RCFA Perception Capital Corp IV

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

For the transition period from to 

Commission file number: 001-41039

RCF ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 209-7280

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of November 3, 2023, there were 18,764,431 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, issued and outstanding, including 5,749,999 Non-Redeemable Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, and one Class B ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

RCF Acquisition Corp.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements                

RCF Acquisition Corp.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements 

RCF Acquisition Corp.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN REDEEMABLE CLASS A ORDINARY
SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements

RCF Acquisition Corp.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements           

RCF Acquisition Corp.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to RCF Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to RCF VII Sponsor LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including, without limitation, statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 10-Q, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or the Company’s management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward- looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in our filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.

For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023 and under “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on June 9, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not entered into a definitive agreement with a business combination target with respect to an initial business combination. While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry, we intend to target assets or businesses of scale across the critical minerals value chain that are poised to benefit over the long-term from the substantial market opportunity created by the global energy transition. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our Public Offering and the Private Placement of the Private Placement Warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the Public Offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.

The issuance of additional shares in connection with a business combination to the owners of the target or other investors:

Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant debt to bank or other lenders or the owners of a target, it could result in:

As indicated in the accompanying condensed unaudited financial statements, as of September 30, 2023, we had $149,568 held outside the Trust Account that is available to us to fund our working capital requirements and $141,049,390 held inside the Trust Account. We cannot assure you that our plan to complete our initial business combination will be successful.

Our registration statements for the Public Offering became effective on November 9, 2021. On November 15, 2021, we consummated the Public Offering of 23,000,000 Units, including the issuance of 3,000,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $230,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 11,700,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $11,700,000.

Upon the closing of the Public Offering and the Private Placement, $234,600,000 was placed in the Trust Account. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its taxes and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, if any, the funds held in the Trust Account would not be released from the Trust Account until the earliest of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by May 15, 2024, subject to applicable law, (iii) the redemption of the Company’s public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated our initial business combination by May 15, 2024 or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. The proceeds held in the Trust Account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of its public shareholders.

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the extended date from the closing of the Public Offering, or May 15, 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 us (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law.

Results of Operations

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had a net income of $6,783,258, and a loss from operations of $4,052,795, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income of $10,836,053. Non-operating income was comprised of a change in fair value of sponsor notes of $4,302,500 and interest earned in the Trust Account of $6,533,553. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we had a net income of $4,694,546, and a loss from operations of $222,638, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income of $4,917,184. Non-operating income was comprised of a change in fair value of sponsor notes of $1,957,500, interest earned in the Trust Account of $1,799,684, and a change in fair value of the warrant liability of $1,160,000.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net income of $10,283,920, and a loss from operations of $1,337,583, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income of $11,621,503, which was comprised of a change in fair value of warrant liability of $10,208,000 and interest earned in the Trust Account of $1,413,503. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net income of $3,674,428, and a loss from operations of $402,372, which was comprised of general and administrative expenses, and non-operating income of $4,076,800, which was comprised of a change in fair value of warrant liability of $3,016,000 and interest earned in the Trust Account of $1,060,800.

Our only activities from inception to September 30, 2023 have been organizational activities, preparation for our public offering, and activities related to pursuing merger opportunities. Since the consummation of our Public Offering through September 30, 2023, our activity has been limited to the evaluation of potential initial business combination candidates, and we will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after the public offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. We are incurring increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2023, the Company determined that there were errors related to the calculation of Redeemable Class A ordinary shares, which also impacted shareholders’ deficit in the previously issued financial statements for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022. Refer to Footnote 2 “Correction of Immaterial Errors in the Previously Issued Financial Statements” for details. The corrections were not material to prior year or interim periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Prior to the consummation of our Public Offering, our only sources of liquidity were an initial purchase of Founder Shares for $25,000 by the Sponsor, and a total of $296,235 of loans and advances from the Sponsor.

On November 15, 2021, we consummated our Public Offering in which we sold 23,000,000 of the Company’s Units (“Units”, held by “Public Shareholders”), each consisting of one Class A ordinary share (“Public Share”) and one-half warrant (“Redeemable Warrant”) to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50, at a price of $10.00 per Unit generating gross proceeds of $230,000,000 before underwriting fees and expenses. Simultaneously with the consummation of our Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 11,700,000 Private Placement Warrants, each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, to the Sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds, before expenses, of $11,700,000.

