See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
See accompanying notes to the unaudited, interim financial statements.
GORES HOLDINGS VII, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED, INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Operations
Organization and General
Gores Holdings VII, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on September 14, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar Business Combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenue to date. The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the Business Combination. The Company’s sponsor is Gores Sponsor VII, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The Company has selected December 31st as its fiscal year-end.
The Company completed the Public Offering on February 25, 2021 (the “IPO Closing Date”). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its Business Combination, at the earliest. Subsequent to the Public Offering, the Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below) held in the Trust Account (as defined below).
Financing
Upon the close of the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, an aggregate of $550,000,000 was placed in a Trust Account with Computershare, Inc. acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”).
The Company intends to finance a Business Combination with the net proceeds from its $550,000,000 Public Offering and its sale of $13,000,000 of Private Placement Warrants.
Trust Account
Funds held in the Trust Account can be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred and eighty-five (185) days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a‑7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), as amended, that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. As of September 30, 2022, the Trust Account consisted of cash.
The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to fund regulatory compliance requirements and other costs related thereto (a “Regulatory Withdrawal”) for a maximum 24 months and/or additional amounts necessary to pay franchise and income taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earliest of: (i) the completion of the Business Combination; or (ii) the redemption of any public shares of common stock properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of such public shares of common stock if the Company does not complete the Business Combination by February 25, 2023; or (iii) the redemption of 100% of the public shares of common stock if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by February 25, 2023, subject to the requirements of law and stock exchange rules.
7
Business Combination
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Public Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination. The Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest income earned) at the time of the Company signing a definitive agreement in connection with the Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, would either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest income but less taxes payable, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest income but less taxes payable. The decision as to whether the Company would seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination or would allow stockholders to sell their shares in a tender offer would be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and would be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval, unless a vote is required by law or under Nasdaq rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it would complete its Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. Currently, the Company would not redeem its public shares of common stock in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its public shares of common stock and the related Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Business Combination.
As a result of the foregoing redemption provisions, the public shares of common stock are recorded at redemption amount and classified as temporary equity, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”) in subsequent periods.
The Company will have until February 25, 2023 to complete its Business Combination. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within this period of time, it shall (i) cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares of common stock for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account, including interest income, but less taxes payable (less up to $100,000 of such net interest income to pay dissolution expenses) and (iii) as promptly as possible following such redemption, dissolve and liquidate the balance of the Company’s net assets to its remaining stockholders, as part of its plan of dissolution and liquidation. The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they waived their rights to participate in any redemption with respect to their Founder Shares (as defined below); however, if the Sponsor or any of the Company’s officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares of common stock, they will be entitled to a pro rata share of the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the required time period.
8
In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per Unit in the Public Offering.
Emerging Growth Company
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
Special Meeting to allow early redemption and liquidation
On November 3, 2022, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement relating to a special meeting of shareholders to approve (i) an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter Amendment Proposal”) and (ii), an amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated February 25, 2021, by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A, as trustee (the “Trust Amendment Proposal” and together with the Charter Amendment Proposal, the “Proposals”), which would, if implemented, allow the Company to redeem all of its outstanding Public Shares in advance of the Company’s contractual expiration date of February 25, 2023 by changing the date by which the Company must cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (a “Business Combination”) from February 25, 2023 to the later of the date of the special meeting of the stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) or the date of effectiveness of the Charter Amendment (the “Amended Termination Date”).
If the Proposals are approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will immediately after the Special Meeting, cease all operations, except for the purpose of winding up and as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem all Public Shares (the “Mandatory Redemption”). As promptly as reasonably possible following such Mandatory Redemption, and subject to the approval of the Company’s then remaining stockholders and the Board, in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Pursuant to the amended and restated certificate, a Public Stockholder shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Charter Amendment Proposal is approved, and because the Company will not be able to complete an initial Business Combination by the Amended Termination Date, the Company will be obligated to redeem all Public Shares as promptly as reasonably possible after the Amended Termination Date. Therefore, no action is required by our Public Stockholders to redeem their Public Shares. If the Proposals are approved, the Public Shares will be automatically redeemed as part of the Mandatory Redemption.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the results of operations and cash flows
9
for the periods presented. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year or any other period.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022.
