the Company either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. We intend to release
this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card to our stockholders on or about [*], 2024.
Dissenters’ Right
of Appraisal
Holders of
shares of our Common Stock do not have appraisal rights under Delaware law or under the governing documents of the Company in connection
with this solicitation.
Outstanding Shares and Quorum
The number
of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is [*]. Each share of Common Stock is entitled
to one vote. The presence represented by virtual attendance or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of the holders of [*] shares, or
a majority of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, will constitute a quorum. There is no cumulative voting. Shares
that abstain or for which the authority to vote is withheld on certain matters (so-called “broker non-votes”) will
be treated as present for quorum purposes on all matters.
Broker Non-Votes
Holders of
shares of our Common Stock that are held in street name must instruct their bank or brokerage firm that holds their shares how
to vote their shares. If a stockholder does not give instructions to his or her bank or brokerage firm, it will nevertheless be
entitled to vote the shares with respect to “routine” items, but it will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect
to “non-routine” items. In the case of a non-routine item, such shares will be considered “broker non-votes”
on that proposal.
Proposal 1 (Charter Amendment)
is a matter that we believe will be considered “non-routine.”
Proposal 2 (Trust Amendment)
is a matter that we believe will be considered “non-routine.”
Proposal 3 (NTA Proposal) is
a matter that we believe will be considered “non-routine.”
Proposal 4 (Director Proposal)
is a matter that we believe will be considered “non-routine.”
Proposal 5 (Auditor Proposal)
is a matter that we believe will be considered “routine.”
Proposal 6 (Adjournment) is
a matter that we believe will be considered “routine.”
Banks or
brokerages cannot use discretionary authority to vote shares on Proposal 1, 2 or 3 if they have not received instructions from
their clients. Please submit your vote instruction form so your vote is counted.
Required Votes for Each
Proposal to Pass
Assuming the presence of a quorum
at the Annual Meeting:
Proposal |
Vote
Required |
Minimum
Number of Unaffiliated Public Shares of Common Stock Required to Vote in Favor of the Proposal |
Minimum
Percentage of Unaffiliated Public Shares of Common Stock Required to Vote in Favor of the Proposal |
Broker
Discretionary Vote Allowed |
Charter
Amendment |
At
least sixty-five percent (65%) of outstanding shares of Common Stock |
1,027,348 |
18.80% |
No |
Trust
Amendment |
At
least sixty-five percent (65%) of outstanding shares of Common Stock |
1,027,348 |
18.80% |
No |
NTA
Proposal |
At
least sixty-five percent (65%) of outstanding shares of Common Stock |
1,027,348 |
18.80% |
No |
Director
Proposal |
Plurality
of the votes of the stockholders by virtual attendance or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon |
Not
Applicable |
Not
Applicable |
No |
Auditor
Proposal |
Majority
of the issued and outstanding shares of stock represented by virtual attendance or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual
Meeting |
262,443 |
4.80% |
Yes |
Adjournment |
Majority
of the issued and outstanding shares of stock represented by virtual attendance or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual
Meeting |
262,443 |
4.80% |
Yes |
Abstentions
and broker non-votes will count as a vote against the Charter Amendment Proposal, Trust Amendment Proposal and Director Proposal,
but will not have an effect on the Auditor Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal assuming a quorum is present.
Through
January 14, 2024, the Sponsor has provided an aggregate of $915,000 in funding allowing the Company to make the required payments
associated with the Extension. Further, $600,000 been provided by EVIE per the terms of the BCA, received by the Company that
have been applied towards the extension. In the event that the Company is successful in closing a business combination, these
amounts loaned to the Company will be repaid.
In
connection with the vote on the Extension Amendment at the Special Meeting in March 2023, non-affiliated public stockholders holding
a total of 3,960,387 shares of the Company’s common stock exercised their right to redeem such shares for a pro rata portion
of the funds in the Company’s trust account. As a result, approximately $41,077,189.13 (approximately $10.37201 per share)
been removed from the Company’s trust account to pay such holders. Following redemptions, the Company has 5,463,613 shares
outstanding.
Voting Procedures
Each share
of our Common Stock that you own in your name entitles you to one vote on each of the proposals for the Annual Meeting. Your proxy
card shows the number of shares of our Common Stock that you own.
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You can vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. If you vote by proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares of our Common Stock will be voted as recommended by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors recommends voting “FOR” the Charter Amendment Proposal, “FOR” the Trust Amendment Proposal, “FOR” the Director Proposal, “FOR” the Auditor Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. |
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You can attend the Annual Meeting and vote virtually even if you have previously voted by submitting a proxy. However, if your shares of Common Stock are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares of Common Stock. |
Solicitation of Proxies
Your proxy
is being solicited by our Board on the proposals being presented to stockholders at the Annual Meeting. In addition to these mailed
proxy materials, our directors and officers may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication.
These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks
and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
The Company has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali LLC
a fee of $[*]. The Company will also reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses. In addition
to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and executive officers may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other
means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. The Company may also
reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. You may contact
Morrow Sodali LLC at:
Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street,
5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Individuals call toll-free (800) 662-5200
Banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400
Email: BNIX.info@investor.morrowsodali.com
The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and
mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy, and the cost of soliciting proxies relating to the annual meeting,
will be borne by the Company.
The cost
of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy, and the cost of soliciting
proxies relating to the Annual Meeting, will be borne by the Company.
Some banks
and brokers have customers who beneficially own Common Stock listed of record in the names of nominees. We intend to request banks
and brokers to solicit such customers and will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for such solicitations.
If any additional solicitation of the holders of our outstanding Common Stock is deemed necessary, we (through our directors and
officers) anticipate making such solicitation directly.
Internet Availability of
Proxy Materials
Pursuant
to rules adopted by the SEC, we are providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet. The proxy statement and the Annual
Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and interim report for the period ended September 30, 2023
are available at www.bannixacquisition.com under the SEC Filings tab.
Annual Report
Our annual
report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, will be concurrently provided to each stockholder at the
time we send this proxy statement and the enclosed annual report is not to be considered a part of the proxy-soliciting material.
Stockholders
may also request a free copy of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 by writing to Bannix Acquisition
Corp., 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046; Attn: Corporate Secretary.
Alternatively,
stockholders may access our 2022 Form 10-K on the Company’s website via www.bannixacquisition.com under the SEC Filings tab.
We will also furnish any exhibit to our 2022 Form 10-K, if specifically requested.
Delivery of Proxy Materials
to Stockholders
Only one
copy of this Proxy Statement will be delivered to an address where two or more stockholders reside with the same last name or who
otherwise reasonably appear to be members of the same family based on the stockholders’ prior express or implied consent.
We
will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of this Proxy Statement. If you share an address with at least
one other stockholder, currently receive one copy of our Proxy Statement at your residence, and would like to receive a separate
copy of our Proxy Statement for future stockholder meetings of the Company, please specify such request in writing and send such
written request to Bannix Acquisition Corp., 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046; Attention: Secretary, or call the
Company promptly at (323) 682-8949.
If
you share an address with at least one other stockholder and currently receive multiple copies of our Proxy Statement, and you
would like to receive a single copy of our Proxy Statement, please specify such request in writing and send such written request
to Bannix Acquisition Corp., 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046; Attention: Secretary.
Interests of Executive Officers
and Directors
When you consider the recommendation of our
Board, you should keep in mind that the Company’s executive officers and directors, and their affiliates, have interests
that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. These interests include, among other things:
● |
If
the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved and the Company does not consummate an initial
business combination within the Combination Period, in accordance with our charter, the 1,437,500 shares, which were acquired
by our Sponsor directly from the Company for an aggregate investment of $14,375, or approximately $0.01 per share, will be worthless
(as the initial stockholders have waived liquidation rights with respect to such shares). The shares had an aggregate market value
of approximately $[*] based on the last sale price of $[*] on NASDAQ on [*], 2024 (the record date); |
● |
If
the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved and the Company does not consummate an initial
business combination within the Combination Period, in accordance with our charter, the 225,000 private placement units purchased
by our Sponsor in exchange for the cancellation of $1,105,000 in loans and a promissory
note due to them will be worthless, as they will expire. The private placement warrants had an aggregate market value of
approximately $72,000 based on the last sale price of $[*] on NASDAQ on [*], 2024 (the record date); |
● |
Even
if the trading price of the common stock were as low as $1.48 per share, the aggregate market value of the shares alone (without
taking into account the value of the private placement warrants) would be approximately equal to the initial investment in the
Company by our Sponsor. As a result, if an initial business combination is completed, the initial stockholders are likely to be
able to make a substantial profit on their investment in us even at a time when the common stock has lost significant value. On
the other hand, if either the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal is not approved and the Company liquidates
without completing its initial business combination before March 14, 2024, the initial stockholders will lose their entire investment
in us. |
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Our Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below: (i) $10.10 per public share; or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case, net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, 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 our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
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All rights specified in the charter relating to the right of officers and directors to be indemnified by the Company, and of the Company’s executive officers and directors to be exculpated from monetary liability with respect to prior acts or omissions, will continue after a business combination. If a business combination is not approved and the Company liquidates, the Company will not be able to perform its obligations to its officers and directors under those provisions; |
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● |
All of the current members of our Board are expected to continue to serve as directors at least through the date of the annual meeting to approve a business combination and some may continue to serve following a business combination as discussed above and receive compensation thereafter; and |
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● |
The Company’s executive officers and directors, and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on the Company’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. As of the date hereof, the Company has received a total of approximately $840,000 in loans from our Sponsor (the “Sponsor Loans”), and the Sponsor Loans remains outstanding as of the date of this proxy statement. However, if the Company fails to obtain the Extension and consummate a business combination, they will not have any claim against the trust account for reimbursement. Accordingly, the Company will most likely not be able to reimburse these expenses, including the Sponsor Loans, if a business combination is not completed. |
Additionally, if
the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and we consummate an initial business combination,
our Sponsor, officers and directors may have additional interests as will be described in the proxy statement for the business
combination.
Householding
“Householding”
is a program, approved by the SEC, which allows companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements
for proxy statements and annual reports by delivering only one package of stockholder proxy materials to any household at which
two or more stockholders reside. If you and other residents at your mailing address own shares of our common stock in street name,
your broker or bank may have notified you that your household will receive only one copy of our proxy materials. Once you have
received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” materials to your address, “householding”
will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate
in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if you are receiving multiple copies of
the proxy statement and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account. If
you hold shares of our common stock in your own name as a holder of record, “householding” will not apply to your shares.
Redemption Rights
Pursuant
to our currently existing charter, our public shareholders shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their public shares
upon the approval of the Charter Amendment, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account (less $100,000 of net interest to pay potential dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding
public shares. If your redemption request is properly made and the Charter Amendment is approved, these shares will cease to be
outstanding and will represent only the right to receive such amount. For illustrative purposes, based on funds
in the Trust Account of approximately $[*] million on [*], 2024 (the record date), the estimated per share conversion price would
have been approximately $[*].
