EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1820727
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1820727_10-K_2022_0001193125-22-088060.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Overview
We are a blank check company formed as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this report as our initial business combination.
Our sponsor was formed by Mudrick Capital, which was founded in 2009 to focus on investment opportunities in distressed credit and post-restructured equities. As of February 2022, Mudrick Capital managed approximately $3.4 billion, primarily for institutional clients such as pension funds, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, family offices, funds of funds and high net worth individuals. Mudrick Capital currently has 29 seasoned employees, including 11 investment professionals with over 100 years of combined distressed and post-restructuring investment experience. Mudrick Capital has been deploying capital for over 12 years across over 200 distressed or post-restructuring investments since the fund’s inception, including 27 investments with active involvement via board of directors and/or credit committee representation. In addition, Mudrick Capital sponsored Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation, a prior special purpose acquisition company that raised approximately $250 million in its initial public offering and which subsequently merged with Hycroft Mining Corporation (“Hycroft
”), a US-based,
gold and silver producer with proven and probable mineral reserves of ~18 million gold equivalent ounces.
Our management team is led by Jason Mudrick, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mudrick is also the President of Mudrick Capital and has in excess 19 years of experience investing in the public and private markets for distressed debt and post-restructured equities. Mr. Mudrick has served on numerous ad hoc creditors’ committees and corporate boards and has a long track record of creating value both through identifying undervalued businesses for investment and working with management teams. Our management team and board of directors also include Victor Danh and David Kirsch, both Managing Directors at Mudrick Capital. Mr. Danh and Mr. Kirsch have over 30 years of combined distressed investing and restructuring experience. Our management team will be supported by and work closely with the rest of the Mudrick Capital investment team, which consists of 11 investment professionals.
Our management team and the investment professionals at Mudrick Capital have extensive experience navigating balance sheet restructurings, corporate bankruptcies, and operational turnarounds. We believe this experience to be a substantial competitive advantage in the current economic environment relative to other blank check companies and sources of capital. The economic dislocation caused by Covid-19
has impacted the financial performance of a large number of otherwise quality middle-market companies, many of which are highly levered due to either private equity ownership or the general expansion of corporate borrowing over the most recent economic cycle. These companies will likely either require comprehensive balance sheet restructurings to right-size
their respective capital structures or incremental equity capital to support liquidity and business investment. This process is already playing out across the U.S., as evidenced by the number of corporate bankruptcies through July of 2020 - the highest since 2009.
Investing in distressed companies, restructurings and post-restructured companies is the primary investment strategy of the various investment funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital. We believe that a key advantage in sourcing potential business combination targets is the network of contacts our management team and Mudrick Capital have, which includes other distressed credit focused investment firms, financial and legal restructuring advisors, post-restructuring specialized board of directors and turnaround focused executives. Specifically, because Mudrick Capital is the investment advisor for investment vehicles that specialize in distressed credit investing, executives at Mudrick Capital are made aware of potential opportunities with respect to many of the companies in North America that are going through a balance sheet restructuring process. We believe that this specialization and network is a competitive advantage in allowing us to identify, analyze and negotiate an initial business combination for the company with a post-restructured or restructuring business.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to identify, combine with and maximize the value of a company that has either recently emerged from bankruptcy court protection or will require incremental capital as part of a balance sheet restructuring. In particular, we believe that many post-restructured companies suffer from a valuation discount due to their opaqueness, complexity, non-long
term ownership base and overall illiquidity. We believe that our in depth understanding of restructurings and post-restructuring company analysis, coupled with the more liquid publicly traded vehicle the company offers in an initial business combination, could result in significant value creation for our stockholders. Creating value for our stockholders is the ultimate goal of this business strategy.
Distressed and post-restructured companies can provide an attractive investment opportunity due to the unique set of circumstances surrounding balance sheet restructurings and post-restructured equities. Balance sheets are typically restructured by swapping old debt for new equity, and these restructurings often also require a capital injection into the company to fund operations and pay down old debt. We believe that the swapping of old debt into equity often results in an equity ownership base comprised of former creditors that may not be long-term holders of the new company’s equity, resulting in a technical overhang and valuation discount to publicly traded peers that will allow us to merge with a post-restructured company on highly favorable terms. We also believe that the need for incremental funding during restructurings will position us well to be a provider of capital as part of a balance sheet restructuring or recapitalization on highly favorable terms for our stockholders. In addition, distressed and post-restructured companies are often difficult to analyze, as the company can have a changing or entirely different balance sheet, different cost structure, different asset base and sometimes a different management team relative to the pre-restructured
company. Lastly, in many instances, a number of the turnaround initiatives undertaken before and during the balance sheet restructuring have yet to manifest themselves in the operating results of the new company, resulting in a valuation that may not fully reflect the future positive operating results of the company.
We believe the following factors will lead to a significant number of post-reorganized companies with unnatural equity holders which could be attractive combination targets:
•
According to S&P, their leveraged loan “Weakest Link” count, which reflects companies with a B-
or lower credit rating and a negative outlook, has more than doubled since 2019, rising from 145 companies, or 11% of the S&P coverage universe, to 329 companies as of June 2020, or 25%;
•
U.S. default rates have risen sharply this year and are projected to continue to rise over the next 12 months. According to S&P, the trailing 12 month default rate has doubled since the beginning of the year to 3.9% and is projected to reach over 10% within the next 12 months. Defaults have ranged across a large number of industries including Business Services, Consumer and Industrials, according to S&P;
•
The U.S. leveraged loan market today is approximately $1.2 trillion, which is approximately double the size of the market during the 2008-2009 credit cycle. This means that similar default rates in today’s market would imply a significantly larger volume of restructured liabilities;
•
Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs
”) represent a much larger ownership of today’s leveraged loan market compared to the leveraged loan market in 2008-2009. There has been almost 2.5x the CLO issuance from 2013-2019 ($743 billion) compared to 2001-2007 ($302 billion). The increased CLO market share of the leverage loan market may lead to a larger number of post-restructured companies with equity ownership being held by CLOs, which could lead to attractive investment opportunities at relatively more favorable terms.
Investments in post-restructured or otherwise distressed businesses are subject to various risks. Investments in such companies are speculative, prices are volatile, and market movements are difficult to predict. Supply and demand for distressed securities change rapidly and are affected by a variety of market factors over which we have no control and which may reduce the pool of profitable investment opportunities. Moreover, our ability to identify undervalued investment opportunities that fit our business strategy involves a high degree of uncertainty, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to identify such opportunities. In addition, such investments may take a substantial period of time before realizing their anticipated value and returns generated from such investments may not adequately compensate for the business and financial risks assumed. There is no guarantee that we will be able to achieve our investment objectives or provide any return on invested capital.
Business Combination Criteria
Consistent with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria that we believe are important in evaluating candidates for our initial business combination. While we are utilizing these criteria in evaluating business combination opportunities, we expect that no individual criterion will entirely determine a decision to pursue a particular opportunity. Further, any particular initial business combination opportunity that we ultimately determine to pursue may not meet one or more of these criteria.
•
Post-Restructured Companies
. We are seeking candidates that have recently restructured their balance sheet. We believe that post-restructured companies may be valued at a discount to their publicly traded peers due to the non-long
term nature of their ownership base (former creditors are typically the new equity owners post-restructuring), the complexity in understanding their restructuring, the lack of clarity and information regarding their financial performance, the concentrated nature of their ownership base and the lack of a publicly traded equity, among other reasons. We also believe that post-restructured companies are where we have the strongest network to identify opportunities and the greatest ability and experience to provide stockholder value.
•
Middle-Market Companies
. We are seeking candidates with an enterprise value of approximately $750 million to $2.0 billion, determined in the sole discretion of our officers and directors according to reasonably accepted valuation standards and methodologies. We believe that post-restructured middle-market companies suffer from a larger valuation discount to their publicly traded peers than larger companies.
•
Companies with Stressed Capital Structures
. We are targeting companies that, due to the economic dislocation caused by COVID-19,
have near-term earnings and cash flow profiles that cannot support their pre-COVID-19
capital structures and will require incremental outside capital as part of a bankruptcy, out of court balance sheet restructuring, or other recapitalization. We believe that middle-market companies in particular have a more difficult time accessing the capital markets compared to their larger peers, and therefore could benefit more from an initial business combination with our company.
•
Market Leaders with Defensible Business Models and Stable Cash Flows
. We are targeting companies that have restructured or need to restructure their balance sheets due to a bad balance sheet, and not a bad business. We intend to seek candidates that are market leaders in their industry, have defensible business models, and generate stable and predictable cash flows.
•
Discount to Publicly Traded Peers
. We are seeking candidates that are valued in the private market at a significant discount to their publicly traded peers. We believe that this discount will facilitate the initial business combination negotiation by allowing the opportunity for liquidity and multiple expansion for the targets’ current stockholders, while at the same time allowing meaningful upside for our stockholders post-business combination.
•
Strong Management Teams
. We are targeting businesses that have strong, experienced management teams. We also may be able to assist with potential management additions from our network of experienced turnaround professionals. Additionally, we may seek to optimize the management team of a potential target business by introducing board members with relevant insight and experience.
•
Benefit from Being a Public Company
. We are pursuing business combinations with companies that will benefit from being publicly traded and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our stockholder communications related to our initial business combination, which would be in the form of proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents that we would file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC
”).
Our sponsor may form, and our officers and directors may become an officer or director of, another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Exchange Act prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
Initial Business Combination
The rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq
”) require that we must consummate an initial business combination with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account). Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We may, at our option, pursue a business combination opportunity jointly with one or more entities affiliated with Mudrick Capital and/or one or more investors in funds or separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital, which we refer to as an “Affiliated Joint Acquisition
.” Any such parties would co-invest
only if (i) permitted by applicable regulatory and other legal limitations; (ii) we and Mudrick Capital considered a transaction to be mutually beneficial to us as well as the affiliated entity; and (iii) other business reasons exist to do so, such as the strategic merits of including such co-investors,
the need for additional capital beyond the amount held in our trust account to fund the initial business combination and/or the desire to obtain committed capital for closing the initial business combination. An Affiliated Joint Acquisition may be effected through a co-investment
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by issuing to such parties a class of equity or equity-linked securities. We refer to this potential future issuance, or a similar issuance to other specified purchasers, as a “specified future issuance” throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The amount and other terms and conditions of any such specified future issuance would be determined at the time thereof. We are not obligated to make any specified future issuance and may determine not to do so. This is not an offer for any specified future issuance. Pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of our founder shares, any such specified future issuance would result in an adjustment to the conversion ratio such that our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees, if any, would retain their aggregate percentage ownership at 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding as of our initial public offering plus all shares issued in the specified future issuance, unless the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding founder shares agreed to waive such adjustment with respect to the specified future issuance at the time thereof. We cannot determine at this time whether a majority of the holders of founder shares at the time of any such specified future issuance would agree to waive such adjustment to the conversion ratio. They may waive such adjustment due to (but not limited to) the following: (i) closing conditions which are part of the agreement for our initial business combination; (ii) negotiation with Class A stockholders on structuring an initial business combination; (iii) negotiation with parties providing financing which would trigger the anti-dilution provisions of the founder shares; or (iv) as part of the Affiliated Joint Acquisition. If such adjustment is not waived, the specified future issuance would not reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our founder shares, but would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our Class A common stock. If such adjustment is waived, the specified future issuance would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of both classes of our common stock.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business for the post-acquisition company to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target or assets sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment
Company Act
”). Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for the purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
The net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants released to us from the trust account upon the closing of our initial business combination may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or used for redemption of our public shares, we may use the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account following the closing for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. In addition, we may be required to obtain additional financing in connection with the closing of our initial business combination to be used following the closing for general corporate purposes as described above. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities, including any specified future issuance, or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise. None of our sponsor, officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination. We may also obtain financing prior to the closing of our initial business combination to fund our working capital needs and transaction costs in connection with our search for and completion of our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we are prohibited from issuing additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares (a) on any initial business combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond September 10, 2022 or (y) amend the foregoing provisions, unless (in connection with any such amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) we offer our public stockholders the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
Our Business Combination Process
In evaluating prospective business combinations, we will conduct a thorough due diligence review process that encompasses, among other things, a review of historical and projected financial and operating data, meetings with management and their advisors (if applicable), on-site
inspection of facilities and assets, discussion with customers and suppliers, legal reviews and other reviews as we deem appropriate. We will also utilize the expertise of our management team and other employees of Mudrick Capital in analyzing potential target companies and evaluating operating projections, financial projections and determining the appropriate return expectations given the risk profile of the target business.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with Mudrick Capital, investment funds or separate accounts advised by Mudrick Capital or our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with Mudrick Capital, investment funds or separate accounts advised by Mudrick Capital or our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Investment funds and separate accounts advised by Mudrick Capital indirectly own founder shares and/or private placement warrants. Additionally, Mr. Mudrick and Mudrick Capital are the beneficial owner of founder shares and/or private placement warrants by virtue of exercising investment power of such shares or warrants on behalf of such investment funds and separate accounts. Because of this ownership, Mudrick Capital, investment funds and separate accounts advised by Mudrick Capital and our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination, particularly because such funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital invest in distressed and post-restructured companies as part of their investment programs. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
All of our executive officers are employed by Mudrick Capital. Mudrick Capital is continuously made aware of potential business opportunities, one or more of which we may desire to pursue for an initial business combination; we have not, however, selected any specific business combination target.