Net Income/(Loss) Per Common Share
The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) and Class F Common Stock (the “Founder Shares”). Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Public and private warrants to purchase 11,208,333 shares of Common Stock at $11.50 per share were issued on February 25, 2021. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no warrants have been exercised. The 11,208,333 potential common shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 because the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted net income/(loss) per common share is the same as basic net income/(loss) per common share for the period. The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for each class of common stock:
|
|
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 |
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
Class A |
|
|
Class F |
|
|
Class A |
|
|
Class F |
|
|
Class A |
|
|
Class F |
|
|
Class A |
|
|
Class F |
|
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation of net income/(loss) including accretion of temporary equity |
|
$ |
|
3,517,995 |
|
|
$ |
|
879,499 |
|
|
$ |
|
193,995 |
|
|
$ |
|
48,499 |
|
|
$ |
|
11,483,846 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,870,962 |
|
|
$ |
|
(31,103,968 |
) |
|
$ |
|
(9,332,747 |
) |
Increase in redemption value of Class A common stock subject to redemption |
|
|
|
268,166 |
|
|
|
|
(268,166 |
) |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
268,166 |
|
|
|
|
(268,166 |
) |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Total Numerator: |
|
$ |
|
3,786,161 |
|
|
$ |
|
611,333 |
|
|
$ |
|
193,995 |
|
|
$ |
|
48,499 |
|
|
$ |
|
11,752,012 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,602,796 |
|
|
$ |
|
(31,103,968 |
) |
|
$ |
|
(9,332,747 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
|
|
55,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
13,750,000 |
|
|
|
|
55,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
13,750,000 |
|
|
|
|
55,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
13,750,000 |
|
|
|
|
43,919,414 |
|
|
|
|
13,178,022 |
|
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share |
|
$ |
|
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
|
(0.71 |
) |
|
$ |
|
(0.71 |
) |
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution as well as the Trust Account, which at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts.
Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (“ASC 820”) approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet.
Fair Value Measurement
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used to measure investments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of investment, characteristics specific to the investment, market conditions and other factors. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level III measurements).
10
Investments with readily available quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets will typically have a higher degree of input observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are as follows:
Level I—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments at the measurement date are used.
Level II—Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the investment, either directly or indirectly. Level II pricing inputs include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level III—Pricing inputs are unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs used in determination of fair value require significant judgment and estimation.
In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the investment is categorized in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the investment. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the valuation of an investment in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment. The categorization of an investment within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the investment and does not necessarily correspond to the perceived risk of that investment.
Derivative Liabilities
The Company evaluated the Warrants (as defined below in Note 3 – Public Offering) and Private Placement Warrants (as defined below in Note 4) (collectively, “Warrant Securities”), in accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and concluded that the Warrant Securities could not be accounted for as components of equity. As the Warrant Securities meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with ASC 815, the Warrant Securities are recorded as derivative liabilities on the Balance Sheet and measured at fair value at inception (the Close Date) and remeasured at each reporting date in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations in the period of change.
Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 340-10-S99-1, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs – SEC Materials” (“ASC 340-10-S99”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs were $30,783,975 (including $30,250,000 in underwriters’ fees) consisting principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Public Offering. Since the Company is required to classify the warrants as derivative liabilities, offering costs totaling $607,984 are reflected as an expense in the statements of operations.
Redeemable Common Stock
As discussed in Note 3, all of the 55,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to
11
redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Therefore, all Class A Common Stock has been classified outside of permanent equity.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid in capital and accumulated deficit.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
For those liabilities or benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax liabilities as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2022.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, states or foreign jurisdiction authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income amounts in various tax jurisdictions and compliance with U.S. federal, states or foreign tax laws.