In order to exercise your redemption
rights, you must:
● |
|
submit a request in writing prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time on [*], 2024 (two business days before the Annual Meeting) that we convert your public shares for cash to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent, at the following address: |
Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Mark Zimkind
E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com
and
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deliver your public shares either physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company to our transfer agent at least two business days before the Annual Meeting (before [*], 2024). Stockholders seeking to exercise their conversion rights and opting to deliver physical certificates should allot sufficient time to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent and time to effect delivery. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, we do not have any control over this process and it may take longer than two weeks. Stockholders who hold their shares in street name will have to coordinate with their broker, |
Any demand
for redemption, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests (and submitting shares
to the transfer agent) and thereafter, with our consent, until the vote is taken with respect to the Charter Amendment Proposal
and the Trust Amendment Proposal. If you delivered your shares for redemption to our transfer agent and decide within the required
timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that our transfer agent return the shares. You may make such
request by contacting our transfer agent at the phone number or address listed above.
Prior
to exercising redemption rights, stockholders should verify the market price of our common stock, as they may receive higher proceeds
from the sale of their common stock in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share
is higher than the redemption price. We cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your shares of our common stock in the
open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient
liquidity in our common stock when you wish to sell your shares.
If you exercise
your redemption rights and the redemption is effectuated, your shares of our common stock will cease to be outstanding and will
only represent the right to receive a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (less $100,000
of net interest to pay potential dissolution expenses). You will no longer own those shares and will have no right to participate
in, or have any interest in, the future growth of the Company, if any. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only
if you properly and timely request redemption.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by
March 14, 2024 (subject to the requirements of law), we will be required to dissolve and liquidate our trust account by returning
the then remaining funds (less up to $100,000 of the net interest to pay dissolution expenses) in such account to the public stockholders,
and our warrants to purchase common stock will expire worthless.
If the NTA Proposal is not approved, and there
are significant requests for redemption such that the NTA Requirement is not satisfied, the NTA Requirement would prevent the Company
from being able to consummate a Business Combination, and because we have only a limited time to complete an initial Business Combination,
we may be required to liquidate. If we liquidate, our warrants and rights will expire worthless and our investors would lose the
investment opportunity associated with an investment in the combined company, including through any potential price appreciation
of our securities.
Holders of
outstanding units must separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with
respect to the public shares.
If you hold units
registered in your own name, you must deliver to our Transfer Agent — Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company written instructions to separate such units into public shares and public warrants. This must be completed far enough
in advance so that you may then exercise your redemption rights with respect to the public shares upon the separation of the public
shares from the units.
If a broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee holds your units, you must instruct such nominee to separate your units.
Your nominee must send written instructions by facsimile to our Transfer Agent — Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company. Such written instructions must include the number of units to be split and the nominee holding such units.
Your nominee must also initiate electronically, using DTC’s deposit withdrawal at custodian (DWAC) system, a withdrawal
of the relevant units and a deposit of an equal number of public shares and public warrants. This must be completed far enough
in advance to permit your nominee to exercise your redemption rights with respect to the public shares upon the separation of the
public shares from the units. While this is typically done electronically the same business day, you should allow at least
one full business day to accomplish the separation. If you fail to cause your public shares to be separated in a timely manner,
you will likely not be able to exercise your redemption rights.
Adjournment of Meeting
If a quorum
is not present or represented, our bylaws permit the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy to adjourn the meeting,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. We may also adjourn to another
time or place (whether or not a quorum is present). Notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any,
and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and
vote at such meeting, are announced at the Annual Meeting at which the adjournment is taken or are displayed, during the time scheduled
for the Annual Meeting, on the Annual Meeting website (that is, the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy
holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication). At the adjourned meeting, the Company may transact any
business which might have been transacted at the Annual Meeting.
Other Business
The Company is not currently aware of any business
to be acted upon at the annual meeting other than the matters discussed in this proxy statement. The form of proxy accompanying
this proxy statement confers discretionary authority upon the named proxy holders with respect to amendments or variations to the
matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Annual meeting and with respect to any other matters which may properly come before
the annual meeting. If other matters do properly come before the annual meeting, or at any adjournment(s) of the annual meeting,
the Company expects that the shares of common stock represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted by the proxy holders
in accordance with the recommendations of our Board.
PROPOSAL
1: THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
The Charter Amendment
The proposed
Charter Amendment would amend the Company’s charter to extend the date by which the Company must consummate a Business Combination
(as defined in the Charter) (the “Extension”) up to March 14, 2024 to up to six (6) times, each by an additional
one (1) month, for an aggregate of six (6) additional months to September 14, 2024 (the “Termination Date”)
or such earlier date as determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Extended Date”). The complete text
of the proposed amendment is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.
All stockholders are encouraged to read the proposed amendment in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.
All holders
of the Company’s public shares, whether they vote for or against the Charter Amendment Proposal or do not vote at all, will
be permitted to redeem all or a portion of their public shares into their pro rata portion of the trust account, provided
that the Extension is implemented. Holders of public shares do not need to be a holder of record on the record date in order to
exercise redemption rights.
Reasons for the Proposed
Charter Amendment
The Company
is proposing to amend its charter to extend the date by which it has to consummate a Business Combination from March 14, 2024 to
the Extended Date.
The Charter
Amendment is essential to allowing the Company more time to finalize the terms and consummate the Business Combination. Approval
of the Charter Amendment is a condition to the implementation of the Extension. While we are currently working on finalizing the
terms of the Business Combination, the Board currently believes that there will not be sufficient time before November 8,
2023 to complete the Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board believes that in order to be able to consummate the Business
Combination, we will need to obtain the Extension. Therefore, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of our
stockholders to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination to the Extended Date.
As previously announced, the
Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2023 (as may
be further amended and restated, the “Business Combination Agreement,” and together with the other agreements and transactions
contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”),
by and among the Company, EVIE Autonomous Group Ltd., a private company newly formed under the Laws of England and Wales (“EVIE”),
and the shareholder of Evie (the “Shareholder”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain
conditions precedent in the Business Combination Agreement, the following transactions will occur: the acquisition by the Company
of all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Evie from the Shareholder in exchange for the issuance of 85,000,000 new
shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to which Evie will
become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Share Acquisition”) and (b) the other transactions contemplated
by the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Documents referred to therein.
On August 8, 2023, the Companyentered into a Patent Purchase Agreement
(“PPA”) with GBT Tokenize Corp. (“Tokenize”). Tokenize is 50% owned of GBT Technologies Inc. (“GBT”)
and 50% owned by Magic Internacional Argentina FC, S.L. (“Magic”). Magic is controlled by Sergio Fridman who has no
connection to the Company or any of its directors or sponsors. GBT provided its consent, to acquire the entire right, title, and
interest of certain patents and patent applications providing an intellectual property basis for a machine learning driven technology
that controls radio wave transmissions, analyzes their reflections data, and constructs 2D/3D images of stationary and in motion
objects, (the “Patents”). There are no current arrangements between the executive officers and the board of directors
of either GBT or the Company’s executive officers, directors or stockholders of the Company. The closing date of the PPA
will immediately follow the closing of the Business Combination. The Purchase Price is set at 5% of the consideration that the
Company is paying to the Shareholder in connection with the Business Combination. The Business Combination Agreement sets the consideration
to be paid by the Company at $850 million and, in turn, the consideration in the PPA to be paid to Tokenize is $42.5 million. If
the final Purchase Price is less than $30 million,
Tokenize has the option to cancel the PPA. In accordance therewith, the Comapny agrees to pay, issue and deliver to Tokenize,
$42,500,000 in series A preferred stock to Tokenize, which such terms will be more fully set forth in the Series A Preferred Stock
Certificate of Designation to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of prior to the closing. The 42,500 Series A Preferred
Stock will have stated value of face value of $1,000 per share and is convertible, at the option of Tokenize, into shares of common
stock of Bannix at 5% discount to the VWAP during the 20 trading days prior to conversion, and in any event not less than $1.00.
The Series A Preferred Stock will not have voting rights and will be entitled to dividends only in the event of liquidation. The
Series A Preferred Stock will have a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation providing that the Series A Preferred Stock may not
be converted into more than 4.99% of the shares of common stock outstanding at any point in time. Series A Preferred Stock and
the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) shall
be subject to a lock-up beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the earliest of (i) the six (6) months after such date, (ii)
a Change in Control, or (iii) written consent of Purchaser (the “Seller Lockup Period”).
The Company
and other parties to the Business Combination Agreement are currently working towards satisfaction of the conditions to completion
of the Business Combination, including drafting the necessary filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission related
to the transaction and finalizing financings for the combined company, but have determined that there will not be sufficient time
before March 14, 2024 (its current termination date) to hold a special meeting to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of,
and to consummate, the Business Combination. Management believes that it can close the Business Combination before the Extended
Date.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are both approved and the Extension is implemented, then in accordance with
the terms of the Trust Agreement, the trust account will not be liquidated (other than to effectuate the redemptions) until the
earlier of (a) receipt by the trustee of a termination letter (in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement) or (b) the
Extended Date.
If the Charter
Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved and we have not consummated a Business Combination by March
14, 2024, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible
but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate
amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously
released to the Company to pay franchise and income taxes (less up to $100,000 of the net interest to pay dissolution expenses),
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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and
(iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining
stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations
under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no distribution
from the trust account with respect to our warrants which will expire worthless in the event we wind up.
The sponsor
is not controlled by, or has substantial ties with a non-U.S. person. We do not expect the Company or the post-combination company
to be considered a “foreign person” under the regulations administered by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the
United States (the “CFIUS”).
You
are not being asked to vote on any business combination at this time. If the Extension Amendment the Trust Amendment and the NTA
Amendment are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares now, you will retain the right to vote the Business
Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your public shares into a pro rata portion of the
Trust Account in the event a business combination is approved (as long as your election is made at least two (2) business
days prior to the meeting at which the stockholders’ vote is sought) and completed or the Company has not consummated the
business combination by the Extended Date.
In connection
with the Charter Amendment Proposal, public stockholders may elect (the “Election”) to redeem their shares for a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in 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, regardless of whether
such public stockholders vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal,
or the Written Consent Proposal, and an Election can also be made by public stockholders who do not vote, or do not instruct their
broker or bank how to vote, at the Annual Meeting. Public stockholders may make an Election regardless of whether such public stockholders
were holders as of the record date. If the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal
and the Adjournment Proposal are approved by the requisite vote of stockholders, the remaining holders of public shares will retain
their right to redeem their public shares when the proposed business combination is submitted to the stockholders, subject to any
limitations set forth in our charter, as amended by the Charter Amendment (as long as their election is made at least two (2) business
days prior to the Annual Meeting at which the stockholders’ vote is sought). Each redemption of shares by our public stockholders
will decrease the amount in our Trust Account, which held approximately $[*] million of marketable securities as of [*], 2024.
In addition, public stockholders who do not make the Election would be entitled to have their shares redeemed for cash if the Company
has not completed a business combination by the applicable termination date. Our sponsor, our officers and directors and our other
initial stockholders, own an aggregate of [*] shares of our common stock, which we refer to as the “Founder Shares”,
that were issued prior to our IPO.