Mudrick Capital and each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations to present the opportunity to such entity, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of Mudrick Capital and our officers or directors will not materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. We may, at our option, pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which Mudrick Capital, investment funds advised by Mudrick Capital or an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by making a specified future issuance to any such entity. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our Management Team
Members of our management team are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they have and will continue to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time that any member of our management team will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the current stage of the initial business combination process.
We believe our management team’s operating and transaction experience and relationships with companies provides us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships. This network has grown through the activities of our management team sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses, our management team’s relationships with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions.
Status as a Public Company
We believe our structure makes us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As a public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination with us. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would have
greater access to capital and additional means of creating management incentives that are better aligned with stockholders’ interests than it would as a private company. A target business can further benefit by augmenting its profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock in the target business for our shares of Class A common stock (or shares of a new holding company) or for a combination of our shares of Class A common stock and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers.
Although there are various costs and obligations associated with being a public company, we believe target businesses will find this method a more expeditious and cost-effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses and market and other uncertainties in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, marketing and road show efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with an initial business combination with us.
Furthermore, once a proposed initial business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with stockholders’ interests and the ability to use its shares as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
While we believe that our structure and our management team’s backgrounds will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek stockholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to 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, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding
advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) ending on December 31, 2025, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common stock that is held by non-affiliates
exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible
debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Further, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.
Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our common stock held by nonaffiliates does not equal or exceed $250.0 million as of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100.0 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates
did not equal or exceed $700.0 million as of the prior June 30th.
Financial Position
With funds available for an initial business combination in the amount of $321,002,166, before fees and expenses associated with our initial business combination, we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt or leverage ratio. Because we are able to complete our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third-party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations other than finding a business combination for an indefinite period of time. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial 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), 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. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or used for redemption of our public shares, we may use the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account following the closing for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. In addition, we intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, and, as a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemptions by public stockholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would expect to complete such financing only simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our proxy materials or tender offer documents disclosing the initial business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities, including any specified future issuance, or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise. None of our sponsor, officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we are prohibited from issuing additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares (a) on any initial business combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond September 10, 2022 or (y) amend the foregoing provisions, unless (in connection with any such amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) we offer our public stockholders the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers and investment professionals. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us by calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources have read the prospectus in connection with our initial public offering and this Annual Report on Form 10-K
and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as our sponsor and its affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows, conferences or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors and our sponsor and their respective industry and business contacts as well as their affiliates. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee, advisory fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In no event, however, will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which our sponsor or officers are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation by the Company prior to, or in connection with any services rendered for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). Although none of our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be allowed to receive any compensation, finder’s fees or consulting fees from a prospective business combination target in connection with a contemplated initial business combination, we do not have a policy that prohibits our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses by a target business. We have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support and to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket
expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-transaction company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an initial business combination candidate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with an initial business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors or making the initial business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with an initial business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
If any of our officers or directors becomes aware of an initial business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Potential target companies with whom we may engage in discussions may have had prior discussions with other blank check companies, bankers in the industry and/or other professional advisors, including blank check companies with which our executive officers or board of directors were affiliated. We have not contacted any of the prospective target businesses that Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation) considered and rejected while it was a blank check company searching for target businesses with which to consummate an initial business combination. However, we may contact such targets if we become aware that such targets are interested in a potential initial business combination with us and such transaction would be attractive to our stockholders.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of our Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must consummate an initial business combination with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account). The fair market value of our initial business combination will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flow valuation, a valuation based on trading multiples of comparable public businesses or a valuation based on the financial metrics of M&A transactions of comparable businesses. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. Subject to this requirement, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
In any case, we will only complete an initial business combination in which we own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquire a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we own or acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses that are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% of net assets test.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure stockholders that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
In evaluating a prospective business target, we expect to conduct a due diligence review, which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent ownership, management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information made available to us.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of, and negotiation with, a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.
Lack of Business Diversification
For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
•
subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and
•
cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. The determination as to whether any of the members of our management team will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure stockholders that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
We cannot assure stockholders that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure stockholders that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Stockholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC. However, we will seek stockholder approval if it is required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, or we may decide to seek stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons. Presented in the table below is a graphic explanation of the types of initial business combinations we may consider and whether stockholder approval is currently required under Delaware law for each such transaction.
Type of Transaction
Whether Stockholder
Approval is Required
Purchase of assets
No
Purchase of stock of target not involving a merger with the company
No
Merger of target into a subsidiary of the company
No
Merger of the company with a target
Yes
Under Nasdaq listing rules, stockholder approval would be required for our initial business combination if, for example:
•
we issue shares of Class A common stock that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of our Class A common stock then outstanding;
•
any of our directors, officers or substantial stockholders (as defined by Nasdaq rules) has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of common stock could result in an increase in outstanding common shares or voting power of 5% or more; or
•
the issuance or potential issuance of common stock will result in our undergoing a change of control.
Permitted Purchases of Our Securities
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase public shares or public warrants in privately-negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. There is no limit on the number of shares or warrants our initial stockholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public
information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase shares or public warrants in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination.
We have adopted an insider trading policy which requires insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing our securities during certain blackout periods when they are in possession of any material non-public
information and (ii) clear all trades of company securities with a compliance officer prior to execution. We cannot currently determine whether our insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1
plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, our insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1
plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary.
The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the initial business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the initial business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of public warrants could be to reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or to vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrantholders for approval in connection with our initial business combination. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our shares of Class A common stock or warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or any of their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the stockholders with whom our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately-negotiated purchases by either the stockholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests tendered by stockholders following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling stockholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata
share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such stockholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination. Such persons would select the stockholders from whom to acquire shares based on the number of shares available, the negotiated price per share and such other factors as any such person may deem relevant at the time of purchase. The price per share paid in any such transaction may be different than the amount per share a public stockholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination. Our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates will only purchase shares if such purchases comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws.
Any purchases by our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18
under the Exchange Act will be made only to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18,
which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5
of the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18
has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates will not make purchases of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5
of the Exchange Act. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchases are subject to such reporting requirements.
Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Class A common stock upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.15 per public share. The per-share
amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) without a stockholder vote by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek stockholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements.
Asset acquisitions and stock purchases would not typically require stockholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our outstanding common stock or seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would require stockholder approval. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with Nasdaq’s stockholder approval rules.
The requirement that we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above is contained in provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and will apply whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq. Such provisions may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our common stock entitled to vote thereon.
If we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with a stockholder meeting, we will:
•
conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and
•
file proxy materials with the SEC.
If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote
at such meeting. Our initial stockholders will count towards this quorum and, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after our initial public offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock voted, non-votes
will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, we would need only 11,859,376, or 37.5%, of the 31,625,000 public shares sold in our initial public offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted). We intend to give not less than 10 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial stockholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they were a stockholder on the record date for the stockholder meeting held to approve the proposed transaction.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will:
•
conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4
and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and
•
file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination, which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a)
under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public stockholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of deferred underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination.
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1
to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5
under the Exchange Act.
We intend to require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their stock certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a stockholder vote, we intend to require a public stockholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. We believe that this will allow our transfer agent to efficiently process any redemptions without the need for further communication or action from the redeeming public stockholders, which could delay redemptions and result in additional administrative cost. If the proposed initial business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates or shares delivered by public stockholders who elected to redeem their shares.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of deferred underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed initial business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed initial business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all shares of Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.
Limitation on Redemption upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination if we Seek Stockholder Approval
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 6,325,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, or 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares
.” Such restriction shall also be applicable to our affiliates. We believe this restriction will discourage stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed initial business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 6,325,000 of our Class A Common Stock shares could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem no more than 6,325,000 shares without our prior consent, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with an initial business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
Delivering Stock Certificates in Connection with the Exercise of Redemption Rights
As described above, we intend to require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their stock certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a stockholder vote, we intend to require a public stockholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public stockholder would have up to two business days prior to the vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, or from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, as applicable, to submit or tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures disclosed in the proxy or tender offer materials, as applicable, its shares may not be redeemed. Given the relatively short exercise period, it is advisable for stockholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the broker submitting or tendering shares a fee of approximately $80.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to submit or tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our initial business combination.
If our initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata
share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.
If our initial proposed initial business combination is not completed, we may continue to try to complete an initial business combination with a different target until September 10, 2022.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if no Initial Business Combination
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will have only 21 months from the closing of our initial public offering, or until September 10, 2022, to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by such date, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 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 to pay our taxes (less 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 stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial business combination by September 10, 2022.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of initial public offering. However, if our sponsor, officers or directors acquire public shares in or after our initial public offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination by September 10, 2022.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of our initial public offering or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial
business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share
price, payable in
cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. However, we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of deferred underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement (described above), we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time.
We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $750,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, although we cannot assure stockholders that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the trust account to pay any tax obligations we may owe. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required to pay taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share
redemption amount received by stockholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.15. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public stockholders. We cannot assure stockholders that the actual per-share
redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.15. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure stockholders that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to enter into an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to the Company, and will only enter into an agreement with such third party if our management believes that such third party’s engagement would be in the best interests of the Company under the circumstances. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of our initial public offering will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share
redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.15 per share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement executed in connection with our initial public offering filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for
services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.15 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.15 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable; provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy their indemnity obligations, and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure stockholders that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.15 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and stockholders would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties, including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below (i) $10.15 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure stockholders that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations, and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Accordingly, we cannot assure stockholders that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share
redemption price will not be less than $10.15 per public share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $750,000 from the proceeds of our initial public offering with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata
portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of our initial public offering may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day
notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day
period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day
waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata
share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.