The Company is incorporated in the State of Delaware and is required to pay franchise taxes to the State of Delaware on an annual basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with and the credit quality of the financial institutions with which it invests. Periodically, the Company may maintain balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other Investments Held in Trust Account
At September 30, 2022, the Company had $550,504,666 in the Trust Account which may be utilized for Business Combinations. At September 30, 2022, the Trust Account consisted of cash. The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of the Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares of common stock properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of such public shares of common stock if the Company does not complete the Business Combination by February 25, 2023; or (iii) the redemption of 100% of the public shares of common stock if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by February 25, 2023, subject to the requirements of law and stock exchange rules.
12
Warrant Liability
The Company accounts for warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock that are not indexed to its own stock as liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s statements of operations. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classifications, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a liability at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements based on current operations of the Company. The impact of any recently issued accounting standards will be re-evaluated on a regular basis or if a Business Combination is completed where the impact could be material.
Going Concern Consideration
If the Company does not complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, 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, redeem 100% of the common stock sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of franchise and income taxes payable and less up to $100,000 of such net interest which may be distributed to the Company 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 liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining 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.
In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per unit in the Public Offering. In addition, if the Company fails to complete its Business Combination by February 25, 2023, there will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the warrants, which will expire worthless.
In addition, at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had current liabilities of $5,246,255 and $19,087,962, respectively, and a working capital deficit of ($3,764,006) and ($17,661,205).
In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board's Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company has until February 25, 2023 or earlier, if an early redemption and liquidation is approved, as discussed above, to consummate a Business Combination. The Company believes that consummation of a suitable merger is highly improbable. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a
13
going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments that might arise as a result of uncertainties about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
3. Public Offering
Public Units
On February 25, 2021, the Company sold 55,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit (the “Units”), including 7,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $550,000,000. Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (the “public shares”), and one-eighth of one redeemable common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrants”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock. Each Warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the Company’s Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the Public Offering and will expire five years after the completion of the Company’s Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. However, if the Company does not complete its Business Combination on or prior to the 24-month period allotted to complete the Business Combination, the Warrants will expire at the end of such period. The Warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Computershare, Inc., as warrant agent, and the Company. The Company did not register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or any state securities law. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act following the completion of the Business Combination covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company paid an upfront underwriting discount of 2.00% ($11,000,000) of the per Unit offering price to the underwriters at the closing of the Public Offering, with an additional fee (the “Deferred Discount”) of 3.50% ($19,250,000) of the per Unit offering price payable upon the Company’s completion of a Business Combination. The Deferred Discount will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its Business Combination. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount.
The public warrants issued as part of the Units are accounted for as liabilities as there are terms and features that do not qualify for equity classification in FASB ASC Topic 815-40 “Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity.” The fair value of the public warrants at December 31, 2021 was a liability of $9,418,750. At September 30, 2022, the fair value has decreased to $825,000. The change in fair value of $8,593,750 is reflected as a gain in the statements of operations.
All of the 55,000,000 Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Given that the Class A Common Stock was issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., public warrants), the initial carrying value of Class A Common Stock classified as temporary equity is the allocated proceeds based on the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 470-20, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options.”
Our Class A Common Stock is subject to SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99. If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, the Company has the option to either accrete changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance (or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later) to the earliest redemption date of the instrument or to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The Company has elected to recognize the changes immediately. The accretion or remeasurement is treated as a deemed dividend (i.e., a reduction to retained earnings, or in absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital).
14
As of September 30, 2022, the Class A Common Stock reflected on the balance sheet are reconciled in the following table.