To exercise
your redemption rights, you must tender your shares to the Company’s transfer agent at least two business days prior to the
Annual Meeting (or [*], 2024). You may tender your shares by either delivering your share certificate to the transfer agent or
by delivering your shares electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system.
If you hold your shares in street name, you will need to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to withdraw the shares from
your
account in order to exercise
your redemption rights. The redemption rights include the requirement that a stockholder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial
holder and provide its legal name, phone number, and address in order to validly redeem its public shares.
United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences for Stockholders Exercising Redemption Rights
THE FOLLOWING
DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS TAX ADVICE. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR
OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF MAKING OR NOT MAKING THE ELECTION, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS
OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX RULES AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAWS THAT MAY AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
U.S. Holders
This section
applies to you if you are a “U.S. holder.” A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our shares of Common Stock who or
that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an
individual
who
is
a
citizen
or
resident
of
the
United
States; |
| ● | a
corporation
(or
other
entity
taxable
as
a
corporation
for
U.S.
federal
income
tax
purposes)
organized
in
or
under
the
laws
of
the
United
States,
any
state
thereof
or
the
District
of
Columbia; |
| ● | an
estate
the
income
of
which
is
subject
to
U.S.
federal
income
tax
purposes
regardless
of
its
source;
or |
| ● | a
trust,
if
(A) a
court
within
the
United
States
is
able
to
exercise
primary
supervision
over
the
administration
of
such
trust
and
one
or
more
“United
States
persons”
(within
the
meaning
of
the
Code)
have
the
authority
to
control
all
substantial
decisions
of
the
trust
or
(B) the
trust
validly
elected
to
be
treated
as
a
United
States
person
for
U.S.
federal
income
tax
purposes. |
Taxation
of Distributions. If a U.S. holder’s conversion of shares of Common Stock is treated as a distribution, such distributions
will generally constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings
and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings
and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s
adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition
of the Common Stock and will be treated as described below under the section entitled ”— U.S. Holders — Gain
or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock.”
Dividends
received by a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation will generally qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite
holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for
purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends received
by a non-corporate U.S. holder will generally constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum
tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains.
Gain or
Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock. If a U.S. holder’s conversion of shares
of Common Stock is treated as a sale or other taxable disposition, a U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of
Common Stock converted. Any such capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s
holding period for the Common Stock so disposed of exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders
will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Generally,
the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount
of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax
basis in its Common Stock so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Common Stock will generally equal the
U.S. holder’s acquisition cost less any prior distributions paid to such U.S.
holder with respect to its shares of Common Stock treated as a return of capital. If the holder purchased an investment unit consisting
of both shares and warrants, the cost of such unit must be allocated between the shares and warrants that comprised such unit based
on their relative fair market values at the time of the purchase. Calculation of gain or loss must be made separately for each
block of shares owned by a U.S. holder. Any U.S. holder who has tendered all of his actually owned shares for conversion but continues
to hold warrants after the conversion will generally not be considered to have experienced a complete termination of his interest
in the Company.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section
applies to you if you are a “non-U.S. holder.” A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock who
or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | a
non-resident
alien
individual,
other
than
certain
former
citizens
and
residents
of
the
United
States
subject
to
U.S.
tax
as
expatriates; |
| ● | a
foreign
corporation;
or |
| ● | an
estate
or
trust
that
is
not
a
U.S.
holder; |
but does not include an individual
who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual,
you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a conversion.
Taxation
of Distributions. If a non-U.S. holder’s conversion of shares of Common Stock is treated as a distribution, to the extent
paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), such distribution
will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividend is not effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross
amount of the dividend at a rate of thirty percent (30%), unless such non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding
tax under an applicable income tax treaty and timely provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually
on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below
zero) the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our Common Stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds
the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the Common Stock, which
will be treated as described below under the section entitled “— Non-U.S. holders — Gain
on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock.”
The withholding
tax described above does not apply to a dividend paid to a non-U.S. holder who provides an IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that such
dividend is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead,
the effectively connected dividend will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder,
subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes and is receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax”
imposed at a rate of thirty percent (30%) (or a lower applicable treaty rate).
Gain on
Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock. If a non-U.S. holder’s conversion share of Common
Stock is treated as a sale or other taxable disposition, subject to the discussions of FATCA and backup withholding, below a non-U.S.
holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable
exchange or other taxable disposition of our Common Stock, unless:
| ● | the
gain
is
effectively
connected
with
the
conduct
of
a
trade
or
business
by
the
non-U.S.
holder
within
the
United
States
(and,
under
certain
income
tax
treaties,
is
attributable
to
a
United
States
permanent
establishment
or
fixed
base
maintained
by
the
non-U.S.
holder);
or |
| ● | we
are
or
have
been
a
“United
States
real
property
holding
corporation”
for
U.S.
federal
income
tax
purposes
at
any
time
during
the
shorter
of
the
five-year
period
ending
on
the
date
of
disposition
or
the
period
that
the
non-U.S.
holder
held
our
Common
Stock,
and,
in
the
case
where
shares
of
our
Common
Stock
are
regularly
traded
on
an
established
securities
market,
the
non-U.S.
holder
has
owned,
directly
or
constructively,
more
than
5%
of
our
Common
Stock
at
any
time
within
the
shorter
of
the
five-year
period
preceding
the
disposition
or
such
non-U.S.
holder’s
holding
period
for
the
shares
of
our
Common
Stock. |
Unless an
applicable treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax at generally applicable
U.S. federal income tax rates as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. resident. In the event the non-U.S. holder is a corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such gain may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a thirty percent
(30%) rate (or lower treaty rate).
If the second
bullet point above applies to a non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition
of shares of our Common Stock will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, unless
our Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, a buyer of our Common Stock (we would be treated as a
buyer with respect to a conversion of Common Stock) may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of fifteen percent
(15%) of the amount realized upon such disposition. There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will be treated as regularly
traded on an established securities market. We believe that we are not and have not been at any time since our formation a United
States real property holding company and we do not expect to be a United States real property holding corporation immediately after
the Charter Extension is completed.
FATCA
Withholding Taxes. Provisions commonly referred to as “FATCA” impose withholding of thirty percent (30%) on
payments of dividends (including constructive dividends received pursuant to a conversion of stock) on our Common Stock to “foreign
financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and
certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to
ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies (typically
certified as to by the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). Foreign financial institutions located in
jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effects of FATCA on a conversion of Common Stock.
Information Reporting
and Backup Withholding
Generally,
information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments resulting from a conversion share of Common Stock.
Backup withholding
of tax may apply to cash payments to which a non-U.S. holder is entitled in connection with a conversion of shares of Common Stock,
unless the non-U.S. holder submits an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting
to such non-U.S. holder’s status as non-U.S. person.
The amount
of any backup withholding from a payment to a non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal
income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the
IRS.
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative
vote of holders of at least 65% of the outstanding shares of our common stock is required to approve the Charter Amendment. Broker
non-votes, abstentions or the failure to vote on the Charter Amendment will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST”
the Charter Amendment.
You
are not being asked to vote on any business combination at this time. If the Extension Amendment, the Trust Amendment and NTA
Amendment are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares now, you will retain the right to vote the Business
Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your public shares into a pro rata portion of the
Trust Account in the event a business combination is approved (as long as your election is made at least two (2) business
days prior to the meeting at which the stockholders’ vote is sought) and completed or the Company has not consummated the
business combination by the Extended Date.
Recommendation of the Board
of Directors
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.
PROPOSAL
2: THE TRUST AMENDMENT
The Trust Amendment
The proposed
Trust Amendment would amend our existing Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”), dated as of
September 10, 2021 and as amended on March 8, 2023, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
(the “Trustee”), (i) allowing the Company to extend the business combination period from March 14, 2024 to up
to six (6) times, each by an additional one (1) month, for an aggregate of six (6) additional months to September
14, 2024 and (ii) updating certain defined terms in the Trust Agreement (the “Trust Amendment”). A copy of the
proposed Trust Amendment is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B. All shareholders are encouraged to read the
proposed amendment in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.
Reasons for the Trust Amendment
The purpose
of the Trust Amendment is to give the Company the right to extend the business combination period from March 14, 2024 to up to
six (6) times, each by an additional one (1) month, for an aggregate of six (6) additional months to September 14,
2024 and to update certain defined terms in the Trust Agreement.
The Company’s
current Trust Agreement, as amended, provides that the Company has until thirty (30) months after the closing of the IPO, and such
later day as may be approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate
of incorporation to terminate the Trust Agreement and liquidate the Trust Account. The Trust Amendment will make it clear that
the Company has until the Extended Date, as defined in the Charter Amendment, to terminate the Trust Agreement and liquidate the
Trust Account. The Trust Amendment also ensures that certain terms and definitions as used in the Trust Agreement are revised and
updated according to the Charter Amendment.
If the Trust
Amendment is not approved and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by March 14, 2024 (subject to the requirements
of law), we will be required to dissolve and liquidate our trust account by returning the then remaining funds (less up to $100,000
of the net interest to pay dissolution expenses) in such account to the public stockholders, and our warrants to purchase common
stock will expire worthless.
If the Trust Amendment Is
Approved
If the Charter
Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved, the amendment to the Trust Agreement in the form of Annex
B hereto will be executed and the Trust Account will not be disbursed except
in connection with our completion of the Business Combination or in connection with our liquidation if we do not complete an initial
business combination by the applicable termination date. The Company will then continue to attempt to consummate a business combination
until the applicable Extended Date or until the Company’s Board of Directors determines in its sole discretion that it will
not be able to consummate an initial business combination by the applicable Extended Date.
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative
vote of holders of at least 65% of the outstanding shares of our common stock is required to approve the Trust Amendment. Broker
non-votes, abstentions or the failure to vote on the Trust Amendment will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST”
the Trust Amendment.
Our
Board will abandon and not implement the Trust Amendment Proposal unless our stockholders approve both the Charter Amendment Proposal
and the Trust Amendment Proposal. This means that if one proposal is approved by the stockholders and the other proposal is not,
neither proposal will take effect. Notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Extension Amendment, the Trust Amendment or the
NTA Amendment, our Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the Charter Amendment, the Trust Amendment or the
NTA Amendment at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
You
are not being asked to vote on any business combination at this time. If the Charter Amendment, the Trust Amendment and NTA Amendment
are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares now, you will retain the right to vote the Business Combination
when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your public shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account
in the event a business combination is approved (as long as your election is made at least two (2) business days prior to
the meeting at which the stockholders’ vote is sought) and completed or the Company has not consummated the business combination
by the Extended Date.