Furthermore, if the pro rata
portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination on or before September 10, 2022 is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by September 10, 2022, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 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 to pay our taxes (less 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 stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible after September 10, 2022 and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, our sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below (i) $10.15 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest released to us to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure stockholders we will be able to return $10.15 per share to our public stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure stockholders that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection
with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of our initial public offering or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial
business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of all of our public shares if we are unable to complete our business combination by September 10, 2022, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the initial business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata
share of the trust account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights as described above. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, public companies and operating businesses seeking strategic business combinations. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the initial business combination of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Facilities
Our executive offices are located at 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022, and our telephone number is (646) 747-9500.
Our executive offices are provided to us by our sponsor. We pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Human Capital
We currently have four officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the initial business combination process we are in.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
Our units, Class A common stock and warrants are registered under the Exchange Act and we have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with, or reconciled to, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP
”) or International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential targets we may conduct an initial business
combination with because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. We cannot assure stockholders that any particular target business identified by us as a potential business combination candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that these requirements cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential business combination candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We are required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to have our internal control procedures audited. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A
with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) ending on December 31, 2025, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our shares of Class A common stock that are held by non-affiliates
exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible
debt during the prior three-year period.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to include risk factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
However, below is a summary list of material risks, uncertainties and other factors that could have a material effect on the Company and its operations. For the complete list of risks relating to our operations, see the section titled “Risk Factors
” contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement in connection with the Company’s since cancelled special meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on July 30, 2021.
•
we are an early stage company with no revenue or basis to evaluate our ability to select a suitable business target;
•
we may not be able to select an appropriate target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination in the prescribed time frame;
•
as the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets, which could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination;
•
our expectations around the performance of a prospective target business or businesses may not be realized;
•
we may not be successful in retaining or recruiting required officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
•
our officers and directors may have difficulties allocating their time between the Company and other businesses and may potentially have conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;
•
we may not be able to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or reduce the number of stockholders requesting redemption;
•
we may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time;
•
stockholders may not be given the opportunity to choose the initial business target or to vote on the initial business combination;
•
trust account funds may not be protected against third party claims or bankruptcy;
•
an active market for our public securities may not develop and stockholders will have limited liquidity and trading;
•
the availability to us of funds from interest income on the trust account balance may be insufficient to operate our business prior to the business combination;
•
our financial performance following a business combination with an entity may be negatively affected by their lack an established record of revenue, cash flows and experienced management;
•
our warrants are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of our warrants could have a material effect on our financial results;
•
we have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to accounting for complex financial instruments, and if we are unable to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and materially and adversely affect our business and financial results;
•
our ability to continue as a going concern; and
•
escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and any continuing military incursion by Russia into Ukraine could adversely impact macroeconomic conditions, give rise to regional instability and result in heightened economic sanctions from the U.S. and the international community in a manner that adversely affects us and our ability to consummate our initial business combination.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Our executive offices are located at 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, and our telephone number is (646) 747-9500.
Our executive offices are provided to us by our sponsor. We have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
To the knowledge of our management team, there is no litigation currently pending or contemplated against us, any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such or against any of our property.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Market Information
Our units, Class A common stock and warrants are each traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “MUDSU,” “MUDS” and “MUDSW”, respectively. Our units commenced public trading on December 8, 2020, and our Class A common stock and warrants commenced public trading separately on January 29, 2021.
(b) Holders
As of March 29, 2022, there was one holder of record of our units, one holder of record of our shares of Class A common stock and three holders of record of our warrants.
(c) Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors at such time. In addition, our Board of Directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
(d) Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.
None.
(e) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Our sponsor and Jefferies purchased, pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 11,812,500 (10,375,000 by our sponsor and 1,437,500 by Jefferies) private placement warrants for a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering. Simultaneously with the closing of the over-allotment option in connection with our initial public offering, we also consummated the sale of an additional 1,443,750 private placement warrants at $1.00 per private placement warrant. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The private placement warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder. The issuance of the private placement warrants was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
(f) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
(g) Use of Proceeds from the Initial Public Offering
On December 10, 2020, we consummated our initial public offering of 27,500,000 units. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock of the Company and one-half
of one warrant, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock for $11.50 per whole share. The units were sold at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $275,000,000. On December 14, 2020, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option, resulting in an additional 4,125,000 units issued for an aggregate amount of $41,250,000.
A total of $320,993,750 of the proceeds from the initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants (which amount includes $11,068,750 of the underwriters’ deferred discount and the proceeds of the underwriter’s exercise in full of the over-allotment option and an associated over-allotment private placement of warrants) was placed in a U.S.-based trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. The proceeds held in the trust account may be invested by the trustee only in U.S. government securities with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
,” Item 1A. “Risk Factors
” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Developments
On April 6, 2021, we entered into a merger agreement and related agreements to acquire, among other things, all of the outstanding capital stock Topps Intermediate Holdco, Inc. (“Topps
”). On August 20, 2021, the parties terminated the merger agreement and related agreements, effective August 20, 2021.
Overview
We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on July 30, 2020 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar Business Combination with one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure stockholders that our plans to complete a business combination will be successful.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations (other than searching for a business combination after our initial public offering) nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from inception through December 31, 2021 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for our initial public offering, described below, identifying a target company for a business combination and activities in connection with the announced and subsequently terminated acquisition of Topps. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our business combination. We generate non-operating
income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from our initial public offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net loss of $4,505,597, which consisted of general and administrative expenses of $7,041,226, offset by interest earned on investments held in the trust account of $72,866 and change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $2,462,763.
For the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $1,737,398, which consisted of general and administrative expenses of $110,911, change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $938,033, and transaction costs of $696,870, offset by interest earned on investments held in the trust account of $8,416.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On December 10, 2020, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 27,500,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $275,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering, we consummated the sale of 11,375,000 private placement warrants at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant in a private placement to our sponsor and Jefferies, generating gross proceeds of $11,375,000.
On December 14, 2020, the Company sold an additional 4,125,000 units for total gross proceeds of $41,250,000 in connection with the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. Simultaneously with the closing of the over-allotment option, we also consummated the sale of an additional 1,443,750 private placement warrants at $1.00 per private placement warrant, generating total proceeds of $1,443,750.
Following our initial public offering, the full exercise of the over-allotment option and the sale of the private placement warrants, a total of $320,993,750 was placed in the trust account. We incurred $17,874,801 in transaction costs, including $6,325,000 of underwriting fees, $11,068,750 of deferred underwriting fees and $481,051 of other offering costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $2,014,101. Net loss of $4,505,597 was affected by interest earned on investments held in the trust account of $72,866, change in fair value of warrant liability of $2,462,763 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which provided $5,027,125 of cash from operating activities.
For the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $175,021. Net loss of $1,737,398 was affected by formation costs paid through a promissory note of $1,250, interest earned on investments held in the trust account of $8,416, change in fair value of warrant liability of $938,033, transaction costs allocated to warrants of $696,870 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which used $65,360 of cash from operating activities.
As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and investments held in the trust account of $321,039,924. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account to complete our business combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $138,868 of cash held outside of the trust account. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business 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.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a 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 a business combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. 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 our 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 $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
We may need to raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from our sponsor or our stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. Our officers and directors and our sponsor may but are not obligated to loan us funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet our working capital needs. If we are unable to raise additional capital, we may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of a business combination. We cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU
”) 2014-15,
“Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that if our company is unable to complete a business combination by September 10, 2022, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after September 10, 2022.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance
sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2021. 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 purchased any non-financial
assets.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support services. We began incurring these fees on December 7, 2020 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of the business combination and our liquidation.
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $11,068,750 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:
Warrant Liabilities
We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. We evaluate all of our financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and ASC 815. We account for the warrants issued in connection with our Initial Public Offering in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 under which the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement
at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statements of operations.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of our balance sheets.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company has two classes of common stock, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of common stock. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from income (loss) per common share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-06,
“Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20)”
and “Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40):
Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity,” which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. ASU 2020-06
removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception and it also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2020-06
effective as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2020-06
did not have an impact on our financial statements.
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
This information appears following Item 16 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
and is included herein by reference.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. 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 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.
As required by Rules 13a-15
and 15d-15
under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act) were not effective, due solely to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s accounting for complex financial instruments. As a result, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
Management has identified a material weakness in internal controls related to the accounting for complex financial instruments. While we have processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements, we plan to continue to enhance our system of evaluating and implementing the accounting standards that apply to our financial statements, including through enhanced analyses by our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
As required by SEC rules and regulations implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
1. pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our company,
2. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and
3. provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2021. In making these assessments, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessments and those criteria, management determined that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
Management has implemented remediation steps to improve our internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, we expanded and improved our review process for complex securities and related accounting standards. We plan to further improve this process by enhancing access to accounting literature, identification of third-party professionals with whom to consult regarding complex accounting applications and consideration of additional staff with the requisite experience and training to supplement existing accounting professionals.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K
does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to our status as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company has made changes in its internal control over financial reporting to enhance our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our financial statements, including providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. The Company can offer no assurance that these changes will ultimately have the intended effects.
Item 9.B. Other Information
None.
Item 9.C. Disclosures Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Directors and Executive Officers
NAME
AGE
POSITION
Jason Mudrick
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Victor Danh
Vice President
David Kirsch
Vice President and Director
Glenn Springer
Chief Financial Officer
Dennis Stogsdill
Director
Scott Kasen
Director
Dr. Brian Kushner
Director
Jason Mudrick
has been our Chief Executive Officer and chairman of our board of directors since August 2020. Mr. Mudrick is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Mudrick Capital Mudrick Capital. Mr. Mudrick began his Wall Street career in 2000 advising on mergers and acquisition transactions as an Associate in Merrill Lynch’s Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banking Group. In 2001, he joined Contrarian Capital Management, where he began his focus on distressed investing. Beginning in October 2002, Mr. Mudrick served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of the Contrarian Equity Fund, a fund specializing in post-restructured equities, which he managed until his departure at the end of 2008. As Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of the Contrarian Equity Fund, Mr. Mudrick specialized in investing in post-restructured equities, among other things. In 2009, Mr. Mudrick founded Mudrick Capital to continue his specialty of investing in distressed debt and post-restructured equities. Mr. Mudrick has served on numerous ad hoc creditors’ committees and eleven post-restructured companies’ boards of directors, including Safety-Kleen Holdings, Integrated Alarm Services Group, Salton, Rotech Healthcare, NJOY Holdings, Corporate Risk Holdings, Fieldwood Energy, Proenza Schouler, cxLoyalty and Thryv Holdings, Inc., where he is currently the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Mudrick was also Chief Executive Officer and director of Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation, our predecessor special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Mudrick also spent two years in graduate school teaching economics classes to Harvard University undergraduates. Mr. Mudrick has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Mudrick was previously admitted to the New York State Bar. Mr. Mudrick’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive leadership and board experience, his track record as a founder and Chief Investment Officer of Mudrick Capital, his current board experience, including as Chairman of the Board of Thryv Holdings, Inc., and his network of contacts in the distressed investing field.