In connection with our Public Offering, the Company incurred offering costs of $13,267,977, consisting of $12,650,000 of underwriters fees of which $8,050,000 was recorded as Deferred Underwriting Commissions and $617,977 of other offering costs. Other offering costs consisted principally of formation and preparation fees related to our Public Offering. Of the total offering costs, $671,494 of which was allocated to the Warrants, were immediately expensed and $12,596,483 was allocated to redeemable Class A ordinary shares, reducing the carrying amount of such shares.

Of the $241,700,000 total proceeds from the Public Offering and Private Placement, $234,600,000 was placed in our U.S.-based Trust Account, established for the benefit of our public shareholders. Prior to the closing of our Public Offering, the Sponsor had made $296,235 in loans and advances to the Company. The loans and advances were non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of our Public Offering. The loans of $296,235 were fully repaid upon the consummation of our Public Offering on November 15, 2021.

On May 9, 2023 we held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”). At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved several proposals to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “Charter”) to (i) extend the date by which the Company must consummate a Business Combination from May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024 (the “Extended Date”), (ii) permit the Company’s board of directors, in its sole discretion, to elect to wind up the Company’s operations on an earlier date than the Extended Date as determined by the Board and included in a public announcement, (iii) eliminate from the Charter the limitation that the Company may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause the Company’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 in connection with the Company’s Business Combination, and (iv) provide for the right of a holder of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share to convert into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of Business Combination at the election of the holder.

In connection with the Extended Date, shareholders holding an aggregate of 9,985,568 Class A ordinary shares of the Company exercised their right to redeem their ordinary shares for approximately $10.50 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $104,889,892 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

In connection with the above extension, beginning on May 16, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day), the Company shall deposit additional funds into the Trust Account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $0.03 per public share multiplied by the number of Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, then outstanding and not redeemed in connection with the Extension Amendment and (ii) $300,000 (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a full month), until the earlier of (a) the completion of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses and (b) the announcement of the Company’s intention to wind up its operations. The Company deposited $464,516 and $900,000 in the Trust Account in second quarter and third quarter of 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, there was $1,350,000 outstanding under the Extension Convertible Promissory Note with a fair value of $67,500.

As of September 30, 2023, we have available to us $149,568 of cash on our balance sheet and a working capital deficit of $1,446,486. We will use the available cash primarily to find and evaluate target businesses, perform business, legal, and accounting due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination. The interest income earned on the investments in our Trust Account are unavailable to fund operating expenses.

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with the initial business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into Private Placement Warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, 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 our Trust Account. As of September 30, 2023, there was $3,600,000 outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note with a fair value of $180,000.

We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. We anticipate that the cash held outside of the Trust Account as of September 30, 2023, will not be sufficient to allow us to operate until May 15, 2024, the extended date at which we must complete a Business Combination. If we are unable to complete a Business Combination by May 15, 2024, then we will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating.

In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” while we expect to have sufficient access to additional sources of capital under the Sponsor Convertible Note, there is no current obligation on the part of the Sponsor to provide additional capital and no assurances can be provided that such additional capital will ultimately be available if necessary. Management also has determined that if the Company will be unable to complete a Business Combination by May 15, 2024, the extended date of which the Company must complete a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by May 15, 2024, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. Management has determined that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern due to the need to obtain additional capital from the Sponsor to address the Company’s liquidity condition, which the Sponsor is not obligated to advance, and the date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after May 15, 2024.

As of September 30, 2023, we have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or entered into any non-financial assets.

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and the most recent escalation of ongoing conflict in Middle East and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the conflict in Ukraine and Middle East 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. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

On June 9, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 5,750,000 Founder Shares of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares for an aggregate price of $25,000. The Sponsor subsequently transferred an aggregate of 402,500 Founder Shares to members of the Company’s board of directors, management team, board of advisors and/or their estate planning vehicles for the same per-share consideration that it originally paid for such shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding 5,347,500 Founder Shares. The Founder shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A ordinary shares at the time of the Company’s initial business combination.