|
|
As of September 30, 2022 |
|
Gross proceeds |
|
$ |
|
550,000,000 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds allocated to public warrants |
|
|
|
(10,862,500 |
) |
Class A shares issuance costs |
|
|
|
(30,175,991 |
) |
Plus: |
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of carrying value to redemption value |
|
|
|
41,038,491 |
|
Increase in redemption value to $10.004 per Class A common stock subject to redemption |
|
|
|
268,166 |
|
Contingently redeemable Class A Common Stock |
|
$ |
|
550,268,166 |
|
4. Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 Founder Shares for $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. On February 22, 2021, the Sponsor transferred 25,000 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s three independent directors at their original purchase price. On February 25, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend with respect to its Founder Shares of 2,300,000 shares thereof. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A Common Stock included in the Units being sold in the Public Offering except that the Founder Shares are convertible under the circumstances described below. The Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to 1,800,000 Founder Shares depending on the extent to which the underwriters exercised the remaining portion of their over-allotment option. On April 8, 2021, the Sponsor forfeited 50,000 Founder Shares following the expiration of the unexercised portion of underwriters’ over-allotment option, so that the Founder Shares held by the Initial Stockholders would represent 20.0% of the outstanding shares of common stock. At September 30, 2022, there was an aggregate of 13,750,000 Founder Shares outstanding. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A Common Stock included in the Units being sold in the Public Offering except that the Founder Shares are convertible under the circumstances described below. The Founder Shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of the Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described in the Company’s certificate of incorporation.
The sale of the Founders Shares is in the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The Founders Shares were granted subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founders Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence under the applicable accounting literature in this circumstance. As of September 30, 2022, the Company determined that a Business Combination is not considered probable, and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized. Stock-based compensation would be recognized at the date a Business Combination is considered probable (i.e., upon consummation of a Business Combination) in an amount equal to the number of Founders Shares that ultimately vest multiplied times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founders Shares.
Private Placement Warrants
The Sponsor has purchased from the Company an aggregate of 4,333,333 whole warrants at a price of $3.00 per warrant (a purchase price of approximately $13,000,000) in a private placement that occurred simultaneously with the Public Offering (the “Private Placement Warrants”). Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the Public Offering to be held in the Trust Account pending completion of the Business Combination.
15
The Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public warrants sold as part of the units in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants may be physical (cash) or net share (cashless) settled and are not redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.
If the Company does not complete a Business Combination, then the Private Placement Warrants proceeds will be part of the liquidation distribution to the public stockholders and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. Consistent with the public warrants, the private warrants are accounted for as liabilities under ASC Topic 814-40, due to their terms.
Registration Rights
The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, have registration rights (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion of such shares to common shares) pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into by the Company, the Sponsor and the other security holders named therein on February 25, 2021. These holders will also have certain demand and “piggy back” registration rights. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Sponsor Loan
Prior to the completion of the Public Offering, the Sponsor loaned the Company an aggregate of $300,000 by the issuance of an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”) issued by the Company in favor of the Sponsor to cover organization expenses and expenses related to the Public Offering. The Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of January 31, 2022 or the completion of the Public Offering. The Note was repaid upon completion of the Public Offering.
On March 19, 2021, the Sponsor made available to the Company a loan of up to $4,000,000 pursuant to a promissory note issued by the Company to the Sponsor. The proceeds from the note will be used for on-going operational expenses and certain other expenses in connection with the Business Combination. The note is unsecured, non-interest bearing and matures on the earlier of: (i) February 11, 2023 or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates the Business Combination. As of September 30, 2022, the amount advanced by Sponsor to the Company was $1,700,000.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with our Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $3.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in the Trust Account.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company entered into an administrative services agreement pursuant to which it agreed to pay to an affiliate of the Sponsor $20,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial support. Services commenced on February 23, 2021 (the date the securities were first listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market) and will terminate upon the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid the affiliate $180,000. For the period commencing February 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022, the Company has paid the affiliate $384,286.
16
5. Deferred Underwriting Compensation
The Company is committed to pay a deferred underwriting discount totaling $19,250,000 or 3.50% of the gross offering proceeds of the Public Offering, to the underwriters upon the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount, and no Deferred Discount is payable to the underwriters if there is no Business Combination.
6. Income Taxes
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on applying an estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date income, plus any significant unusual or infrequently occurring items which are recorded in the interim period. The Company’s effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the fair value on instruments treated as debt for GAAP and equity for tax purposes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, for 2021 and 2022.
The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in various jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is obtained, additional information becomes known or as the tax environment changes.