Victor Danh
has been our Vice President since August 2020. Mr. Danh is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst at Mudrick Capital, where he is responsible for analyzing distressed credit and equity opportunities across a diverse range of industries and overseeing and coordinating the research team. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, Mr. Danh was a Vice President and Assistant Portfolio Manager at Contrarian Capital Management, LLC from 2003 to 2009 where he focused on deep value and distressed investments in a wide range of industries across the entire capital structure. Previously, Mr. Danh worked at Merrill Lynch in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group and at UBS in the Technology Investment Banking Group. Mr. Danh previously served on the Board of Directors of Seventy Seven Energy and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Expanse Energy Solutions, Inc. Mr. Danh was also Vice President of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Danh received a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College.
David Kirsch
has been our Vice President and a member of our board of directors since August 2020. Mr. Kirsch is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst at Mudrick Capital, where he is responsible for analyzing distressed credit and equity opportunities across a diverse range of industries. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, from 2008 to 2010 Mr. Kirsch was a Senior Analyst and Managing Director at Miura Global Management, a large global long-short equity hedge fund, where he was responsible for coverage of the financial and consumer industries across the
Americas, Europe and Asia. Mr. Kirsch gained extensive restructuring experience as a Director at Alvarez & Marsal from 2003 - 2008. At Alvarez & Marsal, he held primary or lead management roles on an interim basis for distressed companies and advised creditors on balance sheet solutions to maximize the value of their investments. Mr. Kirsch began his Wall Street career as an Analyst in the Healthcare Industry Group in the Investment Banking Division of Banc of America Securities. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of NJOY Holdings, Proenza Schouler and Targus Holdings and previously served on the Board of Directors of NYDJ. Mr. Kirsch currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation and Nelson Education. Mr. Kirsch was also Vice President and director of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Kirsch received his B.S. Magna Cum Laude in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kirsch’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive leadership and board experience, his track record as Managing Director and Senior Analyst of Mudrick Capital, his current board experience, and his network of contacts in the distressed investing field.
Glenn Springer
has been our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020. Mr. Springer is the Chief Financial Officer of Mudrick Capital, where he oversees the finance, accounting and operations functions. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, Mr. Springer was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Turtle Creek Investment Advisors, LLC from 2007 to 2008 where he developed from inception, its operational and financial infrastructure. Prior to joining Turtle Creek, Mr. Springer served as Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer of SBZ Select Investments, LLC from 2005 to 2007 where he was responsible for the finance, accounting and compliance functions, including the registration of two investment advisors with the SEC. Previously, Mr. Springer served as Controller (A.A.I.UK), Director of Fund Accounting and a Risk Management Affiliated Fund Analyst at Asset Alliance Corporation from 2000 to 2004. Prior to Asset Alliance, Mr. Springer was a Senior Accountant in PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP’s Financial Services and Business Advisory Services Group from 1998 to 2000 where his focus was on audits of a variety of investment companies including hedge funds and private equity funds. Mr. Springer began his career at Richard A. Eisner & Co. LLP from 1996 to 1998 where he was a Senior Accountant in the Audit Department. Mr. Springer was also Chief Financial Officer of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Springer received a B.A. from the State University of Albany and an M.B.A. from Baruch College, CUNY. Mr. Springer is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.
Dennis Stogsdill
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Mr. Stogsdill has in excess of 25 years of experience in management consulting, advising troubled companies, lenders and equity sponsors in distressed and non-distressed
situations. Mr. Stogsdill began his career in 1994 working as a management consultant at GB Consulting and later in 1996 joined the global restructuring group of Arthur Andersen. In 2001 he helped form the restructuring group of the investment bank Berenson Minella. In 2002, he joined Alvarez & Marsal LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in corporate turnarounds and financial restructurings. Mr. Stogsdill is currently Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal LLC and has been involved in all aspects of the reorganization process, including acting in executive-level roles such as Chief Restructuring Officer. Mr. Stogsdill periodically served as the interim Chief Executive Officer or Chief Restructuring Officer (or in an analogous position) of companies which elected to utilize bankruptcy proceedings as a part of their financial restructuring process and, as such, he served as an executive officer of various companies which filed bankruptcy petitions under federal law, including, without limitation, Fairway Group Holdings in 2015, Revel Casino in 2013, Fresh & Easy Markets in 2013 and M&G Chemicals SA in 2017. Mr. Stogsdill has a B.S. from Rutgers University. Mr. Stogsdill is well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his experience in finance, business, operations and in restructuring and turnaround situations.
Scott Kasen
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Mr. Kasen has been a private investor since 2010 and is currently a board member of SK Restaurant Holdings LLC. From August 2016 through August 2020 Mr. Kasen served as a director of Thryv Holdings, Inc. and from February 2016 to November 2018 was a member of the board of directors for Targus Cayman Holdco Limited. Previously, Mr. Kasen has held several senior leadership positions within Contrarian Capital Management, LLC, including co-portfolio
manager of European Fund, LP and Contrarian Capital Senior Secured, LP. Mr. Kasen has previously held leadership roles as Vice President with The Trump Organization and has served as a partner with A.B. Edelman Management Company and Velocity Crossover Investors. Mr. Kasen also previously served on the board of directors for Special Metals, Inc. and Cascade Timberlands, LLC. Mr. Kasen received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and his Master of Business Administration degree from The Columbia Business School. In light of Mr. Kasen’s business experience, we believe it is appropriate for Mr. Kasen to serve as a director.
Dr.
Brian Kushner
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Dr. Kushner has, since 2009, served as a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN), a global business advisory firm, where he serves as the leader of the Private Capital Advisory Services practice and as the co-leader
of the Technology practice, the Aerospace, Defense and Government Contracting practice and the Activism and M&A Solutions practice. Prior to joining FTI, Dr. Kushner was the co-founder
of CXO, L.L.C., a boutique interim and turnaround management consulting firm that was acquired by FTI at the end of 2008. Over the past two decades, he has served as Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Restructuring Officer or a Director of more than two dozen public and private technology, manufacturing, telecom and defense companies, and has led, or participated in the sale or acquisition of over 25 companies. Dr. Kushner periodically served as the interim CEO or Chief Restructuring Officer (or in an analogous position) of companies which elected to utilize bankruptcy proceedings as a part of their financial restructuring process and, as such, he served as an executive officer of various companies which filed bankruptcy petitions under federal law, including, without limitation, Relativity Media LLC in 2015. Dr. Kushner began his career in 1982 at BDM International, a defense firm, and remained with them following their acquisition by Ford Motor Company, and stayed on to become Chief Scientist and General Manager as part of the management team that completed a leveraged buyout of BDM in 1990 with the Carlyle Group. Dr. Kushner serves as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Cumulus Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS), a leader in the radio broadcasting industry, since 2018; an independent director and member of the Audit, the Finance, the Technology and the Strategy and Operations Committees of Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI), a leader in smart home products and systems, since 2019; and an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Gibson Brands, Inc., a manufacturer of guitars and other musical instruments, since 2018. Dr. Kushner is also a member of the Advisory Council of the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and is an Emeritus member of the Engineering College Council at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Previously, from 2016 - 2020, he served as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Thryv, Inc. (fka Dex Media Holdings Inc.), a digital and print marketing company; an independent director of DevelopOnBox Holding, LLC d/b/a Zodiac Systems, a video software engineering services firm, where he served on the Audit and Governance Committees, from 2016 - until the sale of the company to Orion Innovation in 2020; from 2016-2018, he served as a non-executive
independent director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of the Luxfer Group, PLC (NYSE: LXFR), a specialty materials manufacturing company; from 2015 to 2016 he served as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Everyware Global, Inc, the manufacturing company that is the parent of the Oneida and Anchor Hocking brands (since renamed the Oneida Group); from 2013 to 2015 the Lead Independent Director of Damovo, LLC, the ultrahigh reliability and data systems integration company; from 2010 to 2013 as Chair of Caribbean Asset Holdings, the voice, video and telephony company serving many Caribbean islands; from 2009 to 2013 as managing member and director of DLN Holdings, LLC, a mid-tier
defense contractor; from 2007 to 2012 as director and acting Chair of Sage Telecom, Inc., a competitive local exchange carrier and a Silver Point Capital portfolio company; from 2006 to 2009 a director of Pacific Crossing Limited, a telecom carrier; and from 2003 to 2008 an independent director of Headway Resources, a staffing company. Dr. Kushner was also a director of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Dr. Kushner has a Ph.D. in Applied and Engineering Physics with a minor in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, as well as an M.S. and B.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell. Dr. Kushner is well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his substantial executive-level operational experience in a broad spectrum of industries, his knowledge and expertise in M&A and in IT, his extensive experience over the last 20 years as an independent director, and his extensive network of contacts in both private equity, hedge funds and distressed investing.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of five directors, divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. In accordance with Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one full year after our first full fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq.
The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr. Stogsdill, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Kasen and Kushner, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Mudrick and Kirsch, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in
rules and a limited exception, Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3
of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and Nasdaq rules require that the compensation committee of a listed company each be comprised solely of independent directors. Each committee operates under a charter that has been approved by our board and has the composition and responsibilities described below.
Audit Committee
We have established an audit committee of our board of directors. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner serve as members of our audit committee, and Mr. Kushner chairs the audit committee.
Under Nasdaq’s listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq’s listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1)
of the Exchange Act.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kushner qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
•
the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;
•
pre-approving
all audit and permitted non-audit
services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval
policies and procedures;
•
setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations;
•
setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
•
obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence;
•
reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and
•
reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
Compensation Committee
We have established a compensation committee of our board of directors. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner serve as members of our compensation committee. Under Nasdaq’s listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner are independent and Mr. Kasen will chair the compensation committee.
We adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
•
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;
•
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers;
•
reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans;
•
implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
•
assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
•
approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;
•
if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
•
reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, other than the payment to our sponsor of $10,000 per month, for up to 21 months (i.e., until September 10, 2022), for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support and reimbursement of expenses, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more officers serving on our board of directors.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us and is posted on our website https://www.mudrickcapitalacquisitioncorp.com/
. If we make any amendments to our Code of Ethics other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive
amendments, or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC or Nasdaq rules, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. The information included on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K
or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Conflicts of Interest
Mudrick Capital manages several investment vehicles. Funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital or its affiliates may compete with us for business combination opportunities. If these funds or separate accounts decide to pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from procuring such opportunities. In addition, investment ideas generated within Mudrick Capital may be suitable for both us and for a current or future Mudrick Capital fund or separate account and may be directed to such investment vehicle rather than to us. Neither Mudrick Capital nor members of our management team who are also employed by Mudrick Capital have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware, unless presented to such member solely in his or her capacity as an officer of the company. Mudrick Capital and our management may have similar obligations to future investment vehicles or third parties.
We may, at our option, pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with any such fund or other investment vehicle, but such parties would co-invest
only if permitted by applicable regulatory and other legal limitations and to the extent considered appropriate. Such entity may co-invest
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by making a specified future issuance to any such fund or vehicle.
Mudrick Capital and each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of Mudrick Capital and our officers or directors will not materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. We may, at our option, pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which Mudrick Capital or an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by making a specified future issuance to any such entity. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Stockholders should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
•
None of our officers or directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.