Our initial shareholders have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion thereof until the earlier to occur of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, 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, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

On May 9, 2023, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Charter, as amended by the amendments to the Charter, the holders of the Class B ordinary shares, totaling 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, elected to convert 5,749,999 Class B ordinary share held by them on a one-for-one basis into nonredeemable Class A ordinary shares, with immediate effect. Following such conversion, as of September 30, 2023, the Company had an aggregate of 5,749,999 Non-Redeemable Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, and one Class B ordinary share issued and outstanding.

Sponsor Notes

Sponsor Convertible Note

On April 1, 2022, we issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Note”) to our Sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $5,000,000 from the Sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to the business of the Company and the consummation of a Business Combination. The Sponsor Convertible Note is non-interest bearing and all unpaid principal will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) May 15, 2023 and (ii) the effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving us and one or more businesses (such earlier date, the “Maturity Date”). If we complete the initial business combination, we will repay any loaned amounts. In the event our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay such loaned amounts.

Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into Private Placement Warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Our Sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to the Maturity Date, to convert any amounts outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note, into warrants to purchase the Company’s Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants sold concurrently with the Company’s Public Offering. The Sponsor Convertible Note is accounted for within the scope of ASC 480 and is measured at fair value upon the issuance and at each reporting period end with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations. The fair value of this Note considers the likelihood of an initial business combination closing and the potential value of such transaction against the likelihood of no initial business combination taking place resulting in the redemption of the public shares and the fair value of the loan approximating its liquidation value. The fair value of the embedded conversion feature upon the issuance of Sponsor Convertible Note is de minimis.

On May 11, 2023, the Company amended and restated the Sponsor Convertible Note to extend the maturity date from the earlier of (i) May 15, 2023 and (ii) the effective date of a Business Combination to the earlier of (i) May 15, 2024 and (ii) a Business Combination.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company borrowed $3,100,000 from the Sponsor Convertible Note. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $3,600,000 and $500,000 in outstanding borrowings under the Sponsor Convertible Note with a fair value of $180,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Issuance of Extension Convertible Promissory Note

In the second quarter of 2023, the Company issued a convertible promissory note (the “Extension Convertible Promissory”) Note to the Sponsor with a principal amount up to $3,600,000. The Extension Convertible Promissory Note bears no interest and is repayable in full upon the earlier of (a) the effective date of a Business Combination, or (b) the date of the Company’s liquidation. If the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by the Extended Date, the Extension Convertible Promissory Note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven. Upon maturity, the outstanding principal of the Extension Convertible Promissory Note may be converted into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the Sponsor. Such warrants will have terms identical to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the IPO.

In the second quarter and third quarter of 2023, the Company borrowed $450,000 and $900,000, respectively, from the Extension Convertible Promissory Note. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $1,350,000 in outstanding borrowings under the Extension Convertible Promissory Note with a fair value of $67,500.

Therefore, the total notes outstanding with the Sponsor was $247,500 for the Extension Convertible Promissory Note and the Sponsor Convertible Note as of September 30, 2023.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

At September 30, 2023, we did not have any long-term debt, finance lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities.

Service and Administrative Fees

We agreed, commencing on November 10, 2021, to pay an affiliate of our Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to our management team. As of September 30, 2023, the Company has incurred $227,000 in these fees. Upon completion of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering, or $4,600,000. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a Deferred Underwriting Commission of 3.5% or $8,050,000 of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering held in the Trust Account upon the completion of the Company’s initial business combination subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The Deferred Underwriting Commissions will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an initial business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Registration and Shareholder Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants, and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans) were entitled to registration rights pursuant to the registration rights agreement signed upon the effective date of the Public Offering. The holders of these securities were entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Employment Agreement

On September 1, 2022, we entered into the Employment Agreement with Mr. Shah. The Employment Agreement has a term commencing September 1, 2022 and terminates automatically on the later of (i) May 15, 2023, (ii) August 15, 2023 if the Company has executed a letter of intent or agreement in principle in connection with a business combination, and (iii) the closing date of a business combination. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Shah is entitled to earn an annual salary of $50,000 and will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses necessary for him to carry out his duties. Mr. Shah or the Company may terminate the employment with three months’ written notice; however, no notice is required in the case of an automatic termination as described above, or for the Company to terminate the employment for cause, such as due to gross misconduct or material breach of obligations, as set forth under the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement also provides for post termination obligations for Mr. Shah, including customary non-compete covenants for up to six months following any termination.