Recommendation of the Board
of Directors
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE TRUST AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL
3: THE NTA PROPOSAL
General
As discussed
elsewhere in this proxy statement, the Company is asking its stockholders to approve the NTA Proposal. If the NTA Proposal is approved
at the Annual Meeting, the following amendment (the “NTA Amendment”) will be made to the Charter, which shall be effective,
if adopted and implemented by the Company, immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination:
Section 9.2(a) of the Charter
will amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
| (a) | Prior
to
the
consummation
of
the
initial
Business
Combination,
the
Corporation
shall
provide
all
holders
of
Offering
Shares
with
the
opportunity
to
have
their
Offering
Shares
redeemed
upon
the
consummation
of
the
initial
Business
Combination
pursuant
to,
and
subject
to
the
limitations
of,
Sections
9.2(b)
and
9.2(c)
(such
rights
of
such
holders
to
have
their
Offering
Shares
redeemed
pursuant
to
such
Sections,
the
“Redemption
Rights”)
hereof
for
cash
equal
to
the
applicable
redemption
price
per
share
determined
in
accordance
with
Section
9.2(b)
hereof
(the
“Redemption
Price”).
Notwithstanding
anything
to
the
contrary
contained
in
this
Amended
and
Restated
Certificate,
there
shall
be
no
Redemption
Rights
or
liquidating
distributions
with
respect
to
any
warrant
issued
pursuant
to
the
Offering. |
A copy of
the NTA Amendment to the Charter is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C.
The NTA Requirement
Section 9.2(a) of the Charter currently provides that the Company
shall not repurchase Public Shares in an amount that would cause the Company’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.
The purpose of the NTA Requirement was to ensure that, in connection
with its initial Business Combination, the Company would continue, as it has since the IPO, to be not subject to the SEC’s
“penny stock” rules, and therefore not a “blank check company” as defined under Rule 419 of the Securities
Act because it complied with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) (the “NTA Rule”).
The Company is proposing to amend its Charter to remove the NTA
Requirement in order to expand the methods that we may employ to not become subject to the “penny stock” rules. The
NTA Rule is one of several exclusions from the SEC’s “penny stock” rules and the Company believes that it may
rely on another exclusion, which relates to it being listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market (Rule 3a51-1(a)(2)) (the “Exchange
Rule”). Therefore, the Company intends to rely on the Exchange Rule to not be deemed a penny stock issuer.
Rule 419 blank check
companies and “penny stock” issuers
Because the net proceeds of the IPO were to be used to complete
an initial Business Combination with a target business that had not been selected at the time of the IPO, the Company may be deemed
to be a “blank check company.” Under Rule 419 of the Securities Act the term “blank check company”
means a company that (i) is a development stage company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that
its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified company or companies, or other entity or person;
and (ii) is issuing “penny stock,” as defined in Rule 3a51-1 under the Exchange Act. Rule 3a51-1 sets
forth that that term “penny stock” shall mean any equity security, unless it fits within certain enumerated exclusions
including the NTA Rule and the Exchange Rule. Historically, SPACs have relied upon the NTA Rule to avoid being deemed a penny stock
issuer. Like many SPACs, the Company included Article 9.2(a) and in its Existing Charter in order to ensure that through the
consummation of its initial Business Combination the Company would not be considered a penny stock issuer and therefore not a blank
check company if no other exemption from the rule was available.
Reliance on Rule 3a51-1(a)(2)
The Exchange Rule excludes from the definition of “penny stock”
a security that is registered, or approved for registration upon notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange, or is listed,
or approved for listing upon notice of issuance on, an automated quotation system sponsored by a registered national securities
association, that has established initial listing standards that meet or exceed the criteria set forth in the Exchange Rule. The
Company’s securities are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market and have been so listed since the consummation of the IPO. The
Company believes that The Nasdaq Stock Market has initial listing standards that meet the criteria identified in the Exchange Rule
and that it can therefore rely on the Exchange Rule to avoid being treated as a penny stock. Therefore, the NTA Requirement is
unnecessary so long as the Company meets the requirements of the Exchange Rule.
Reasons for the Proposed
NTA Amendment
The Company believes that it can rely on other
available exclusions from the penny stock rules, more specifically, the Exchange Rule, that would not impose restrictions on its
net tangible assets. While the Company does not believe this failure to satisfy the NTA Requirement subjects it to the SEC’s
penny stock rules, as the NTA Requirement is included in its Existing Charter, if the NTA Amendment Proposal is not approved,
the Company may not be able to consummate its initial Business Combination.
Risks
Related to the NTA Proposal
The
removal of the net tangible asset requirement in connection with the Business Combination may result in a depressed net tangible
assets being contributed to or calculated for our compay, which may adversely affect our stock price following the Business Combination,
fi any.
Our
stockholders are being asked to adopt the proposed NTA Amendment prior to the Business Combination, which, in the judgment of
the Board, may be necessary to facilitate the Business Combination. Net tangible assets are calculated as total assets, less intangible
assets and total liabilities. We have entered into a Business Combination Agreement with EVIE Autonomous Group Ltd. (“EVIE”),
which, as of September 30, 2023 does not have any assets and $77,038 in liabilities. Although the calculation of net tangible
assets offers limited utility to understanding the operations of a business such as EVIE, the calculation of net tangible assets
may be used by investors to determine the value of a company’s shares. Accordingly, the removal of the net tangible asset
requirement may result in reduced tangible assets of the Company following the acquisition of EVIE and may adversely affect the
stock price of the Company following the Business Combination.
It
cannot be certain that our company will qualify for another exemption from classification as a “penny stock” if the
net tangible asset requirement in connection with the Business Combination is removed.
We
believe that our common stock will be exempt from classification as a “penny stock” upon the closing of the Business
Combination with the removal of the minimum $5,000,001 net tangible assets requirement from its charter because it will be exempt
under other provisions of the definition of “penny stock”; however, there can be no assurance to this effect.
As
an alternative from being exempt from penny stock classification by having minimum net tangible assets of $5,000,001, a company
can meet the requirements of SEC Rule 3a51-1(a)(ii), which generally require that a company (a) have either $5 million of
stockholders equity or listed securities with a market value of $50 million or net income of at least $750,000 in its last
fiscal year or two out of three of its most recent fiscal years, (b) either a one year operating history or listed securities
with a market value of $50 million, (c) a minimum bid price of $4 per share, (d) at least 300 round lot holders of its listed
securities and (e) at least one million publicly held shares with a $5 million market value. We believe that the combined
companies will meet these criteria; however, there can be no assurance to this effect, and failure to meet these criteria or some
other exemption from classification as a “penny stock” could result in the occurrence of some of the following four
risks.
Our
common stock and warrants may be subject to the “penny stock” rules in the future. It may be more difficult to resell
securities classified as “penny stock.”
Our
common stock and warrants may be subject to “penny stock” rules (generally defined as non-exchange traded stock
with a per-share price below $5.00) in the future after the Business Combination. While our common stock and warrants are
currently not considered “penny stock” since they are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, if we are unable to obtain
and maintain a listing for our shares of common stock and warrants on a national securities exchange, unless we maintain a per-share price
above $5.00, our shares of common stock and warrants will become “penny stock.” These rules impose additional sales
practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who
qualify as “established customers” or “accredited investors.” For example, broker-dealers must determine
the appropriateness for non-qualifying persons of investments in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must also provide, prior
to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information
about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current
bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, disclose the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction,
furnish monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account, provide
a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser, and receive the purchaser’s
written agreement to the transaction.
Legal
remedies available to an investor in “penny stocks” may include the following:
|
● | If
a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed
above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the
purchase and receive a refund of the investment. |
|
| |
|
● | If
a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor
may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damage |
These
requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for a security that
becomes subject to the penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage
broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of
our securities. These requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our shares of common stock and warrants
and may affect your ability to resell our shares of common stock and warrants.
Many
brokerage firms will discourage or refrain from recommending investments in penny stocks. Most institutional investors will not
invest in penny stocks. In addition, many individual investors will not invest in penny stocks due, among other reasons, to the
increased financial risk generally associated with these investments.
For
these reasons, penny stocks may have a limited market and, consequently, limited liquidity. We can give no assurance at what time,
if ever, our shares of common stock and warrants will not be classified as a “penny stock” in the future.
Penny
stocks are generally considered to be high-risk investments. There are several factors that contribute to the high-risk nature
of penny stocks, including:
|
● | Volatility:
Penny stocks are known for their extreme price fluctuations. This volatility can be caused
by a number of factors, including changes in the overall stock market, news about the company
or industry, and changes in investor sentiment. |
|
| |
|
● | Lack
of liquidity: Penny stocks are often traded on over-the-counter markets, which can make
them more difficult to buy and sell. This lack of liquidity can increase the risk of large price
swings and can make it difficult to exit a position if needed |
|
● | Lack
of information: Many penny stock companies are not required to file regular reports with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which means there may be limited information
available to investors. This can make it difficult to evaluate the financial health of the
company and to make informed investment decisions. |
|
| |
|
● | Manipulation:
Because of their low trading volumes and lack of regulatory oversight, penny stocks can be vulnerable
to market manipulation. This can include practices such as “pump and dump” schemes,
where investors artificially inflate the price of a stock before selling their shares for a
profit. |
Overall,
it’s important to approach penny stocks with caution and to thoroughly research any investment before making a decision.
It’s also a good idea to diversify your portfolio and to limit your exposure to any one stock or sector.
We
may be unable to obtain funding under equity-based financing if our shares of common stock are not listed on Nasdaq or a national
securities exchange and/or become a penny stock.
Many
post-Closing companies in De-SPAC mergers obtain equity-based financing, including from equity lines of credit
(ELOCs) or similar financing arrangements, pursuant to which a financing provider agrees to buy newly issued stock on demand at
a discount from a market-based price, which the financing provider then sells into the market to recoup its advances at a
profit. ELOCs and similar arrangements typical require that a company’s stock be freely tradeable on a well-established public
market such as the Nasdaq Capital Market in order to be obligated to purchase stock to provide funding to the company. If financing
for our company takes the form, in whole or in part, of an equity-based financing, ELOC or similar arrangement, we may
be unable to obtain funds under such arrangement if our shares of common stock are not listed on the Nasdaq or another major US
market or become classified as a penny stock.
In
the event the NTA Proposal is approved prior to the closing of a Business Combination, our public shareholders will still be entitled
to have their public shares redeemed, which could result in our public shares and warrants being delisted from Nasdaq and our
common stock becoming a penny stock.
It
is possible that our stockholders could approve the NTA Proposal but a Business Combination could still fail to close due to a
lack of shareholder approval or because of the failure of one or more closing conditions to be satisfied and not waived. If this
occurs, our public stockholders who requested redemption of their public shares would still be entitled to have those shares redeemed
from funds out of the trust account, which could cause that balance in the trust account to fall below $5,000,001. It should be
noted, however, that such Redemption Limitation in the NTA would have otherwise limited redemption rights of our stockholders.
If the amount in our trust account falls below $5,000,001 as a result of redemptions, and a Business Combination does not close,
we would likely no longer meet the Nasdaq listing standards, and its common stock could become a penny stock. This could result
in our stock and warrants being delisted from Nasdaq and make it harder for us to consummate an alternative business combination
and more likely that we would be required to cease operations, distribute the remaining assets in its trust account to our public
shareholders and liquidate.
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative
vote of holders of at least 65% of the outstanding shares of our common stock is required to approve the Trust Amendment. Broker
non-votes, abstentions or the failure to vote on the Trust Amendment will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST”
the Trust Amendment.