•
In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us, as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
•
Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to consummate our initial business combination by September 10, 2022. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the private placement warrants will expire worthless. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares will not be transferable, assignable by our sponsor until the earlier of: (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the reported closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 - trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement warrants and the Class A common stock underlying such warrants, will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our sponsor and officers and directors own or may in the future directly or indirectly own common stock and warrants, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.
•
Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
•
Our sponsor, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 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 conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
•
the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
•
the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
•
it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in their capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Our sponsor may form, and our officers and directors may become an officer or director of, another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Exchange Act prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Officer and Director Compensation
None of our officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. We pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees. Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our officers and directors prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. We do not have a policy that prohibits our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses by a target business. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such payments, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
based on information obtained from the persons named below, with respect to the beneficial ownership of common stock, by:
•
each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
•
each of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns our common stock; and
•
all our executive officers and directors as a group.
In the table below, percentage ownership is based on 31,625,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Securities currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
On all matters to be voted upon, the holders of the shares of Class A common stock and shares of Class B common stock (i.e., the founder shares) vote together as a single class. Currently, all of founder shares are convertible into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. The table below does not include the Class A common stock underlying the private placement warrants held or to be held by our officers or sponsor because these securities are not exercisable within 60 days of this report.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common stock beneficially owned by them.
Class A Common Stock
Class B Common Stock
Approximate
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Approximate
Percentage
of Class
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Approximate
Percentage
of Class
Percentage
of Outstanding
Common
Stock
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (2)(3)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Jason Mudrick (2)(3)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Victor Danh
-
-
-
-
-
David Kirsch
-
-
-
-
-
Glenn Springer
-
Dennis Stogsdill (3)
-
-
-
-
-
Scott Kasen (3)
-
-
-
-
-
Dr. Brian Kushner (3)
-
-
-
-
-
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 individuals) (2)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Other 5% Stockholders
Anson Funds Management LP (4)
2,050,000
6.5 %
-
-
- %
Saba Capital Management, L.P. (5)
2,440,841
7.7 %
-
-
- %
Sculptor Capital LP (6)
2,987,883
9.5 %
-
-
- %
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is c/o Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC, 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
(2) Interests shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as shares of Class B common stock. Such shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions contained therein.
(3) Our sponsor is the record holder of such shares. Mudrick Capital Management, L.P. is the managing member of the sponsor and has voting and dispositive power of the shares. Jason Mudrick is the sole member of Mudrick Capital Management, LLC, the general partner of Mudrick Capital Management, L.P., and as a result each has voting and investment discretion with respect to the shares held by the sponsor. Mudrick Capital Management, L.P., Mudrick Capital Management LLC and Jason Mudrick disclaim beneficial ownership over any securities directly held by our sponsor other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest it may have therein, directly or indirectly. Our sponsor is 100% owned by investment funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital Management, L.P. Each of our independent directors hold a direct or indirect interest in our sponsor. The address of each reporting person is 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
(4) According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Anson Funds Management LP (“Anson LP”), Anson Management GP LLC (“Anson GP”), Anson Advisors Inc. (“Anson Advisors”), Bruce R Winson, Amin Nathoo, and Moez Kassam are beneficial owners of 2,050,000 shares of Class A common stock. The business address for Anson LP, Anson GP and Mr. Winson is 16000 Dallas Parkway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75248. The business address for Anson Advisors, Mr. Nathoo and Mr. Kassam is 155 University Ave, Suite 207, Toronto, ON M5H 3B7.
(5) According to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Saba Capital Management, L.P., Saba Capital Management GP, LLC, and Mr. Boaz R. Weinstein are beneficial owners of 2,440,841 shares of Class A common stock. The business address of each of the foregoing is 405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, New York 10174.
(6) According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, each of Sculptor Capital Management, Inc., Sculptor Capital Holding II LLC, Sculptor Capital Holding II Corp., Sculptor Capital II LP and Sculptor Capital LP share voting and dispositive power with regard to 2,987,883 shares of Class A common stock. The business address of the foregoing entities is 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Table
None.
Changes in Control
None.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Founder Shares
In August 2020, our sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain of our offering costs in consideration of 8,625,000 founder shares. In November 2020, our sponsor returned to us, at no cost, an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares, which we cancelled, resulting in an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares outstanding and held by our sponsor. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of our initial public offering. Because we increased the size
of our initial public offering, we effected a stock dividend with respect to our founder shares immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of the offering. Accordingly, our sponsor holds 7,906,250 founder shares. The founder shares (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Private Placement Warrants
Our sponsor and Jefferies purchased, pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 11,812,500 (10,375,000 by our sponsor and 1,437,500 by Jefferies) private placement warrants for a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering. As such, our sponsor’s interest in this transaction is valued at $10,375,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the over-allotment option in connection with our initial public offering, we also consummated the sale of an additional 1,443,750 private placement warrants at $1.00 per private placement warrant, for a value of $1,443,750. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The private placement warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Administrative Support Agreement
Commencing on the date of our initial public offering, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. We do not have a policy that prohibits our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses by a target business. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or any of their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
Related Party Loans
Prior to the closing of our initial public offering, our sponsor agreed to loan us up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the offering. As of the date of the closing of our initial public offering, we had borrowed $135,680 under such promissory note. These loans were non-interest
bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of March 31, 2021 or the closing of our initial public offering. The loan was repaid upon the closing of our initial public offering.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended 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 an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our 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 $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The 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 our trust account.
On November 22, 2021, we issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Note
”) to our sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $2,000,000 from our sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to the business of our company and the consummation of a business combination. All unpaid principal under the Sponsor Convertible Note will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) September 10, 2022, and (ii) the consummation of a business combination (such earlier date, the “Maturity Date
”). Our sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to the Maturity Date, to convert up to $1,500,000 outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note into warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. As of December 31, 2021, there was $1,000,000 borrowings outstanding under the convertible notes.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
Registration Rights Agreement
We entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, the warrants issuable upon conversion of working capital loans (if any) and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the foregoing and upon conversion of the founder shares.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to WithumSmith+Brown, PC or Withum, for services rendered.
Audit Fees
. Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end
financial statements and services that are normally provided by Withum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees of Withum for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q
and 10-K
for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2021 total approximately $86,005 and for period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 totaled approximately $31,000. The aggregate fees of Withum related to audit services in connection with our initial public offering totaled approximately $63,000. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.
Audit-Related Fees
. Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. During the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we did not pay Withum any audit-related fees.
Tax Fees
. We paid $4,635 and $0 to Withum for tax services, planning or advice for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, respectively.
All Other Fees
. We did not pay Withum for any other services for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.
Pre-Approval
Policy
Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our initial public offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve
all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve
all auditing services and permitted non-audit
services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis
exceptions for non-audit
services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheet
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
2) Financial Statements Schedule
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the amounts are immaterial and not required, or the required information is presented in the financial statements and notes thereto beginning on page
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3) Exhibits
We hereby file as part of this report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Item 16. Form 10-K
Summary
Not applicable.
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 the related statement of operation, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 the related statement of operation, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs and complete a business combination by September 10, 2022 then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
New York, New York
March 29, 2021
PCAOB ID Number
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
December 31,
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
$ 138,686
$ 1,117,679
Prepaid expenses
82,708
167,708
Total Current Assets
221,394
1,285,387
Investments held in Trust Account
321,039,924
321,002,166
TOTAL ASSETS
$
321,261,318
$
322,287,553
LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses
$ 5,044,473
$ 102,348
Total Current Liabilities
5,044,473
102,348
Convertible note - related party
1,000,000
-
Warrant liabilities
22,097,338
24,560,101
Deferred underwriting fee payable
11,068,750
11,068,750
TOTAL LIABILITIES
39,210,561
35,731,199
Commitments and Contingencies
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption 31,625,000 shares at approximately $10.15 per share as of December 31, 2021, and 2020
320,993,750
320,993,750
Stockholders’ Deficit
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
-
-
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized
-
-
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 7,906,250 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2021, and 2020
Additional paid-in
capital
-
-
Accumulated deficit
(38,943,784 )
(34,438,187 )
Total Stockholders’ Deficit
(38,942,993
)
(34,437,396
)
TOTAL LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
$
321,261,318
$
322,287,553
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended
December 31,
For the Period
from July 30,
(Inception)
through
December 31,
General and administrative expenses
$ 7,041,226
$ 110,911
Loss from operations
(7,041,226
)
(110,911
)
Other income (expense):
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account
72,866
8,416
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities
2,462,763
(938,033 )
Transaction costs
-
(696,870 )
Total other income (expense), net
2,535,629
(1,626,487 )
Net loss
$
(4,505,597
)
$
(1,737,398
)
Weighted average shares outstanding, Class A common stock
31,625,000
4,317,500
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class A common stock
$
(0.11
)
$
(0.14
)
Weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock
7,906,250
7,835,208
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B common stock
$
(0.11
)
$
(0.14
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Class A
Common Stock
Class B
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Total
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Deficit
Balance - July 30, 2020 (Inception)
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor
-
-
7,906,250
24,209
-
25,000
Sale of Private Placement Warrants (Proceeds received in excess of fair value)
-
-
-
-
1,233,398
-
1,233,398
Accretion for Class A common stock to redemption amount
-
-
-
-
(1,257,607 )
(32,700,789 )
(33,958,396 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
(1,737,398 )
(1,737,398 )
Balance - December 31, 2020
-
$
-
7,906,250
$
$
-
$
(34,438,187
)
$
(34,437,396
)
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
(4,505,597 )
(4,505,597 )
Balance - December 31, 2021
-
$
-
7,906,250
$
$
-
$
(38,943,784
)
$
(38,942,993
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year
Ended
December 31,
For the
Period from
July 30,
2020 (Inception)
Through
December 31,
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss
$ (4,505,597 )
$ (1,737,398 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Payment of formation costs through promissory note - related party
-
1,250
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities
(2,462,763 )
938,033
Transaction costs allocated to warrants
-
696,870
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account
(72,866 )
(8,416 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses
85,000
(167,708 )
Accrued expenses
4,942,125
102,348
Net cash used in operating activities
(2,014,101
)
(175,021
)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Investment of cash in Trust Account
-
(320,993,750 )
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account to pay franchise and income taxes
35,108
-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
35,108
(320,993,750
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid
-
309,925,000
Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Warrants
-
12,818,750
Proceeds from promissory note - related party
-
-
Repayment of promissory note - related party
-
(135,680 )
Payment of offering costs
-
(321,620 )
Advances from related party
33,816
-
Repayment of advances from related party
(33,816 )
-
Proceeds from convertible note - related party
1,000,000
-
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,000,000
322,286,450
Net Change in Cash
(978,993
)
1,117,679
Cash - Beginning of period
1,117,679
-
Cash - End of period
$
138,686
$
1,117,679
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash
investing and financing activities:
Offering costs paid through promissory note - related party
$ -
$ 134,430
Offering costs paid directly by Sponsor in consideration for the issuance of Class B common stock
$ -
$ 25,000
Deferred underwriting fee payable
$ -
$ 11,068,750
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II (the “Company
”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on July 30, 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 two wholly owned subsidiaries which were formed on April 1, 2021, Titan Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Titan Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
The Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through December 31, 2021, relates to the Company’s formation, initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering
”), which is described below, and identifying a target company for a Business Combination and activities in connection with the announced and subsequently terminated acquisition of Topps Intermediate Holdco, Inc. (“Topps
”), a Delaware corporation (as described below). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating
income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
On April 6, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement
”) and related agreements with Topps. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of Topps (the “Topps Merger
”). On August 20, 2021, the parties terminated the Topps Merger, effective August 20, 2021.