As of September 30, 2023, Mr. Shah received compensation of $62,096 under the Employment Agreement. The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to this Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Policies and 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. While the Company does not believe that the reported amounts would be materially different, application of these policies involves the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company evaluates the estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. The Company bases the estimates on experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. All of the Company’s significant accounting policies, including certain critical accounting policies and estimates, are disclosed in the 2022 10-K.

Income (Loss) Per Ordinary Share

The Company’s statement of operations includes a presentation of income (loss) per share for redeemable ordinary shares in a manner similar to the two-class method in calculating net income per ordinary share. Net income (loss) per ordinary share, basic and diluted, for Class A redeemable ordinary shares is computed by dividing the pro rata net income (loss) between the Class A redeemable ordinary share and the non-redeemable ordinary share by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period, adjusted for the effects of deemed dividend under the assumption that they represent dividends to the holders of Class A redeemable ordinary shares. Net income (loss) per non-redeemable ordinary shares, basic and diluted is computed by dividing the pro rata net income (loss) between the Class A redeemable ordinary share and the non-redeemable ordinary share by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period.

With respect to the accretion of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption and consistent with ASC 480-10-99-3A, “Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity-Overall-SEC Materials,” the Company treated accretion in the same manner as a dividend, paid to the shareholder in the calculation of the net income (loss) per ordinary share.

The calculation of diluted income per ordinary share does not consider the effect of the warrants and rights issued in connection with the Public Offering since the exercise of the warrants and rights are contingent upon the occurrence of future events. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any dilutive warrants, securities or other contracts that could potentially be exercised or converted into ordinary shares.

Derivative Liabilities

The Company evaluated the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants (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 Closing 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.

Redeemable Shares

All of the 23,000,000 Class A ordinary shares 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 shareholder vote or tender offer in connection with a business combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. 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 ordinary shares subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480. The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable ordinary shares to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Such changes are reflected in retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, in additional paid-in capital.

At September 30, 2023 the Redeemable Class A ordinary shares reflected in the balance sheets is reconciled in the following table:

On May 9, 2023, the Company held the Extraordinary General Meeting, in connection with which, shareholders holding an aggregate of 9,985,568 Class A ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem their shares for approximately $10.50 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $104,889,892 of the funds held in the Company’s Trust Account.

Investments Held in the Trust Account

Our portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account is comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that invest in U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof. The investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities are included in net gain from investments held in Trust Account on the statement of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information.

Recent Accounting Standards

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statement.

Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth 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 an election to opt out is irrevocable.

We 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, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

Recent Developments

On November 1, 2023, the Sponsor entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Perception Capital Partners IV LLC (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Purchaser will acquire certain of the Sponsor’s (i) Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”), of the Company and (ii) private placement warrants (together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Securities”). The closing of the transactions contemplated by the SPA is expected to be on November 6, 2023, subject to the terms and conditions described therein.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our current chief executive officer and chief financial officer (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2023, due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with accounting for complex financial reporting transactions.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, the Company’s management has concluded that our control around the interpretation and accounting for certain complex financial reporting transactions was not effectively designed or maintained. This material weakness resulted in the immaterial corrections of the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and its interim financial statements for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022. Additionally, this material weakness could result in a misstatement of the Company’s complex financial reporting transactions and related disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

In light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.

Management has undertaken remediation steps to address the material weaknesses, including increasing its management review processes over complex financial reporting transactions. This remediation is an ongoing process and there can be no assurance that it will effectively address the material weaknesses.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Aside from implementing the remediation steps above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us or any of our officers or directors in their corporate capacity.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.

As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023. However, we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable. 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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