Recommendation of the Board
of Directors
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE NTA PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL
4: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Size and Structure
Our board
of directors currently consists of six (6) directors. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that
the number of directors on our board of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by our board of directors or
by our stockholders. At each annual meeting, directors shall be elected by the stockholders for a term until the annual meeting
for the year in which his or her term expires. Each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified
or until the director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
When considering
whether directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable our board of directors
to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the board of directors focuses primarily
on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual
biographies set forth below. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the
size and nature of our business.
Pursuant
to Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation, directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
Nominees for Election
Douglas Davis,
Craig J. Marshak, Jamal “Jamie” Kurshid, Eric T. Shuss, Ned L. Siegel and Subash Menon have been nominated by the board
of directors to stand for election at the Annual Meeting. If elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, Douglas Davis,
Craig J. Marshak, Jamal “Jamie” Kurshid, Eric T. Shuss, Ned L. Siegel and Subash Menon will serve for a term expiring
at the annual meeting to be held in 2024 (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) and the election and qualification of their successors
or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Each person
nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable
to serve. If, however, prior to the Annual Meeting, the board of directors should learn that any nominee will be unable to serve
for any reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been voted for this nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as selected
by the board of directors. Alternatively, the proxies, at the board of directors’ discretion, may be voted for that fewer
number of nominees as results from the inability of any nominee to serve. The board of directors has no reason to believe that
any nominee will be unable to serve.
Information About Board
Nominees
The following
pages contain certain biographical information for the nominees for director, including all positions currently held, their principal
occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which such nominee
currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
Nominees
The following table sets forth
the names and ages of our director nominees:
Name |
|
|
Age |
|
|
Position |
|
Douglas Davis |
|
|
64 |
|
|
Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Principal Executive, Accounting and Financial Officer, and Director Nominee |
|
Craig J. Marshak |
|
|
63 |
|
|
Co-Chairman of the Board of Direcators and Director Nominee |
|
Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid |
|
|
46 |
|
|
Director Nominee |
|
Eric T. Shuss |
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director Nominee |
|
Ned L. Siegel |
|
|
71 |
|
|
Director Nominee |
|
Subash Menon |
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director Nominee |
|
Each nominee
has consented to being named as a nominee in this proxy statement and has indicated his or her availability and willingness to
serve if elected. In the event that any nominee becomes unavailable or unable to serve as a director, prior to the voting, the
proxy holders will refrain from voting for the unavailable nominee and will vote for a substitute nominee in the exercise of their
best judgment, or the Board may determine to reduce the size of the Board to the number of nominees available.
Directors
are nominated by our Board based on the recommendations of the Nominating and Governance Committee. As discussed elsewhere in this
proxy statement, in evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers characteristics that include,
among others, integrity, business experience, financial acumen, leadership abilities, familiarity with our businesses and businesses
similar or analogous to ours, and the extent to which a candidate’s knowledge, skills, background and experience are already
represented by other members of our Board. You can find information about director nominees below under the section “Board
of Directors and Executive Officers.”
Vote Required for Approval
You may vote
in favor of any or all of the nominees or you may also withhold your vote as to any or all of the nominees. When a quorum is present,
election of each director will require a plurality of the shares of the common stock present by virtual attendance or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. “Plurality” means that the nominees receiving the largest number
of votes cast are elected as directors up to the maximum number of directors to be elected at the meeting. The holders of shares
of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights with regard to election of directors. If stockholders do not specify the
manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board are to be voted on this proposal, such
shares will be voted in favor of the nominees. If you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your
broker how to vote in the election of directors, a broker non-vote will occur and, no votes will be cast on your behalf. It is
therefore critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors. Withheld votes will be excluded
entirely from the vote and will have no effect on the outcome. Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have
no effect on the result of the vote although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
Recommendation of the Board
OUR BOARD
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
PROPOSAL
5: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit
Committee has recommended the reappointment of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. RBSM was engaged as auditor on September 7, 2023. The stockholders
are being requested to ratify the reappointment of RBSM at the Annual Meeting. If the selection is not ratified, it is contemplated
that the appointment of RBSM for 2023 may be permitted to stand in view of the difficulty and the expense involved in changing
independent auditors on short notice, unless the Audit Committee finds other compelling reasons for making a change. Even if the
selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors may direct the appointment of a different independent registered
public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders. A representative of RBSM will not be present at the Annual Meeting.
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative
vote of holders of the majority of the outstanding shares represented by virtual attendance or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon
at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of RBSM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the
Board are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of the appointment of RBSM as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm. The Auditor Proposal is a routine matter. Brokers and other nominees that do not receive instructions
are generally entitled to vote on the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm. Broker
non-votes by a broker who elects to non-vote instead of using its voting discretion and abstentions will have no effect on the
result of the vote although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
Recommendation of the Board
OUR BOARD
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF RBSM LLP.
Principal Accountant Fees
and Services
During
the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, the firm of Rotenberg Meril Solomon Bertiger &
Guttilla, P.C. (“Rotenberg”), independent registered public accounting firm, has acted as our principal independent
registered public accounting firm. Rotenberg was merged or bought by Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) which continue to serve
as the principal independent registered public accounting firm. On September 7, 2023, the Board approved the engagement of RBSM
as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 effective
September 7, 2023. In connection with the selection of RBSM, the Company dismissed Marcum as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm on September 8, 2023.The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to Rotenberg and/or Marcum for
services rendered.
Audit
Fees. Audit fees consist of fees
billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided
by Rotenberg in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Rotenberg for professional services rendered for
the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q for the respective
periods, the registration statement, the closing 8-K and other required filings with the SEC for the period from January 21, 2021
(inception) through December 31, 2021 totaled $92,000. The above amount includes interim procedures and audit fees, as well
as attendance at audit committee meetings. For the year ended on December 31, 2022, the Company paid Marcum and/or Rotenberg $75,500.
Audit-Related
Fees. We did not pay Rotenberg
or Marcum for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards for the year ended on December 31, 2022 or
for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021.
Tax
Fees. We paid Marcum $5,000 for
tax planning and advice for the year ended December 31, 2022. We did not pay Rotenberg or Marcum for tax planning and tax advice
for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021.
All
Other Fees. We did not pay Rotenberg
or Marcum for other services for the year ended on December 31, 2022, or for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through
December 31, 2021.
Audit Committee 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).
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Management
is responsible for the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and the financial
reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the
Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards
and to issue reports thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The Audit Committee
has established a mechanism to receive, retain and process complaints on auditing, accounting and internal control issues, including
the confidential, anonymous submission by employees, vendors, customers and others of concerns on questionable accounting and auditing
matters.
In connection
with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management and the independent registered public accounting firm to review
and discuss the December 31, 2022 audited consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards Update No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional
Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee received the written
disclosures from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the
independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed
the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence from the Company and its management.
Based upon
the Audit Committee’s discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and the Audit Committee’s
review of the representations of management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended
that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for fiscal 2022 filed with the SEC.
The Audit
Committee also has appointed, subject to stockholder ratification, RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
|
|
Jamie Khurshid, Chair |
|
|
|
Eric T. Shuss, and Ned L. Siegel |
January 19, 2024 |
|
The Report
of the Audit Committee should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of the Company under the Securities
Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the
Audit Committee therein by reference.
PROPOSAL
6: THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The Adjournment
Proposal, if adopted, will allow our board of directors to adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time, to a later date or dates
to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our stockholders in the event that
there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Proposals described herewith.
In this proposal,
we are asking our stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by our board of directors to vote in favor of adjourning
the Annual Meeting and any later adjournments. If our stockholders approve the Adjournment Proposal, we could adjourn the Annual
Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Annual Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of
one or more of the foregoing proposals, including the solicitation of proxies from stockholders that have previously voted against
the proposals. Among other things, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, even if proxies representing a sufficient
number of votes against any of the proposals have been received, we could adjourn the Annual Meeting without a vote on such proposal
and seek to convince the holders of those shares to change their votes to votes in favor of the approval of such proposal.
Consequences if the Adjournment
Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment
Proposal is not approved by our stockholders, our board of directors may not be able to adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date
in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal,
the Trust Amendment Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the Director Proposal or the Auditor Proposal.
Vote Required for Approval
The approval
of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of the majority of the outstanding shares represented by virtual
attendance or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, if a valid quorum is otherwise established,
a stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or online at the Annual Meeting will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on
the Adjournment Proposal. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established
but will have no effect on the outcome of the Adjournment Proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
of Directors
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following
table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our voting securities by (i) each person
who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our
officers and directors, and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group as of [*], 2024.
|
|
Number |
|
Percent |
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
of
Shares |
|
Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
BETTER
WORKS LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3448
HOLLY SPRINGS PKWY, CANTON, GA 30115 (1) |
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
5.14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEA
OTTER HOLDINGS LLC BD SERIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
107
GRAND ST FL 7, NEW YORK, NY 10013 (2) |
|
|
331,250 |
|
|
|
6.06 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIXTH
BOROUGH CAPITAL FUND LP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1515
N FEDERAL HWY STE 300, BOCA RATON, FL 33432 (3) |
|
|
331,250 |
|
|
|
6.06 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOUG
DAVIS - CEO & DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
475,000 |
|
|
|
8.69 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SURESH
YEZHUVATH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLAT
NO 108, AL NABOODAH BLDG B BLOCK, OUD MEHTA, OUD MEHTA DU |
|
|
585,832 |
|
|
|
10.72 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CRAIG
J. MARSHAK - DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JAMAL
“JAMIE” KHURSHID - DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ERIC
T. SHUSS - DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NED
L. SIEGEL - DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUBASH
MENON - DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALL
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS |
|
|
1,060,832 |
|
|
|
19.42 |
% |
* Less than
1%.
(1) Unless otherwise noted,
the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
(2) Based on 5,463,613 shares of common stock outstanding.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Board Leadership Structure
and Risk Oversight
Our Board
does not have a policy on whether or not the role of the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman should be separate or, if it is to
be separate, whether the Chairman should be selected from the non-employee directors or be an employee. The Board believes it is
in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based on the membership of the Board and the position and direction
of the Company. The Board currently has determined that having Scott Wolf serve as our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer
makes the best use of his experience, expertise and extensive knowledge of the Company and its industry, as well as fostering greater
communication between the Company’s management and the Board.
The Board
as a whole is responsible for consideration and oversight of the risks we face and is responsible for ensuring that material risks
are identified and managed appropriately. Certain risks are overseen by committees of the Board and these committees make reports
to the full Board, including reports on noteworthy risk-management issues. Members of the Company’s senior management team
regularly report to the full Board about their areas of responsibility and a component of these reports is the risks within their
areas of responsibility and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. Additional review or reporting
on risks is conducted as needed or as requested by the Board or one of its committees.
Directors and Executive Officers
On October 20, 2022,
pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, Instant acquired an aggregate of 385,000 shares of common stock of the Company from
Bannix Management LLP, Balaji Venugopal Bhat, Nicholos Hellyer, Subbanarasimhaiah Arun, Vishant Vora and Suresh Yezhuvath and 90,000
private placement units from Suresh Yezhuvath (collectively, the “Sellers”) in a private transaction. The Sellers immediately
loaned the entire proceeds to the Company for the working capital requirements of the Company. This loan will be forfeited by the
Sellers upon liquidation or business combination. In connection with this transaction, all parties agreed that there will be certain
changes to the Board of Directors.