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on December 7, 2020. On December 10, 2020, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 27,500,000 units (the “Units
” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares
”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $275,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 10,000,000 warrants (the “Sponsor Private Placement Warrants
”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (the “Sponsor
”) and the sale of 1,375,000 warrants (the “Jefferies Private Placement Warrants
” and together with the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, the “Private Placement Warrants
”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”), generating gross proceeds of $11,375,000 which is described in Note 4.
On December 14, 2020, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option, resulting in an additional 4,125,000 Units issued for an aggregate amount of $41,250,000. In connection with the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, the Company also consummated the sale of an additional 1,443,750 Private Placement Warrants at $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating total proceeds of $1,443,750.
Transaction costs amounted to $17,874,801, consisting of $6,325,000 in cash underwriting fees, $11,068,750 of deferred underwriting fees and $481,051 of other offering costs.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on December 10, 2020, and the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option on December 14, 2020, an amount of $320,993,750 ($10.15 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account
”), located in the United States and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act
”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7
of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company’s initial Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders
”) with the opportunity to convert all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to convert their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially $10.15 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation
”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC
”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to convert their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act
”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide for the redemption of its Public Shares in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business
combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.
The Company has until September 10, 2022, to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, 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 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 pay taxes (less 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 Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
The Sponsor has agreed to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the amount of funds deposited into the Trust Account ($10.15 per share).
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.15 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.15 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity and Going Concern
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $138,686 in its operating bank accounts and working capital deficit of $4,776,905.
Prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, the Company’s liquidity needs had been satisfied through a contribution of $25,000 from Sponsor to cover for certain offering costs in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares, the loan of up to $300,000 from the Sponsor pursuant to the Note (see Note 5), and the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. The Note was repaid on December 10, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans (see Note 5). There were $1,000,000 and no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loan as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsor or its stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. The Company’s officers and directors and the Sponsor may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of a Business Combination. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to it on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15,
“Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined the liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through September 10, 2022, the scheduled liquidation date of the Company if it does not complete a Business Combination prior to such date. Management of the Company plans to complete a business combination prior to the date for mandatory liquidation. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and 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 SEC.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiary where the Company has the ability to exercise control. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Activities in relation to the noncontrolling interest are not considered to be significant and are, therefore, not presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging
growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. 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.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of the Company’s balance sheets.
Immediately upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recognized the accretion from initial book value to redemption amount value. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid in capital and accumulated deficit.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Class A common stock reflected in the consolidated balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:
Gross proceeds
$ 316,250,000
Less:
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants
$ (12,036,716 )
Class A common stock issuance costs
(17,177,930 )
Plus:
Accretion of carrying value to redemption value
$ 33,958,396
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption
$ 320,993,750
Offering Costs
Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the Initial Public Offering that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs allocated to warrant liabilities were expensed as incurred in the statements of operations. Offering costs associated with the common stock subject to redemption issued were initially charged to temporary equity and then accreted up to redemption value against
stockholders’ equity
upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounting to $17,177,930 were charged to temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, and $696,870 of the offering costs were related to the warrant liabilities and charged to the statements of operations.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in
capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded 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.
The fair value of the warrants issued in the Initial Public Offering has been estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation methodology as of the date of the Initial Public Offering and such warrants quoted market price as of December 31, 2021 (see Note 10).
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 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 included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2021, and 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. The Company has two classes of common stock, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of common stock. Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from income (loss) per common share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase 28,631,250 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company did not have any dilutive securities or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per common shares is the same as basic net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented.
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars, except per share amounts):
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
For the Period from July 30,
2020 (Inception) through
December 31, 2020
Class A
Class B
Class A
Class B
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock
Numerator:
Allocation of net loss, as adjusted
$ (3,604,478 )
$ (901,119 )
$ (617,246 )
$ (1,120,152 )
Denominator:
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
31,625,000
7,906,250
4,317,500
7,835,208
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock
$ (0.11 )
$ (0.11 )
$ (0.14 )
$ (0.14 )
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage limit
of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximate the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature, except for the warrant liabilities (see Note 10).
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No.2020-06,
“Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20)”
and “Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40):
Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”),
which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. ASU 2020-06
removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06
effective as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2020-06
did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
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 consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 27,500,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit. On December 14, 2020, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option, resulting in an additional 4,125,000 Units issued for an aggregate amount of $41,250,000. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half
of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant
”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8).
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor and Jefferies purchased an aggregate of 11,375,000 Private Placement Warrants, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant from the Company, of which 10,000,000 Private Placement Warrants were purchased by the Sponsor and 1,375,000 Private Placement Warrants were purchased by Jefferies, in a private placement. On December 14, 2020, as a result of the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, the Sponsor purchased an additional 1,269,231 Private Placement Warrants and Jeffries purchased an additional 174,519 Private Placement Warrants for a total of 1,443,750 Private Placement Warrants, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrants, or $1,443,750 in the aggregate. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8). The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On August 3, 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain offering costs of the Company in consideration for 8,625,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”). In November 2020, the Sponsor returned to the Company, at no cost, an aggregate of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, which the Company cancelled. In December 2020, the Company effected a stock dividend of 0.1 shares for each Founder Share outstanding, resulting in an aggregate of 7,906,250 Founder Shares issued and outstanding.
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading
day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company has agreed, commencing on December 7, 2020, to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial Business Combination or our liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. For the year ended December 31, 2021, and for the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, the Company incurred $120,000 and $10,000 in fees for these services, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, there was $130,000 and $10,000 of such fees included in accrued expenses, respectively.
Advances from Related Party
During 2021, the Sponsors advanced the Company an aggregate of $33,816 to fund operating expenses. The advances are non-interest bearing and payable upon demand. As of December 31, 2021, the amount advanced was repaid in full.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes may be repaid upon completion of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon completion of a Business Combination into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans.
On November 22, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Note
”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $2,000,000 from the Sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to the business of the Company and the consummation of the Business Combination. All unpaid principal under the Sponsor Convertible Note will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) September 10, 2022, and (ii) the consummation of a Business Combination (such earlier date, the “Maturity Date”). The Sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to the Maturity Date, to convert up to $1,500,000 outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note into warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.
As of December 31, 2021, there was $1,000,000 borrowings outstanding under the Convertible Notes.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of both the COVID-19
pandemic and the Russian and Ukraine conflict and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus and the sanctions against Russian Federation and Belarus 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.
Registration and Stockholder Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on December 7, 2020, the holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and securities that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans will be entitled to registration rights require the Company to register a sale of any of the securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The holders of the majority of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have certain “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company, subject to certain limitations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Jefferies may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years, respectively, after the Initial Public Offering and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $11,068,750 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred Stock
- The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Class
A Common Stock
- The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 31,625,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, which are subject to possible redemption and presented as temporary equity.
Class
B Common Stock
- The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 7,906,250 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.
Holders of Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders except as otherwise required by law.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one
basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis,
20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, plus the total number of shares of Class A common stock issued, or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of a Business Combination, including pursuant to a specified future issuance, excluding any shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Class A common stock issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to the Sponsor, officers or directors upon conversion of Working Capital Loans; provided that such conversion of Founder Shares will never occur on a less than one for one basis.
NOTE 8. WARRANT LIABILITIES
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, there were 15,812,500 Public Warrants outstanding.
Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable, and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the closing of a Business Combination, it will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th
business day after the closing of a Business Combination or within a specified period following the consummation of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.
Redemptions of warrants when the price of Class
A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00
- Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:
•
in whole and not in part;
•
at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
•
upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day
redemption period, to each warrant holder; and
•
if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading
day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or the Company is unable to effect such registration or qualification. If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuance of common stock at a price below its exercise price. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless
In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors, and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or its affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the completion of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s Class A common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which the Company completes a Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, there were 12,818,750 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable,
except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
NOTE 9. INCOME TAX
The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:
December 31,
For the
Period from
July 30, 2020
(Inception)
through
December 31,
Deferred tax asset
Net operating loss carryforward
$ 42,728
$ 16,030
Organizational costs/Startup expenses
1,442,151
5,494
Total deferred tax assets
1,484,879
21,524
Valuation allowance
(1,484,879 )
(21,524 )
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance
$ -
$ -
The income tax provision consists of the following:
December 31,
For the
Period from
July 30, 2020
(Inception)
through
December 31,
Federal
Current
$ -
$ -
Deferred
(1,463,355 )
(21,524 )
State
Current
$ -
$ -
Deferred
-
-
Change in valuation allowance
1,463,355
21,524
Income tax provision
$ -
$ -
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had $203,467 and $76,333
of U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers available to offset future taxable income, respectively.
In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the consummation of a Business Combination and the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. For the year ended December 31, 2021, and for the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, the change in the valuation allowance was $1,463,355 and $21,524, respectively.
A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, and for the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020,
is as follows:
December 31,
For the Period
from July 30,
(Inception)
through
December 31,
Statutory federal income tax rate
21.0 %
21.0 %
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit
0.0 %
0.0 %
Change in fair value of warrants
11.5 %
(11.3 )%
Transaction costs
0.0 %
(8.4 )%
Change in valuation allowance
(32.5 )%
(1.2 )%
Income tax provision
0.0 %
0.0 %
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction in various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities.
NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:
Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The Company classifies its U.S. Treasury and equivalent securities as held-to-maturity
in accordance with ASC Topic 320 “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities.” Held-to-maturity
securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity
treasury securities are recorded at amortized cost on the accompanying balance sheets and adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts.
At December 31, 2021, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $321,039,924 money market funds that primarily invest in U.S. Treasury securities at fair market value. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company withdrew $35,108 of interest income from the Trust Account to pay franchise and income taxes.
At December 31, 2020, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $425 in cash and $321,001,741 in U.S. Treasury securities. During the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020, the Company did not withdraw any interest income from the Trust Account.
Description
Level
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Holding
Loss
Fair Value
December 31, 2020
Assets
:
Held-to-Maturity
Investments-U.S. Treasury Securities (Matured on 3/11/2021)
$ 321,001,741
$ (18,297 )
$ 320,983,444
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2021 and 2020 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
Description
Level
December 31,
December 31,
Assets:
Investments held in Trust Account - U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund
$ 321,039,924
$ -
Liabilities:
Warrant Liability - Public Warrants
$ 12,175,625
$ 12,573,343
Warrant Liability - Private Placement Warrants
$ 9,921,713
$ 11,986,758
The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40
and are presented within warrant liabilities the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Private Placement Warrants were initially and continue to be valued using a Modified Black Scholes Option Pricing Model, which is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement. The Modified Black Scholes model’s primary unobservable input utilized in determining the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants is the expected volatility of the common stock. The expected volatility as of the Initial Public Offering date was derived from observable public warrant pricing on comparable ‘blank-check’ companies without an identified target. The expected volatility as of subsequent valuation dates was implied from the Company’s own public warrant pricing. A Monte Carlo simulation methodology was used in estimating the fair value of the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available, using the same expected volatility as was used in measuring the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the close price of the Public Warrant price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
The following table provides quantitative information regarding Level 3 fair value measurements:
December 31,
December 31,
Stock price
$ 9.94
$ 6.87
Strike price
$ 11.50
$ 11.50
Term (in years)
4.30
5.0
Volatility
14.1 %
40.0 %
Risk-free rate
1.16 %
0.57 %
Dividend yield
0.0 %
0.0 %
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of Level 3 warrant liabilities:
Private Placement
Fair value as of July 30, 2020 (inception)
$
-
Initial measurement on December 10, 2020
11,585,352
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions
401,406
Fair value as of December 31, 2020
11,986,758
Change in fair value
(2,065,045
)
Fair value as of December 31, 2021
$
9,921,713
Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2, and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between levels for the year ended December 31, 2021, and for the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.