The Company has evaluated tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the financial statements to determine if the tax positions are “more likely than not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more likely than not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. The Company has concluded that there was no impact related to uncertain tax positions on the results of its operations for the period ended September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company’s conclusions regarding tax positions will be subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analyses of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
7. Fair Value Measurement
The Company complies with ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually. ASC 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Warrants
The Company has determined that warrants issued in connection with its initial public offering in February 2021 are subject to treatment as a liability. The Company utilized a Monte Carlo simulation methodology to value the warrants for periods prior to public warrant trading and observable transactions for subsequent periods, with changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations. The estimated fair value of the warrant liability is determined using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The key assumptions in the option pricing model utilized are assumptions related to expected share-price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The expected volatility as of the IPO Closing Date and March 31, 2021 was derived from observable public warrant pricing on comparable ‘blank-check’ companies that went public in close proximity to the Company’s IPO Closing Date. At September 30, 2022, there were observable transactions in the Company’s public warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the interpolated U.S. Constant Maturity Treasury yield. The expected term of the warrants is assumed to be six months until the close of a Business Combination, and the contractual five year term subsequently. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero. At September 30, 2022, the Public Warrants had adequate trading volume to provide a reliable indication of value. The Public Warrants were valued at $0.12 per warrant at September 30, 2022. The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was deemed to be equal to the fair value of the Public Warrants because the Private Placement Warrants have similar terms and are subject to substantially the same redemption features as the Public Warrants.
17
Subsequent Measurement
The Warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The subsequent measurement of the Public and Private Warrants as of September 30, 2022, is classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, due to the use of both observable inputs in an active market as well as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities.
As of September 30, 2022, the aggregate values of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants were $0.52 million and $0.83 million, respectively, based on the closing price of GSEVW on that date of $0.12.
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate values of the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants were $5.9 million and $9.4 million, respectively, based on the closing price of GSEVW on that date of $1.37.
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities:
|
Private placement warrants |
|
|
Public warrants |
|
|
Total warrant liabilities |
|
Fair value at December 31, 2021 |
|
5,936,666 |
|
|
|
9,418,750 |
|
|
$ |
15,355,416 |
|
Change in fair value |
|
(5,416,666 |
) |
|
|
(8,593,750 |
) |
|
|
(14,010,416 |
) |
Fair value at September 30, 2022 |
|
520,000 |
|
|
|
825,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,345,000 |
|
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
|
Observable |
|
|
Unobservable |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Active Markets |
|
|
Inputs |
|
|
Inputs |
|
Description |
|
2022 |
|
|
(Level 1) |
|
|
(Level 2) |
|
|
(Level 3) |
|
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other Investments Held in Trust Account |
|
$ |
|
550,504,666 |
|
|
$ |
|
550,504,666 |
|
|
$ |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative warrant liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public warrants |
|
|
|
(825,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(825,000 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
Private placement warrants |
|
|
|
(520,000 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
(520,000 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
8. Common and Preferred Stock
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 440,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 40,000,000 shares of Class F common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock and vote together as a single class. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 55,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 13,750,000 shares of Class F common stock issued and outstanding.
18
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
9. Risk and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. Additionally, various social and political circumstances in the U.S. and around the world (including wars and other forms of conflict, including rising trade tensions between the United States and China, and other uncertainties regarding actual and potential shifts in the U.S. and foreign, trade, economic and other policies with other countries, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and global health epidemics), may also contribute to increased market volatility and economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. Specifically, the rising conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and resulting market volatility could adversely affect the Company’s ability to complete a business combination. In response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. and other countries have imposed sanctions or other restrictive actions against Russia. Any of the above factors, including sanctions, export controls, tariffs, trade wars and other governmental actions, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to complete a business combination and the value of the Company’s securities. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “2022 Proposed Rules”) relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. The 2022 Proposed Rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, and certain positions and legal conclusions expressed by the SEC in connection with the 2022 Proposed Rules, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our Business Combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
10. Subsequent Events
Management has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 10, 2022, noting no items which require adjustment or disclosure other than those set forth in the preceding notes to the financial statements.
19