As
a result of the above, Subash Menon resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Nicholas
Hellyer resigned as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Head of Strategy. Douglas Davis
was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Further, Balaji Venugopal Bhat, Subbanarasimhaiah Arun and Vishant
Vora resigned as Directors of the Company. Mr. Bhat, Mr. Arun and Mr. Vora served on
the Audit Committee with Mr. Bhat serving as the committee chair. Mr. Bhat, Mr. Arun and Mr. Vora served on the Compensation Committee
with Mr. Arun serving as the committee chair. The Board was also increased from two to seven and Craig
Marshak and Douglas Davis were appointed as Co-Chairmans of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Further, Jamal Khurshid, Eric
T. Shuss and Ned L. Siegel were appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company effective ten days after the mailing of a Schedule
14f Information Statement. The resignations referenced above were not the result of any disagreement with management or the Board. See
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2022 for information concerning that transaction. On November 10,
2022, Sudeesh Yezhuvath resigned as a director of Bannix Acquisition Corp. for personal reasons. The resignation was not the result
of any disagreements with management or the Board. Post Sudeesh Yezhuvath resignation our board member count to six, were 5 of
them been appointed by IF.
Our directors and
executive officers following the IF Agreement are as follows:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Title |
Douglas Davis |
|
64 |
|
Co- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Principal Executive, Accounting and Financial Officer |
Craig J. Marshak |
|
63 |
|
Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid |
|
46 |
|
Director |
Eric T. Shuss |
|
57 |
|
Director |
Ned L. Siegel |
|
71 |
|
Director |
Subash Menon |
|
57 |
|
Director |
Douglas
Davis is a seasoned executive with management experience across many areas including M&A, capital raising, sales
and business development. Since 2001, Mr. Davis has served as the Managing Partner of CoBuilder, Inc., a consulting organization
providing services for large and small corporate entities associated with increasing efficiencies, including increasing market
penetration, revenues and profit; also, from 2008 to 2018, Mr. Davis served as the CEO of BitSpeed LLC, an extreme file transfer
software solution. In addition, from July 2018 to April 2020 Mr. Davis served as the Chief Executive Officer of GBT Technologies,
Inc. Mr. Davis received an AB Political Science from Stanford University and an MBA (Concentration in Finance and Strategic Management)
from UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management. Mr. Davis is a manager of Instant Fame LLC
Craig
J. Marshak has served as the Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of Moringa Acquisition since February 2021 to present. Mr.
Marshak has a 25-year track record in investment banking, private equity and venture capital, in each case with a significant Israel-based
focus. Since January 2010, Mr. Marshak has served as Managing Director at Israel Venture Partners, or IVP, a platform used by him
and investment colleagues to identify opportunistic Israel based global growth enterprises. Previously, Mr. Marshak served as a
Managing Director, and the Global Co-Head, of the Nomura Technology Investment Growth Fund, a merchant banking fund operated from
within the London offices of Nomura Securities, focused on growth-stage and venture capital investments in Israel, Silicon Valley
and North America. Prior to holding that position, he served as a Director, Investment Banking, in the Restructuring and International
Corporate Finance and Cross-Border Capital Markets groups at Schroders, for both its New York and London offices. Mr. Marshak started
his career at Morgan Stanley’s merchant banking division in New York. Mr. Marshak has played a principal role in many
investments in Israeli companies, most notably (while at the Nomura Technology Investment Growth Fund) the first institutional
round for Shopping.com (NASDAQ: SHOP) (which was sold to eBay, after its IPO) and organizing the first institutional round for
CyberArk (NASDAQ: CYBR). He earned an A.B. in Political Science and Economics from Duke University, as well as a J.D. from Harvard
Law School. From August 2016, Mr. Marshak serves as a director of Nukkleus Inc, which has announced a pending merger with Brilliant
Acquisition SPAC. Nukkleus is a financial technology company whose shares are traded publicly in the U.S.
Jamal
“Jamie” Khurshid served as an investment banker for over 20 years at Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse
and Royal Bank of Scotland before joining Cinnober Financial Technology, the world’s leading independent exchange and clearing
house technology provider, as a senior partner where Mr. Khurshid served from 2013 to 2018. In 2018, Mr. Khurshid co-founded
Digital RFQ, a leading digital payments service. From 2020 through 2021, Mr. Khurshid served as the COO of Droit Financial
Technology, an enterprise technology firm. Since 2021, Mr. Khurshid joined Financial Strategies Acquisition Corp
in June 2021 as Chief Executive Officer, subsequently resigning from the position in January 2022 remaining a director of the company.
In August 2021 Mr. Khurshid was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Nukkleus Inc, which has announced a pending merger
with Brilliant Acquisition SPAC. Nukkleus is a financial technology company whose shares are traded publicly in the U.S.
In September 2021 he co-founded and is a director and Chairman of Jacobi Asset Management Holdings Limited in the United Kingdom
and parent company of Jacobi Asset Management PCC Limited, an ETF issuer in Guernsey. In November 2021 he was appointed as Chief
Operating Officer and Director of Caduceus Foundation, a blockchain technology company in Singapore. He is a Board member of 4Phyll
Private Limited, a BioPlastics technology company in Singapore and Non-Executive Director for OneCycle Group, a chemical engineering
technology provider in the UK. In 1997, Mr. Khurshid graduated from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom with second
class honours as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Mr. Khurshid was voted by financial news as one of the
top 40 under 40 in European trading and technology (2014) and ranked in the ‘Exchange invest’ Top 1000 most influential
people in global financial markets in 2017.
Eric
T. Shuss has extensive knowledge and expertise in growing and running high-tech companies, from start-ups to thriving
ongoing ventures. Over his 35-year career, he has worked at mid-to-large companies as a Senior Industry Analyst, Managing Consultant,
Director of Information Systems, Director of Operations, CEO, COO, Vice President, and President. These roles have been within
high-profile businesses in AI and Robotics, I.T./ERP sales and consulting firms, high-tech manufacturers, Telecomm, retail operations,
and distributors. Most recently, from May 2019 until present, Mr. Shuss has served as a Senior Industry Analyst for Avantiico representing
the company in all customer and partner interactions for its professional services practice. Prior to his current role, Mr. Shuss,
managed and owned a consulting business, Peryton Systems, from April 2016 to May 2019 which was an independent consulting firm
engaged to facilitate the commercialization of innovative technologies in Artificial Intelligence, VR/AR, ERP, Supply Chain and
Logistics. Mr. Shuss has also held various other roles including Senior Industry Analyst/Presales for Hitachi Corporation. Mr.
Shuss is an author and futurist who serves on several advisory boards and has a keen understanding of technology and can see the
big picture to find ways for people to access and benefit from technology, which is the key to his success. Mr. Shuss attended
California State University Long Beach studying Computer Science.
Ned
L. Siegel has had a long and distinguished career as a senior U.S. government
official and businessman. He was appointed by then President George W. Bush as the U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
from October 2007 to January 2009. He was also appointed by President Bush to serve under Ambassador John R. Bolton at the United
Nations in New York, serving as the Senior Advisor to the U.S. Mission and as the U.S. representative to the 61st Session of the
United Nations General Assembly. Prior to his ambassadorship, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) from 2003 to 2007. Appointed by then Governor Jeb Bush, he served as a Member of the Board of Directors
of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) from 1999-2004. EFI is the state of Florida’s primary organization promoting statewide
economic development through its public-private partnership. In addition to his
public service, Ambassador Siegel has over 30 years of entrepreneurial successes. Presently, he serves as President of The Siegel
Group, a multi-disciplined international business management advisory firm specializing in real estate, energy, utilities, infrastructure,
financial services, oil and gas and cyber and secure technology. Ambassador Siegel also serves on the Board of Directors and Advisory
Boards of other numerous public and private companies, and private equity groups. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University
of Connecticut in 1973 and received a juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. In December 2014, he received an
honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Siegel has previously served as
a member of the Board of Directors of Healthwarehouse.com, Inc. from June 2013 to September 2016, and
GBT Technologies Inc. from May 2017 to April 2000. Since July 2021 to
presence Mr. Siegel serves as director with Worksport Ltd a public company, and since November 2021 to present on the board of
LaRosa Holding Corp, currently in the process of IPO on NASDAQ. Ambassador Siegel received
a BA from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and JD from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. In December 2014, he received
an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Subash
Menon has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer from January 2021 until October
2022. Mr. Menon is the Chief Executive Officer of Pelatro Plc, an AIM and LSE listed entity. Pelatro Plc offers campaign management
and loyalty management solutions for telecommunication companies and these solutions are part of the overall Customer Engagement
space within the telecom industry. At Pelatro, Mr. Menon is responsible for sales, marketing, finance, legal and investor relations.
Prior to co-founding Pelatro in 2013, Mr. Menon had founded and led Subex Limited for 20 years (from 1992 to 2012). Mr. Menon successfully
took Subex from startup stage, through an IPO to a company that generated revenue of over $110 million, with 200 customers across
80 countries. During that period, Subex completed several acquisitions of companies in the U.S., UK and Canada. Under Mr. Menon’s
leadership, Subex achieved several milestones – the first software product company to list in India, the first Indian software
company to acquire an overseas company and the first Indian company to use GDR as an instrument for acquisition. For the innovative
achievements Mr. Menon achieved at Subex, he was named a “Mover & Shaker” in the Indian software industry. Subex
also won the “NASSCOM Innovation Award” and “One of the 8 Most innovative Companies” award from NASSCOM.
Mr. Menon has a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and is a Distinguished
Alumnus. Mr. Menon has presented numerous papers on business at international fora.
Number of Officers and Directors
We
have six directors. Our officers are elected 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 appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws
as it deems appropriate.
Director Independence
Nasdaq
requires that a majority of our board of directors must be composed of “independent directors,” which 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.
Messrs.
Marshak, Khurshid, Shuss and Siegel are our independent directors. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings
at which only independent directors are present. Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could
be obtained from independent parties. Any affiliated transactions must be approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested
directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our
board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Each committee operates under
a charter that has been approved by our board of directors and has the composition and responsibilities described below. Our audit
committee and compensation committee and nominating are composed solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
We
have established an audit committee of the board of directors. The members of our audit committee are Mr. Khurshid, Mr. Siegel
and Mr. Shuss. Mr. Khurshid serves as chairperson of the audit committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC
rules, we are required to have at least three members on the audit committee. 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. Mr. Khurshid, Mr.
Siegel and Mr. Shuss qualify as independent directors under applicable rules. Each member of the audit committee is financially
literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Khurshid qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”
as defined in applicable SEC rules. We have adopted an audit committee charter which was filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement on Form S-1 we filed with the SEC.
Compensation Committee
We
have established a compensation committee of the board of directors consisting of three members. The members of our Compensation
Committee are Mr. Siegel, Mr. Shuss and Mr. Marshak. Mr. Siegel serves as chairman of the compensation committee. Under the Nasdaq
listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members on the compensation committee, all of
whom must be independent. We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which was filed as an exhibit to our Registration
Statement on Form S-1.