NOTE 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy are not determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these financial statements.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
1.1
Underwriting Agreement dated January 7, 2021 between the Company and Jefferies LLC (2)
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (2)
3.2
Bylaws (1)
4.1
Specimen Unit Certificate (1)
4.2
Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate (1)
4.3
Specimen Warrant Certificate (1)
4.4
Warrant Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (2)
4.5
Description of Registered Securities (3)
10.1
Letter Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and among the Company, Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC and each of the directors and executive officers of the Company (2)
10.2
Investment Management Trust Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company (2)
10.3
Promissory Note issued to Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (1)
10.4
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and among the Company, Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC and the Holders signatory thereto (2)
10.5
Private Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and between the Company and Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (4)
10.6
Private Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and between the Company and Jefferies LLC (2)
10.7
Administrative Support Agreement dated December 7, 2020 by and between the Company and Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (2)
10.8
Form of Indemnity Agreement (1)
10.9
Promissory Note issued to Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (5)
31.1*
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1**
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. 1350
32.2**
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. 1350
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-1,
originally filed with the SEC on October 9, 2020 (File No. 333-249402)
and as thereafter amended.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K,
filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K,
filed with the SEC on April 2, 2021.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K/A,
filed with the SEC on April 6, 2021.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K,
filed with the SEC on November 24, 2021.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
March 29, 2022
MUDRICK CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION II
By:
/s/ Jason Mudrick
Name:
Jason Mudrick
Title:
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Position
Date
/s/ Jason Mudrick
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
March 29, 2022
Jason Mudrick
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Glenn Springer
Chief Financial Officer
March 29, 2022
Glenn Springer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ David Kirsch
Vice President and Director
March 29, 2022
David Kirsch
/s/ Dennis Stogsdill
Director
March 29, 2022
Dennis Stogsdill
/s/ Scott Kasen
Director
March 29, 2022
Scott Kasen
/s/ Dr. Brian Kushner
Director
March 29, 2022
Dr. Brian Kushner

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Directors and Executive Officers
NAME
AGE
POSITION
Jason Mudrick
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Victor Danh
Vice President
David Kirsch
Vice President and Director
Glenn Springer
Chief Financial Officer
Dennis Stogsdill
Director
Scott Kasen
Director
Dr. Brian Kushner
Director
Jason Mudrick
has been our Chief Executive Officer and chairman of our board of directors since August 2020. Mr. Mudrick is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Mudrick Capital Mudrick Capital. Mr. Mudrick began his Wall Street career in 2000 advising on mergers and acquisition transactions as an Associate in Merrill Lynch’s Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banking Group. In 2001, he joined Contrarian Capital Management, where he began his focus on distressed investing. Beginning in October 2002, Mr. Mudrick served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of the Contrarian Equity Fund, a fund specializing in post-restructured equities, which he managed until his departure at the end of 2008. As Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of the Contrarian Equity Fund, Mr. Mudrick specialized in investing in post-restructured equities, among other things. In 2009, Mr. Mudrick founded Mudrick Capital to continue his specialty of investing in distressed debt and post-restructured equities. Mr. Mudrick has served on numerous ad hoc creditors’ committees and eleven post-restructured companies’ boards of directors, including Safety-Kleen Holdings, Integrated Alarm Services Group, Salton, Rotech Healthcare, NJOY Holdings, Corporate Risk Holdings, Fieldwood Energy, Proenza Schouler, cxLoyalty and Thryv Holdings, Inc., where he is currently the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Mudrick was also Chief Executive Officer and director of Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation, our predecessor special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Mudrick also spent two years in graduate school teaching economics classes to Harvard University undergraduates. Mr. Mudrick has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Mudrick was previously admitted to the New York State Bar. Mr. Mudrick’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive leadership and board experience, his track record as a founder and Chief Investment Officer of Mudrick Capital, his current board experience, including as Chairman of the Board of Thryv Holdings, Inc., and his network of contacts in the distressed investing field.
Victor Danh
has been our Vice President since August 2020. Mr. Danh is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst at Mudrick Capital, where he is responsible for analyzing distressed credit and equity opportunities across a diverse range of industries and overseeing and coordinating the research team. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, Mr. Danh was a Vice President and Assistant Portfolio Manager at Contrarian Capital Management, LLC from 2003 to 2009 where he focused on deep value and distressed investments in a wide range of industries across the entire capital structure. Previously, Mr. Danh worked at Merrill Lynch in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group and at UBS in the Technology Investment Banking Group. Mr. Danh previously served on the Board of Directors of Seventy Seven Energy and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Expanse Energy Solutions, Inc. Mr. Danh was also Vice President of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Danh received a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College.
David Kirsch
has been our Vice President and a member of our board of directors since August 2020. Mr. Kirsch is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst at Mudrick Capital, where he is responsible for analyzing distressed credit and equity opportunities across a diverse range of industries. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, from 2008 to 2010 Mr. Kirsch was a Senior Analyst and Managing Director at Miura Global Management, a large global long-short equity hedge fund, where he was responsible for coverage of the financial and consumer industries across the
Americas, Europe and Asia. Mr. Kirsch gained extensive restructuring experience as a Director at Alvarez & Marsal from 2003 - 2008. At Alvarez & Marsal, he held primary or lead management roles on an interim basis for distressed companies and advised creditors on balance sheet solutions to maximize the value of their investments. Mr. Kirsch began his Wall Street career as an Analyst in the Healthcare Industry Group in the Investment Banking Division of Banc of America Securities. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of NJOY Holdings, Proenza Schouler and Targus Holdings and previously served on the Board of Directors of NYDJ. Mr. Kirsch currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation and Nelson Education. Mr. Kirsch was also Vice President and director of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Kirsch received his B.S. Magna Cum Laude in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kirsch’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive leadership and board experience, his track record as Managing Director and Senior Analyst of Mudrick Capital, his current board experience, and his network of contacts in the distressed investing field.
Glenn Springer
has been our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020. Mr. Springer is the Chief Financial Officer of Mudrick Capital, where he oversees the finance, accounting and operations functions. Prior to joining Mudrick Capital, Mr. Springer was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Turtle Creek Investment Advisors, LLC from 2007 to 2008 where he developed from inception, its operational and financial infrastructure. Prior to joining Turtle Creek, Mr. Springer served as Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer of SBZ Select Investments, LLC from 2005 to 2007 where he was responsible for the finance, accounting and compliance functions, including the registration of two investment advisors with the SEC. Previously, Mr. Springer served as Controller (A.A.I.UK), Director of Fund Accounting and a Risk Management Affiliated Fund Analyst at Asset Alliance Corporation from 2000 to 2004. Prior to Asset Alliance, Mr. Springer was a Senior Accountant in PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP’s Financial Services and Business Advisory Services Group from 1998 to 2000 where his focus was on audits of a variety of investment companies including hedge funds and private equity funds. Mr. Springer began his career at Richard A. Eisner & Co. LLP from 1996 to 1998 where he was a Senior Accountant in the Audit Department. Mr. Springer was also Chief Financial Officer of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Mr. Springer received a B.A. from the State University of Albany and an M.B.A. from Baruch College, CUNY. Mr. Springer is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.
Dennis Stogsdill
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Mr. Stogsdill has in excess of 25 years of experience in management consulting, advising troubled companies, lenders and equity sponsors in distressed and non-distressed
situations. Mr. Stogsdill began his career in 1994 working as a management consultant at GB Consulting and later in 1996 joined the global restructuring group of Arthur Andersen. In 2001 he helped form the restructuring group of the investment bank Berenson Minella. In 2002, he joined Alvarez & Marsal LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in corporate turnarounds and financial restructurings. Mr. Stogsdill is currently Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal LLC and has been involved in all aspects of the reorganization process, including acting in executive-level roles such as Chief Restructuring Officer. Mr. Stogsdill periodically served as the interim Chief Executive Officer or Chief Restructuring Officer (or in an analogous position) of companies which elected to utilize bankruptcy proceedings as a part of their financial restructuring process and, as such, he served as an executive officer of various companies which filed bankruptcy petitions under federal law, including, without limitation, Fairway Group Holdings in 2015, Revel Casino in 2013, Fresh & Easy Markets in 2013 and M&G Chemicals SA in 2017. Mr. Stogsdill has a B.S. from Rutgers University. Mr. Stogsdill is well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his experience in finance, business, operations and in restructuring and turnaround situations.
Scott Kasen
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Mr. Kasen has been a private investor since 2010 and is currently a board member of SK Restaurant Holdings LLC. From August 2016 through August 2020 Mr. Kasen served as a director of Thryv Holdings, Inc. and from February 2016 to November 2018 was a member of the board of directors for Targus Cayman Holdco Limited. Previously, Mr. Kasen has held several senior leadership positions within Contrarian Capital Management, LLC, including co-portfolio
manager of European Fund, LP and Contrarian Capital Senior Secured, LP. Mr. Kasen has previously held leadership roles as Vice President with The Trump Organization and has served as a partner with A.B. Edelman Management Company and Velocity Crossover Investors. Mr. Kasen also previously served on the board of directors for Special Metals, Inc. and Cascade Timberlands, LLC. Mr. Kasen received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and his Master of Business Administration degree from The Columbia Business School. In light of Mr. Kasen’s business experience, we believe it is appropriate for Mr. Kasen to serve as a director.
Dr.
Brian Kushner
has served as one of our directors since December 2020. Dr. Kushner has, since 2009, served as a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN), a global business advisory firm, where he serves as the leader of the Private Capital Advisory Services practice and as the co-leader
of the Technology practice, the Aerospace, Defense and Government Contracting practice and the Activism and M&A Solutions practice. Prior to joining FTI, Dr. Kushner was the co-founder
of CXO, L.L.C., a boutique interim and turnaround management consulting firm that was acquired by FTI at the end of 2008. Over the past two decades, he has served as Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Restructuring Officer or a Director of more than two dozen public and private technology, manufacturing, telecom and defense companies, and has led, or participated in the sale or acquisition of over 25 companies. Dr. Kushner periodically served as the interim CEO or Chief Restructuring Officer (or in an analogous position) of companies which elected to utilize bankruptcy proceedings as a part of their financial restructuring process and, as such, he served as an executive officer of various companies which filed bankruptcy petitions under federal law, including, without limitation, Relativity Media LLC in 2015. Dr. Kushner began his career in 1982 at BDM International, a defense firm, and remained with them following their acquisition by Ford Motor Company, and stayed on to become Chief Scientist and General Manager as part of the management team that completed a leveraged buyout of BDM in 1990 with the Carlyle Group. Dr. Kushner serves as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Cumulus Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS), a leader in the radio broadcasting industry, since 2018; an independent director and member of the Audit, the Finance, the Technology and the Strategy and Operations Committees of Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI), a leader in smart home products and systems, since 2019; and an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Gibson Brands, Inc., a manufacturer of guitars and other musical instruments, since 2018. Dr. Kushner is also a member of the Advisory Council of the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and is an Emeritus member of the Engineering College Council at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Previously, from 2016 - 2020, he served as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Thryv, Inc. (fka Dex Media Holdings Inc.), a digital and print marketing company; an independent director of DevelopOnBox Holding, LLC d/b/a Zodiac Systems, a video software engineering services firm, where he served on the Audit and Governance Committees, from 2016 - until the sale of the company to Orion Innovation in 2020; from 2016-2018, he served as a non-executive
independent director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of the Luxfer Group, PLC (NYSE: LXFR), a specialty materials manufacturing company; from 2015 to 2016 he served as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Everyware Global, Inc, the manufacturing company that is the parent of the Oneida and Anchor Hocking brands (since renamed the Oneida Group); from 2013 to 2015 the Lead Independent Director of Damovo, LLC, the ultrahigh reliability and data systems integration company; from 2010 to 2013 as Chair of Caribbean Asset Holdings, the voice, video and telephony company serving many Caribbean islands; from 2009 to 2013 as managing member and director of DLN Holdings, LLC, a mid-tier
defense contractor; from 2007 to 2012 as director and acting Chair of Sage Telecom, Inc., a competitive local exchange carrier and a Silver Point Capital portfolio company; from 2006 to 2009 a director of Pacific Crossing Limited, a telecom carrier; and from 2003 to 2008 an independent director of Headway Resources, a staffing company. Dr. Kushner was also a director of Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (fka Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation). Dr. Kushner has a Ph.D. in Applied and Engineering Physics with a minor in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, as well as an M.S. and B.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell. Dr. Kushner is well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his substantial executive-level operational experience in a broad spectrum of industries, his knowledge and expertise in M&A and in IT, his extensive experience over the last 20 years as an independent director, and his extensive network of contacts in both private equity, hedge funds and distressed investing.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of five directors, divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. In accordance with Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one full year after our first full fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq.
The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr. Stogsdill, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Messrs. Kasen and Kushner, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Mudrick and Kirsch, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in
rules and a limited exception, Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3
of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and Nasdaq rules require that the compensation committee of a listed company each be comprised solely of independent directors. Each committee operates under a charter that has been approved by our board and has the composition and responsibilities described below.
Audit Committee
We have established an audit committee of our board of directors. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner serve as members of our audit committee, and Mr. Kushner chairs the audit committee.
Under Nasdaq’s listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq’s listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1)
of the Exchange Act.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kushner qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
•
the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;
•
pre-approving
all audit and permitted non-audit
services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval
policies and procedures;
•
setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations;
•
setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
•
obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence;
•
reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and
•
reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
Compensation Committee
We have established a compensation committee of our board of directors. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner serve as members of our compensation committee. Under Nasdaq’s listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner are independent and Mr. Kasen will chair the compensation committee.
We adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
•
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;
•
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers;
•
reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans;
•
implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
•
assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
•
approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;
•
if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
•
reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, other than the payment to our sponsor of $10,000 per month, for up to 21 months (i.e., until September 10, 2022), for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support and reimbursement of expenses, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more officers serving on our board of directors.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Stogsdill, Kasen and Kushner. In accordance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us and is posted on our website https://www.mudrickcapitalacquisitioncorp.com/
. If we make any amendments to our Code of Ethics other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive
amendments, or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC or Nasdaq rules, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. The information included on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K
or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Conflicts of Interest
Mudrick Capital manages several investment vehicles. Funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital or its affiliates may compete with us for business combination opportunities. If these funds or separate accounts decide to pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from procuring such opportunities. In addition, investment ideas generated within Mudrick Capital may be suitable for both us and for a current or future Mudrick Capital fund or separate account and may be directed to such investment vehicle rather than to us. Neither Mudrick Capital nor members of our management team who are also employed by Mudrick Capital have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware, unless presented to such member solely in his or her capacity as an officer of the company. Mudrick Capital and our management may have similar obligations to future investment vehicles or third parties.
We may, at our option, pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with any such fund or other investment vehicle, but such parties would co-invest
only if permitted by applicable regulatory and other legal limitations and to the extent considered appropriate. Such entity may co-invest
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by making a specified future issuance to any such fund or vehicle.
Mudrick Capital and each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of Mudrick Capital and our officers or directors will not materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. We may, at our option, pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which Mudrick Capital or an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest
with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the initial business combination by making a specified future issuance to any such entity. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Stockholders should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
•
None of our officers or directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.
•
In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us, as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
•
Our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our initial stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to consummate our initial business combination by September 10, 2022. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the private placement warrants will expire worthless. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares will not be transferable, assignable by our sponsor until the earlier of: (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the reported closing price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 - trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement warrants and the Class A common stock underlying such warrants, will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our sponsor and officers and directors own or may in the future directly or indirectly own common stock and warrants, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.
•
Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
•
Our sponsor, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 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 conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
•
the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
•
the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
•
it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in their capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Our sponsor may form, and our officers and directors may become an officer or director of, another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Exchange Act prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Officer and Director Compensation
None of our officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. We pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees. Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our officers and directors prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. We do not have a policy that prohibits our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses by a target business. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such payments, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
based on information obtained from the persons named below, with respect to the beneficial ownership of common stock, by:
•
each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
•
each of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns our common stock; and
•
all our executive officers and directors as a group.
In the table below, percentage ownership is based on 31,625,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Securities currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
On all matters to be voted upon, the holders of the shares of Class A common stock and shares of Class B common stock (i.e., the founder shares) vote together as a single class. Currently, all of founder shares are convertible into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. The table below does not include the Class A common stock underlying the private placement warrants held or to be held by our officers or sponsor because these securities are not exercisable within 60 days of this report.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common stock beneficially owned by them.
Class A Common Stock
Class B Common Stock
Approximate
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Approximate
Percentage
of Class
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Approximate
Percentage
of Class
Percentage
of Outstanding
Common
Stock
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC (2)(3)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Jason Mudrick (2)(3)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Victor Danh
-
-
-
-
-
David Kirsch
-
-
-
-
-
Glenn Springer
-
Dennis Stogsdill (3)
-
-
-
-
-
Scott Kasen (3)
-
-
-
-
-
Dr. Brian Kushner (3)
-
-
-
-
-
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 individuals) (2)
-
-
7,906,250
%
20.0 %
Other 5% Stockholders
Anson Funds Management LP (4)
2,050,000
6.5 %
-
-
- %
Saba Capital Management, L.P. (5)
2,440,841
7.7 %
-
-
- %
Sculptor Capital LP (6)
2,987,883
9.5 %
-
-
- %
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is c/o Mudrick Capital Acquisition Holdings II LLC, 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
(2) Interests shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as shares of Class B common stock. Such shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions contained therein.
(3) Our sponsor is the record holder of such shares. Mudrick Capital Management, L.P. is the managing member of the sponsor and has voting and dispositive power of the shares. Jason Mudrick is the sole member of Mudrick Capital Management, LLC, the general partner of Mudrick Capital Management, L.P., and as a result each has voting and investment discretion with respect to the shares held by the sponsor. Mudrick Capital Management, L.P., Mudrick Capital Management LLC and Jason Mudrick disclaim beneficial ownership over any securities directly held by our sponsor other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest it may have therein, directly or indirectly. Our sponsor is 100% owned by investment funds and separate accounts managed by Mudrick Capital Management, L.P. Each of our independent directors hold a direct or indirect interest in our sponsor. The address of each reporting person is 527 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
(4) According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Anson Funds Management LP (“Anson LP”), Anson Management GP LLC (“Anson GP”), Anson Advisors Inc. (“Anson Advisors”), Bruce R Winson, Amin Nathoo, and Moez Kassam are beneficial owners of 2,050,000 shares of Class A common stock. The business address for Anson LP, Anson GP and Mr. Winson is 16000 Dallas Parkway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75248. The business address for Anson Advisors, Mr. Nathoo and Mr. Kassam is 155 University Ave, Suite 207, Toronto, ON M5H 3B7.
(5) According to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Saba Capital Management, L.P., Saba Capital Management GP, LLC, and Mr. Boaz R. Weinstein are beneficial owners of 2,440,841 shares of Class A common stock. The business address of each of the foregoing is 405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, New York 10174.
(6) According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, each of Sculptor Capital Management, Inc., Sculptor Capital Holding II LLC, Sculptor Capital Holding II Corp., Sculptor Capital II LP and Sculptor Capital LP share voting and dispositive power with regard to 2,987,883 shares of Class A common stock. The business address of the foregoing entities is 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Table
None.
Changes in Control
None.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Founder Shares
In August 2020, our sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain of our offering costs in consideration of 8,625,000 founder shares. In November 2020, our sponsor returned to us, at no cost, an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares, which we cancelled, resulting in an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares outstanding and held by our sponsor. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of our initial public offering. Because we increased the size
of our initial public offering, we effected a stock dividend with respect to our founder shares immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock upon the consummation of the offering. Accordingly, our sponsor holds 7,906,250 founder shares. The founder shares (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Private Placement Warrants
Our sponsor and Jefferies purchased, pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 11,812,500 (10,375,000 by our sponsor and 1,437,500 by Jefferies) private placement warrants for a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering. As such, our sponsor’s interest in this transaction is valued at $10,375,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the over-allotment option in connection with our initial public offering, we also consummated the sale of an additional 1,443,750 private placement warrants at $1.00 per private placement warrant, for a value of $1,443,750. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The private placement warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Administrative Support Agreement
Commencing on the date of our initial public offering, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Other than the foregoing, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. We do not have a policy that prohibits our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses by a target business. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or any of their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
Related Party Loans
Prior to the closing of our initial public offering, our sponsor agreed to loan us up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the offering. As of the date of the closing of our initial public offering, we had borrowed $135,680 under such promissory note. These loans were non-interest
bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of March 31, 2021 or the closing of our initial public offering. The loan was repaid upon the closing of our initial public offering.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended 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 an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our 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 $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The 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 our trust account.
On November 22, 2021, we issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Note
”) to our sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $2,000,000 from our sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to the business of our company and the consummation of a business combination. All unpaid principal under the Sponsor Convertible Note will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) September 10, 2022, and (ii) the consummation of a business combination (such earlier date, the “Maturity Date
”). Our sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to the Maturity Date, to convert up to $1,500,000 outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Note into warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, at a conversion price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. As of December 31, 2021, there was $1,000,000 borrowings outstanding under the convertible notes.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
Registration Rights Agreement
We entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, the warrants issuable upon conversion of working capital loans (if any) and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the foregoing and upon conversion of the founder shares.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to WithumSmith+Brown, PC or Withum, for services rendered.
Audit Fees
. Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end
financial statements and services that are normally provided by Withum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees of Withum for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q
and 10-K
for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2021 total approximately $86,005 and for period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 totaled approximately $31,000. The aggregate fees of Withum related to audit services in connection with our initial public offering totaled approximately $63,000. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.
Audit-Related Fees
. Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. During the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we did not pay Withum any audit-related fees.
Tax Fees
. We paid $4,635 and $0 to Withum for tax services, planning or advice for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, respectively.
All Other Fees
. We did not pay Withum for any other services for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from July 30, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.
Pre-Approval
Policy
Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our initial public offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve
all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve
all auditing services and permitted non-audit
services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis
exceptions for non-audit
services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheet
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
2) Financial Statements Schedule
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the amounts are immaterial and not required, or the required information is presented in the financial statements and notes thereto beginning on page
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3) Exhibits
We hereby file as part of this report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.