Director Nominations
We
do not have a standing nominating committee, though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when
required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent
directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent
directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation
of a standing nominating committee. The directors who shall participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees
are Messrs. Bhat, Arun and Vora. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent.
As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The
board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they
are seeking proposed nominees to stand for appointment at the next annual general meeting (or, if applicable, an extraordinary
general meeting). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the Board should follow the procedures set
forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications
that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for
director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business,
integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
Our
board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class serving
a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr. Menon, will expire at the first annual
general meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Khurshid, Siegel and Shuss, will expire
at the second annual general meeting. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Davis and
Marshak, will expire at the third annual general meeting.
Code of Ethics
We
have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal
securities laws. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-1. You will be
able to 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.
Conflicts of Interest
In
general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business
opportunities to a corporation if:
|
● |
the corporation
could financially undertake the opportunity; |
|
● |
the opportunity
is within the corporation’s line of business; and |
|
● |
it
would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation. |
In relation to the foregoing, our amended
and restated certificate of incorporation provides that:
|
● |
we
renounce any interest or expectancy in, or being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunities that
are presented to us or our officers or directors or stockholders or affiliates thereof, including but not limited to, our
initial stockholders and its affiliates, except as may be prescribed by any written agreement with us; and |
|
● |
our
officers and directors will not be liable to our company or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary
duty by reason of any of our activities or any of our initial stockholders or its affiliates to the fullest extent permitted
by Delaware law. |
Each
of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations
to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity
to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable
for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor these fiduciary obligations
under applicable law. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate
opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her
capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one, we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake
and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.
The following table
summarizes the relevant pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors following the
Instant Fame Agreement:
Individual |
|
Entity |
|
Position at affiliated entity |
Douglas Davis |
|
Instant Fame LLC |
Co-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive, Accounting Financial Officer and Director |
The following table
summarizes the relevant pre-existing fiduciary or contractul obligations of our officers and directors before the Instant
Fame Agreement:
Individual |
|
Entity |
|
Position at affiliated entity |
Subash Menon |
|
Pelatro PLC |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Sudeesh Yezhuvath |
|
Pelatro PLC |
Chief Operating Officer |
Nicholos Hellyer |
|
Pelatro PLC |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Mr. Vishant Vora |
|
Mavenir |
President of Global Operations |
Potential investors
should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
|
● |
None
of our officers or directors is required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts
of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities. |
|
● |
Our
sponsors, executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares
and any public shares they hold in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our
sponsors, executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares
if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months after the closing of the IPO (or times as extended),
although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they
hold. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale
of the private placement units will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the private placement units
will expire worthless. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares will not be transferable, assignable or salable
by our initial stockholders until the earlier of (1) one year after the completion of our initial business combination
and (2) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization, or other similar
transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their
shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the last sale price of our
common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations
and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial
business combination, the founder shares will be released from the lock-up. With certain limited exceptions, the
private placement units and the securities underlying such units will not be transferable, assignable or salable
by our initial stockholders until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our initial stockholders
and officers and directors may directly or indirectly own common stock and warrants following the IPO, our officers and directors
may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which
to effectuate our initial business combination. |
|
● |
Our
officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the
retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement
with respect to our initial business combination. |
|
● |
Our
initial stockholders, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination
and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our initial stockholders or an affiliate of our initial stockholders
or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination.
Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be, at the option of the lender, convertible into placement units at a price of $10.00
per unit. Such units would be identical to the private placement units, including as to exercise price, exercisability
and exercise period. |
|
● |
Our initial
stockholders, officers and directors may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities
on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete an initial business combination. |
The conflicts described
above may not be resolved in our favor.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our initial stockholders,
officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee
of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA, or from
an independent accounting firm, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
In
the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our sponsors, executive officers,
and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares purchased in or after the IPO in favor of our initial
business combination.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification
of Officers and Directors
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest
extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our amended and restated certificate
of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us for breaches of their fiduciary
duty as directors, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the DGCL.
We
will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification
provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our bylaws also permit us to maintain insurance on behalf
of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would
permit such indemnification. We will obtain a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our
officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against
our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
These
provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These
provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though
such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may
be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to
these indemnification provisions.
We
believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary
to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Employment Agreements
On May
19, 2023, we entered into an Executive Retention Agreement with Mr. Davis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of the Board
of Directors, providing for an at-will employment arrangement that may be terminated by either party at any time, which provides
for the payment of an annual salary of $240,000 to Mr. Davis. Additionally, we entered into a letter agreement with Subash Menon,
a director of the Company, for services in connection with the review and advice pertaining to the proposed acquisition of Evie
providing for a payment in the amount of $200,000 upon the closing of a Business Combination.
Executive Officers and Director
Compensation
As disclosed
under Employment Agreements, other than Mr. Davis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Subash
Menon, no executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. No compensation of any kind, including
finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, including our directors, or any of
their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.
However, such 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. There is no limit
on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other
than our board of directors and audit committee, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction
if such reimbursement is challenged.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
In
February 2021, the Sponsors subscribed for 2,875,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Founder Shares”)
for $28,750, or $0.01 per share, in connection with formation. In June 2021, 1,437,500 shares of the Founder Shares
were re-purchased by the Company for a total of $14,375. In connection with the upsize of the IPO, on June 10, 2021, an additional 287,500 Founder
Shares were issued via a 20% stock dividend, resulting in total Founder Shares outstanding of 1,725,000. All share amounts
and related figures were retroactively adjusted.
In
March 2021, Suresh Yezhuvath granted an aggregate of 16,668 Founder Shares to other investors (“Other Investors”)
at no costs.
On
October 20, 2022, pursuant to an SPA, the new Sponsor acquired an aggregate of 385,000 shares of common
stock of the Company from Bannix Management LLP, Balaji Venugopal Bhat, Nicholos Hellyer, Subbanarasimhaiah Arun, Vishant Vora
and Suresh Yezhuvath and 90,000 private placement units from Suresh Yezhuvath (collectively, the ”Sellers”)
in a private transaction.
The
Sponsors, new Sponsors, Other Investors, Anchor Investors, directors and officer have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the
Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) the
date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after the initial Business
Combination that results in all of the public stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash,
securities or other property. The Company refers to such transfer restrictions as the “lock-up”. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends,
reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150
days after the initial Business Combination, the Founder Shares will be released from the lock-up.
At
September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 2,524,000 non-redeemable shares outstanding owned or controlled
by the Sponsors, new Sponsors, Other Investors, Anchor Investors, directors and officers.
Working Capital
Loans – Sponsors and New Sponsors
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the new Sponsors or an affiliate of the new Sponsors
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 a Business Combination, the Company would repay the loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released
to the Company. Otherwise, the loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business
Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the loans
but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay the loans. On September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no loans
outstanding under the working capital loan program. As of September 30, 2023, the Company
owed $1,197,850 to Sponsors, new Sponsors and related parties
Pre-IPO Loans –
Sponsors
Prior
to the completion of the IPO, the Company entered into an additional loan agreement with Yezhuvath to finance the expenses associated
with preparing for the IPO as follows:
The
Company entered into a loan agreement with Yezhuvath with the following terms:
1. |
|
|
The Company borrowed approximately $805,000 under the loan agreement as follows: |
|
a. |
|
Deferred offering costs of $50,000 were directly paid by the Sponsor. |
|
b. |
|
The Company repurchased treasury stock of $7,375 from the Sponsor. |
|
c. |
|
Proceeds of approximately $747,625 was received directly into the Company from the Sponsor. |
2. |
|
|
Advances under the loan agreement are unsecured and do not bear interest. |
3. |
|
|
Following the consummation of the IPO, the loan was repaid/forfeited as follows: |
|
a. |
|
Against the first approximate $1,030,000 of the note and loan agreement (inclusive of the $300,000 note discussed above), 210,000 Private Placement Units were issued. |
|
b. |
|
Against the next $75,000 of loan, 15,000 Private Placement Units were issued. |
Yezhuvath
agreed to make an additional loan to the Company of $225,000 pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment which would only be
drawn down at the time of the Business Combination. The proceeds would be used to pay a portion of the incremental underwriting
discount on the over-allotment shares which the underwriter has agreed to defer the receipt of until a Business Combination is
consummated. Yezhuvath has agreed to forgive this amount without any additional securities being issued against it.
Company Related Party Transactions
On May 8, 2023, the Company’s stockholder
contributed assets in exchange for 100 shares of common stock, par value of $1.2617, or $126.
SECTION
16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of the Company’s common stock to file with the SEC reports showing initial ownership of and changes in ownership of the Company’s
common stock and other registered equity securities. Based solely upon our review of the copies of such forms or written representations
from certain reporting persons received by us with respect to fiscal year 2023, the Company believes that its directors and executive
officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of its equity securities have complied with all applicable Section 16(a)
filing requirements for fiscal year 2023.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Proposals to Be Included
in Proxy Statement
If a stockholder
would like us to consider including a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to our 2024 annual meeting of
stockholders pursuant Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, a written copy of the proposal must be delivered no later than [*],
2024 (the date that is 120 calendar days before the one year anniversary of the date of the proxy statement released to stockholders
for this year’s annual meeting of stockholders). If the date of next year’s annual meeting is changed by more than
30 days from the anniversary date of this year’s meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to
print and mail proxy materials. Proposals must comply with the proxy rules relating to stockholder proposals, in particular Rule 14a-8
under Exchange Act, in order to be included in our proxy materials.
Proposals to Be Submitted
for Annual Meeting
Stockholders
who wish to submit a proposal or nomination for consideration at our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, but, in the case of a
proposal who do not wish to submit the proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act, must, in accordance with our bylaws, have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be
timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company
not less than 60 days ([*], 2024) nor more than 90 days ([*], 2024) prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s
annual meeting of stockholders. The proposal or nomination must comply with the notice procedures and information requirements
set forth in our bylaws, and the stockholder submitting the proposal or nomination must be a stockholder of record at the time
of giving the notice and is entitled to vote at the meeting. Any stockholder proposal or nomination that is not submitted pursuant
to the procedures set forth in our bylaws will not be eligible for presentation or consideration at the next annual meeting.
In the event
that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the first anniversary
of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then notice must be delivered no later than 70 days prior to the date of such
meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Public announcement
means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable news service or in a
document publicly filed by the company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Universal Proxy
In addition
to satisfying the foregoing requirements under the Company’s bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders
who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that
sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than [*], 2024.
Mailing Instructions
In
each case, proposals should be delivered to Corporate Secretary of Bannix Acquisition Corp., 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood,
CA 90046. To avoid controversy and establish timely receipt by us, it is suggested that stockholders send their proposals by certified
mail return receipt requested.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Company files annual, quarterly and current
reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet web site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The public
can obtain any documents that we file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
You may obtain additional
copies of this proxy statement, at no cost, and you may ask any questions you may have about the Charter Amendment Proposal or
the Adjournment Proposal by contacting us at the following address or email:
Bannix Acquisition Corp.
1063 North Spaulding
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Attn: Douglas Davis
Email: doug.davis@bannixacquisition.com
You may also obtain these documents at no
cost by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the Company’s proxy solicitation agent at the following address and
telephone number:
Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street,
5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Individuals call toll-free (800) 662-5200
Banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400
Email: BNIX.info@investor.morrowsodali.com
In order to receive timely delivery of the
documents in advance of the annual meeting, you must make your request for information no later than , 2023 (one week prior to
the date of the annual meeting).
STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATION WITH OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders
who wish to contact any of our directors either individually or as a group may do so by writing to them c/o Corporate Secretary,
Bannix Acquisition Corp, 1063 North Spaulding, West Hollywood, CA 90046, and its telephone number, including area code,
is (323) 682-8949, specifying whether the communication is directed to the entire Board or to a particular director. Your letter
should indicate that you are a Bannix Acquisition Corp. stockholder. Letters from stockholders are screened, which includes filtering
out improper or irrelevant topics, and depending on subject matter, will be forwarded to (i) the director(s) to whom addressed
or appropriate management personnel, or (ii) not forwarded.
OTHER
BUSINESS
As of
the date of this proxy statement, the Board does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders any matters other
than those described herein and does not presently know of any matters that will be presented by other parties. However, if any
other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders named in the proxy accompanying this proxy statement
will have authority to vote all proxies in accordance with their discretion.
[*], 2024 |
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Douglas Davis |
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Douglas Davis |
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Co- Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ Craig J. Marshak |
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Craig J. Marshak |
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Co- Chair of the Board |
ANNEX A
PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE
SECOND AMENDED
AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BANNIX ACQUISITION CORP.
Bannix Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:
1. The original certificate of incorporation
of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 21, 2021, as amended on February 4, 2021, amended
and restated and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 10, 2021 and amended on March 9, 2023
(as amended and restated, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
2. This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation was duly proposed, adopted and approved by the Corporation’s board of directors and by the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock entitled to vote in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Sections 222 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
3. Section 9.1(b) of Article IX
of the Certificate of Incorporation is amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
“Immediately
after the Offering, a certain amount of the net offering proceeds received by the Corporation in the Offering (including the proceeds
of any exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) and certain other amounts specified in the Corporation’s
registration statement on Form S-1, initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘SEC’)
on February 19, 2021, as amended (the ‘Registration Statement’), shall be deposited in a trust account
(the ‘Trust Account’), established for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined below) pursuant
to a trust agreement described in the Registration Statement (the ‘Trust Agreement’). Except for the
withdrawal of interest to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), none of the funds held in the
Trust Account (including the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) will be released from the Trust Account until
the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination, (ii) the redemption of 100% of the
Offering Shares (as defined below) if the Corporation is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 37 months
from the closing of the Offering (or, if the Office of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall not be open for business (including
filing of corporate documents) on such date the next date upon which the Office of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall
be open) (the “Deadline Date”), which may be extended pursuant to Section 9.1(c) and (iii) the
redemption of shares in connection with a vote seeking to amend such provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate as described
in Section 9.7. Holders of shares of Common Stock included as part of the units sold in the Offering (the ‘Offering
Shares’) (whether such Offering Shares were purchased in the Offering or in the secondary market following the Offering
and whether or not such holders are one of the sponsors of the Corporation (the ‘Sponsor’), or
officers or directors of the Corporation, or affiliates of any of the foregoing) are referred to herein as ‘Public
Stockholders.’
4. Section 9.2(d) of Article IX
of the Certificate of Incorporation is amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
In the event that the Corporation has not
consummated an initial Business Combination within 15 months from the closing of the Offering, the Sponsor may request that the
Board extend the period of time to consummate an initial Business Combination by two additional 3 month periods (each, an “Extension
Period”), for a total of 21 months to consummate an initial Business Combination (the “Deadline Date”);
provided, that for each such Extension Period: (i) the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees has deposited into the Trust
Account an amount equal to $600,000, or $690,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per
share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $1,200,000 (or $1,380,000 if the
underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share; and (ii) there has been
compliance with any applicable procedures relating to the Extension Period in the trust agreement and in the letter
agreement, both of which are described in the Registration Statement, provided, further in the event that the Corporation has not consummated
an initial Business Combination within 31 months from the closing of the Offering, the Board of Directors, in its discretion and
without another stockholder vote, if requested by the Sponsor, upon five days prior written notice to the Corporation, may extend the
Deadline Date by one month each on up to six occasions, up to an additional six months (each such month being part of the “Additional
Extension Period”), but in no event to a date later than 37 months from the closing of the Offering (or, if the Office
of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall not be open for business (including filing of corporate documents) on such date the next
date upon which the Office of the Delaware Division of Corporations shall be open), provided that (i) for each one-month Extension
Period the Sponsor (or its affiliates or its permitted designees) has deposited into the Trust Account an amount equal to the lesser
of (x) $25,000 or (y) $0.05 for each Offering Share that is not redeemed by the last day immediately preceding such Additional Extension
Period for an aggregate deposit of up to the lesser of (x) $150,000 or (y) $0.30 for each public share that is not redeemed in connection
with the annual meeting (if all six additional monthly extensions are exercised), in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory
note. If the Sponsor requests the Extension Period or any Additional Extension Period, as applicable, then the following applies: (A) the
gross proceeds from the issuance of such promissory note referred to in (i) above will be added to the offering proceeds in the
Trust Account and shall be used to fund the redemption of the Offering Shares in accordance with this Article IX; (B) if the Corporation
completes its initial Business Combination, it will, at the option of the Sponsor, repay the amount loaned under the promissory note
out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to it or issue securities of the Corporation in lieu of repayment in accordance with
the terms of the promissory note; and (C) if the Corporation does not complete a Business Combination by the Deadline Date, the
Corporation will not repay the amount loaned under the promissory note until 100% of the Offering Shares have been redeemed and only
in connection with the liquidation of the Corporation to the extent funds are available outside of the Trust Account. In the event that
the Corporation has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Deadline Date or such applicable Additional Extension Period,
the Corporation shall (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible
but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Offering Shares in consideration
of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the
Trust Account, including interest not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay
dissolution expenses), by (B) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish
rights of the Public Stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating 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
the Board in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Corporation’s obligations under
the DGCL to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law.”
5. All other provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation
has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed this day of , 2024.
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Douglas Davis |
Chief Executive Officer |
ANNEX B
PROPOSED FORM OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
TRUST AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is made as of , 2024, by and between Bannix Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation
(the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms contained in this Amendment, but not specifically defined in this
Amendment, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Original Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, on September 14, 2021, the Company
consummated an initial public offering (the “Offering”) of units of the Company, each of which is composed
of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and one
redeemable warrant, each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock and one right to purchaser
;
WHEREAS, $69,690,000 of the gross proceeds
of the Offering and sale of the Unit Private Placement (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) were delivered to the Trustee
to be deposited and held in the segregated Trust Account located in the United States for the benefit of the Company and the holders
of the shares of Common Stock included in the Units issued in the Offering pursuant to the investment management trust agreement
made effective as of September 10, 2021, by and between the Company and the Trustee (the “Original Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Company
has sought the approval of the holders of its shares of Common Stock, at an annual meeting to: give the Company the right to extend
the date (the “Termination Date”) by which the Company must consummate a business combination (as defined
below) (the “Extension”) from March 14, 2024 (the “Extended Date”) (the date that
is 30 months from the closing date of the Company’s initial public offering of units (the “IPO”))
to September 14, 2024 (the date that is 37 months from the closing date of the IPO) by allowing the Company, without another stockholder
vote, to elect to extend the Termination Date to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis up to six times by an additional
one month each time after the Extended Date, by resolution of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”),
if requested by Instant Fame LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and upon five
days’ advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until September 14, 2024 (each, an “Additional
Charter Extension Date”) or a total of up to 37 months after the IPO, unless the closing of a Business Combination
shall have occurred prior thereto (the “Trust Amendment”);
WHEREAS, holders of at least sixty-five percent
(65%) of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, approved the Extension Amendment and the Trust Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Original
Agreement to, among other things, reflect amendments to the Original Agreement contemplated by the Trust Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual
agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Amendment to Trust Agreement. Section 1(i)
of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
“Commence liquidation of the Trust Account
only after and promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“Termination
Letter”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit
B, as applicable, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or Chair
of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or other authorized officer of the Company, and
complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the
invested funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes payable and less up to $100,000 of interest that may be released to the
Company to pay dissolution expenses), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or a
one-month extension period, which the Company may extend, by resolution of the Board and without approval of
the Company’s stockholders, up to six times, each by one additional month (for a total of up to six additional months),
provided that, for each such extension month, the Company must deposit into the Trust Account an amount equal to the lesser of
(A) $25,000 or (B) $0.05 for each public share that is not redeemed in accordance with Section 9.2(b) of the Company’s
second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time, if a Termination Letter has
not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account, including
interest earned on the investment funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxable payable and less up to $100,000 of interest
that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses) shall be distributed to the Stockholders of record as of such
date. It is acknowledged and agreed that there should be no reduction in the principal amount per share initially deposited in
the Trust Account;”
2. Miscellaneous Provisions.
2.1. Successors. All the
covenants and provisions of this Amendment by or for the benefit of the Company or the Trustee shall bind and inure to the benefit
of their permitted respective successors and assigns.
2.2. Severability. This Amendment
shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of this Amendment or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable
term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Amendment a provision as similar in terms
to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.
2.3. Applicable Law. This
Amendment shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
2.4. Counterparts. This Amendment
may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute
but one instrument.
2.5. Effect of Headings. The
section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Amendment and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.
2.6. Entire Agreement. The
Original Agreement, as modified by this Amendment, constitutes the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments, whether written or oral, express or implied, relating to the
subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments are hereby canceled
and terminated.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Trustee |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Bannix Acquisition Corp. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2 to
Investment Management Trust Agreement]
ANNEX C
PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE
SECOND AMENDED
AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BANNIX ACQUISITION CORP.
Bannix Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:
1. The original certificate of incorporation
of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 21, 2021, as amended on February 4, 2021, amended
and restated and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 10, 2021 and amended on March 9, 2023
(as amended and restated, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
2. This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation was duly proposed, adopted and approved by the Corporation’s board of directors and by the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock entitled to vote in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Sections 222 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
3. Section 9.2(a) of Article IX
of the Certificate of Incorporation is amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
“Prior
to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall provide all holders of Offering Shares with the
opportunity to have their Offering Shares redeemed upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination pursuant to, and subject
to the limitations of, Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) (such rights of such holders to have their Offering Shares redeemed pursuant
to such Sections, the “Redemption Rights”) hereof for cash equal to the applicable redemption price per share determined
in accordance with Section 9.2(b) hereof (the “Redemption Price”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Amended and Restated Certificate, there shall be no Redemption Rights or liquidating distributions with respect to any
warrant issued pursuant to the Offering.”
4. All other provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation
has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed this day of , 2024.
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Douglas Davis |
Chief Executive Officer |
C-1
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